Brand new to the site. Just purchased 2001 sport nautique. any pointers?

[mdvalant]

oops sorry, forgot the disclaimer "IMHO"

[Super_sport]

Haha.. nice Chexi.. I would concur... Disclaimer required.. I am partial to White, Black and Gray myself (IMHO)... But that is a Very nice looking, clean Red and White Naut. Congrats! and welcome to the forum.. I have learned so much since I joined... and have had the opportunity to add my $0.02 every so often.

[bscott]

Two bimini tops????

Very nice looking, though, and looks like for a great price, too.

[ra6991]

Just picked up the boat yesterday and its drying out from all the rain in texas last night. The second top was custom ordered and it took a bit of engineering but it covers the back of the boat. It is really great to have. I will take a few pics with both tops up so you can see what it looks like. Does anyone put fuel additive in because of the ethenol in the fuel? I just picked up a bottle of the 303 for the interior. Everyone says its great stuff.

[AllianceBJJ]

I saw that boat over at Buxton....Didn't think it would last too long, especially at that price....Congrats on the new 'Tique!!!

[swc5150]

Can't beat a red and white Nautique.

red is so 2007! Vapor blue is in style this summer! just funnin';-)

[Chexi]

Just picked up the boat yesterday and its drying out from all the rain in texas last night. The second top was custom ordered and it took a bit of engineering but it covers the back of the boat. It is really great to have. I will take a few pics with both tops up so you can see what it looks like. Does anyone put fuel additive in because of the ethenol in the fuel? I just picked up a bottle of the 303 for the interior. Everyone says its great stuff.

Just remember, 303 is a UV protectant, not a cleaner. Sure, it can clean a little (like water can), but you will need a cleaner too. Favorite cleaners tend to be (in no particular order): Totally Awesome (dollar store), Malco leather and plastic cleaner, Exquisite (Ebay), Babe's, McGuire's, the Hot Sauce line of products, and I'm sure a few others I am missing. If you use Malco or Totally Awesome, read the dilution instructions, and rinse with water quickly after using (moreso the less you dilute).

DO NOT USE MAGIC ERASERS (unless you secretly want to replace all the vinyl and need it to crack so the wife will consent).

[ra6991]

I read a bunch of stuff about people loving the erasers. Have you had real life experience with the cracking? We are setting up the cradle in the boat house right now since we had straps prior to this boat. Do you use 2X12X12 to support the boat or bigger?
thanks

[Chexi]

Yes, I have first hand experience with the Magic Erasers. Here is the bottom line. Your vinyl has a top layer of protective coating on it (i.e., it is not 1 solid material, it has a coating). Magic Erasers are micro abrasives that work by removing material, just like a pencil eraser. When you use them on glass, you remove the food/grunge. When you use them on paint, you remove some paint (try it on your wall, you will see paint on your magic eraser). When you use them on vinyl, you remove the top coat of the vinyl (and potentially the vinyl underneath). Once that top coat is gone, there is nothing to protect the vinyl from the elements (the sun mostly). The vinyl dries out at a much faster rate and becomes brittle and cracks.

The reason why you see a lot of people swear by Magic Erasers is because they do appear to clean super well. They will make old vinyl look brand new again... but at a very high price. Most of the posts about how great they are are from people who have used them either only recently or in just a few small spots. After having 2 boats' vinyl crack after using magic erasers, I will not let them touch my current boat or any future boat I own.