2003 Ski Nautique 196 Project

[NautiqueJeff]

Huge update here...

The 12-volt port on the rear speaker panel was missing its collar and rubber cover. I replaced the plug today!

Told you it was a huge update... It's the little things, right?

[MN Ryan]

That's truly the icing on the cake.

[NautiqueJeff]

Big push this weekend! Trying to get everything I have installed, with the possible exception of the stereo equipment.

Tonight I got most of the interior installed. One more side piece to go, plus the driver's seat.

Glad we added some color to this interior. Remember, the stripes that are gray and blue now were plain white before!

[NautiqueJeff]

Windshield is on, along with the freshly-powdercoated vent cover plates! It looks like a boat again!

[NautiqueJeff]

Interior is all in and adjusted, except for the driver's seat. That will stay out while we do the stereo install.

[NautiqueJeff]

Bimini top is installed.

The person purchasing this boat elected to have me switch out the black bimini top for a blue one, and I have to say, that was the right choice! It matches the interior and the pinstripe nicely.

An important thing to keep in mind when installing a bimini top on a Ski Nautique is to not let the back straps go too far toward the back of the boat. I always try to have mine come down parallel to the ski pylon. That way, if someone is running shortline slalom, the ski rope won't hit the bimini straps.

It is amazing to me how much the addition of a bimini top changes the look of a Ski Nautique. I love the way they look with a nice bimini top.

[NautiqueJeff]

On this boat, I decided to go back to a vendor I had used in the past for a cover. Some of you will recognize the name Brent Fleming, from CoverSourceInternational. I haven't had one of Brent's covers since 2014, and I have heard all of the stories about how he is kind of difficult to work with. That said, I decided to try him anyway.

My experience with Brent has been very good. He isn't computer savvy, but he has worked with me via e-mail to get this cover ordered, and a second one for the 2002 Ski Nautique I am working on.

Not only that, but he has followed up, asking me for my thoughts on how to improve the attachment system these covers use at the rear of the boat. He doesn't have a Ski Nautique of this era around to test with, so we have been working on a few improvements for covers for these models. That said, the cover I have right now is his original design, and it is very good. If he hadn't asked me to help him figure out some modifications, I never would have even thought they were necessary. He's going to implement the changes for the second cover, and I should have that one soon.

The design of these covers is unique. They fit so tightly that they don't use any support poles, which is really nice. You can adjust the tightness of the fit by moving the velcro rail grabs on the sides of the cover, and by tightening the straps at the back. It really is a very cool design. This also makes them trailerable, since they stay so tight and there are no flapping straps on the sides.

Brent will be my go-to source for covers going forward.

[CHassmann]

IMO the Bimini looks a little bit too tall. I do not have a Bimini on my boat because I haven't been able to talk my wife into one yet. However, a friend has one on his that he customized by shortening the tubes and straps. It makes his boat look great on the water and is still high enough to not be in the way.

[fsts2k]

Jeff, the boat is looking really good!

What are you going to use for a head unit in the stereo upgrade? My Clarion CMD3 gave up the ghost this year and I need to find a suitable replacement that fits in the same spot on the right side of the arm rest.

Thank you

[NautiqueJeff]

IMO the Bimini looks a little bit too tall. I do not have a Bimini on my boat because I haven't been able to talk my wife into one yet. However, a friend has one on his that he customized by shortening the tubes and straps. It makes his boat look great on the water and is still high enough to not be in the way.

I respectfully disagree. I don't think most people would want it any lower. The one I originally ordered for this boat wasn't made for a Nautique, and THAT one was way too tall. I ended up returning that one. See post 23 for more info on that one. This one is made specifically for a Nautique, and I have owned five or six of these exact biminis. In my opinion, the height is just right.

Also, if it was any lower, it would block the windshield from being able to open.

[NautiqueJeff]

Jeff, the boat is looking really good!

What are you going to use for a head unit in the stereo upgrade? My Clarion CMD3 gave up the ghost this year and I need to find a suitable replacement that fits in the same spot on the right side of the arm rest.

Thank you

I have gone to not installing head units in my boats. The Roswell package I received simply comes with a bluetooth receiver that connects directly to the amp. No head unit required.

Here's what I ordered:
https://www.roswellmarine.com/produc...audio-package/

Installing a head unit in this boat wouldn't have been a big deal. There is a place for it in the glove box. There is just no reason for it.

I will almost certainly install this same system in the 2002 I am restoring next. That one has the head unit in the arm rest like yours. I think that's one of the worst places, since it has zero protection from the elements. That head unit will be coming out of my 2002, and a cover plate will be installed there. All of the Roswell equipment will be hidden under the bow.

[fsts2k]

Thank you much, appreciated. What are you going to use for a cover plate?

[NautiqueJeff]

I will be using this.

https://www.nautiqueparts.com/produc...reo-box-panel/

[CHassmann]

Hi Jeff, the angle of the photos may be what makes the Bimini look tall to me. Anyhow, the Roswell system looks awesome! I may have to put that in my '02.

[NautiqueJeff]

Started on the mechanical maintenance today. Main thing this evening was the impeller change. It wasn't too bad. Much better than the one that was in the 2002 Ski Nautique. It had definitely taken a set, and I did find a few rubber pieces inside the water pump, although they don't appear to have been from this impeller. Glad to get it all cleaned out though.