New Boat Owner Needs Tips

[jsabik]

Hello everyone, I'm buying my first boat and it's a 93' Ski Nautique. The boat seems to be in really great shape. The only issue I have is that it's not by a lake and I don't have a way to start the engine and see how it runs. I have heard about using "muffs" but I have never actually done it. What's some advice?

[areford]

New Boat Owner Needs Tips

You have a couple of options. You can buy a "fake a lake" from skidim or u can disconnect the water intake from the pickup under the engine and stick a hose into it. That way u can let the engine heat up and test everything. Be sure to check the serial number on the transom to confirm it's a 93 as it was an important model change. Good luck!

[jsabik]

May be a stuip question

How will I know the serial number of the transom comfirms it's a 93'? Will the serial number match that of the hull number or something like that? After looking at the "Fake-a-Lake" it looks like nothing mor than a plunger that a hose can be attached to. Do you think one could be made. I am suppose to buy the boat tomorrow and its a huge concern of mine.

[MattieK27]

How will I know the serial number of the transom comfirms it's a 93'? Will the serial number match that of the hull number or something like that? After looking at the "Fake-a-Lake" it looks like nothing mor than a plunger that a hose can be attached to. Do you think one could be made. I am suppose to buy the boat tomorrow and its a huge concern of mine.

The last two numbers of the hull id are always the year it was made. If your worried about running the boat, buy a fake-a-lake or similar product. Why make your own?

By the way, the muffs you referred to are the same concept, Only they are for stern drives not inboards.

[jsabik]

fake a lake

are fake a lakes sold in places other than online?

[gride300]

you shouldn't buy the boat w/o running it first.

[MattieK27]

you shouldn't buy the boat w/o running it first.

I think I would request a sea trial as well. At the very least though, you should run the engine.

[Latonkaboarder]

An easy inexpensive way to run the boat out of the water is to: Disconnect the hose coming into the strainer. I think on the 93's the strainer is located on the rear port side of the engine. Get a piece of hose at a local hardware store the same size in diameter and about 6-8 feet long. Hook up the purchased piece of hose to the strainer and place the other end into a large bucket or a big storage container such as a rubbermaid storage tote. Fill the tote up with water from a garden hose. Keep the garden hose running and start the boat. The hose will draw the water from the storage bin just like the bottom intake on the boat would if it were sitting in a lake. I use a big storage bin when using this method on my boat because my boat will suck the water faster than my hose can pump it out. I also sit the bin on the ground outside of the boat so it doesn't make everything wet inside incase I overflow the bin. I use this method anytime prior to changing the oil to get the engine up to temp and also when I am winterizing my boat. During the winterizing process after I drain all the necessary parts of the engine I put about four jugs on RV antifreeze in the bin and start the boat to suck the antifreeze into the engine block. Good luck. Also one of the important changes in the 93 is that CC went away with wooden stringers that year. So prior to 93 the boat will have wood stringers that could possibly have some rot.

[HVL2010]

pull the hose AFTER the sea strainer...stick the house hose in and clamp it down...crank the faucet fully open. Unless you have horrid water pressure at the house, that boat at idle (mine is @400rpm) won't starve for water.

[behindpropellers]

Hello everyone, I'm buying my first boat and it's a 93' Ski Nautique. The boat seems to be in really great shape. The only issue I have is that it's not by a lake and I don't have a way to start the engine and see how it runs. I have heard about using "muffs" but I have never actually done it. What's some advice?

Tip:

Any time a person is in the water or you do not intend to have the boat in gear make sure the silver "button" is out. The throttle lock catch on the older morse throttles wear out quick, therefore they loose the safety mechanism that locks the throttle.

[wskiboy]

muffs

When starting the boat using any of the methods above Do Not rev up the engine , as it will wreck your impeller

[pdxCC]

93'

I agree that starting it is a must. However with the age you might pull together a purchase agreement that ideitfies a water trial within a week and a right of refusal etc. I did this when I bought my 93. The reason I say this is that the strut/shaft/prop combo may be pretty old and might need a refresh at a decent penny price.

Last - On the adapter, I use the following:

1) 12" stick of grey PVC sprinkler nipple (3/4") from Home Depot {About $2}
2) 3/4" MIP to Hose adapter {$2}
3) 5' Piece of hose

Connect the nipple to the 1" intake line, then the adapter between the nipple and the hose. Put the hose in a bucket and fill it with water with the fill hose left in and running full. When the boat is running it will draw water faster than the hose can supply it so be careful.

This arragement allows me to run my 93 in the driveway for 2-3 minutes at a pop. Generally enough to get it warm to change the oil etc.

[Chexi]

Unless the boat is under about $7k, I'd be insisting on a water test. How can you check for leaks without putting it in the water?

[HVL2010]

Here's a tip...buy mine, bring your board/skis/tube/wife/kids/dog....we can water test it all you want in my backyard if you're worried! C'mon, I want a 200V.

[jsabik]

thanks for the help

Thanks for all the tips. I did buy the boat. I was able run it and it sounds great. Didn't get the water test but hey I'm willing to gamble. Love the boat and have been a sn fan for years. was a good deal so I went with it. If something isn't right I can only blame myself. Everything is fixable right.....