i need your advice. asap!!!!

[illvizions80]

ok , i have been looking at the 80's ski natique 2001 boats, came across what i think is a good deal. not sure of year, all is there. needs carb, shaft , prop, rudder. he hit a log in the river. and some fiberglass work. has a 351. 1500 dollars. is this a good deal. what do you guys think ? comes with trailer, he said it ran great before hitting the log . going to look at it sat. thanks for helping me out. Ryan i do have pics but they r to big to upload onto this site..

[SkiTower]

depending on the damage, it's a great deal. If it's not over the top you can put ~$10K into it and still come out on at a good deal and have a good boat.

My recommendation would be to get someone to look at it that knows what to look for, like a friendly dealer or one of their mechanics.

[SkiTundra]

Ran great before hitting the log. Needs carb?

Agree with getting someone to look at it with you. Check compression, check the oil (clean? water in it?), etc. Was damage limited to shaft or did engine suffer too? Putting a carb on shouldn't be too difficult, you could possible grab one, put it on, hook up a fake-a-lake, and start the engine. Cheaper than doing it after spending $1500 and finding out there's a major problem.

[shag]

I would look for cracks in the hull around the prop input and strut.

[GC]

I don't see how $1500 is a good deal if you don't know the year of the boat and the extent of the damage. There is a great difference in value of early 80's and late 80's.

[bkhallpass]

I don't see how $1500 is a good deal if you don't know the year of the boat and the extent of the damage. There is a great difference in value of early 80's and late 80's.

How do you define great difference? I don't see a great amount of difference in price or value across 82-89 Ski Nautiques.

I also don't see $1500 as any great deal for a an 82-89 Ski with the underwater gear torn out and unknown engine condition. I paid that for my 82 with a good engine, tranny, tandem trailer and all the gear in place.

At 1500, if the boat has a good trailer, and if the engine runs, you could part it out and make money.

In terms of putting it back together, I would think it depends upon if the upholstery is good, and if the engine/transmission are good. Being an 80's correct craft, it probably has rot in the stringers. If you have to do stringers, upholstery, motor work, plust the underwater gear you know is damaged, you can quickly be into the
boat for as much as it's worth, not to mention your labor. Pay someone else to do the work, and I'm pretty sure you'll be into it more than the boat is worth.

BKH

[bchesley]

Ask that same question here www.correctcraftfan.com and you will also get some good advice. The guys over thre are very well versed with the older boats.

[illvizions80]

ok i talked to him more about the boat, has good compression, floor is good, here are some pics

[shag]

Is that a crack in the hull where the strut mounts?? Eeek!

[illvizions80]

is that a bad thing?

[MattieK27]

Yes. I would walk away, especially if you are unfamiliar with fixing/working on boats.

[swc5150]

I think PN member had an insurance company total out his brand new 2010 SAN230 for a smaller crack than that by the strut or rudder mount. Don't walk away, run!

[shag]

If I were going to part out this boat, I would offer maybe $900.00. If that is a crack, which appears to transverse the bottom, that hull is no good..... There might be some places that would specialize in fixing, but I doubt it.

[DealsGapCobra]

That hull can be fixed but there is no way I would touch this boat. Keep looking, you will find a good one.

[DanielC]

I do not think this is the boat for you. Especially if it is your first boat. You could very easily get too far into the repairs to be able to finish it, before you get tired of working on it.

Have you got the space to work on it? Can you remove everything in the boat, and turn it upside down to work on the hull bottom damage? Will your wife, or family accept you having this project for two or three years?

Look for another boat that needs maybe a tune up, and a minor propeller repair. Not one that needs to completely rebuilt from the hull up.

I believe this boat has a wood floor, and stringers. With that amount of hull damage, there is probably water in the hull by the stringers, and the bottom of the floor. Wood in water means there is wood rot.

Keep saving money until you can afford a much better boat.