opinions on buying a boat wanted

[auskier]

Hi All,

I'm trying to buy my first boat. I'm a slalom skier first and foremost so I'm looking for a closed bow ski nautique. I've skied behind and driven nautiques from model years 97-2002. I grew skiing up behind a 77 ski nautique, and later a 90 mastercraft tristar. My goal would be to get into a 97 or newer nautique, but I'm not sure I can make that happen, So I need to move back a few model years. Problem, I've never skied behind a 90 - 96 nautique hull design. So folks give me your opinions on the differences between the boats, Obviously there are some things that changed between 90 and 96 also; so if you think one model is a definite step up over another model state why. Tell me what you would pay for a boat of a certain vintage in average condition for its age. Any advice at all for a first time boat buyer is welcome. And hey, if you think you've got the boat for me I have a boat wanted post over in the classified section.

Thanks

[NautiqueJeff]

The TSC hull came out in 1997. This was a pretty good improvement over previous hulls. That's not to say that the previous hulls were bad, just that the post-'97 hulls are better for slalom.

The TSC2 came out in 2002, and that was an improvement over previous hulls as well. The wake behind one of these hulls may not look as clean as the wake behind a different brand of boat, but the wake is certainly softer, and is considered by most to be the most superior slalom wake available. If you have the chance to get a 2002 or newer, go for it. If not, it isn't too big of a deal. I had a 1994, and the slalom wake was great for me.

You might also consider that the graphics style did change a few times during the time period you mention. I'm not a fan of the big N logo on the side of the boats, but others really like it. I loved the graphics and styling of my '94, and I like the current graphics too.

I guess it all comes down to what you like and feel comfortable purchasing. I'd try to look at the latest boat that you feel comfortable with, as they were (and are) constantly being improved.

I have a bunch of pictures of my '94 HERE.

[bkhallpass]

The 90-96 Nautiques have a great wake. True 97 and
forward are better, mainly because they are softer, and
because the spray relief was improved for shortline skiing.
The 97 forwards also have more internal room, more storage,
a larger gas tank. While carburated engines were offered 97
forward, I believe most of the boats were equipped with fuel
injection, and generally bigger horsepower. As Jeff mentioned,
the hull was improved again in 2002.

If I were looking for a 90-96, I would look for a 93 forward.
In 93, Correct Craft began its integrated stringer system, eliminating
wood from the boat. I would look for a fuel injected motor like
the GT 40, a 310 HP Ford from PCM.

Still, I think any of the boats would be terrific. My neighbor
had a 1990. Bought it in 96 with 400 hrs. Put over 500
hrs on it, and sold it in 02 for almost what he paid for it.

My two cents.

BKH

[bradb]

You won't have any problem slaloming behind a mid '90s nautique. A buddy of mine just sold his 2002 mastercraft, since the wake behind my '94 nautique was better at long line. I have skied into 35off and pulled people into 38 behind my boat. There is a bit of a dip at 32off, and more of a dip at 35, but you get used to it.
I ski better behind my boat than any of my ski partners (though I'm sure some of it is just mental, and the fact that I ski behind it more often), but their boats include a 2005 ski nautique 196, and various years mastercrafts and supras. The way I look at it is that until I'm running into 41off, it is my technique holding me back... not the boat!
B

[ag4ever]

I know you are looking for a older boat, but I was toying with the idea of adding a 196 to my SANTE so i could have the best of both worlds, and my dealr said he has a ski school boat they will be selling soon, and they might have a promo boat going soon, so you might check them out. You might get a good price and good financing to make it more affordable than you might think. (The ski school boat has not been registered, so you would officially be the first owner).

The dealer is Houston Watersports Complex (713-920-2157) ask for Cliff.

[M3Fan]

I think the 90-96 wake is great. it is wide and flat. Very messy looking, and awful to barefoot in, but I think it is great for slalom. The 15 off wake is just behind the rooster and is really soft. Good to hear other people agreeing with me- I remember mentioning that I thought the hull was way ahead of its time and getting CHEWED out by members of another popular and now missing ski boat site. There is a guy in the Secret Spot DVD who trained behind one of these (it is blue in the movie, with no lettering on the side). He went on to win Men's IV nationals IIRC. So to those people that shoot the wake down of this boat, whatever!

[SGY]

Ski Nautique hull changes came in 1990, 1997 and 2002. The hull in 1990 was a huge improvement over the 2001 (1982-89 I think) model Ski Nautique. Some say the 97-2001 ski the best--so that tells you how close they are. The 90-96 may be a better all around boat as it produces a nicer/bigger/harder wake board wake if you are into that sort of thing. The 2002 TSC2 hull also produces a nicely shaped wake for wakeboarding--just on the small side. I've heard some complaints from the trick skiers on the 2002 TSC2 hull--I think prompting CC to add a ballast tank and spider tower in 2003. Maybe M3Fan will pipe in here. I think he has a 1990 SN.

Can't add much more to the above descriptions except be cautious around the first PCM fuel injection--1994. These are throttle body and PCM had to do a retro fix in 1994 to fix a rich fuel delivery problem, i.e. too much of a good thing is a bad thing. If you get a good example of the PCM TBI, it'll run like a raped ape. But I'd stick to the PCM GT-40. It's the real workhorse. I'm not sure I'd buy a CC with the PCM Apex GM motor. This was the precurser to the Excalibur and I've heard that PCM struggled with mapping to obtain adequate torque with this motor. The Excalibur is pretty close but not quite the stump puller the GT-40 was. The guys at Skidim tell me that the GT-40 runs neck n' neck with the ZR-6 in terms of torque until the higher rpms.

I hope this helps.

[Blue Ski]

I have a '95 with the carb. engine. The wake is great, I ski as well at 15 off and 22 off behind it as I do behind my brother's 99. The 22 off wake is a dream. The main difference I notice is a decrease in the bump at 34 mph, 15 off. The difference is not a performance inhibitor. As for horsepower, I have yet to need more. We pulled 7 skiers, 6 guys and 1 gal, with no issue. I would try to go '93 or later like Bkhallpass suggested to avoid wood stringers. You should find something affordable and in good shape. With care these things can look new for years.

[auskier]

Thanks all for your suggestions, I really appreciate it. Seems like the money situation is coming together and my wife is even on board now to go for a little newer model than I was first thinking about so we may try for a 97-99. No way I can make it to the TSC2 but hey I'm excited about this prospect. It sounds like the 90-96 hull designs are great for slalom too, I'll just go for a 97-99 if I can because I skied behind these when I was on a collegiate waterski team and that's when I truly fell in love with nautiques. The hard part is the waiting now. I'm ready to buy but I haven't found the boat yet. Hopping to be out on the water soon!

[SGY]

You will love that boat. AWESOME boat. You shouldn't have any problem fiding one either. Look on flipsell.com, ski-it-again.com, and boattrader.com and iboats.com.

Good luck and enjoy looking.

[bcrandall]

Another good website to try is www.dallasboats4sale.com