Restoration of 1965 Ski Nautique

[ewlynthacum]

Does anyone have any information on the production run of 1965 Nautiques? I have begun restoration on a fiberglass boat titled as a 1965 Ski Nautique but without any verification such as a HIN or production numbers. The reference materials on CorrectCraftFan do not list the boat. The reference materials for a 1964 and a 1966 Ski Nautique are listed. Could the production run of Ski Nautiques have been skipped in 1965?

[TRBenj]

Does anyone have any information on the production run of 1965 Nautiques? I have begun restoration on a fiberglass boat titled as a 1965 Ski Nautique but without any verification such as a HIN or production numbers. The reference materials on CorrectCraftFan do not list the boat. The reference materials for a 1964 and a 1966 Ski Nautique are listed. Could the production run of Ski Nautiques have been skipped in 1965?

No, production was not stopped. You will have a very hard time finding info on the 1st gen SN here... I would wander over to the forums on CCF and start asking questions, as there is a much larger knowledge base for the older boats there. Welcome to an exclusive club- 1st gens are fairly rare. I have yet to start the restoration on my '67.

[WakeSlayer]

Congrats on the project. I am somwhere in the middle of a resto/mod on my 67. Stringers are done. Misc structure and floor are coming this winter. Motor is ready to start being reassembled. Hoping for a 2012 splashdown.

[ewlynthacum]

1965 restoration

No, production was not stopped. You will have a very hard time finding info on the 1st gen SN here... I would wander over to the forums on CCF and start asking questions, as there is a much larger knowledge base for the older boats there. Welcome to an exclusive club- 1st gens are fairly rare. I have yet to start the restoration on my '67.

Thanks TR. I spoke with you on the CCF site when I was going through the motor, drive, and correct prop install, you were a big help. I am down to the cosmetics now and will have to decide between paint or re-gel. What are your thoughts?

[TRBenj]

Thanks TR. I spoke with you on the CCF site when I was going through the motor, drive, and correct prop install, you were a big help. I am down to the cosmetics now and will have to decide between paint or re-gel. What are your thoughts?

Hmm, I dont recognize your screen name. Do you go by rithmetic man over on CCF? Why ask questions over here... thats really the best place for info!

As far as gel vs. paint goes, gel all the way! Ive talked to several people who have painted, and they said for all the work they did to make the job look good, they should have gone with gelcoat instead. The prep work is about the same for both. There is quite a bit more sanding involved once the gel is on to get rid of the orange peel, but if youre going to go through the hassle to refinish, Id say its worth it. Gel will wear much better, as its much harder and thicker than paint. I am still working on convincing Mike (Wakeslayer) that he should go with gel on his SN. The deck on my '67 needs to have the old gel removed and a new finish sprayed on... and gel is the only option I'm considering.

[WakeSlayer]

Ha.

Tim, I am just going to wetsand and polish her as is. She is going to have all the character she ever earned in her 43 years. No paint, no gel.
Going with original, literally.

And I agree, this discussion will not go anywhere here. CCF is the forum you want for anything pre 90's (apologies to the few in the 80's here)

[TRBenj]

Tim, I am just going to wetsand and polish her as is. She is going to have all the character she ever earned in her 43 years. No paint, no gel.
Going with original, literally.

Thats great news... I wish I could do the same with mine! Ive got a bunch of crazing that has been filled and more is showing up... gel needs to come off.

After my recent bilge debacle, I am NOT looking forward to removing the yellow paint from my Skier project.

Ive come to the conclusion that beyond a period correct waterline stripe, paint has no business on a ski boat!

[WakeSlayer]

The Mustang turned out nice, and I am happy I did paint it, probably would not do it again though.