Another Project -- 2003 Air Nautique 226 Team Edition

[NautiqueJeff]

Heading to pick this one up next week. This will be the largest boat that I have taken on as a project, but it doesn't need much (I hope). Looking forward to getting to work on this one!

I remember making a special trip to the boat show when the 226 came out just to see it in person as soon as possible. I thought they were really cool. I never owned one though, until now. Murray used to get these as his athlete boats back in the day, and I spent some time with him on those boats and always liked them.

Here's a sneak peek of this one.

[gcam4]

Dang Jeff, I dont know how you find the time! How far is this one away?

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[NautiqueJeff]

Oh, about 1,200 miles each way. No big deal. Planning to pack a BIG cooler and never (or almost never) leave my tow vehicle on this trip. I want no interaction with anyone, including food service people.

[Stevemo14]

Im going to need a new project to work on soon, let me know if you find another steal that you cant work on yourself.


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[fsts2k]

Nice! I am looking forward to seeing this

[gcam4]

Be safe! If you need a hand on it in the future let me know.

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[NautiqueJeff]

Picked up this 2008 Ram-Lin trailer today for this boat. Stopped at the tire shop on the way home and had all new tires installed. Leaving Sunday to go pick up the boat!

[NautiqueJeff]

Picked it up this morning. Should be back home tomorrow!

It's got that sloped-tower look. Doesn't matter, because that tower is going away and something much cooler will be in its place.

Oh, and if anyone ever wondered, the 226 fits PERFECTLY on a 230 trailer!

[Stevemo14]

What tower are you going to put on it? I think I have a good guess!!


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[fsts2k]

Looks good, do you have a sense of what is needed outside of the gel coat work from the first picture? I know you mentioned a new tower.

Safe travels

[Paxdad]

I think I saw that boat go over the dam on lake Dunlap when it flash flooded!! Lol. Just kidding!!


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[NautiqueJeff]

Looks good, do you have a sense of what is needed outside of the gel coat work from the first picture? I know you mentioned a new tower.

Safe travels

This one will need a good cleaning, a full wet sand and buff plus some gelcoat chip repairs, new decals, a replacement tower, a new bimini top, probably a steering cable, and maybe some seat vinyl, maybe not. I still need to do a full test of the engine and electronics too.

Just got home a few minutes ago, and the trailer fit the boat very well, and towed nicely.

[NautiqueJeff]

Made it home with the boat last night. Here are the official starting pictures.

This boat sat outside uncovered for the last two years. Not sure how much of the interior can be saved. We'll see. All of the cushions are there.

[SilentSeven]

Who leaves a boat outside for two years? Sheesh.

Posted via phone. Sorry for the tpyos.

[NautiqueJeff]

I don’t know, but I’m glad some people do I guess. It gives me good projects to work on, and I love seeing the transformation.