Noob: Starter Boat questions

[tstro]

Greetings Nautique community,

I am looking to purchase my first inboard, and something that will be a good starter boat. With my budget, I will likely be looking at something in the late 80's to mid 90's. I plan to use the boat as a general purpose boat; ski/WB/cruise/etc. With those things said I thought I would reach out to the community to make sure I ask the right questions when searching and buying a used boat of that age.

1. Are there big differences between model years ranging from 88-94 to note; I realize there is a difference between years/models, but how those affect various items. ie hull designs and wake characteristics, engine type, performance and reliability, etc.
2. What mechanical questions would be wise to ask when looking? More specifically, engine/impeller/stringer/hull issues that are common?
3. Any gelcoat issues or questions to raise.
4. What models are considered best all around boat? Like I said not necessarily looking for a exclusive wakeboard boat, but something that is good for everything.

I guess in general I just want to ask informed questions and such that this is a starter boat for me, I would hate to buy a lemon and/or money pit (so to speak).

Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[beach]

93-97 Sport Nautiques are a direct drive version of the original Super Air Nautique. Nautique switched from wood stringers to composite in 1993. A 93 or 94 Sport Nautique would be the best all around boat Nautique made in that timeframe.

[seachicken27]

Don't know what your budget is like, but a good all around boat for those years would be a sport nautique. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think '93 was when CC went to all fiberglass construction. Something to consider. '89-'92 Sports are all about the same. I would try to find a 93-95 sport for 9k-13k or an 89-92 Sport for 7k-10k. I had a '90 and it was awesome. Had an '89 Ski that was nice too, but the sport was much roomier.

[tstro]

thanks for some feedback so far. My budget is in the 8-12k range...it would be nice to find a sport, but they seem harder to find.

[jo-e90]

Cant really go wrong with this Sport if all checks out? If you CAN get it at $11K and add a tower you would be golden. http://www.boattrader.com/listing/20...ique-102178133

[kylem03]

Might be worth a call

http://knoxville.en.craigslist.org/boa/4329063257.html

[Swim]

All I can say is be patient. The economy isn't that great right now, deals are out there. I'd say anything 93 or later is great. I held out and waited for the hull that I really wanted, the TSC-1... I found a 1999 Closed Bow for $3,500. Had just over 1000 hours, interior needed a bit of love, had to patch some holes from the tower the guy before me put on ( I removed.) Overall, it was a great purchase. This year, I'm rebuilding the GT-40, all new interior goes in next week, just upgraded to PP stargazer with the GPS speedo, I'm laying down a new stripe and new graphics... even after ALL of that I'm still under book value. Point is, be patient.

[SkiTower]

that's the other magic question looking at a boat that old: how much love are you willing and capable of giving it? The more you give, the more you know is right in the end.


2007 SV211 SE

[tstro]

I dont want a boat I have to dump a ton of money into and/or time. I want something that is reliable and generally easy to take care of. Part of my original post was wondering if there were certain engine types/years/models to stay away from or that are notorious for issues? Any insight on the fuel injected vs carb engines when it comes to maintenance and reliability?

What is the big difference between a ski nautique and the sport? Is it just the size of the boat; 19.5' vs 21'? Hypothetically if I was looking at a 93 ski and a 93 sport, whats differences other than length/width?

[SkiTower]

ski=closed bow, sport=open bow


2007 SV211 SE