New to the site/important question

[jward]

Alright guys I have a huge concern. I am looking at buying my first Nautique. The boat is a 2003 team edition and is in great looking shape. I am going to take the boat out this Saturday for a ride to make sure everything is running properly. My concern is the owner (he is the only owner, bought it brand new, serviced at the same nautique dealership) told me that the boat was used 5 times in salt water and was flushed after all salt water use. I have read that this is really no problem as long as it was flushed, and I have also read to stay away from these boats. What do you guys think. Also what can I make sure to look at that may tell me if a problem could occur from this. If I buy the boat it will be used in a fresh water lake only. The gel coat is perfect and interior doesn't have a nick on it. The trailer has a few rust spots but nothing major and is not a galvy. The exhast manifold has a few rust spots but no more than i would expect from any five year old boat. Well that is my story. This will be my first Nautique and I want it to be a good experience. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I can post pics if it would help
thanks
Justin

[jward]

RE: New to the site/important question

Oh and the boat only has 180hrs on it. Garage kept

[DanielC]

RE: New to the site/important question

Salt water use is a minus, but a lot of peopole do not bother to flush the boat engine afterwards. The current owner of the boat says he did flush it, he probably did. If everything else on the boat looks like he took better than average care of the boat, I would have no doubt that the boat was flushed after salt water use.
You might pull a drain plug off the exhaust manifold and see how muck, rust and other crud comes out.
Find out all that you can about the model of boat, and see if the prices are comparable.

[jward]

RE: New to the site/important question

what would be the worst thing that could happen to a boat of this age from a few times in the salt water and what would the repairs cost.

[NAWTEAK]

just take a close look at engine mounts and the back of the exhaust headers. this is where there is the least paint or most likely to corrode. the rest of the boat is stainless so no probs there. i wouldn't be too concerned.

[maxpower220]

Rust

I used my last boat in Saltwater 4 times. I flushed it each time and used a blocker foam spray on the external engine parts. I never had a problem with the boat. However, my trailer was a different story. In less than 4 years it basically rust from the inside out. The outside was shiny and new looking with very small amounts of, what I thought was surface rust, in some of the weld area. When having the trailer rewired and brake service, the shop told me that the trailer needed to be replaced very soon because of the rust on the inside of the trailer.

Do a very thorough inspection of the trailer, pull out the lights and such. That's my story.

[aaron]

RE: Rust

I had an 03 SANTE which i used in the sea a couple of times.U shdnt have any worries about corrosion but i advise anyone with a boat a few yrs old to change the thermostat for peace of mind.The spring in the thermo might get alittle rusty and will not "open" fully at the temperature its rated for.

[wakecrashin]

RE: Rust

I use my boat in brackish water everyday during the summer and no problems.. closed cooling

[BHog]

Well my concern is that 4 times is more like 20. However if it looks good and price is right now do it. Like said earlier, your trailer will take the first hit and thats about 2k.

[jward]

I spoke with the nautique dealership where the boat was purchased and they said to have the owner bring if by and that they would do an inspection of the boat and trailer for $85. I thought this would be a small price to pay for peace of mind. Everyone cross your fingers for me. the owner is taking it there today. Dealer said I would know everything they could find out by tomorrow. If all looks good I'm going to hit the road on Friday if anyone wants to go the North Carolina with me.

[east tx skier]

I've heard it said that salt corrosion is not something that can be arrested once it starts. But I've heard a lot of things said with varying levels of accuracy. So take that with a grain of salt (no pun intended until after I wrote it; so pun intended).

I would ask what the boat was flushed with. Their is a product available specifically for flushing boats after salt water use. Were I in your shoes, I would feel better hearing that it was flushed with something other than just fresh water. But if only fresh water flush, I'd want to know how long. If it was my boat, I'd be taking it immediately to a fresh water lake and running it for a while as opposed to 5 minutes on the hose.

I'd echo the concerns with 4x really being 20x and the trailer being something to look at very carefully.

[jward]

Well the nautique dealership called me after they tested the boat out and said she was good to go. there are a few minor things that may need attention but the boat, engine and trailer all checked out in good working condition. For the price that I am getting this boat I can't turn it down. I am picking it up on Sat. Wish me luck everyone. I am looking forward to being a Nautique owner.