2000-2004 Super Air Nautique Shopping Advice

[kb1050]

Hello-

I am shopping for a Super Air in the year range of 00 to 04. I have never owned an inboard or been around a nautique (grew up with a glastron w/ mercury). Id like a boat to slalom, wakeboard, surf and cruise the lakes here in central texas.

Here are a few questions I have but open to any advice as this is all new for me:

1. how many hours is too many? for resale value in a few years? Seems like the year ranges Im looking at are between 400-800. Do you want high hours to know that its being used vs sitting around?
2. While I realize this surf wake isn't going to have the technology, is the super air plenty of fun for surfing?
3. any recommendations for buying a boat out of state?
4. Financing available?

[swatguy]

2003 is the single best year for 2000-2004.


As far as hours it’s really open ended. It boils down to boats history and maintenance records. Boats will go 15-2000hrs if proper maintained without a hiccup. The pricing hit comes around 700hr mark and then again at 1k hours. The overal condition of the boat is usuallly reflective of the engine maintenance from my experience.

The 210 isn’t necessarily the best surf boat , but you can surf it. The suck gates/wakeshapers have really helped the surf wake. If you think surfing is going to be your primary sport. I would steer you towards another model or even another mfg .

Financing will I’ll depend on your credit........But also the year of the boat. Lots of places have a hard time financing boats older than 10hrs old. Essex credit is usually a home run on financing older boats. Their rates and amounts are laid out on their page.


Lastly. Whatever you’re gonna buy. Go physically take a look and water test .

[Beach-TJ]

The 03 and 04 would be the better choice, there was a redesign of the top deck ( interior ) and reinforcement of the hull for 03. There are some prejudices against the 04, among hard core nautiqe owners, over its curved tower.

These boats surf better on the goofy side. It's a fun wave, but nothing compared to modern surf machines. The 03 and 04's have more room in the rear lockers, which means more water weight if using bags.

800 hrs is nothing. I would give the engine a good look over, and as mentioned interior condition is usually a good indicator of how the engine was cared for. A compression test is a must.

Not Sure on financing. And unless You live in Florida I'm guessing out of state will be a must.

[Luebowski]

I own an 04 I bought last summer from a single owner friend. It had 496 hours. I now have 610 hours and the motor runs great. I take it to a marine mechanic 1 time a year and get all the fluids changed. The boat has not left me stranded once since I have owned it. Boats getting toward 1K hours should be priced accordingly, if it were me I would be more comfortable at 5-600 hours on something used.

The surf wave can be fun but I am a beginner and need a 500lb bow sac to finish up and bring my total ballast to 2500 lbs.

I hear financing can be tougher on the older boats since they still have good value, I did a second off our house and got small loan at 4% interest.

Now here is the list of things I have had to fix.... Heater core was likely leaking when I bought it, I didn't replace, just removed and linked the hoses together for now. Had to rip out all the rear ballast, it was stock and had a bad pump + the check valves were all bad which is totally common. But I added in 700 bags and reversible for about $1K and LOVE it now. New trailer tires was first on my list for safety and piece of mind, and the trailer breaks (disc) still need to be done, but its $700 to do the job which would be new hubs as well.

In summary I LOVE my boat (don't mind the tower at all ), there are little things that will need work, but find one with good service records and a strong engine, + good interior. Those are the bigger expensive things that will run up your after purchase costs. Good luck with the search and feel free to ask me any questions. - Jason

[CharlieP]

Get an ‘03-‘06 with a 14” prop on it. Sack it out with 3,000lb + in ballast + suck gate and it will throw an awesome thigh high surf wave.


Charlie Pitkin
512-484-4518
Lake Austin
2006 210 SAN Team ZR6

[CharlieP]

This looks like a good deal.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F312218631800


Charlie Pitkin
512-484-4518
Lake Austin
2006 210 SAN Team ZR6

[ag4ever]

2002 was the year of the deck redesign giving more interior space. Some say the floor was lowered too, but I have not compared my ‘02 to any earlier to compare. Early ‘02s could have the GT40, late ‘02 were all Excalibur 330s.

2003 moved the air ports for the engine fan to the sides. If weighted heavily, you can take water in these ports. ‘02 still had the air port at the rear, and if backing up too fast you can take water in through this area. Also, when the bilge fan is on it blows directly on people on the platform.

‘03 and earlier have buttons to release the rear hatches, ‘04 they changed to “knobs” on the sun deck. These can be hard on the knees if crawling around the deck.

’01 and earlier have wrap around seating (the seat behind the driver was removed in ‘02)

’00 to ‘02 have the troublesome teleflex gauges. ‘03 to ?? Have the troublesome faria gateway box. I just replaced all of my gauges and parts were about $700.

Your budget will help you hone in on what year range to look at. My ‘02 is still holding over 50% of the original purchase price when I bought it new in late ‘02. For financing, check credit unions or small local banks, they typically have more ability to make loans on luxury items and base them on real world values.

[kb1050]

thank you all!

[srock]

Do a little search on out if area purchases. The topic has been covered a couple times.

[functionoverfashion]

I bought an '03 last year with about 550 hours. I am very picky and waited a long time to find this particular boat - or rather, one in my price range that wasn't halfway across the country, that was also well maintained. Others have already covered all the little changes year to year - each has its pros and cons. You'll be happy with any boat in that range of years, so long as you get one that's been cared for properly. That can be hard to tell if you're not familiar with these boats, but if you read up on the common problems, you'll know the questions to ask. Ballast, gauges, engine maintenance, heater/shower (if equipped), etc.

And then budget for some repairs / upgrades to make it your own, or fix the inevitable problem that comes up. I bought a boat that needed "nothing" (truly, it ran great and everything worked) and in the year-plus I've had it, I've done:

impeller change
replaced drive belts
oil change (2)
v-drive and transmission oil change (1 each)
bilge pump
ballast pump (2)
heater core replacement
added a battery, switch, charging relay
fuel filter (2)
distributor cap & rotor
main toggle switch
replaced stereo head unit

ALL of that I would just about consider to be routine stuff for a 15 year old boat, but if I'd paid a marina full labor, I'd be into the boat for another $2-3k easily. That's just life with one of these boats.

One other thing: this boat is not good for slalom skiing, if it's a thing you're really into. Coming from an outboard Glastron, it will get you up a lot faster but the wake is big, even at 32mph. Make friends with someone who has a direct drive 196 or Prostar and offer them to surf/wakeboard on yours in return for a ski with their boat.

As a general-use boat for having fun on the lake with friends and family, it's hard to beat the Super Air. We absolutely love ours for just cruising the lake with friends.