87 ski nautique 2001 trailer question

[Chris Lang]

I just purchased a 87 2001 and I'm trying to get tags for the trailer, the boat has sat indoors for last 14 years and tags were lost. My question is where can I find the whole serial number? I can find a 5 digit number on top rail of trailer near the tongue that is stamped in bit not sure if there should be more numbers to it.


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[NautiqueJeff]

Did they not give you a title for the trailer? If not, good luck being able to title it or register it in your name.

EDIT: I just checked Ohio's regulations, and it looks like trailers under 4,000 pounds do not get titled. You probably just need a bill of sale. I would just use the numbers you found stamped on the trailer.

[Chris Lang]

Correct no title needed in ohio. Ended up using numbers stamped on it as a serial number and got trailer weighed and was able to get tags for it. Now I just need someone to replace the floor in the boat. Stringers are good and interior in ok shape for the year but will be getting replaced eventually


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[Steve_SN2001]

My 2001 was in the same shape, little soft around the ski pylon, you can replace the floor yourself it's not terribly difficult just time consuming. I was terrified what I was going to find with the stringers under the floor but thank god they were fine. If you decide to go at it yourself I'm glad to answer any questions you have. How much did you pay for the boat if you don't mind me asking? I've got mine listed for sale right now, seems like prices are all over the map.

[Chris Lang]

I paid basically nothing for the boat as the owner had not used it in 14 years and wanted it gone and didnt know what he had. He made me an offer so low I could refuse it. The past couple weekends I've taken boat to 2 different shops that work on older boats like these and both have told me not to mess with floor as it is in very good shape and has many years before soft spot would even start to be an issue. I'm going to be focusing on motor now and get it running and use it as is and decide at end of this season, if I don't sell before, if I will be keeping boat and doing a restore on it. Overall boat is in good condition for its age and like I said I was offered a selling price I couldn't refuse, but I also know I want a vdrive, so this one here is basically on limited time in my hands as I will eventually sell and looking for best profit margin when I do. I've seen prices all over the place on 87-89 model years in very poor condition to fully restored anywhere from $3000 all the way up to $16000. I would say if floor good, interior in good to great condition and runs anywhere from 7-10k is fair price depending if you added anything like a tower or stereo


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[Steve_SN2001]

I agree with all of that. I have mine listed for $8K currently. I wish I'd left my floor alone honestly, it's a lot of time and effort to do it properly I falsely thought soft floor = wrecked stringers from all the fear mongering on the forums. Much to my surprise the stringers were perfectly fine once I got the floor up and saw them. Was one of the shops you talked to Ohio Boat Works? They know their **** about these classic ski boats, I hit them up multiple times for advice. He actually claimed that because the motor was housed in that long aluminum frame the stringers would have to basically be non existent to cause any problems.

[Chris Lang]

Let's just say I know the owner of ohio boat works quite well. He is the only person who said I have to do floor and interior and get coat and etc etc.. He never seen boat just said it had to be done, really just wanted the my money. Don't get me wrong he a great guy and knows what he doing we jus t both had different opinions. I actually used to work for him years ago. I had slithering local shop look at it and they used to do the work for the other guy you mentioned


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[Steve_SN2001]

LoL, he tried to get me to bring it up there for the full restore also. He is running a business after all.