2003 Ski Nautique 196 Project

[NautiqueJeff]

Just received the new steering wheel and throttle knob for this boat. They aren't the Full Throttle Package units I had hoped for (those are unfortunately NLA), but they are better than what's on it now. I think this wheel will look good, and the polished mahogany throttle knob is much better than the stupid one that comes on the Signature Edition boats.

[SilentSeven]

.....he found a textured paint product that closely matched the original vinyl color, and had them sprayed. .... The textured paint looks very similar to the original vinyl.

Hey NautiqueJeff .... was thinking about this and suspect that someday others are going to need to R&R these panels. Is there any chance you can find out the product and exact color your vendor used? That would be a big assist to the next person who has to go down this rabbit hole....

[NautiqueJeff]

Starting to wrap this one up. The stereo work got knocked out today, and it sounds great! Everything is hidden (no head unit). It is all bluetooth, controlled by your phone. The only thing that is controlled in the boat is the RGB LED's in the speakers. Those have their own remote that allows them to be set to a specific color, rotate through all colors, flash to the beat of the music, etc.

[NautiqueJeff]

Next, the dash needs to go back in, then I need to install the engine side of the PerfectPass Stargazer, and then it is water test time!

Oh, and I should probably install the driver's seat...

[bionaraq]

Looking great!.

[fsts2k]

really nice looking redo! I love the way you refinished the vinyl parts where the handles are, I may need to do that

[NautiqueJeff]

Today was SUPPOSED to be wrap-up day on this boat.

I spent an hour looking for my wire snake so that I could install the engine side of the PerfectPass Stargazer, but it is nowhere to be found. Ordered a new one from Amazon. Of course it won't be here until Monday.

Hopefully I'll get this one all wrapped up next week and be able to water test it. Can't wait for that!

[NautiqueJeff]

Finally got the wiring run under the floor for the PerfectPass Stargazer. I think that's the part of these projects that I dislike the most. For some reason that is ALWAYS a pain.

Now that the wiring is in place, I should be able to wrap everything else up in the next day or two and get it on the water for testing. This one is almost finished!!

[Scooter G]

Today was SUPPOSED to be wrap-up day on this boat.

I spent an hour looking for my wire snake so that I could install the engine side of the PerfectPass Stargazer, but it is nowhere to be found. Ordered a new one from Amazon. Of course it won't be here until Monday.

That would explain why I have 7 staple guns, spend an hour looking for one, and eventually run to the hardware store and buy another. They are all neatly arranged in a drawer now, I just can't remeber which drawer it is.

Looking forward to the final Jeff, looking really good...

[NautiqueJeff]

PerfectPass install is complete, including the Zbox bits.

Installed the dash tonight as well.

Just a few more things to do to wrap this one up!

[MN Ryan]

1) Install steering wheel.

[NautiqueJeff]

And driver's seat!

[bionaraq]

Love the switches. look good all lit up.

[NautiqueJeff]

Steering wheel, throttle knob, and driver's seat mounted!

[NautiqueJeff]

After installing the dash, I was chasing a no crank / no start and no fuel pump prime issue. Went through all of the wiring at the dash again, checked all of the relays on the engine, checked the fuses and circuit breakers on the engine, checked the lanyard connections, etc. Everything checked out.

The battery is brand new and fully-charged.

Finally I found that the small black wire running to the battery had some corrosion on the end. Sure enough, that was it! After cleaning that connection up at the battery, the pump primes and the engine starts right up.

Tracing all of those wires under the dash also lead me to a blown fuse in the horn circuit. This Nautique now has a working horn, which is kind of rare for one this old!

I was going to water test this boat today, but the wind started blowing 30+ MPH, so I have decided to keep it in the garage until tomorrow. Can't wait to water test this beauty!