thinking of buying 92 sport nautique

[cmd]

i have found a 92 sport for around 6k with 1000hrs with no trlr.my friends each have newer nautqs and have told me not to buy an older carb. one,but i figure at that price its kinda hard to resist.also how hard is it to find a trailer to fit that boat.any info would be great-cheers-cody

[coloradonautique]

Cody,
I just sold my '90SN with PCM carb engine. I would not be worried about the carb unless you run in cold temps often as it may be a little harder to start. Otherwise, I rarely had any trouble with my engine in the six years I owned the boat and it started one the first try, everytime. I rebuilt the carb myself one winter with a $40 kit and that was it. It always ran strong and had plenty of power at sea level (I'm in Denver now. Mile High = less power)
I would be more concerned about the boat itself. I think pre-93 has a wooden floor and stringers. These may have deteriorated over time if the boat was not well cared for. There is a post/info on this site somewhere about buying pre-93 boats. Give it a read. There are some good hints in there.
I just bought an '01 Air with the GT-40 EFI. The EFI is nice, but for $6k, carb will be fine.

Good luck,

Lorin

[coloradonautique]

P.S. Forgot to answer your trailer question. I think you can get a new trailer for about $2k (single axle, lesser brand), more for the better brands and tandem. If you are patient and have some labor skills, you may be able to find someone upgrading their trailer and buy it cheap. It will probably need loads of work (grinding, painting, wiring, brakes, etc.) but might be worth your sweat equity if you do not want to spend the $$ on a new one.

[BIZ]

I would say I am on the fence with this one... I would not really worry about the Carb engine. There are hundreds of thousands of boats that have carbed engines. I have a 95 Sport with a Carb and it runs awesome. Fuel Injection is nice but not a real necessity. I would be more concerned about the 1000 hours. If it doesn't have a trailer that tells me it may have been on a lift all its life and subjected to the elements. What does the interior and gel coat look like? The boat is $6k + $2k for a trailer =$8k which is not a bad deal. If you have to put new interior in it and any possible engine fixes or floor fixes the $$$$'s can add up real quick. Another $2k-$4k and you could probably buy a 92 that is in good condition that is ready to roll with a trailer. As Lorin mentioned check out if that year had wooden stringers or fiberglass.

[cmd]

haven't seen the boat in person yet but from pics which can be misleading it looks preety good.the pre 92 thing with the wood is good to know though,thats probably one reason its cheap.it may have a rot problem thats why hes getting rid of so cheap.and then there is the trailer issue too.both friends have natqs and i love them,great to ski behind and anything else too. but iam watching my budget and am willing to spend between 10 to 15k on the highside.waht do you think of the moombas and if i am patient should i wait for a newer nautq.thanks ya'lls advice so far has been great.

[Mikeski]

I would look for a 95- sport, you should be able to find one in your price range.

[drifter1136]

1994 was the first year for fiberglass stringers.

[bkhallpass]

Actually, 1993 was the first year for the composite stringers. BKH

[slob02]

1993 is correct and they also dropped the all fiberglass platform in 93. I personally like the 93 better than the 92 but the price sounds really good.

[isbtown]

I have a 92 Sport Nautique and have had no problems with it. I bought it with about 600 hours on it and it was meticulously maintained. It starts up every time, runs strong after it's warmed up and is a great boat. I bought mine 3 years ago for 13k with the trailer and some other accessories. The boat was in excellent condition, no tears, rips or anything on the interior, the gel coat was in impeccable condition... it was like new practically. Anyway, it sounds like a great price if it has been well kept. I've had zero problems with mine but you need some ballast to put out a decent wake. Not sure if this helps

[Hlymons]

Is this the boat you are looking at?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1992-...39787993QQrdZ1

[cmd]

yes that is the boat on ebay.i told him i wasn't interested,but am kind of rethinking that?

[TRBenj]

The boat on ebay is a Ski Nautique open bow, not a Sport Nautique. Exterior looks pretty rough. Has it been in salt?

[Kurpski]

Ebay add said used in Chesapeake Bay, that is salt water.

[coloradonautique]

cmd,
I used to live right next to Edgewater. Annapolis and the Chesapeake are definitely salt. If they ski the courses in the upper west portions of the Severn or South rivers then it is brackish in the summer months and fresh early or late season. Given the pictures of the marina, I am betting it is right in Edgewater or Annapolis so it has seen mostly salt. Steer clear although the price is tempting. As Mikeski mentioned, you should be able to find a 93-95 Sport in your price range especially right now when it is a buyers market. Spring will be tougher. Are you in the MD area? I know a very good dealer in that area who does not mark up his used boats very much.

-Lorin