Buying a 1994 sport nautique from Bay area waterspouts in tampa. Advice needed

[alexbailey228]

Im sure you get these all the time but the boat buying checklist that is provided in the search is for 1992 and older CC boats. So this boat doesn't apply which is why i have created this post.

Ok so i have driven down here to tampa and am about to pull the trigger on a 1994 sport nautique. The boat has 225 hours on but the previous owner let it sit. The previous owners kids took the boat out after it had been sitting for several years and the impeller locked up and the short block had to be replaced. The work was done by bay area water sports in tampa in 2010 and the new motor has less than 10 hours on. I went and looked at the boat this morning, it has definitely sat out in the weather some and will need some interior work but the owner and I were able work out a good deal that will be fair for both of us and also allow me to get the boat to where it needs to be. Is there any wood in this boat to rot? i am coming from a 1988 malibu skier that I had to replace the floor and stringers on and do not want to get anywhere close to a boat with wood ever again. He also noted he had to replace the steering cable in the boat. Can anyone tell me what i should look for/have checked before buying this boat? Has anyone ever dealt with bay area waterspouts or know any information about the quality of their work? I am scheduled to meet with the owner tomorrow at 5 pm so i have about 36 hours until. I want to be prepared and know what i need to check for because I'm either going to buy the boat right then and there or I'm not. I want to be prepared so your advice is very much appreciated.

When i was there this morning i did notice a can of starter fluid on the floor board. they also said they put a brand new impeller in yesterday. Could the starter fluid be a bad sign? I went over there before the place was open so it had obviously been left in there by an employee, probably used when the impeller was replaced.

you can see pictures of the boat here on bay area waterspouts website:

http://www.bayareawatersports.com/se...&sortDir=DESC&

[Chexi]

No wood. 92 was last year of wood for nautiques. I would have them replace the steering cable and throw that in. They should be a lot better and quicker at it than you.

[Chexi]

It says They already replaced the steerin cable. But it looks like there is conflicting info about the new engine. If it really is a gt40, it's 310 hp, but I doubt it is. They are pretty had to find these days (new to replace a blown old one). As such, i would want a pic of the engine before I would head out there.

[shag]

I have known Jim Kranendank for almost 20 years (owner and the guy in the video). He is an honest stand up guy. He does good business there, and I don't think I have heard anyone say anything to the contrary. Tell him "half gravity" said hello. I know it's sounds odd, but he will know exactly who you are talking about... He's been in business for many years there, so he must be doing something right.
a 1994 no longer had wood stringers, and if I remember right, all seats were roto-cast plastic. There might be a couple seat back still wood, but a doubt it. Easy enough to look at. I would imagine that boat was a local bought probably kept on Lake Padget there in Land O Lakes. For carburated boats that sat for awhile, in my experience, it is not uncommon to have to use some starter fluid to get her started. I would have the Carb rebuilt professionally with a "marine" renew kit, prob put new plugs/wires, and if it still has a points ignition, maybe up the ignition to a pointless system. Jim should be able to give you a fair price to do that. (keep in mind, boat means: bring out another thousand lol)

[shag]

Good point Chexi. Confirm the engine. I think the gt40's were Fuel injected, This should be a 'pro boss'. If they replaced the block with a standard 351, I believe they are rated at 260-270hp. Just a little less than the 285. Might not even notice a difference. Also, after seeing the video, it has the electronic ignition which was probably standard on the original engine.

[LR3w8kbrdr]

Not starting anything here but I have come across several people on another forum who have complained about BAWS & Jim. Yes, hes a reputable MC dealer in the Tampa area.

I know that boat has been listed for awhile now.

[shag]

No worries. Im sure it's hard to keep everyone happy, especially when selling used boats. You just have to remember, it is a 'used' boat, which is a mechanical piece of equipment. Mechanical things to break down.

[Panda cub]

Seems like a fair deal. Those old sports are a nice boat

[alexbailey228]

well i ended up buying the boat. had a compression check done and they were 150 even on all 8. i ended up walking away with the boat and trailer for 8500 bucks





the boat has been sitting since the engine was put in back in 09. It was in real need of a carb rebuild. it wouldn't idle right, it was hard to start and would hesitate on take off so they were working with me on the price. Replaced the accelerator pump and took the carb apart, the jets were so clogged you couldn't even blow air through them and the little filter in there was just as bad. I am putting the carb back on today, replaced all the jets, filters, and hoses inside the carb. The trans fluid was a little creamy so i went ahead and flushed it. the boat has 207 hours on it but the engine isn't broken in. I will say i was getting a little bit of white smoke throughout the power band before taking the carb off. At first i was alarmed so thats why i had the compression check done. since the compression on the engine was golden i attributed the smoke to less serious issue. I have a theory though. I found a leak in the intake hose, i am suspecting that it is sucking in air through wherever the hole is and i am getting a little bit of airiation.<-(not spelled correctly) so that, along with a some bad fuel, and bad carb, is causing the small amount of smoke/steam. I'm going to replace the hose when i put carb back on hoping that it fixes the problem. She does need a little upholstery work, mainly on the backrest on the seat in the stern. However, i was looking on google and found nautiqueskins.com. I found the exact color scheme and skin for the stern that i need on they're clearance page and was able to work out a deal that involves me getting the exact skin i need for less than 100 dollars. you can see in the picture where there is a hole in the back seat. Ill need to get the front pad recovered and i am thinking ill be able to do it for cheap. After that i plan on putting a tower on it, i just can't decide what one that i want to go with. The windshield design on that boat is a little weird so i am having trouble deciding on what tower will the flow the best. Input is appreciated. Ill add updates soon, thats all i have for now.


alex

[shag]

I would be sure to use a 'marine' renew kit for that carb. I have had a case or two where I just replaced a few things in the carb I found, and it was still not enough. Get a specific marine renew kit and replace as much as you can. I was surprised how much more came in one of those kits.
Sounds like a good deal!

[alexbailey228]

**** well i didn't use one ill order one and do it again if it really makes a huge difference

[Double D]

Congrats on the purchase. To me, it looks like you got a great deal. Now just get a drop down hitch to get the a$$ up so you won't be scraping the trailer. Oh, I'm sure you plan to paint the trailer sometime too??


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