Jeff's 1998 Ski Nautique Restoration

[NautiqueJeff]

Interesting. Yes, that is definitely the same boat.

Here's what's weird:

Every single picture in his listing was taken by me here in North Carolina over two years ago when I still owned the boat!
The engine information is WRONG. That boat never had a GT-40. It has the small, non-HO, carb 5.8L 260 HP engine.
Everything he lists as "new" was done by me at least two to three years ago.
The hours were at 1,950 when I sold it over two years ago. He says it only has 1,900 on it now.

Here's my original for sale thread from over two years ago.

https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...fully-restored

[SilentSeven]

Think the seller is the guy who purchased it from you?

[NautiqueJeff]

Yeah, it is definitely him.

[Canuck-Surfer]

Got about half of the interior installed today. Had to make a couple of trips to the hardware store (funny how nuts and bolts go missing during these projects). I was hoping to get it all installed today, but it just didn't happen. Tomorrow's the day!

Jeff,
I’m spending lots of time reviewing this old thread before starting the SeaDek portion of my 96 Sport restoration. In the pictures of your rear seat the middle cushion is turned upside down with SeaDek on the base. Was that an original design of being able to turn the middle seat upside down in that generation or is that something you created? I love the idea of doing something similar with my Sport.


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[NautiqueJeff]

That was the original design, but with carpet of course.

[Canuck-Surfer]

Good to know. I think I’ll use a piece of HDPE on top of the base and add the SeaDek to it. Then try to lower the foam in the seat cushion (when new custom vinyl is installed) so that the seat can be added when needed on top. Anybody done something like this on the 93-97 generation?


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[JBird97Nautique]

Hey Jeff, do the windshield wings slide back into each other? Best to install one side and then slide the other one down into place. I think my powdercoat is a little thick causing the grooves to be stubborn. Had to use a mallet to get them to slide down together. Just making sure I didn't throw out a gasket or something.

[NautiqueJeff]

Yes. If they powdercoat that area, it makes it very difficult to get them back together. I recently had to have one of my windshield frames reblasted and recoated (light in that area) so that it would go back together.

[JBird97Nautique]

OK yea I think that's my problem. It didn't go back into the groove correctly and then it got wedged together and now I'm trying to get them backed out. It's really wedged in there that my mallet has bent the corner of the channel. Not sure if I should chemically strip it and try or just keep knocking at it and hoping it comes apart so I can have it redone.

[Rednucleus]

I have no experience - but - what about trying some lube - silicon, thin oil? or heat??

[MN Ryan]

Or even soapy water.

[JBird97Nautique]

Ended up getting it apart thank God! I had to build a contraption with 2x4s to hold one end in place and was able to knock it loose with a small sledge. I sanded the channels for an hour afterward.. I don't recommend powdercoating that part at all lol. I used a heat gun, oil, wd40, and even put it in the freezer over night before coming on here. I ended up having to sand, work it back and forth and then threw some wd40 silicon and they are gliding nicely. Just need to get the windshield put back together now.

[NautiqueJeff]

I tried all of those things too when mine was stuck. Had to use our chest freezer in the garage to fit the two stuck pieces in there! That still didn't work. Glad you got it apart!

[Kmayotte]

Resurrecting this thread as I'm going to pull all the carpet out of my '99 SN this fall/winter/spring and sea deck the entire interior.
Understand the joy of sanding, leveling, gel-coating lol but the finished product will be amazing compared to wet carpet all the time.

NautiqueJeff - Does seadeck have a template from your boat? What's the best way to inquire about ordering your layout (minus graphics)?

[NautiqueJeff]

They do, but remember, these boats are all hand-built, so it may not match up perfectly. Should be close though.