Another Project -- 2003 Air Nautique 226 Team Edition

[NautiqueJeff]

So, here's something I just don't understand.

If someone is going to let this boat sit outside for 2-3 years, why can't they at least put the cover on it?

This cover was inside the boat! Is it perfect? No. Would it have protected the upholstery from the sun and at least some dirt? Yes! The sun is the biggest thing.

I pressure washed this cover, and while I am sure it isn't going to be waterproof anymore, at least it'll keep the sun off of the interior until I can get another cover made.

[functionoverfashion]

I don't even get it when people leave their boat uncovered overnight around here. You never know when it might rain, or what will fall in the boat from nearby trees, while it's uncovered. Not to mention the sun during the day... my kids even point out boats that are uncovered as we drive by... I guess it's rubbed off haha

[SilentSeven]

So, here's something I just don't understand. If someone is going to let this boat sit outside for 2-3 years, why can't they at least put the cover on it? This cover was inside the boat! Is it perfect? No. Would it have protected the upholstery from the sun and at least some dirt? Yes! The sun is the biggest thing. I pressure washed this cover, and while I am sure it isn't going to be waterproof anymore, at least it'll keep the sun off of the interior until I can get another cover made.

Not that you need any of us to tell you as you have made a nice little business out of restoring other's neglect...but there seem to group of people in this world who just view everything in this world as a disposable - you use it for a while and then just dump it. There's no thought or expectation that actually caring for something would be both enjoyable and profitable. Just not in their worldview.

I am mindful of these folks when buying something....mostly because I have found they are unable to articulate the state of the item for sale. You have to figure it out on your own. Real caveat emptor....there can be some great deals or total disasters.

[NautiqueJeff]

Got the new decals and a few other odds and ends today. As soon as the gelcoat work is complete, these'll be going on.

[Spud]

Hope its an Aviator that going on this Jeff!

[NautiqueJeff]

Indeed! It is going to have an Aviator Pro with a Shadow Top bimini and new R1 speakers on the interior!

Looking forward to receiving those parts and getting started on that section of the rebuild!

[Stevemo14]

Why did you chose the shadow bimini over the Aviator?

[NautiqueJeff]

I like the more rigid look of the Shadow Top. I have owned one in the past on a G23, and really liked it.

Here's the one I had on my G in 2018.

[Spud]

I agree Jeff the shadow top is awesome... we are tried lots of different Bimini tops over the years but the Shadow top is by far the best!

[NautiqueJeff]

If anyone has any use for the old original tower on this boat, let me know. It is for sale. Cheap.

226 Tower For Sale

[NautiqueJeff]

A tractor trailer just dropped off this pallet of stuff for the 226! Lots of cool stuff coming soon to this boat!

Is that a Shadow Top bimini that I see on the outside???

[NautiqueJeff]

I have spent the ENTIRE day with my son, trying to replace the impeller on this boat. It is in an impossible location to reach. Truly a pain. I even contacted Steve Carlton, who designed this boat back in the day, to find out if there were any tricks to reaching this impeller. There are not any tricks.

The design of this boat has the port-side access to the engine severely limited due to the walk-through, and that's where the water pump is, way at the bottom, way in the back of the boat.

All of the engine walls on both sides have to be removed.

The engine shroud has to be removed.

The hose to the exhaust riser on the port side has to be removed.

The hose to the thermostat housing on the port side has to be removed.

The exhaust hose to the muffler has to be removed.

The muffler really should be removed, but we skipped that part for now because reaching the exhaust hose clamps at the connection point to the through-hulls at the back are way, way back there, and even my skinny 13-year-old son couldn't reach them.

The water pump cover is barely reachable, and only if you're a skinny 13-year-old. Luckily my son fits that description.

After eight hours of work, we successfully removed the old impeller.

We tried and tried to get the new one in without removing the water pump (which would require removing the port side muffler), but have stopped for the night. We're determined to get it in tomorrow without removing the pump. We have a trick that I think will work. We'll see tomorrow.

At least we were happy to find a COMPLETELY destroyed impeller. It would have really made us mad if it wasn't bad. I'm pretty sure it has never been changed, and has been in since 2003. This one is the worst I have personally ever encountered.

[gcam4]

I cannot imagine your frustration. Then I remember changing the starter on my wife's v6 Camaro!

How was that engine not overheating? I don't know how it hasn't been nuked.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[NautiqueJeff]

Not sure! Hopefully it wasnt this bad when the boat was in use. It had been sitting for over three years when I got it.

[paticus]

Well, the fact that it somebody like *you* 8 hours to get the impeller out might be an indicator as to why it was never replaced