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All,
I've been bitten by the wakeboarding bug (at 44 yrs old :P) and have started to look at used ski/wakeboard boats. Our neighbors at our camp in upstate NY have been pulling me around with their 2011 Seadoo Speedster. I have also have the pleasure of being pulled by an older Mastercraft (unsure of exact model but is has a Corvette motor) and liked how much instant pull it had. We have a 4 yr old daughter who is a thrill seeker like her dad so I know she will want to continue tubing and I sure hope she takes to wakeboarding or water skiing. I first thought we wanted to jet a jet boat too, but have started to look at Nautiques and other name brand ski boats. I've been reading everything I can on the forums.
So to the question for the forum:
What issues do these ski boats have with regards to salt water use vs. fresh water use?
Keep in mind I have a 1987 Silverton 34x (twin 454s with v-drives) that came from Long Island with 18 years of salt water use before we put it in fresh water so I know about the exhaust risers and other bits that require replacement more frequently due to salt water use. I've done all the work myself on the 34x : new exhaust manifolds, risers, drive plates, one tranny housing, full interior gut job, new carbs, etc. etc. We have had some issues with the tachs not reading properly that I have not worked on yet, but no other electrical issues (fingers crossed).
I read one post that the electrical systems can be bothersome on salt water ski boats. The poster said to stay away from salt water boats bc you will be chasing electrical issues for the life of the boat. Is this really a problem on let's say a 94 ski nautique? I've been looking at 93 and up Nautiques so far since they fit in my budget and want to stay away from wood stringers.
Are there any other salt water issues that I should be concerned about?
And I presume that everyone here would say get a ski boat over a jet drive right?
Thanks for reading and your input.
Robert
I've been bitten by the wakeboarding bug (at 44 yrs old :P) and have started to look at used ski/wakeboard boats. Our neighbors at our camp in upstate NY have been pulling me around with their 2011 Seadoo Speedster. I have also have the pleasure of being pulled by an older Mastercraft (unsure of exact model but is has a Corvette motor) and liked how much instant pull it had. We have a 4 yr old daughter who is a thrill seeker like her dad so I know she will want to continue tubing and I sure hope she takes to wakeboarding or water skiing. I first thought we wanted to jet a jet boat too, but have started to look at Nautiques and other name brand ski boats. I've been reading everything I can on the forums.
So to the question for the forum:
What issues do these ski boats have with regards to salt water use vs. fresh water use?
Keep in mind I have a 1987 Silverton 34x (twin 454s with v-drives) that came from Long Island with 18 years of salt water use before we put it in fresh water so I know about the exhaust risers and other bits that require replacement more frequently due to salt water use. I've done all the work myself on the 34x : new exhaust manifolds, risers, drive plates, one tranny housing, full interior gut job, new carbs, etc. etc. We have had some issues with the tachs not reading properly that I have not worked on yet, but no other electrical issues (fingers crossed).
I read one post that the electrical systems can be bothersome on salt water ski boats. The poster said to stay away from salt water boats bc you will be chasing electrical issues for the life of the boat. Is this really a problem on let's say a 94 ski nautique? I've been looking at 93 and up Nautiques so far since they fit in my budget and want to stay away from wood stringers.
Are there any other salt water issues that I should be concerned about?
And I presume that everyone here would say get a ski boat over a jet drive right?
Thanks for reading and your input.
Robert