Help getting a 2000 SN196 in great shape?

[arkindred]

I just picked up a used 196 with 380 hours on the GT-40. I plan to do some work over the winter, and was hoping to get input on suggested maintenance or preventative maintenance for this age of a boat. My hope is to have it in great form for next summer, and avoid any typical issues that might come up at this stage of life for the boat. Would also love to hear any fun modifications, or things anyone has done and loved on their 196.
Things done or already on the list for this winter:
- New steering cable/system already installed
- Replacing non-working digital Tac/Speedometer Faria kit
- New Belts
- Recently replaced fuel pre-charge pump
- New impeller
- Replacing stereo/speakers/amp
THANKS

[Quinner]

Looks Great, congrats!
Technically, it's a "Ski Nautique" as the 196 moniker was not used until 2003

Have you compared the hours on the hour meter gauge to what is logged/displayed in perfect pass?? If the hour meter gauge has been replaced prior the hours shown may not be true to the actual hours on the boat. Additionally it would be a good idea to take pics of the hour meter reading before you change the gauge out, also pic which shows the hour meter reading and the PP display with hours reading simultaneously and also save the old hour meter gauge. These could all be beneficial at resale time to be able to show what the true hours are on the boat since the new gauge will start from Zero.

Regarding maintenance, unless you have documents showing when changed last I would do the following:
Change trans fluid, change motor oil + filter (be sure and use correct oil for flat tappet), replace FCC filter.
An alignment check would also be a good idea as well as a service on the trailer hubs/bearings.

[arkindred]

Thanks Quinner!

The digital hour gauge was "intermittent" prior to purchase and not working when we did inspection (may be able to get it back up - wiring had issues, but it won't be accurate), so owner was guessing on hours of around 360 since he purchased it from original owner. I checked the PP since the second owner never used it and didn't know you could find engine hours there. The PP seems original to the boat, and said 380. We had the engine checked out, and it runs like a dream & looks clean/well taken care of. Do you know if you can get 100% accurate hours off the engine? Our dealer for our 230 either didn't have the attachment for a GT-40, or it isn't possible to get actual engine hours off the engine - I wasn't clear witch, do you know? TERRIFIC idea to take a pic of the perfect pass hours - thanks.

[Quinner]

If you ever saw the gauge and it showed +/- the 380 and PP is showing the same, I would feel very confident that is an accurate number. The bezel color on the gauge will tell you if it's been replaced also, just cant remember if silver or black was the replacement color??

GT-40 does not store hours in the ECM, so no way to retrieve.

[kidder]

arkindred, I also just got a 2000 196! It states it has 113 hours on it. Its in amazing shape. I was wondering what exactly you replaced non-working digital Tac/Speedometer with? The speedometer and the PP do not work well on my boat. Thank you in advance.
Rick

[arkindred]

Hi Kidder -
Congrats! Sounds like you will want to replace all three displays (digital Speed/tach for 2000/2001 have been issues for most). They are not made anymore, and people seemed to complain you couldn't see them in the sun anyway. If you have the PP then the replacement is this set of Faria units.
http://www.nautiqueparts.com/fariaga...blkgauges.aspx
You would need to reach out to PP or discuss your PP issue with folks here to determine solution (display unit or/and master module) http://www.perfectpass.com/
Just curious, how did you confirm actual hours with the displays and PP not working well?
We are heading out for our first outing this weekend & can't wait!
Any pics of your boat?

[kidder]

arkindred, I will try to follow up on your advice for the speedometers. If you do not mind maybe I can call you sometime. Is there some private chat deal here. This is my first boat.... As for the hours - I really just looked at the hull, carpet, etc more than the hours. I test drove it for over an hour and just played around with it and looked at like a used car. It told the previous owner that thought it might have more hours on it (they were the second owners). Long story short, I got the boat for only 10k (noticed the PP issue and the right hand key pad was not functional) and took a chance. A new PWC cost more than that! I took it out once already and the motor and trans seem very solid. I had a issue with the ground cable which I think I have resolved. I will get you some pictures and post them. Rick

[kidder]

I was doing more or less the same process on this boat. I contacted NautiqueParts and confirmed the below part numbers:

1 Fuel filter RP080026 $41.45

1 Oil Filter R077001 $9.95

1 Impeller Kit SHE-09959K $29.95

1 Flush Kit - Perko flush - 6240690 - $89.95

1 Thermostats (factory) (comes with gasket )- RP026002 $29.45

[Quinner]

Get 2 fuel filters and a spare impeller for sure, if you want to save a few bucks you can build your own flush kit for 80% less $$$. Threads here and on CCFan shows how.
In a pinch the other items could all be purchased at your local NAPA, the oil filter is probably just a Motorcraft FL1A

[keithh2oskier]

arkindred, Did you buy that boat out of the bay area from a guy with a Black suburban that was a mechanic? I looked at that boat and passed on it. I know when I checked the hours on PP it was almost 600 and the oil filter had 500 plus hours written right on it so I passed as I wasn't confident in the hours and it was pretty dirty. He said he had changed the oil and not the filter which seemed weird especially coming from a mechanic. Either way good luck with it. He said the original owner was up in Redding if I recall.

Not sure if you ever verified the PP hours but you can do so if you have the manual. I think with the PP on you press the Up Arrow and the Menu button at the same time and it brings you into the settings menu where you can see water temp, volts, hours etc. PP doesn't calculate hours the exact same as the boat. I read somewhere it only checks ever 3 minutes so it would likely understate the hours (but not by much).