Jeff's 1998 Ski Nautique Restoration

[4th ski-doo]

My list of favorite boats of all time- 1983 2001, 1979 SN, 1993 Stars and Stripes MC, and the very top is the exact color 1998 SN!

You've done a wonderful job, extremely impressed with the detail especially finding the GPS speedometer that will replicate the old Air Guides. Love it, love it, love it!

[t.franscioni]

Also received the new lenses for the Airguide speedometers in the mail today. I'll get these installed tonight and get the dash back in the boat very soon.

Jeff did these lenses correct the yellowish tint that most older nautiques seem to have in the original speedo airguide gauges? Looking at buying a 93 in good condition but did notice the speedos on instrument cluster appear to be faded to a yellowish tint while all the other gauges look clear. I haven't seen the boat yet in person so just want to know what to expect. Just a new lens needed or is the discoloration due to the dial itself. Thanks.

[NautiqueJeff]

I'm not sure if that issue is with the lenses or the gauge face. Either way, the Classic Boatwork website has the replacement parts, including the lenses and the faces. They even have the needles.

http://www.classicboatwork.com/class...e/agr/agr.html

Here's a shot of my gauges that was taken a couple of days ago. They are holding up great so far. I replaced the lenses and painted the original needles, but did not replace the faces.

[t.franscioni]

Great thanks

[wake_fun]

Looks amazing Jeff! Great job!

[NautiqueJeff]

I have been having a terrible time with the fuel level sender in this boat. The old (lever style) sending units are practically impossible to get into the tank without bending the rod, which makes them useless. I tried two new lever style sending units, and I broke both of them trying to install them.

Today I decided to try installing an 11.5" straight style sender in my fuel tank. This is the part made for the 220 rear ballast tanks, but was also used for 211 fuel tanks. I was told it wouldn't fit, I'd have to remove the gas tank from the boat to even try, etc. NOT TRUE! I was able to remove the old sender and install this new one in less than ten minutes, and it works perfectly! It is much more accurate than the old lever style sender EVER was.

If you have a Ski Nautique with the straight gas tank (not the L-shaped tank), this sender is what you want! It is so nice to have a working (and accurate) fuel gauge!

https://www.nautiqueparts.com/produc...-for-211-2004/

[DW SD]

Good info... I had the same experience with a large fuel tank in my RV. I won't install another lever-based sender if I can help it. You can ohm the old sender and measure the depth of the tank and use this style sender in nearly any application. I forget the name of the online sales I used. They do a bunch of tanks and senders for motorsports applications and are made in the USA. Mine was about $60 and you can order by 1/2" increments.

[Ski-me]

An amazing transformation! Can't believe how far it's come from it's original condition.

[emw8855]

This restoration is awesome! Anyone know where to get the dash decals in post #254, I haven't seen them on Nautique parts or Christines?

[NautiqueJeff]

Those were custom-made for me by Nautique to replicate the originals as best possible (with the exception that the fasteners are now hidden underneath the panel). I am not sure who actually did the work on them though.

[beamons]

“I installed the gold metal flake pinstripe, which is the proper color as ordered from the factory. This was easier than I expected. I just made sure the area was clean, and eyeballed the installation, starting at the point of the bow. I worked my way around the boat slowly, and it turned out great!”

Jeff, where did you get the pinstripe from? I need to replace mine.


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[NautiqueJeff]

Got it right here:

https://www.nautiqueparts.com/produc...-metallic-1-4/

Use discount code PND for 10% off.

[beamons]

OK, got all of the dash wiring moved over to the new panel, and wired in the PP display and Master Module.

Dash is ready to bolt on now!

Jeff, beautiful work on the dash. Very nice effort on the detail.

Is there a way that we could buy those panels? I know that there would be considerable interest if possible.
Thanks!

[NautiqueJeff]

Thanks! Unfortunately those panels were created specifically for this boat by a friend at Nautique. He didn't make any extras. I wish he had, since I think we could sell them like crazy! Notice that there are no visible fasteners -- they're all hidden under the panels. That makes for a much cleaner look, and reduces the cracking that is common around the screw holes of the original panels.

[Chris Parsons]

Got the engine cover base and the observer's seat base back from gelcoat on Friday, and I installed the SeaDek on those pieces today.

Jeff,

Do you know the steps they took to gelcoat the base? Why didn't you just stick it over thr plastic?

Would you say this is necessary for thr engine cover?

Thanks!

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