1999 Sport Nautique - What to Do?

[NautiqueJeff]

Well, Silver Cove Marine's latest project might not make sense to restore unfortunately.

This 1999 Sport Nautique has a GT-40 that is rusty and locked up. The interior needs a complete refresh. The gelcoat needs a full wet sand and polish.

It may not make sense for our business to restore, but it might make sense for an individual. Or we might part it out.

The trailer is a beautiful 2016 Boatmate that is in really nice condition.

If the engine wasn't locked up, we would definitely restore it.

What would you do with this boat?

[glassywaters]

The value in the boat market has changed rapidly. The trailer is worth more than the boat 'as is'. A full interior and engine rebuild would set you back almost more than the boat is worth. Sell the trailer, pull the engine and parts and keep on hand for a future project? Does the window/frame fit all different models of the era?

[NautiqueJeff]

Oh yeah. The windshield fits a ton of models in that era. That alone is worth close to $2,000.

[bturner]

Wow, what a journey this boat must have made. From showroom to it's present condition, one has to wonder where the turnaround point came for the boat. I know these are just usable items that wear out for many people but I always wonder about the tipping point that occurs from being a cherished possession that gets covered, waxed and maintained to discarded junk.

Sometimes you can see the beginning of the end with the sale of one of your own boats. A close friend sold a 2012 MasterCraft X2 he'd owned for the last 9 years. We found and my friend purchased the boat when it was 3 years old from a guy that couldn't afford it any longer. The PO had gone from storing the boat inside to leaving it in a storage yard with just the mooring cover for close to 2 years. It was a very low hour boat and while the cover was about to give out, we caught it in time and all that was really needed was a good detail to pull the interior back to like new condition. Like wise, the hull just needed wet sanding and detailing to look like new. The trailer was more challenging as the boat had been towed on a salted road then left outside for the winter which led to issues with the paint finish, brakes and any fasteners )broke nearly every stud on every axle removing the wheels). Regardless, over the next few months we tackled each area until the boat looked near showroom condition once again and it stayed that way until August of this past summer when my friend sold the boat.

As part of the deal and for some cash thrown in my direction, it was agreed we would assist with and do skills transfer on winterizing the boat. 6 weeks went by and the boat shows up one Saturday for the winterization. To our horror, in just 6 short weeks the boat had been completely transformed into a disheveled mess. The near flawless hull now had scratches on both hull sides from being tied to a dock without adequate bumpers or protection. The interior was littered with empty cans, food wrappers and wet clothing/towels which the new owner starting cleaning up when he saw the looks on our faces. We were also later told by his neighbor that he rarely covers the boat. Mind you my friend had just sold this boat to him for $55K 6 weeks earlier.

Over the next coupler hours I went through the winterization check list with the new owner and picked off each item showing him where the various drains, hoses and other areas that would need to be addressed. He latter asked if I would be willing to do the boat the next year but I declined. I know for this boat it's going to be the beginning of the end and at the rate this owner was going that was going to come soon.

As to this boat.... unfortunately unless you find someone looking for a hobby it's not going to make sense bringing back an inboard this far gone from a business perspective. Quite the change in perspective you end up with going from an enthusiast/hobbyist to an enthusiast business owner ehh? You just can't save them all, great parts boat though.

[SilentSeven]

Part the boat, sell the trailer.

If you chose to setup an inventory process and support storage, I suspect there there is an ongoing market for selected NLA Nautique parts. Would be an extension of the Silver Cove business. You have good knowledge of what has value and will sell.

[NautiqueJeff]

Exactly what I was thinking. Coming soon — the Silver Cove BONEYARD!!