Need advice on purchasing a 1992 Excel Barefoot With a 5.0 installed

[quintonvincent]

Hi, first post here, hopefully many more to follow, but for now I am looking at a 1992 Excel Barefoot that has been through some tumultuous times in its life.

The hull is in great shape, maybe a little faded, and the seats are gutted, which I am not concerned about.

The owner says he installed a "5.0" in it because the original 5.7(?) blew up. He claims it runs fine and will do everything it should except for go real fast. I am skeptical because of the weight of the boat and do not want to overwork the motor that is in it. My main use would be wakeboarding, tubing, and if possible surfing.

The asking price is 2500 and it comes with a trailer and tower.

I AM looking for a project boat to work on with my son and have no problem wrenching on any part of the boat, but I would like to hear the wisdom of some else's experience before I bring this boat home.

Thanks
Q

[NautiqueJeff]

At that price I guess you can't really complain too much.

That being said, if it was a true Barefoot Nautique, I think it would have come with a 454. A Nautique Excel would have probably had the 5.8L Ford (either standard (240 HP) or the HO (285HP) version). A Nautique Excel open bow could not have had the 454, but the Barefoot Nautique or the Nautique Excel closed bow could have.

A 5.0 wouldn't be the best choice for that boat, but it would be functional I suppose.

[quintonvincent]

Ok so this engine should be able to push this heavy hull around fine. My other Concern is what motor he put in it.

Are these engines specific to marine applications? (bolt patterns and rotation) could he just found a running v8 and installed it?

My background is in jet skis and two-stroke dirt bikes the V8 world is totally new to me.

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[Kmayotte]

Just an FYI, In 1992 the "Barefoot" graphics and the 454 engine upgrade we're two different options on the Excel (not a package). So you could buy an excel with a "Barefoot" graphics with the standard 351 engine. I know this because I almost bought one but backed out when I learned it had the smaller engine with the "barefoot" tags.

[swc5150]

Just an FYI, In 1992 the "Barefoot" graphics and the 454 engine upgrade we're two different options on the Excel (not a package). So you could buy an excel with a "Barefoot" graphics with the standard 351 engine. I know this because I almost bought one but backed out when I learned it had the smaller engine with the "barefoot" tags.

Not that I thought you were wrong, but I actually looked that up in the brochure section and was as surprised as you must have been that you could get barefoot graphics on a standard Excel CB. I was also surprised that someone let that odd pic of the SN being towed in front of a random Hardee's make it into the brochure...let alone give it an entire page!

[quintonvincent]

https://austin.craigslist.org/boa/d/...237884160.html

Here is the ad for the boat. Worth it?

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[swc5150]

Not worth it...

[quintonvincent]

Yeah I went to look at it today it's needs a full overhaul. Every system has been rigged with parts from lowes to get it working.

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[Skidave]

Oh man, I hate to see one of our fellow Nautiques look like that. Used and abused. That trailer is a P.O.S.

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[NautiqueJeff]

I was also surprised that someone let that odd pic of the SN being towed in front of a random Hardee's make it into the brochure...let alone give it an entire page!

That picture cracks me up every time I come across it!

[markj]

That picture cracks me up every time I come across it!

What pic? Care to share?

[NautiqueJeff]

Straight from the 1992 Correct Craft brochure...

[markj]

Ah, got it. I wasn't sure what that meant since we don't have those in NorCal. Kinda funny how much better marketing has gotten over the decades.

[functionoverfashion]

That poor boat is a train wreck. You're right, it needs almost everything. The glove box lid looks like it's not broken, that's about the best compliment I can come up with.

[obd666]

that boat is a pass in my estimation. put that 2 grand into something that's not irredeemable