Jeff's 1998 Ski Nautique Restoration

[NautiqueJeff]

Really happy with how the windshield turned out. It makes the boat look so much better now that it isn't all scratched up.

I also cleaned the original rubrail with acetone and remounted that today.

It is finally starting to look like a boat again!

[DLafont]

Really happy with how the windshield turned out. It makes the boat look so much better now that it isn't all scratched up.

I also cleaned the original rubrail with acetone and remounted that today.

It is finally starting to look like a boat again!

Better way to put it: Starting to look like a brand spanking new boat again!! Amazing results!!

[RyanNoble]

Hey Jeff, with the windshield, is that little foam piece or whatever that is just up from the bottom, it is hard to get out? was your decayed at all or did you have to replace it once you removed it? Where I am I don't think I'll be able to track that down...

[NautiqueJeff]

All of the rubber and foam on my windshield was reusable and in pretty good shape. Nothing brittle or hard. The foam strip that goes between the windshield and the deck of the boat was a little smashed, but still usable. That was the hardest piece to keep in place while reinstalling the windshield.

If you're talking about the strip that covers the screws, that was very easy to get out and in great shape. You just pry an end out with a screwdriver and pull it out, then it just pops back in easily when you remount the windshield.

[MaineDR]

Lets see some decals!

[NautiqueJeff]

Didn't get to the decals today. Had an unexpected truck repair that took precedence. As long as the weather holds out tomorrow, I am hoping to get them on then.

[enzo thecat]

Still I can't believe how fast this is going.

[NautiqueJeff]

Well, the passenger side has graphics now! On the driver's side, in direct sunlight, I could still see the outline of the old letters, so I am taking it back to the gelcoat place on Monday for some additional sanding and buffing on that side. Won't take them long! Once that's finished, I will be heading down to the SeaDek factory. I will drop the boat off with them on Wednesday. Things are really progressing!

[MaineDR]

Shiny!

[NautiqueJeff]

A little more work on the Airguides tonight. May need one more coat tomorrow, but looking MUCH better. The needles had faded to white, and I finally found the proper orange to use on the needles today.

[t.franscioni]

Do you have any tips or mind sharing your process of applying the side decals? Im undergoing a similar restoration process with my 2002 SAN and new graphics are on the list of things to do.

[NautiqueJeff]

Yes, I do.

I looked at the 1998 Nautique brochure (available on this site) to verify proper placement. Then I used masking tape to tape them in place, measuring the distance from the top and bottom of the green stripe to make sure they were centered. This is tricky since the stripe is not the same width for the entire length of the boat. I then ran a full-length piece of tape across the top with no breaks in it. Once they were taped in place properly, I made cuts separating each letter, so that each letter was hanging from the tape individually, and they could be applied one-at-a-time. This allows you to work with a set of smaller decals instead of one huge one. Then you just flip one up, remove the backing, and use a squeegee to apply the letter, starting at the top and pulling toward the bottom. Repeat for each letter, and you're done!

[NautiqueJeff]

Airguide restoration is complete, and I am so happy with the results! I thoroughly cleaned the faces, painted the needles the proper factory orange, replaced the grommets for the adjustment knobs, and replaced the lenses. They look brand new now!


Before:





After:

[NautiqueJeff]

I also decided to go ahead and have the dash vinyl replaced. It is all marked up on top, and I don't want that detracting from this beautiful boat. I pulled out all of the gauges and wiring today in preparation for getting it replaced.

[keithh2oskier]

Wow, its coming along really good. Its going to be a beautiful boat when its all done.