Buying first Nautique

[Berg Skier]

Hello All
I am looking at buying my first direct drive boat, have had many outboards. I am currently looking at a 1996 Ski Nautique 196. I am wanting to know if any one out there has one of these boats or a similar model i believe 1993-1996. And could provide me with some oppinions on this boat and any issues that i should be looking for on this boat. Boat has 347 hours.

Thank You
Berg Skier

[NautiqueJeff]

That is super low hours! I had a 1994 with more hours than that when I bought it in 2000. They are great boats. They are quite a change from an outboard though. Got any pictures of the one you're considering?

[wskiboy]

are you looking at the body glove boat? if so I bought my 96 with 360hrs on it for a little cheaper . my boat was clean as a whistle .The body glove does too . I noticed it has a galvanized trailer that is good . Their are no issues that I know of with that year .good luck ,that boat is barely broken in

[Berg Skier]

I am currently Skiing/Boarding behind a Charger DL 18' with 150hp which is my fathers. I am wanting to get my own boat that i can put a tower on and turn into a decent wakeboarding boat. Here is link to the boat i am considering http://www.starportyachtsales.com/inventory/1027 I am going to look at it this wednesday. I want to know if there any common issues with these boats i should be aware of.

[EntiatSkier]

Get a Sport Nautique!

Best of both worlds for skiing and boarding. Not favored to one sport like a Ski Nautique is designed for...

[scott resick]

Id make sure it properly fits the Supra trailer, but otherwise its hard to wrong with a nautique. That price imop is too high.

[scott resick]

http://onlyinboards.com/Ski-Boat-Sea...e=-1&Keywords=

[scott resick]

get the one out of PA, add a tower and your still under the price of the one your looking at. Just do your research and shop around. Know exactly what you want before you buy.

[Berg Skier]

http://onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=32967 What is every ones opinion on this boat?

[Berg Skier]

Does any know anything about bring a boat across the Border?

[Blue Ski]

Great boats. I just sold my '95 over the winter. Even with the hours, it seems a bit high priced vs. others in the market.

[HS]

Does any know anything about bring a boat across the Border?

Don't know from experience, but I was looking into importing a 230 from BC to the US last summer and read a little on it from searching google; sounded like it involved some paperwork and fees coming this way. Didn't look into the requirements for going into Canada, though.

[Skack]

The only thing I'd look out for is the Protec ignition. The guy I bought my boat (1993 Nautique Excel) from 4 years ago told me it was junk and I could count on it failing. Sure enough it failed last year. They no longer make the Protec, so you'll have to convert to another electronic ignition system or a distributor based system with a coil. Replacement cost for me was around $500 and quite a few hours of my time. I'd expect it to be a $900 repair give or take a couple hundred bucks from a mechanic.

The fuel injected boats that came with Protec (I want to say this started in 1994?) will require you to replace the throttle body fuel injection system with a carburetor (another $550 + labor) when the Protec system fails. For both the carb and the ignition system you're probably looking at a $1500 bill if you don't do the work yourself.

This is the kit I used:
http://www.skidim.com/prodinfo.asp?number=RK107025A

And this is the carb you'd need for a fuel injected boat:
http://www.skidim.com/prodinfo.asp?number=RA052003


Correct Craft makes great boats. As with anything parts can become damaged or worn out, but no more than you'd find on competitor boats. How the boat has been maintained means everything. A thorough inspection is key.

[bhectus]

The only thing I'd look out for is the Protec ignition. The guy I bought my boat (1993 Nautique Excel) from 4 years ago told me it was junk and I could count on it failing. Sure enough it failed last year. They no longer make the Protec, so you'll have to convert to another electronic ignition system or a distributor based system with a coil. Replacement cost for me was around $500 and quite a few hours of my time. I'd expect it to be a $900 repair give or take a couple hundred bucks from a mechanic.

The fuel injected boats that came with Protec (I want to say this started in 1994?) will require you to replace the throttle body fuel injection system with a carburetor (another $550 + labor) when the Protec system fails. For both the carb and the ignition system you're probably looking at a $1500 bill if you don't do the work yourself.

This is the kit I used:
http://www.skidim.com/prodinfo.asp?number=RK107025A

And this is the carb you'd need for a fuel injected boat:
http://www.skidim.com/prodinfo.asp?number=RA052003


Correct Craft makes great boats. As with anything parts can become damaged or worn out, but no more than you'd find on competitor boats. How the boat has been maintained means everything. A thorough inspection is key.

GT40 motors in 96 and newer didn't have Protec option so he won't have to worry about that on any of the aforementioned boats that have been posted.

[GoBig]

I'd personally go with the '96 Sport. My last boat was a '97 Sport, same as this one. GREAT boat, solid hull. Made a great wake that you can either board or ski behind. All around solid.