1999 Ski Nautique Open Bow Project Boat

[NautiqueJeff]

Are you running the 20w-50 right now because of the cooler temperatures? Just wondering because I was planning on using VR1 40W in my GT-40 this summer.

I run VR1 20w-50 in all of my older Nautiques with flat tappet engines year-round. The 40w is fine too. In fact, that's what the manual recommends.

[NautiqueJeff]

New windshield is on!

It looks like a real boat now!

[t.franscioni]

What ended up being the windshield solution? were you able to find a source for just the glass? NP only sells these old windshields as complete kits right, frame and glass? That scares me about these older boats I’m waiting for someone to find a glass only source and pick up some spare panels myself.

[NautiqueJeff]

If you find a glass only source, please let me know! I have two complete frames without glass here now!

The solution for this boat was to steal the one I had on the Sport Nautique, because that windshield was actually for a Ski Nautique Open Bow.

On the NautiqueParts website, they show this windshield as fitting the Sport Nautique too (and that's why I bought this used one from a SNOB), but that information is wrong. The door on the windshield from a SNOB is too wide for a Sport Nautique. The Sport Nautique requires the 15.5" door and the SNOB is about 18.75".

It ended up working out OK for me though, since I needed a SNOB windshield anyway.

Now I just need to get NautiqueParts to update their website (and find a windshield for the Sport Nautique).

[NautiqueJeff]

Had to go on a little night mission to test out the windshield and the lights.

Everything is working great! The stern light took a little tweaking, but it is all good now.

[NautiqueJeff]

Mechanical testing is just about complete. I still need to install the oil pressure switch for the SLOW system, new riser gaskets, and the FCC filter, but other than that, it is time to move on to cosmetics! Took it out for an extended run today, and everything seems good!



Also got the new oil pressure switch, FCC filter and riser gaskets today from Nautique Parts.

[beamons]

NautiqueJeff how did you determine that the SLOW systems is what is causing the sputtering?

[NautiqueJeff]

I unhooked the oil pressure switch and tested the boat again and it worked. That's the good thing about the SLOW system. If you have a bad sensor, you can just unhook it until the replacement arrives, and everything will work fine.

[NautiqueJeff]

Replaced the oil pressure switch today, and now the SLOW system is functional again.

One thing that is concerning me is that the voltmeter is reading about 15 volts while running. I have misplaced my multimeter, so I can't check the true voltage at the battery. Hopefully the gauge is a little off and the alternator isn't really putting out 15 volts. I'll track that multimeter down tomorrow and figure out what's up there.

[NautiqueJeff]

Did some testing with the multimeter, and it looks like the voltage gauge is reading about 1 - 1.5 volts higher than actual. That's good news -- I'd rather replace the gauge than the alternator!

[NautiqueJeff]

I have been having a little trouble with cold starts, and it had gotten pretty bad. It was to the point that I couldn't get it to start at all a couple of days ago.

I tried a few things, like playing around with the IAC and testing fuel pressure, etc. Nothing was working. I finally decided to swap the two relays on the back of the engine that control the fuel pump and the ECU. I switched them around, and the engine fired right up.

I have two new ones on order from NautiqueParts, and I'll replace them and keep the old ones as spares.

[NautiqueJeff]

I love getting packages like this in the mail!

I will be installing this in the next few days, and I'll do a full write-up for anyone interested. This will be a full install, not an upgrade. There is no speed control on this boat currently.

[NautiqueJeff]

Here's the link to the write-up for the PerfectPass Stargazer installation:

https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...tique-open-bow

[NautiqueJeff]

Well, the windshield on this boat ended up getting donated to another project, and I have been looking for a replacement for MONTHS!

I finally found one in White Lake's storage yard (no, I didn't steal it off of a boat). They sold it to me for a great price, and I test fit it on this boat tonight. I'm happy to say that it fits perfectly! The door that is on it right now is not correct for my boat, but I have the right (bigger) door.

Now to pull it apart and have the frame powder coated...

[NautiqueJeff]

Windshield is on the boat now! The Windshieldless Wonder is now windshielded again!