1991 ski nautique

[kateye57]

I am looking for information on a 91 nautique. The boat has 275 hours and is in great shape according to the owner. I have not seen the boat yet. I am trying to decide if I should go look and test drive it. I have owned a ski boat before(another make of the big three)but it wasn't a nautique. At $9500 is sounds pretty fair. I am looking for advice on what to look for on this boat and is this a fair price?

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: 1991 ski nautique

Welcome to the site!

A '91 Nautique will still have some wood in the construction, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but does mean that you should check out some areas of the boat more carefully than you otherwise might. Take a look at THIS ARTICLE for some things to check.

[skinautique]

RE: 1991 ski nautique

The boat design is great. That hull was used from 90-96. The ride is unbeatable. Incredibly smooth. I would just look over the seats to make sure they are holding up, and if you can drive it, make sure it runs well. Make sure it starts well after you have warmed it up and shut it off. Also make sure there are no vibrations. With 275 hours, the boat isn't even broken in!

[M3Fan]

RE: 1991 ski nautique

That is a great price for that boat. The hours are really low for a 15 year old boat, so I would find out why. Check the floor for soft spots. Couple of other notes about this boat:
- For 10k there is no other inboard to buy. The Malibu’s at that time were a joke (this is not even bashing- it’s a fact.). In 91 Mastercraft offered a new PS190 hull that is extremely desirable, but had spray issues (I’ve never skied behind one- just what I’ve heard). Take a look at that Mastercraft interior- it’s a laugh compared to what CC was offering. Here are some more facts about this boat:

-This boat is THE REASON ski boats are longer and wider today than they were before 1990. This boat has a 91” beam and is 19’ 6”. Note the other manufacturers’ boats grew in size after 1990.

-This boat is the first ski boat to have dampening material glassed into the hull for vibration and sound dampening

-First year of all Pro-Tec ignition- no distributor. A way better powerplant than the Mercruiser in Malibus and the Indmar chevy in MC’s at the time. There is absolutely no comparison in this category.

-It is the FIRST boat to specifically address spray at all line lengths with spray relief pockets.

-It is the FIRST boat to have a wrap-around dash pod design. Look at he dashboards of the other boats back then, what a laugh. The dash pod is even padded- When did the rest of the industry catch up with that???

-This boat had a 1:23:1 reduction trans (actually this started on the 89 SN). Guess what MC is using for ratios now (16 years later)??? 1:26:1.

-This boat has the custom-designed invertaflo muffler system. Others tried similar systems, failed, and went back to straight pipes or third party,standard mufflers.

-This boat can TURN ON A DIME. Haven’t been in a ski boat that can turn harder and flatter than this.

-the engine is connected via beefy mounts to an 8’ or so long piece of angled aluminum which is held into the stringers by a quiver of lag bolts. Even today, CC is the only manufacturer to not bolt directly to the stringers.

Yeah, this is a chance for the guy with the old boat to crow…. But in the next few years she’ll be replaced by a fancy new one, so might as well get some praise for the old girl while I have her…. Buy the boat!!!!!

[ccskier16]

RE: 1991 ski nautique

Very fair. Actually seems a bit low. Definately worth a look and drive for that price. Bought my 91 2 years ago with 312 hours and havent any problems...yet.

[SGY]

RE: 1991 ski nautique

Awesome price for that vintage boat M3Fan is the man on these vintage boats. If it runs and checks out relating to floor soft spots, I'd buy it. The only concern is the number of hours. You may have some money to spend that should have been spent on the boat had it been run an appropriate number of hours. For example, you might need new hoses, belts, alignment etc. That would not sway me though.

Check for rust in the bilge and other areas as well. It would not hurt to have the motor compression checked out. Does the owner have maintenance records?

Good luck.

[darrel409]

RE: 1991 ski nautique

I agree w/ M3Fan i just cant come up with as many good reasons as he has. The "look"
of the slant back end and sharp lines of the front window are classic!! The interior is roomy compared to others of that era, but the skins will be pricey if they need replacing. 275 hrs is very very low hours. When i bought my current boat i didnt want anything newer than the 96 because i love the 90-96l hull. Its a very good ski wake and if you weight it a little its still a fun wakeboard wake. Sounds like a solid purchase if it all checks out.
M3Fan- My bro in law had that 91 pro star, great wakes but weak powerplant and if their was any breeze at all the spray coming off the boat was miserable on a ski course.

Privious boat 93 Ski Nautique
Current boat 95 Ski Nautique

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: 1991 ski nautique

I agree... There's something special about Ski Nautiques from that era. I miss mine.

[Jesse1]

RE: 1991 ski nautique

My '91 looked exactly like that boat. Handled very well, had the 240 hp 351 PCM and 1.23:1 trans. I didn't like the way the rear of the boat sloped, always seemed to make getting in and out harder.

[SEEN-NC]

91

One thing you have to look at is if it has a depth finder, sometime the hour meter will be removed and the hours are not always correct… But do not let the year scary you…Always test drive, even if you have to wear rain gear… We love the vintage boats Ski 90-96……..