speaking of unhappy nautique owners

[TRDon]

As if all the problems I have had with my 2003 havent been bad enough, today took the cake.

Went out, early, glass, with special guests, trailered 30 miles, and idled over to where we pick up the driver of the truck. Wife couldnt park, I had to go up and redo it. When I got back, the dash LCD was blinking and said engine hot, running at 210. I shut it down. I opened the engine hatch and noticed that the exhaust rubber tubes were collapsing, not from heat but from vacuum (feel free to chime in on that one, I really dont know) To relieve the vac, I reached down under the boat and pulled on the engine exhaust flap and of course water rushed in. I then pulled the boat back to the landing and trailerd it home to replace the water pump impeller.

I back flushed and got more than 1/2 of the pieces, taking apart every tube and the stat housing like I had done before. The water pump looked good with no scoring (it was replaced last year due to the 2003 recall of the water pump housing not priming). I turned it over and got a slight knock. I stopped and tried again and it got louder and thunk and then I stopped. Sounded like a hydrolock situation, thinking the worst like cracked block. Pulled the plugs and spun it to relieve the water. Did this a few times to make it work, and eventually it fired off no problem and made no problem noises. I go to feel the intake pressure (I use the hose and bucket methood because a fake a lake will force water past the impeller and you will not get a true lake test for the cooling system) and it was low so I revved it up and got more pressure. After a little bit of warming, I would get nearly no suction at idle and when I revved it, I would get good suction but when the revs came down, I could feel the water pushing out of the hose. I just shut it down and with a brand new impeller, the water pump which was new last year from a recall, needs to be replaced again it seems.

I owe a big thanks to Mark at Son Watersports fro helping me get through the troubleshooting without a gas can and a lighter. I have never been so frusterated with a piece of machinery in my life. I had 2 nautiques before this with nary an issue, this one has been a total piece of junk. I have nearly as much money in repairs into this boat as my 85 2001 cost me.

All in all it seems like the motor runs fine, and I think I narrowly avoided disaster, but the constant problems with this thing are getting to the point of me taking what I considered the perfect boat and offing it just to see it gone. This whole ownership experience has been a boaters nightmare.

[gride]

i hate to say it, but welcome to the wonderful world of true boat ownership. if you want a boat without problems go buy a tinny with a tiller outboard.

[MattieK27]

You bought this boat used right? I don't think this is similar to the other thread, just the trials and tribulations of buying used and owning an eight year old boat.

Now the issues that new owners are facing, those are alarming. The rising prices and concentration on adding gimmicks and flash makes me question where Nautique is heading, the decrease in build quality makes me question the brand in general.

[TRDon]

The newer the boat I got, the worse it has been. That isnt the direction I was expecting. My first 85, I replaced the exhaust manifolds, did an electronic ignition upgrade and rebuilt the carb. That was the first year, then I never touched it for the other 7 years. My 93 needed the carb tuned, new wires, and plugs, and a steering cable the first year, did nothing for 2 years after that. This boat needed 2K before I could put it in the water the first time. It has gone downhill from there. This had been the biggest stretch of solid running I have had out of this boat, and I believe that number is about 10 hours. I have put about 50 hours on this boat in the last 3 years. It isnt because I am busy, or I dont want to, I physically cant. This boat has been towed off the lake for no starts 5 times, overheating 3 times, gateway failing, taking on water. I have been towed in nearly as many times as I have had clean days on the water with this boat.

That is why I am so frusterated with this thing. If I spend 30K+ on a boat, I expect I should be able to use it once in a while. I will say, I will have a very hard time owning another nautique after this one goes. I have never seen issues with anyone elses boat like I have had with this one.

[Nautiquehunter]

With every newer model comes more high tech equipment your 85 was a lawnmower compared to the newer boats. Two out of three of your boats were great yet you condemn the brand because of problems with an 8 year old used boat. I am pushing 400 hours on an 08 210 its never been back to a dealer and still looks like new. You dont know what was done to your boat before you got it or maybe its a lemon that someone got rid of. Before you jump into another brand start reading their forums plenty of horror stories there.

[Shooter]

I agree with NautiqueHunter...I have a 2003 and have been very happy with it. I took it out last week and the fuel pump went out while out on the water. I realize that it's just part of owning a boat. If feel for you, but owning a used boat is a gamble no matter what brand..

This is totally different from the frustration with Nautiques current direction and quality control.

[boatnfly@att.net]

I have to agree with Nautiquehunter. I am new to Nautique bought a used 07 SV211 w 150 hrs.
The fit and finish is excellent, feels solid and runs great. I had an 01 TIGE prior. went through a set of seat vinyl. 3 yes 3 steering cables and 3 sepentine belts and water pumps. AND i take care of my stuff rather well.
I hang with about 8 other skiers, 1 Moomba, oohh top quality on this one, NOT, 1 Tige (he has replaced belts, and steering cables as well) and the rest are all Malibus. 3 of which are less than 2 years old. ALL three have had major electronic issues, major. Two multiple trips back to the dealer.
Do you beach it much? check your serpentine belt and pulleys make sure the bearings are sound.
He was right 3 nautiques and a bit of problem w 1, welcome to the joy of boat ownership. I got to experience the joy twice the same day. Sold my Tige in the morning privately, and purchased my SV211 privately that afternoon . You know the two happiest days a boat owner experiences. Buying and selling all in one day. Double joy

[TRDon]

That is why I am so frusterated with this thing. If I spend 30K+ on a boat, I expect I should be able to use it once in a while. I have never seen issues with anyone elses boat like I have had with this one.

I understand where you guys are coming from, I know every brand has their problems. My last paragraph said it all for me though. I wish I could have a water pump work. It almost took out my engine today, and it is a year old.

To answer the question the boat never gets beached. I always walk it in, Walk it on the trailer, I ride with 1250 lbs and one person most of the time, not 3000 and a full boat. This thing like all my other boats have been babied. It just hasnt treated me very well in return. I usually run 75 hours per year. I have about 50 in the last 2. It is all because of down time and broken parts. I want to be happy with it, but I have a hard time with it.

I lay a little blame on nautique because I got a recalled water pump and now that seems to be junk, I had to shell out 600+ for a gateway because all the gauges go through it, and the keypad left me stranded on the water. Those are things exclusive to nautique and have really no bearing on its previous care.

I am just hoping I can get a water pump housing and get it back on the water before I loose more days and money to this thing.

This obviously isnt a good time for me and the frusterations are coming out. I live for wakeboarding and being on the water. Being forced off by problems and paying for the parts not to mention lost time and gas money, along with disappointed people I have gone out with really compounds my frusterations. Sometimes I feel like I would be better off without a boat than to keep feeding one with so many problems. I have more important things to deal with than a boat I cant use until it gats more attention and money.

[Mikeski]

My 2005 SV211 has been somewhat of a disappointment but it's nothing that was too difficult to repair nor anything that has kept me from enjoying a single day on the lake. Nobody but me notices the issues either unless I point them out. I just attribute my disappointment to my tendency to be so particular. I do believe that the 2003-2008 boats may lack some attention to detail from earlier or later boat years for various reasons.

[Nautiquehunter]

Sounds like your biggest problem is the water pump. Is that the raw water or circulating pump? You are wrong to blame Nautique for engine problems they didn't build it . Have you contacted PCM with your issues? You also may want to post your problems on CorrectCraftFan . Their members have hundreds of years of experience with CC boats. I am sure they can help find the real problem. I wouldn't be so negative toward Nautique there or they will probably eat you alive.

[MattieK27]

I wouldn't be so negative toward Nautique there or they will probably eat you alive.

So negative???