2002 Nautique 196

[fsts2k]

I have had a 226 for 14 years, great boat. That said I want a real ski experience and am thinking of buying a 2002 nautique 196. Found one local with gt40 motor and 787 hours. Anything I should worry about other than normal maintenance? Are these hulls ok for free skiing on a lake?

love our current boat, hoping to find a true ski boat that can compliment it. Am looking late 90s or early 2000s; not new

thanks

[NautiqueJeff]

A 2002 196 would be a great boat for what you're looking for. I do a similar thing -- G23 and 1999 Ski Nautique Open Bow.

787 is nothing on a GT-40.

[CHassmann]

I love my '02. You can't go wrong. You will love the wake.

[fsts2k]

I put an offer down on the boat and the seller flaked on me... out looking again

[fsts2k]

Just found a 97... 600 hours and a 96 with 575 hours. The 97 claims a 205 PCM and the 96 claims a GT40. Is the difference in hull that much between a 1996 vs a 1997 vs 2002 196?

These two look pretty clean

[fsts2k]

Here are pictures of the 1997

[fsts2k]

And pictures of the 1996

[SilentSeven]

97 has the TSC1 hull. It's an amazing wake...I miss mine every time I'm out. Super hard to go wrong there. The engine you picture for the 97 does not look like the GT-40. I see a carburetor. I'd closely investigate this - either it's the base model engine (if they offered one outside the GT-40...you'd have to check) or maybe even that early odd duck EFI unit that everyone wants to avoid (FI parts are all NLA). It also just looks unloved...I see a lot of rust which suggests saltwater use.

Sooooo...something seems off that that 97 and I'd do some digging.

For comparison - here's a pic of my 1600 hour GT-40 engine in my 1997.



Hi res link - https://1drv.ms/u/s!AoJnMC1oR2hM7LFsNuSf2FYzdMTuyA

And my (now sold) 97...just cuz I miss her.



Hi res link - https://1drv.ms/u/s!AoJnMC1oR2hM7LFv1-Psn8QvTWMKYQ

[bturner]

I'm always shocked when people put their boats up for sale and not detail them. I mean how hard would it have been to clean out the bilge and clean up the engine on the first boat.

[fsts2k]

I agree, it should be pretty easy to clean up a boat for sale.

At this point I am feeling like I should keep looking for a 97-2003 with either a GT40 or a newer PCM. I am not in a rush to buy (lake still frozen) and I assume more boats will become available as we get closer to Spring.

SilentSeven, thanks for the pics. That makes more sense. If I found a boat like that I would buy it today.

[SilentSeven]

FWIW...I think you can afford to be picky on tourney boat.

Pretty much everyone these days (outside a few of us on boards like this) want a v-drive surf/wakeboard boat. Or at least something with an open bow (here's looking at me). The market for closed bow 19 foot tourney boats is pretty depressed relative to all the other models and I think you should be able to pick up a well curated older boat for a good price. Don't be afraid to negotiate....when I sold mine, I saw a lot of people with silly prices on their boats and they never sold. I listed my boat at $8,950. It was very clean for a 22 year old boat - fiberglass, engine and trailer were all tip top and it had a stargazer 3 event and sunbrella cover but I was only about half way through replacing upholstery bits and there were skins showing their age. Carpet was also getting pretty thin. And it had 1600 hours (but ran flawlessly and burned zero oil), I sold it quickly to the first real skier that made me a decent offer as I was motivated (due to have purchased the 206) and the guy who wanted it was going to be the 'right guy' to care for her going forward. I don't think I could have gotten much more for her.

Cost me almost 2 1/4 times that amount to get into a very nicely loved < 400 hour 206 that mostly needed nothing (except to replace that dumb mechanical PP). Those $ were basically the premium for the open bow, tower and low hours.

Good hunting...look forward to seeing what you come up with. Nice ones are out there.

[fsts2k]

Found the 2002 again... going to see it Thursday... things moving quick

[fsts2k]

Probably buying this on Saturday... The rear seat vinyl is cracked and will probably need to be replaced. The side of the hull is a little chewed up but I think with a little repair and new decals it will be fine. It has about 780 hours, GT40, Stargazer, and normal equipment for a 2002. I am not looking for a perfect boat but this looks better than the 1997, has a hull I like, and generally seems to be easy enough repairs to make it what I want. The owner also appears to be an honest person which matters.

[SilentSeven]

Looks like it will clean up with some sweat equity. A $40 harbor freight polisher, a wool pad and some compound will do wonders. Would you redo the seats or leave as is? I've installed multiple skins from C&S with great results.... Congrats!!

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

[NautiqueJeff]

That 2002 looks nice! As long as the price is right, go for it!