Nautique Super Air 2002 Raleigh NC - Burned Up Motor

[BoatUber]

I posted on this forum back in August of 2023 about my boat. I changed my own oil and didn't make sure the O ring came off with the old filter. As a result, was cruising across the lake when I heard the most unpleasant noise of all time. I took the boat to the nautique dealership and the engine is shot. I worked with the dealer to look into a new engine and had them pull the old one in the mean time. We did some minor hull repair with the engine out and I am now to the point where I just want to cut my losses and not pursue this any longer. I am interested in what my options are at this point. I have a boat in decent condition with perfect pass but no engine and no drive shaft. I have a trailer too that could use some work on the surge brakes but is otherwise fine. I would love to work something out with someone on this forum who is interested in a project boat. Also, I have no idea what the value would be in its current state with trailer. I have posted pics of the boat prior to losing the engine and appreciate any feedback you can provide.

[bturner]

Jeff may be your best bet with this. Unfortunately, you are are the worst possible position to move the boat for anything other than a fire sale. 2 of the most difficult and expensive parts of the boat are the engine and trans. In your case the engine is toast and the trans would be a roll of the dice since it can't be seen/heard running. The same could be said of many of the other components as well. It looks to be a beautiful boat but anyone without direct experience/knowledge of the boat is jut going to see risk and in used boat terms risk = money.

What was going on with the hull that needed repair and why is there no driveshaft?

I fear you won't like the offers you get. Best of luck, hope you can figure something out that works for everyone involved.

[northernoak]

Man, that really sucks. Did the oil all leak out? Did my own oil change this last fall for the first time and now you got me questioning mine. I double checked that the old o-ring came off but your post is making me think I'm crazy.

[NautiqueJeff]

I believe you and I discussed this boat before, right? I'd be a buyer at the right price. Unfortunately, the right price is pretty low without an engine.

[fsts2k]

Sorry to hear about the situation, that is not great. Unfortunately I agree with the posters above, I think the value is basically what you get from salvage for the boat and a used trailer (not much) price. Boat prices are falling and people are able to find nice usable boats for less money again, takes the prospect of a project out of contention.

I had a similar situation with a car where the person I bought it from didn't disclose the engine oil pressure issues... I ended up dumping the car to a retired mechanic that wanted a project. I was lucky to find that buyer and then pinched my nose when I sold the car, the loss of money hurt but I benefited from removing the concern of what to do with a large paperweight.

Good luck, I would sell it to whoever is willing to buy a project.

[Scooter G]

Curious, you mentioned the dealer said "the engine is shot". What does that mean exactly?
Did you punch a rod through the side or did it just seize up from heat and oil loss? Unless there is a gaping hole through the block, that engines life may not be over. Might be a spendy rebuild however. Have you checked into the cost of a new short block, utilizing the bolt on stuff from your old engine? I understand the, I am so done with this, but my tenacity the next morning is always, ok what's plan B & C...
Boat looks to be in great condition, and a lot of discussion on here about trailer surge brakes (easy fix).
Ditto bturner, what was the hull repair?

[bturner]

My neighbor had the same thing happen on a Ski Tique he had with a 302 way, way back in, I think, 81 (yeah, I'm that old but I wasn't then ). To make matters worse, he launched in the Detroit river and met me at the ski club I was going to just outside Windsor ON. The boat was fine until he pulled the first skier, then while under load the oil blew through the two gaskets on the oil filter and dumped 5 quarts of oil in the bilge. We had to drive back to the states to pick up his trailer, then back across the bridge with an empty trailer which brought all kinds of questions from customs. It was a real mess.

As far as the engine went, the damage was all on the mains. If I remember correctly he spun 2 or maybe 3 main bearings which took out the crank. He was my childhood best friend and next door neighbor so the boat was towed to his parents house. My father was an excellent certified master mechanic and helped him put a new short block back in the boat right there in the driveway. I remember jacking the trailer up, removing the wheels and sitting it back down on some 4x4s so we could use a cherry picker to pull the engine. Some real old timey backyard mechanic stuff but it ran well for the next 5 years he owned the boat.