A few questions about a 1978 Ski Nautique

[Anfxlt1683]

Let me first start off by saying...AWESOME SITE!! I had no idea there were so many Correct Craft fans out there. Guys and Gals, I could use some help with my new boat. I really want to purchase an extended ski pylon (wakeboarding) for her but don't know how to fit it. It seems that the stock one has a nice ski loop that I can't remove. Also curious about re doing the interior over the winter and any input on a good shop in the Raleigh/Cary area of N.C. would be appreciated. Or any input on just doing it myself would also be apprecaited. Thanks for the help in advance, hopefully I will be able to return the favor one day!

[83sn2001]

I think the name is Flitepipe. It is an ext. pylon that clamps to the pylon instead of sliding over it. I think that skidim.com has them.

[Anfxlt1683]

Thanks...That is what I am looking for. Why do they have to cost so much more than a slip over...lol.

[Skidave]

My previous boat was a 79 and I would check the floor around your existing pylon. Back then, they used plywood around the pylon and the back of the engine box. You might want to reinforce the pylon underneath the plywood (in the bilge area). You can very easily take the pylon out to look around and see how the base of pylon meets the hull. I took mine out to polish it and it was a bit loose...

I called Correct Craft, and they did not recommend using an extended pylon for my year boat. If you look at the webiste for the Flight Pipe, they will have a smaller model for the older Nautiques.

Dave

[Anfxlt1683]

Yea I saw that shorter section. So do you think that it is not worth using one due to the risk of messing up the boat? Also I have been told from a pylon co. that I could just cut the ski loop off of the stock pylon and slip theres over...is that a bad idea? lol

[vtncsuskier]

I have a friend that used to have a 79 SN....should be the same as a 78 in terms of layout. We used a regular Fly High Pylon for years with no problems. He had the ski eye on the center pole removed. I am pretty sure there are two pins to push out and it slides off but I may be wrong.

We added some duct tape over the existing pylon so the Fly High would fit snugly. Just check to make sure the flooring is in good shape.

Add a little weight to the back and you have a nice wakeboard wake. This boat is not very heavy and is very narrow so it does not take much to weight it. We would throw a 600lb sac in the back and with people the wake was nice...very narrow.... but nice and peaky.


Hope this helps

[ccskier16]

Please dont cut the pylon. Thank You!

[Anfxlt1683]

Sounds like cutting the pylon is a bad idea...according to 74skier. Although vtncsuskier says that it should just remove with removing some pins. I see the pins but haven't had time to play with it yet. I will have to see how easy removing those pins really are.

[Bob's2001]

There are roll pins that fasten the ski eye to the pylon. They can be pressed or driven out. On a boat that old you will probably need to let them soak in penetrating oil for a while. After the pins are out take a piece of pipe or a corow bar to twist back and forth to get it loose and pull up.

Bob
83SN 2001
Monster Tower

[Anfxlt1683]

Thanks everyone for the input! I think I am gonna wait for the winter to add all my goodies, I don't want to waste precious lake time right now since there isn't to much left.

[ozark_skier]

I remember seeing a post here or at correctcraftfan.com recently where somewone restoring a boat was looking for a pylon with the ring. Theirs was already cut and they wanted the original look. You might be able to work out a trade.

[Anfxlt1683]

I really would prefer to try and remove the pins graciously and not destroy it in case I do decide to sell the boat one day, so I don't think that I would want to trade for a cut pylon, but thanks so much for the lookout!