2000 Ski Nautique

[jjackkrash]

I'm looking at a 2000 Ski Nautique with the crappy gauges. Its a repo boat, but other than the gauges that do not work properly, it looks like it just came off the showroom floor. The hour meter does not work. If the compression checks out, does the fact that its a repo boat and no hour meter give anyone any heartburn? Other than the gauges, anything else I should be looking at or considering before I make a decision? My local dealer cautioned against a repo boat, but he also wants to sell me one. This is the most expensive boat I am looking at.

Other boats I am looking at that are for sale within my travel range (1000 miles) and price range: 2000 American Skier Volante; 1997 American Skier Volante; 1997 Ski Nautique.

I am a three event skier and my preference would be for a closed-bow Nautique, but the wife really wants an open bow. The Volante's both look to be in perfect shape with fairly low hours and, although I have never skied behind one, they intrigue me for some reason. They seem to be really well built and I have heard they have very nice slalom wakes. The other 1997 Nautique I am looking at is in decent shape, but it needs a different prop, and the interior needs a little work. Thoughts?

I want to go skiing and I need a boat for spring!

[jeclarke]

I have a 2001 SN with the GT-40 engine that I purchased 2 years ago. Mine had about 95 hours on it with the original gauges. You can get replacement analog gauges for a few hundred dollars so that shouldn't be a show stopper.

Since you don't know the engine hours can you find out who serviced the boat and see what their records show for when it was serviced and what the hours were at those times.

It's tough making a purchase without knowing the hours.

[swc5150]

Do you know if it's a GT40 or GM Apex? If it's an Apex, the hours will be stored on the ECM. Out of luck with the GT40. Just because a boat is a repo doesn't scare me. There have been a number repo'd boats out there, due to the economy, and it could be that the owner simply handed it back to the bank? I'd do a compression test, and get it in the water to test it out - if at all possible. If it drives solid, with no shakes, rattles or odd sounds, I'd think you're safe. Do the gel and interior appear to be in good shape? Is there any way to get the history on it, like if it was used in salt water?

[jjackkrash]

Its a GT-40 and from the looks of the pictures I would be very surprised if the boat had been run in Salt. The gel and interior look spotless--I mean perfect. My bigger fear than high hours is no hours and that the boat just sat in a garage somewhere, which is worse than high hours if it was not stored properly, IMO. I am going to get the VIN number this afternoon and run it through the NADA history report and see if anything comes up.

[swc5150]

Good plan. From what I've seen, and having been in boat sales in the past, a spotless interior/exterior usually equates to a well maintained engine. Another thing I look at, which may sound silly to some, is what brand of oil filter is being used. If someone uses a K&N for example, they likely have a greater concern for their engine than one who would use something orange. It's not make or break, but it could give you some insight to the boat's service history.

[Rick]

Perfect Pass

If the boat has Perfect pass it has an hour meter on it. It would reflect the correct hours unless someone upgraded the chip which resets the meter.

[jjackkrash]

No perfect pass.

[DanielC]

My 1997 Ski Nautique, GT-40 has over 2308 hours on it. No, I did not forget a decimal point.

Check the condition of the upholstery, the wear on the carpet. Check the engine oil. Drive it. Get, or do a WOT compression test on a warm engine.

Personally, I would rather see a Motorcraft FL1-A oil filter on it. Many shops write the engine hours, and change date on the oil filter.

[jjackkrash]

Daniel, that's awesome, you must have really cared for that boat. That engine certainly doesn't owe you anything going forward.

I have about 5 different boats I am looking at right now, several of which are in Nor Cal and Or, so I am hoping the weather warms up a bit and it stops snowing so I can take a road trip and see a few in person. I will check out the filters on all of them.

[east tx skier]

The condition of the trailer can be another tell as to whether the boat was run in salt or brackish water. Being relatively close to the Brazos as you are, it's worth investigating. I'm not saying a couple of dips in the Brazos will be a big deal, but I have seen some trailers of the boats that are run regularly up there, and there were some serious rust issues.

[Chexi]

You will find quite a few nautiques over 10 years old with more than 2k hours still running strong. That's why we love our nautiques. If the interior really is spotless, then you are right, you either have a boat that was never run, or a super anal owner (like many of us here) and have lucked out. Check out the bilge, hopefully you can find some evidence of use there, which favor the super anal owner theory.

[jjackkrash]

Eastie, Chexi, thanks for chiming in. I need to change my location, because I moved to the PacNW (where saltwater, specifically the Puget Sound, is a big issue). If I was still in Dallas, I'd be all over the 1999 Ski Nautique that just rolled into Buxtons.

I am trying to clear a few things off my plate and take a little road trip to view a few boats. The weather in OR and Nor Cal does not appear to be cooperating, however.

[Hilti]

I also have a 2000 SN Closed Bow for sale

I hate even the thought of selling but adding a daughter and a 108 year old house to the family changes priorities somewhat.

Mine went through the same issues with the gauges..twice!! The dealer in our area (Enzos Inboards) knows this boat and can verify. Yes, my hour gauge is hooped as well but I would not have more than 350 - 400 hours on mine. I hardly use the boat but still have been maintaining and running it every year. It sits on a DHM Tandem axle with 4 wheel surge brakes.

I am in Vancouver, BC. Yes, lots of salt water here but the closest this boat has gotten to the salt is on the ferry going to our favorite lake!

This is my first entry onto the internet regarding selling..and it hurts!
contact me by email if you are interested in details.

[jjackkrash]

I hate even the thought of selling but adding a daughter and a 108 year old house to the family changes priorities somewhat.

Mine went through the same issues with the gauges..twice!! The dealer in our area (Enzos Inboards) knows this boat and can verify. Yes, my hour gauge is hooped as well but I would not have more than 350 - 400 hours on mine. I hardly use the boat but still have been maintaining and running it every year. It sits on a DHM Tandem axle with 4 wheel surge brakes.

I am in Vancouver, BC. Yes, lots of salt water here but the closest this boat has gotten to the salt is on the ferry going to our favorite lake!

This is my first entry onto the internet regarding selling..and it hurts!
contact me by email if you are interested in details.

Sounds like a great boat, but I already found one. Toss it up on craigslist, I am sure you will find some takers when the sun peaks through. Good luck on the sale.