So many options, so little time...

[Swim]

Hey guys, I'm in a bind.... My 1999 SN gt-40 has just past 1400 hours. While I know it can probably go much longer, I'm starting to get the upgrade bug. Here are the options that I have....

#1 - Pull the GT-40, rebuild it. Overhaul the interior and color sand the gelcoat filling the holes from the old tower.
#2 - Pull the GT-40, swap in something better... like an Excal... overhaul the interior and exterior like option 1.
#3 - Screw it, run it til she breaks, buy a new nautique, and keep this one as a second boat..

Other things to consider... I'm not really a fan of the color... I would LOVE to have it re-gelcoated.... in the color I want (black where the maroon is.) Interior needs a total overhaul. Previous owner was a slob.

Oh yeah, and I only paid $3500 for her... just remember that.

[scott resick]

Why not giv'er a quick interior overhaul and run it till something needs replaced like a tranny or flex plate, then worry about the motor?

[Swim]

Yeah, I've thought about that. That's more option 3. Interior is cheap in perspective.

[swc5150]

Or, run it this summer and sell it to me for $3k in the fall

[Swim]

Oh yeah? Sounds like a GREAT deal!

[ers906]

Depends if you are using it in salt water or not I think. If so, then just keep riding til it falls apart then upgrade to a costal edition model.

[jbach]

i'd do option 1 minus the engine rebuild. no need for a rebuild at 1400 hours.

oh and btw, there is no better engine option than the gt-40. still.

[Swim]

The boat is Salt free. I'm moving to Utah this fall, so there will be more use of the boat this coming year. This year I tacked on about 400 hours, I will probably do 200-300 this coming year. Yes, I know I ski a lot. 3-4 days a week average.

So lets just say I continue my trend of 200-400 hours a year...I'll be at 2,000 hours soon, and at 3k in a couple years... The reason I was looking to rebuild sooner than later was I don't really want downtime during the "season." Since there is really no skiing in winter around SLC, my plan was to do anything I needed to do in that time so when the season came around I could be on the water.... worry free

[saceone]

run it till she quits!

[migs]

give her the love she rightly deserves(interior). Shell gladly take care of you for another 2K hrs.

[TRBenj]

Yeah, I've thought about that. That's more option 3. Interior is cheap in perspective.

A quality interior will cost significantly more than an engine rebuild. Approximately 2x.

[BrennanK]

If you treat that engine right there should be no real need for a rebuild for a long while. In addition, I think swapping in a different motor would just be a waste. You would see minimal gains unless all you do is go fast.
I would replace only what is in dire need of replacement and use the boat.

In addition the thought of throwing money into a $3,500 boat seams like a poor choice to me.

[swc5150]

Agreed. Without seeing pics, I'm imagining what a $3,500 TSC1 looks like, and assuming it's pretty rough? I'd run that one into the grave, then upgrade. A well maintained GT-40 could get to 3,000 hours, or about 5 more years with your usage. You'll get your money's worth out of that boat many times over.

[Swim]

Ok, here are some pictures.
Here are some from the day I picked her up - http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/sh...y-2nd-Nautique
I even mentioned in that thread I wanted to swap the motor.

Here it is without the monkey bars...


And here's some from last week's trip to Lake Mohave... Notice the Airboom... yeah that's for the wife... it was our "compromise." I pulled out my dad's old Jobe honeycomb just for laughs... man that was a fun ski, but I still like my syndicate a3 more





And wayyyyy out there is the wife.... one day she'll shorten up the rope and try out the course..

[Swim]

The quote I've received on the interior is $2800... That's through a friend at work who's family owns a upholstery business. Basically I order the skins from Christine's and they'll install them.
If I pull the engine, rebuild it, install new manifolds, downpipes, muffler and all hoses, etc... it's gonna be WAY more than that.