Found a used boat - opinions please

[raminator08]

Hi, im new to the forum and have been searching for a boat for quite some time. Im not new to boating or nautiques, I used to have a 1999 Air Nautique with the gt40. Anyway, here is my dilemma. I came across a 2001 Super Air Nautique with the gt40 for sale and was wondering what you guys thought about it. They have listed for $19900 but theres a few issues with it. First off, the hour meter doesnt work and so I have no idea of how many hours it has. Is this common? The boat is one owner and I went to the dealer and managed to get a brief history about it. The boat was purchased by the same owner in 2002. When the boat had 120 hours, it had a new dial put in with hour meter. In 2005, the boat was serviced and had 36 hours on the new hour meter. This was the last known record of service at the dealer. The used dealer selling it says the owner had stored at the lake and had someone service it there. This raises a few flags for me. Is there anyway for the dealer to find out how many hours it has? I am having the boat checked out by the local nautique dealer next week. Other than some minor details, the boat appears in good condition. I have some pictures of the boat. As you can see, there are some flaws. Most obvious is that the trailer is way too large for the boat. Do you think this a problem and I should change the trailer or just leave it? Also, Im curious about the tower speakers. The boat looks like it still has the factory sound system. The tower speakers are mtx, were they part of a factory sound system? Well, so what do you guys think of the boat?

[markj]

Yep. It has issues. Deal breaking issues? Depends on price. I'd like to know what the mechanic says. After that, it's cosmetic and you can do the math and decide if it's worth it.

[TRDon]

That trailer will make for a tremendous amount of young weight because if wheel placement, I do not suggest you keep that one unless you are a once to the lake a year kind on person.

[Blue Ski]

Looks a bit rough, but that could also lead to opportunity. I am not an Air Nautique guy (SN instead) so I am curious if the wake will be substantially better. I look at buying a used boat like buying a house, you see alot that would probably work out, but when you find the right one, you just know. If you are hesitating, take your time and see what else pops up.

[Double D]

Definitely is lacking some TLC and that trailer has got to go, just by looks alone I would get one made for that boat. If you are the TLC type and can get that fixed up sweet, there is nothing the dealer can find when you have it checked out, and you negotiate a slightly better price, it might be worth a shot. If you have a larger budget and some patients and don't need the boat too quick, maybe keep looking. IMO.. Not sure of any way to get true hours.... Good Luck!!

[NCH2oSki]

When the dealer evaluates it, make sure they perform a compression/leak down test. Nothing should be vary by more than 10%. This will give you a pretty good idea of the engine. It looks like it has set out in the Texas sun for some time, and that will be hard on the interior. Good luck!

[gride]

It's 13 years old. The interior is fine. I'd take 1k off for the tower, 1k off for no perfect pass, and another 1k for the trailer. Then I'd take off another 1k for the tower and hideous speakers. I'd negotiate from there. If it passes compression and what not I don't see why not. The gel coat looks shiny still. Does it have a cover? If not then that's another few hundred off the top IMO.

[obd666]

i agree with the above. if the motor checks out, add up everything that needs to be done to it and knock that off your offer ...

[swc5150]

Ditto what gride said. You have alll kinds of negotiating leverage on this one. If the motor checks out, I wouldn't be afraid of it. I just bought a boat that was cosmetically was in rough shape, but the motor was spot on. With that, I was able to get it way under value. Making gelcoat look new is easy, and the interior can always be swapped at some point. Heck, you could even pick up that GT40 on SIA for $2k (in TX too), and then you'll know exactly what you've got!

[crobi2]

The seats and sundeck are 10+ years old. If they haven't cracked yet they're gonna. This one's already started to crack which is one reason it's under $20K.

The GT40 computer does not store engine hours. The electronic instruments had failures on almost all of those boats from 2000 -2002. You will never know the hours. It looks like it already has the replacement gauges so you don't have to spend money there. You need a good mechanic to check that motor with compression test etc. and tell you its health.

You need to install perfect pass so that $1200. I see the board rack clamps on the tower - does it have the racks?

Trailer's an issue - another reason it's below $20K.

Check the running gear and cutlass bearing - lots of rocks and stumps in Texas lakes.

Check the steering - should turn smooth as glass when on the trailer.

Hard to find a SAN for under $20K in Texas. If you decide you want it, don't sit.

Oh, almost forgot - check that ALL of the buttons on the keypads work. Except the up/down arrows that is.

[Chexi]

What ^ said. Also, those speakers are not factory. Let me know what you plan to do. I may need to get a new trailer myself, and maybe we can do a "group buy" of sorts.

[GoBig]

This one all depends on perspective. I look at this and see a fun project. Others may look at this and see a major headache (or several). This could be a good opportunity to get a smoking deal on a legendary hull and engine combo if you are willing to put in some serious elbow grease. This boat will have issues, no doubt. But they are fixable, just how much do you want to deal with before it is lake ready or are you looking for something you can put in the water today. Everyone's comments on here are spot on. If you are in the least bit apprehensive, it is not for you, move on. In the end, whatever price you end up negotiating, I would factor $8-10K additional to get this boat back to an 8. Just my $0.02.

[raminator08]

Just from the pictures, what do you guys see needs to be done? I dont think the interior is in too bad a shape, it just needs a good cleaning since its been sitting on the side of the freeway. The dealer says they will paint the tower as part of the deal and knock off a little bit in the price. The exterior is pretty good shape, no fading of the paint and the air decal is still very shiny. I wish I could spend a little more and get something in better shape but this is already a stretch for me. I realize the trailer must go, any idea on what a new trailer would cost or where I can find a used one? Also, any idea on what boat the current trailer is for and how much it is worth? I will do a sea trial test on the boat and see how that goes. Assuming the engine checks out, what would be a fair price for this boat? The lowest Ive seen these model SAN go for is $22k.

[raminator08]

Oh, just for comparison, here is the old nautique we used to have. Sold it in 09 for $19k and was in great condition

[gride]

Have them powder coat the tower, not paint it.