Buying a 2001 Air Nautique - What should I look for?

[Chexi]

It needs to be a lot less than 20k to be a steal, considering I got my 99 Air 2 years ago for $14k. I did need some vinyl work, but it only had 680 hours. As for needing a rebuild just because it hits 2k hours is not necessarily true.

[nautique_stealth]

I am unsure how much a rebuild is on a GT40. If your interested in skiing, keep in mind an Air Nautique will ski better than a Pro Air. (Discussed this with a Nautique service guy who used to own one)

Are you going to pull the trigger without a water test?

How different does the hull make the wake? I'm mainly a boarder, but I'd like to be able to ski if I want to. I'm fine with the Pro being geared a bit more towards boarding. My parents have an 02 Air, so that's what I'm used to. So isn't the Pro a little better for boarding?
I'm going to have a marina look it over next week, but up here in IL can't really do a water test right now. Besides that, I wouldn't even know what to look for. I was ready to pull the trigger until found out there hasn't been a rebuild.

[ksdaoski27]

he had it for sale all last year, same price. obviously, no takers

[MattieK27]

How different does the hull make the wake? I'm mainly a boarder, but I'd like to be able to ski if I want to. I'm fine with the Pro being geared a bit more towards boarding. My parents have an 02 Air, so that's what I'm used to. So isn't the Pro a little better for boarding?
I'm going to have a marina look it over next week, but up here in IL can't really do a water test right now. Besides that, I wouldn't even know what to look for. I was ready to pull the trigger until found out there hasn't been a rebuild.

I am working off second hand info, but the Nautique tech told me the Pro Air was terrible for skiing. As far as the boarding wake, it's my assumption that CC would have never released it if it wasn't at least a little bit better than the Air for wakeboarding.

I would be nervous about buying without driving it on the water, but I understand you can't right now. (I live in northern IL as well) If you want this boat, I think you should offer a good bit lower than the asking price, it has been for sale for a year now for a reason...

[nautique_stealth]

So offer like 17k or 16500? Would that be a deal?

[nautique_stealth]

Yes/no?

Has anyone ever had a rebuild done on a GT 40? Approx cost?

[JB-FOOT]

pro air difference is notable

The pro air had a vented and stepped hull right under the drivers seat...one thing you will notice is the sound and feel of HULL SLAP right under the driver's feet..., something that NO OTHER Nautiques are noted for...it is annoying to say the least!

The venting also caused the boat to have more hull spray, you will find this annoying too should you ever want to put a boom out the side of the boat....while you may not, the next person you try and sell the boat to, just might....

That said the boat is faster than a regular air/sport hull....but it also throws a tunnel of water directly behind the boat unlike the regular air/sport hulls....make no mistake about it...this boat/hull/wake is different!

I truly suggest you test drive the boat and you REALLY need to test ride the wake.....

If you want to find out the TRUE hours, the motor's computer can be scanned by a dealer or PCM mechanic and you can get the actual motor hours. That should take the guess work out of the thought/negotiating/buying process..

I always find it interesting how people cant seem to find the time to TEST drive a boat prior to owning and using it....
N0 one NEEDS a boat, but they WANT a boat.....if they would just test drive/ride every boat before they bought it, they would GET the boat they WANT.......

JMHO

[jimmyj]

you CANT pull hours off the GT-40 by the way.

[JB-FOOT]

You are correct about the GT-40 Ford 351....that didnt happen I guess until PCM/Correct Craft went to the GM 350....my forgetful/mistake....

[MattieK27]

I truly suggest you test drive the boat and you REALLY need to test ride the wake.....

I always find it interesting how people cant seem to find the time to TEST drive a boat prior to owning and using it....
N0 one NEEDS a boat, but they WANT a boat.....if they would just test drive/ride every boat before they bought it, they would GET the boat they WANT.......

JMHO

I think this is great advice. Here is the thing about the Pro Air, it has been listed for sale for at least a year. I bet waiting another month so you could do a sea trial is not going cause you to lose the boat.

[DanielC]

If the boat has been taken care of like it is represented, hours the engine should not be an issue. I have a 1997 Ski Nautique, 2308 hours. Still runs very good, no oil smoke.

My belief is that an engine that was used often, will be in better shape than one that was used only a few times each season. Here is why. Oil slowly drains off internal parts of an engine when it sits. If a engine sits for more that about two weeks, many parts of the engine have no, or very little oil on them, and do not get oiled again, until the engine is started again. PCM has recommended using fogging oil on an engine if it is going to sit for more that two weeks. Ford has recommended in the drivers manual for my Aerostar that if you are storing it, you start it, and at least move it a little every two weeks.

However, before you buy this boat you need to test drive it, and see it the wake characteristics of the hull are desirable to you. I also strongly suggest you wake board behind it, and ski behind it, if you are going to use it for that.

Absolutely have a mechanic do a compression test. Like it was pointed out, the GT-40 engine does not store the hour information.

[xlair]

As others say, you really need to drive/ski it to see if the boat fits your needs. 1500 hours is well used but if the boat is in good shape then i wouldn't necessarily make the hours a deal breaker.

As I have said before, most people who put down the Pro Air have never really been in one, they just hear the rumors. I have probably spent 400 hours in Pro Airs. Is it a bad hull?- absolutely not, it is just different. It does wakeboard better than the regular Air but not as well as a super air. I have also probably put 500 hours on regular Airs and 300 hours on Super Airs(210) so I think my comparison is pretty valid. The negatives are that there is a little more bow rise and it doesn't handle quite as well as a regular Air. The ski wake is also probably marginally worse. As far as the spray/slap I don't think its true to the extent others say. You can hear the hull "vents" if you really pay attention but its not an issue.

Again, I wouldn't let the hull dissuade you. More of a matter if the boat fits your needs and is the condition/price that you want.

[nautique_stealth]

Guys, thanks for all the imput. I'm not a pro wakeboarder or skier by any means. I'm just looking for nice boat at a fair price

The boat is going in today for 'buyers check'.
Given the hours, condition, and Pro hull, what might be a good price? 16, 17, 18k?

[MattieK27]

Guys, thanks for all the imput. I'm not a pro wakeboarder or skier by any means. I'm just looking for nice boat at a fair price

The boat is going in today for 'buyers check'.
Given the hours, condition, and Pro hull, what might be a good price? 16, 17, 18k?

16k? 17k? I am not sure, and since the Pro Air isn't that common its hard to tell. I would probably offer 16 or 17 and see where that gets you. Another factor to consider, is the trailer in good shape?

Where are you at in Illinois? If you need someone to contribute for gas, I might need a pull or two this season while I try to find a boat to buy.

[nautique_stealth]

Good idea... I think it's in good shape, but I'll ask him.

I'm north of Chicago 20 miles, in Deerfield.