2002 Ski Nautique Project

[shag]

Indeed! One was already on there, the other had to be added about half-way down to Ram-Lin when I saw the second one starting to fall off!

I've seen a few of those where all they used was a countersunk self tapping screw through the bunks, lol... Surprised they last as long as they do! This will be nice to see when done!

[NautiqueJeff]

Windshield and vent covers are off.

I'll break down the windshield and get the frame and the vent covers off to powder coat next week.

[NautiqueJeff]

Windshield is broken down. This was an easy one! Parts are ready to go to the powder coat place on Monday!

[NautiqueJeff]

Pulled the old rubrail off. Removed the dash. Installed a new jack on the trailer.

Now all that's left is to remove the speaker pods, remove the old tower mounts, remove the dangerous non-pop-up cleats (can you imagine a slalom skier getting a line caught on one of those??), and remove the pinstripes and graphics and it'll be ready for gelcoat. One more day of work and it'll be ready.

[bionaraq]

Wait, we can retrofit the auto hide cleats? how hard of a retrofit is it? (signature series so no hidden cleats here)

[NautiqueJeff]

Sure. Just remove the old ones and install the new ones.

The problem arises if the holes don't line up. Then you're into gelcoat work, etc.

Hopefully they'll line up!

https://www.nautiqueparts.com/produc...ainless-steel/

And here are some without the Nautique logo:

https://www.nautiqueparts.com/produc...ainless-steel/

[Interjon]

Did Nautique really sell cleats on a ski boat like that? Hard to believe. I have a set of retractable cleats, brand new. I bought them new to install on a 200. Was told installation is a beast and decided not to proceed. Still have the set, if anyone can use them. I think the darn things were close to $500.

Maybe Jeff can tell me installation is easier than I was told.

[NautiqueJeff]

This boat is looking more and more sad...

That's what has to happen before it is brought back to life though.

Decals and pinstripes came off today.







Check out how much the red and black have faded and oxidized over time. You can see what the gel used to look like under the pinstripe. I have no idea if or when this boat was ever sanded, buffed or waxed. Probably never. It was fairly well maintained mechanically, but camps are not famous for their gelcoat maintenance. I can't wait to see the transformation on this one though!

[NautiqueJeff]

Did Nautique really sell cleats on a ski boat like that? Hard to believe. I have a set of retractable cleats, brand new. I bought them new to install on a 200. Was told installation is a beast and decided not to proceed. Still have the set, if anyone can use them. I think the darn things were close to $500.

Maybe Jeff can tell me installation is easier than I was told.

Installation isn't bad at all, as long as you have access to the underside. Two holes, two bolts. That's it.

Here's a link to the installation I did on my old '98 Ski Nautique. I wish I still had that boat...

https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...367#post491367

[NautiqueJeff]

Ok, the last of the items came off today, so it is now 100% ready to go to gelcoat.

The old tower mounts came off, along with the dangerous non-pop-up cleats. I pulled the speaker pods too.

Not much left of the boat...

[MN Ryan]

I had to tighten up a pop-up cleat on mine this summer. IIRC, I had to buy a 1 1/4" socket for the task.

[NautiqueJeff]

I normally don't replace the carpet in my restoration boats, but this one is unavoidable. Normally, proper cleaning with the right products and a properly-configured pressure washer can make these carpets look like new.

Unfortunately the previous owner of this boat had hit it with a pressure washer with FAR too sharp of a tip, and it left huge marks and bare places in the original carpet. It simply must be replaced.

To do this right is not an easy or cheap job, since every carpeted piece must have the carpet replaced in order to keep consistency throughout the carpet. It is almost cheaper to gelcoat the floor and convert it to SeaDek.

I made the decision today to go ahead with full carpet replacement on this boat.

This is going to be one of those no-expense-spared boats, and it will be a true standout when complete.

[NautiqueJeff]

Today was dashboard restoration day.

Here's the starting point:



I removed all of the big gauges as well as both keypads.



The dash was thoroughly cleaned, and the brand new keypads were installed.



Finally the new gauges (including the new GPS speedometer and the PerfectPass Stargazer) were installed. I also was able to remove and reuse the two decals (the N logo decal and the Engineered For decal). These decals are no longer available from Nautique, so I as glad to be able to reuse these.



Finished product:







I'm really happy with how this turned out. Scroll back up and look at the starting point. What a difference!

[Scooter G]

Amazing transformation on that dash, really nice work!
Love the work bench, looks like my kitchen, lol.
It was the time I put the carburetor in the dishwasher, that I got grounded to off limits from that section of the house.

[SANonTellico]

carburetor in the dishwasher……
I hope you throughly sprayed it down with gumout just before you put it in there!
And, for full effect, I hope there were other dishes in there when you ran it!!!
For sure, permanently expelled from that part of the house!
(curious, did you get your wife a new dishwasher after that?)