Newbie question - 1st CC (2002 Sport)

[schwartz36]

Hello all. I'm brand new to the CC world as I've been a MC owner for the last 10 years. Looking to buy my first CC this weekend and have a couple quick questions before I put cash on the table.

The boat I'm buying is a 2002 Sport Nautique and my questions are:

1. The speedo and tach are analog on this boat. I've read so much about the digital gauges on this model and I thought that was standard. Can anyone verify that the configuration pictured below is standard? Do I need to check the ECM to make sure the hours meeter is accurate?



2. This boat has the 5.0 (275hp) engine. I'd prefer the GT-40 but this one is not. I know there are a threads on this topic but just wanted to get a few candid opinions on the matter. I'm no longer competitive or course skiing, open water. Rarely barefoot and when I do it's 37-38 mph. No wakeboard or surf (yet). Have a bunch of little kids just starting to learn.


Thanks in advance for your your comments/advice. I enjoyed the Team MC forums and look forward to becoming active in this group.

[xlair]

The boat you are looking at is an "SE". It came stock with the analog gauges and keyed ignition so I would be fairly confident the hours are correct.

I don't have much experience with the 5.0L 275 hp but as long as your expectations going in are tempered it should be fine. Don't expect to go out with 9 people and pull someone up on a slalom ski like you could a GT-40. Also, hopefully the price you are paying reflects the smaller engine as your resale isn't going to be as good on the back end either.

[wakehead]

Those guages look new to me, but dont hold me to it. I think the bezels were black on that model and plastic. Those look like they are stainless.

welcome to correct craft ")

[gome123]

my $.02: This boat sounds like a good boat, yet you are not googly-eyed. (if that is a word) Sounds like you would rather have the bigger engine. Hold out for the exact boat you want, or you will always have that in the back of your mind. Once you experience surfing, you will be hooked. Like Xlair mentions above more weight in the boat will bog the smaller engine. For surfing you will need weight. Also, more people in the boat will have the same effect.

I also went from a MC (ProStar 205) to my '05 SANTE, Fell in true love and was "Googly-eyed" from the day I saw her on CL. Took 1 yr to find, but worth the wait.

[vortech347]

I have 99 Sport with GT-40 and it was a $4,000 upgrade from the smaller engine. Honestly, if you start wakeboarding and surfing you may regret the smaller engine. The GT-40 is a GREAT engine due to it's torque curve.

Depending on how good the deal is you might get it then upgrade to a more suitable wakeboard/wakesurf boat later.

My Sport throws a very good wakeboard wake but it's not that great of a wakesurfer without putting a ton of extra weight in it and even then you have to surf very close to the platform.

[hondaprlud]

If the deal is good I don't see why not. If you don't like it you could sell it and buy something else. just my .02.

I think you'll have a hard time surfing this boat, I think it's the same hull as my 96. (as far a surfing would be concerned, ski wake was improved IIRC)

Welcome to the board.

[schwartz36]

Thanks all for the great input! I'm working on two 2002 Sports one with the 5.0 and one with the 5.8. The 5.0 has 1/4 the hours, has a tower and is $1000 less. I'm on a small private lake so I'm thinking the smaller engine won't be huge deal. Either way I can always upgrade down the line if the engine isn't stout enough.

I'll post when I get one.

[gome123]

Schwartz... Soon as you purchase one we better see it posted on "Show us your Nautique" section. (I guess I can't say much as I haven't shown mine off yet )

[schwartz36]

POSTED!

Got a good report on the inspection today. Only issue is a non functional blower.

2002 Sport SE with 250 hrs on the 5.0 engine. Compression in the 160 to 170 range for all cylinders.

[xlair]

Looks pretty nice!

Interesting bimini- how do you get the boards in/out of the racks?