1996 Ski Nautique buying advise

[ToFastToCare]

I am looking for advise on a 96 SNOB I am looking at buying. It has the ProSki TBI motor with 800 hrs. It is in good condition for it's age. The owner bought it new and has stored it in his garage. I looked and skied behind it yesterday. It had a vibration at a certain engine RPM. I was told this was probably due to a ding in the prop. Other than that the boat checked out well. The owner is asking 9600 for it. I live in utah and winter is coming. Does this seem like a good price for this boat at this time of year?

[teamseal]

Well with no pictures, provided that you are confident that the boat runs out good $9600 is a pretty good price. How was the boat used in the past? Are the tires on the trailer good, Stereo? Bimini? cover? Speed control? Heater? interrior in good condition? Carpet?

[bhectus]

seems like a fair price but would need some more info from you to give you a more accurate estimate. I just bought my '96 a few months ago. I paid $8500 w/no trailer. 1000 hours, GT-40 F.I. motor, upholstery completely re-done by Nautique Skins of Orlando, near perfect gelcoat and graphics, good carpet. came with bimini and cover. The cover had some issues and wasn't an all-weather cover as he had it stored in a boathouse so I had to get a new one as it is now stored outside on the trailer. Paid around $600 for a sunbrella cover but they are the best, small price to protect my investment. The boat had 2 issues: steering cable needed replacing and muffler needed replacing. If steering or throttle is stiff at all you will most likely be looking at replacement, and they are not cheap. Cable alone is $300. The muffler is going to run me about $500. Things like this add up quick. Other than that the boat is solid. I picked up a like new '02 Ramlin trailer that sat in someones garage its entire life for $2k so I still got a good deal on boat & trailer.
Let us know more about the boat and we'll try and help.

Bret

[ToFastToCare]

It has been used as a ski boat on a river. I skied on the river and my only concern was the amount of plants that were floating in it. He said sometimes they get sucked up into the filter and cause it to run hot. The red light on the dash had come on and shut the motor down. Trailer has good tires, comes with aftermarket stero system, no speed control, heater, hot water shower (doesn't work). Interior and carpet is in good shape, some of the seats had just been reapolstered. He wipes it down after every use, the platform was in good shape and has been take care of. The steering felt a little loose. One of the fins on the bottom of the boat was slightly bent.

[correctcraftxpert]

I would be a little concerned about the vibration . . . this could be an indicator of a larger problem. Having plants go throught the impeller consistently is also concerning . . . the engine shouldn't be getting so hot that it shuts down. If this happened with a potential buyer in the boat - imagine how many other times this has happened! It's an ok price but I have seen 1996 nautiques with under 700hrs for less money. Did he say why the fin was bent????

[gride]

does the engine have a strainer? trailer tires go by age(4ish years) not tread, is the oil/trans. fluid low or dirty?

[teamseal]

The Boat looks like it falls into the correct price range but if I were you I would try and get the price down by at least $750.00. Tandem trailer is a plus. I guess no mater what you purchase in that price range their are going to be some initial problems to over come or live with. Not a bad buy even if you had to put a couple thousand into it when you consider what a new one would cost.

[ToFastToCare]

I talked to a boat mechanic and he said it is pretty common to find the prop is out of balance because it got dinged. The boat comes with a second prop. So if I am lucky, swaping them out will resolve the vibration.

He said he had beached it and the fin hit something in the water. The gelcoat is in good condition so I don't think it was beached very often.

He checkes the strainer often because he knows it is a known issue. It never shut down while I was with him, but he said it had happend to him a few times.

Trailer tires didn't look very old and didn't have dry rot anywhere. Trans fluid was at the correct level and was clean and didn't feel gritty.

When I looked at the boat I walked away from the deal because I was unsure about the vibration. But I have since talked to him and got him down to $9100. Thank for all the input, it make me feel better about this possible purchase!

[jamiewilson3]

We just picked up a 2007 with 285 hours for about $5k more than that, but mechanically pretty much perfect. For $9100, I think that is a really good deal. 1k hours isnt that much at all. Just take the winter to go through everything with a fine toothed comb and you should have a very solid boat by spring.

[bhectus]

We just picked up a 2007 with 285 hours for about $5k more than that, but mechanically pretty much perfect. For $9100, I think that is a really good deal. 1k hours isnt that much at all. Just take the winter to go through everything with a fine toothed comb and you should have a very solid boat by spring.

What?? So you picked up a '07 for around $14-15k? Now THAT is a deal! Anything wrong w/ the boat?

[jamiewilson3]

What?? So you picked up a '07 for around $14-15k? Now THAT is a deal! Anything wrong w/ the boat?

No, only wrong with the owner's ability to type. I meant 1997. Off by a measly decade.

[MattieK27]

I would be a little concerned about the vibration . . . this could be an indicator of a larger problem. Having plants go throught the impeller consistently is also concerning . . . the engine shouldn't be getting so hot that it shuts down. If this happened with a potential buyer in the boat - imagine how many other times this has happened! It's an ok price but I have seen 1996 nautiques with under 700hrs for less money. Did he say why the fin was bent????

Can you please point me in the direction of 93-96 Nautiques that have less than 700 hrs for less than $9600? (especially the more rare open bow) Thanks

[scott5star]

I just bought a closed bow 95 for $6850 cash with 600hrs on it. Fresh water boat at that. Ive been looking for over a year though and the price differences were really confusing to me

[MattieK27]

I just bought a closed bow 95 for $6850 cash with 600hrs on it. Fresh water boat at that. Ive been looking for over a year though and the price differences were really confusing to me

That's a good find. Most people want more than that for a 2001. If you come across another one at that price, let me know. Similar condition Nautiques do vary wildly in price it seems.

[scott5star]

Matti, the boat is really great. Drivers seat looks like it got in a fight with a lion but it runs and drives incredible. Check H2o watersports in Dothn,Al thats where I got this one, Frankie is a solid guy and seems to come across good fresh water trade ins.