Advice Needed - Buying my first used nautique

[BooYaa]

I've been out of the ski scene for the last 15 years. I am about to purchase a super clean 2002 Nautique open bow, direct drive it says "sport" but, I cant seem to locate the exact model via google :-)

One owner, sub 300 hours, interior and exterior are super clean. GT40 motor. new batteries, garage kept etc...

What does the group think it's worth and What do I need to know, look at, have checked before I pull the pin and buy it? Are there any red flags with this year or anything I would want to do before I throw it in the water etc...

Regards,
Alex

[hondaprlud]

http://www.planetnautique.com/Correc...02/2002bro.pdf Here is where you can find the brochure for 2002, it's probably a Sport or a Ski Nautique open bow. Tough to tell without a link to the ad or some pics.

During that era there was an issue with the gauges. I'm not sure if 2002 was included. if it is they will have been replaced and the hours may be inaccurate.

My 96 Sport was a GT40, great motor.

[BooYaa]

Sorry, here is a screen shot of the boat I am considering. Yes, the hour guage has been replaced but, everything else looks original. Are there quality gauges people are replacing them with? I have read a few posts about electrical issues back in 2000-2002.

[BoardSkier]

The computer should be able to give you hours. I dont know much about that particular craft. However, also dont overlook the trailer, especially if you need to pull it back a long way. Brakes, axle lube, wiring, etc.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NautiqueJeff]

The computer will NOT give you the hours. That only works on GM-based engines, which this one is not. Sorry!

Lots of information on the failing gauges here:
http://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/fo...eleflex-gauges

Also, lots of specs and other info here:
http://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/fo...n-down-by-year

[BooYaa]

Awesome thanks Jeff. Anything else besides the guages I need to check out?

[azeus17]

Have you owned an inboard before? Check overall condition. Does steering wheel turn freely? Prop should turn by hand pretty freely. Check fluids to make sure they are clear and not milky (water in them). Check all the buttons. Does everything work when they are turned on? Someone mentioned the trailer. Brakes, lights, tires. Tires on that tandem will add up quick (not that I would let that ruin a good deal). Is there a Nautique dealer in the area? If you are serious, the seller should let you have the boat inspected before buying. Maybe they even have some history on it. If he won't, it would throw up a red flag for me.

If the gauges say Faria on the speedo and tach, they have been replaced and the hours are not correct. A 2002 is now 14 years old, so add somewhere between 400 and 800 hours to whatever the new gauges say to get a more accurate representation of hours (depending on the part of the country where the boat was used).

Common sense goes a long way. If the boat looks like crap, it's likely it was taken care of like crap. If it's clean shows well, it was likely well taken care of.

[BooYaa]

Thank you. I've owned an inboard but, it's been 15 plus years. I'm having the boat checked out by a local Nautique dealer but, I truly value the knowledge base here... Overall the boat is super clean, its a one owner boat, bought and serviced locally. Thanks again for your advice, good reminders... I'll post pics once its mine... Sounds like aside from the normal items, the guages are the only real issue with this year.

[Blamey]

With these boats it's mostly what you see is what you get. Look for wear or signs of neglect, if you see them take them into account. If the interior is in good condition, no major issues with the gel cost, gauges work and engine runs strong with no transmission issues you should be good to go.

[Quinner]

LOL, typed this yesterday and must have forgot to hit "post", restore feature brought it back so thought I would actually post this time:

What does the hour gauge read now, is it the 300 you mentioned? Most likely that is only representative of the hours racked up since the new gauge was installed. If the boat has a factory original Perfect Pass system and it has never been replaced you can see what hours it is showing as a cross check or possibly an indicator of what the actual hours of the boat are. Based on a 50 per season average 700 hrs is what you would expect that boat to have.
FARIA makes a replacement gauge set most people are using.

Re: your original post, 2002 Sport is a really great all around boat, only known issue is the gauges, GT-40 is a strong motor capable of pulling barefooters to wakeboarders no problem. As far as worth, tough to say, some CC models are cheaper out west then here in the Midwest or out east, on average I would say most Sports of that era range from 15k to 23k on the asking price.

Good Luck

[BooYaa]

Awesome thank you. The current hour meter reads 57. Seems like a pretty straight up seller... bought locally, serviced locally, entire hull and interior are evident of very little actual use.

[Quinner]

With 57 on the clock and seller indicating 300 actual hours, sounds very plausible. That's about 20 a year average, if gauge was replaced in 2012 or early 2013 the math works out pretty well. If always serviced at the same dealer perhaps they will let you review the service records, find the gauge replacement then the couple services prior, should tell the story. Sounds like a nice boat, get it done!!
I owned a 99' Sport/Air, put about 500hrs on that boat with almost zero issues. It is definitely one of CC's best do-it-all boats they have ever produced.

[MaineMan]

I have owned a 2000 Sport Nautique with GT-40 for the past three years. It has been a great boat, no issues at all so far other than water in the fuel which I blame on ethanol. Otherwise, it has run just fine. Great family boat and good for wake boarding, slalom, barefoot, whatever watersport you like. I am a barefooter and the top speed of 43 mph is a bit slow for some things -- 46 or 47 would be better. I would buy it again. My previous boat was an 89 Mastercraft Pro Star, which I liked very much too. This one is better for the family though.