Looking for advice on 196 purchase

[Quinner]

You should be able to find a nice closed bow Ski Nautique in your price range, Scott knows that market better then most and I am sure he will chime in.
A TSC-1 97'-99' would be a great choice and easy to find in that range. Want to say 02' was the first years of the TSC-2, and in 03' they started calling the Ski Nautique a 196.

Check out www.CorrectCraftFan.com also, in the reference section they will have brochures for all the model years mentioned.

Good Luck

[scott resick]

The market will depend on your geographics also. If your willing to shop around and maybe travel, or have delivery you will find exactly what your looking for.
http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=28842 Newer than your expecting, but high hrs. If this was well taken care of it will give you many years of service with the few hrs you will add on it.

This is another good buy in your range if you can handle purple. ( sorry to all purple fans)
http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=36241

[scott resick]

PS. Im not the Scott mentioned in the previous post. Just throwing in my 2 cents.

[swc5150]

You can definitely find a nice TSC1 within your budget. Ski-it-again.com is a great resource, as is onlyinboards, CCF (like Chris mentioned), iboats, etc. Boattrader.com seems to have some really high asking prices. Also do a tempest search of Craigslist. 3 weeks ago there were some good deals to be had, but I think spring took care of those. If you can make it through May and into mid June, you'll find much better deals than right now.

However, this TSC 2 may be worth a serious look:

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hn...713589332.html

I may even be able to go over and check it out for you. Don't let the hours scare you, that motor should have lots of life left, especially with the amount of hours you put on annually. I'd probably jump on it, if I was in the market this year.

Scott

[jedgell]

I've got a beautiful 1995 Signature Edition Ski Nautique for sale. I have it listed on this site, and several others. Also on Portland and Seattle craigslist. I'm just south of Portland so CA isn't too far. I'm asking $14,500. You can email me at justin.edgell@gmail.com if interested.

[BrennanK]

However, this TSC 2 may be worth a serious look:

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hn...713589332.html

I may even be able to go over and check it out for you. Don't let the hours scare you, that motor should have lots of life left, especially with the amount of hours you put on annually. I'd probably jump on it, if I was in the market this year.

Scott

I look on craigslist regularly just to see whats moving. I must have missed that one. A good buddy of mine has that same gel pattern in a 2003. That looks like a nice boat.
If do go to take a peek, let me know, I'll pop over. I am just around the corner from Maple Grove.

[swc5150]

@BrennanK
I was going to suggest having you check it out as well, but didn't want to volunteer your services for you! If the OP is interested, we should definitely work out a time to take a look. I hear your snow is heading our way tonight...WTH, it's MAY!!

[Westlotorn]

Thanks and that is a great looking boat, I will only travel that far if nothing pops close to home. I like that color scheme.

[95sig]

I might have what your looking for, and I am in your area. I own a 1995 SKI NAUTIQUE SIGNATURE with a Pro Boss GT-40 with only 400 hrs on it! It is a beautiful boat. It is what you would call a Garage Queen!
The kids are all grown and it does not get the use it deserves. I have been tossing it around now for a couple years to sell are not to sell. I am the second owner, I have had it since 2001. I have pics on this site
and also www.correctcraft diaries.com/listings. I am in Roseville CA. I will listen to any offer!

[Westlotorn]

95Sig, I was not able to find your add. I must be electronically challenged.
I looked at for sale on this site and at the CC site.

[95sig]

Its not under boats for sale,It is under show us your nautique. CC site is under postings!

[95sig]

i

[Whitetail15]

you may want to take a look at my boat that I just traded to a dealer. it is a 2005 196 with zr6. also has nd tower. it is at travis marine.

[jedgell]

I have a 95 Signature for sale also. Check out my listing, in Oregon so not too far from you. Boat is in excellent condition.

http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skii...t&postid=22922

Email me at Justin.edgell@gmail.com

[Westlotorn]

I am trying to catch up on what is out there. I may take a week or two just to absorb all the new information and sort it out.
Some mentioned that the 90 Malibu has a better wake than the old Nautique, I absolutely agree with that. But repair one and compare how every single attachment, bolt, is done less well.
Drive it and see how the steering is light years behind even the crude 78 Nautique . No issue with the Mercruiser 350 Ski 260 HP, I left it totally stock and it has performed flawless since purchase.
Other than Oil Change and Spark Plugs and a conversion to HEI ignition 20 years ago I have not had to touch the engine/trans. I did not mention the 25 gallon gas tank that reads empty after 14 gallons are used since day one.
It did provide a great ski wake and the price was right for my budget at that time, I just missed the quality I found in Nautiques and I am going back when I find the right boat. Thanks to all of you for the valued opinions.