2001 Super Air Nautique overall reliability

**DW SD** · 10-26-2016, 12:31 PM

Hey J-Rob,
I've had 4 Nautiques, none newer than the 2001 SAN, I now have. I might be biased, but feel Nautiques are the best wakeboard / waterski boats made. I've not experienced the issues the mechanic cited. I'd find another mechanic.

Also, you might be $ ahead by buying a boat which has received more love even if the initial cost is higher. This is a buyer's market, at least for the next few months.

I might suggest posting location info for the boat(s) you are looking at and seeing if a member he can recommend a mechanic or even take a look themselves.

Vibration could be prop, prop shaft or even and engine miss. The latter would show up in neutral with revving.

Cheers,

Doug

**Quinner** · 10-26-2016, 12:51 PM

370hrs since the gauges have been replaced or on boat? What does gauge read now? Unless someone spent the time to add the existing boats hours to it, would have started back at 0 when installed. Sure sounds like that boat mechanic has been drinking lot's of BU Kool-Aide, lol.
I would definitely run a compression check on that motor and also figure out what the vibration is if possible.
Hopefully getting a good buy, boat looks a little rough from the pics, if this is how he shows the boat imagine how it looked normally, yikes!

**Blamey** · 10-26-2016, 02:27 PM

Sounds like somebody who is exceptionally biased to Malibu as his is mostly talking out his ***. Nautiques are know to be top notch for quality. The 2001 are know for issues with the Gauges but it's a relatively cheap fix (around $300) to replace them. The engine is a GT40 and is know for reliability and is one of the most popular engines on older inboards. Specifically here is what I think.

Computers are prone to fail, and no longer available
- I do believe this is partly true as there was a post last week about them not being available. I don't think the are prone to failing.

Wire harness is prone to fail, and no longer available
- Never heard of these being prone to failure.

Rudder shaft is weak and will "break off hitting a fish too hard"
- Never heard about this being an issue.

Prop shaft is 1" which is weak and is easily bent/unbalanced (on this note, the boat does have a vibration that comes in around 2,000rpm, but quickly goes away.) Prop shaft? Or could it be the broken tracking fin?
- Never heard of this being an issue. Only issues I have heard about is when the boat hits something solid. Not a 'Fish"

He also said "surfing isn't going to happen with that boat" Which I have seen photographic evidence to the contrary on this site.
- This can be done lots of examples. Not sure how the boat stacks up to other boat of the era/price range but it can be done.

**DaveNH** · 10-27-2016, 07:30 AM

A new interior will be in $4,000 give or take. May need new shaft, I only say that because broken fin might mean a prop hit as well, it may be hard to know the extent in a test drive.
That mechanic was useless as others have mentioned.
I'd say $12,000 to $14,000 range might be fair, assuming compression turns out ok?

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**xlair** · 10-27-2016, 09:21 AM

^$12-14k would be one helluva deal even if the interior is shot. '01 SAN in somewhat reasonable condition(a lot of them aren't) is still $20k+

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**DW SD** · 10-27-2016, 09:49 AM

I viewed one near me in greater San Diego area a month or two back that languished @ $18k. The gelcoat was rough and the interior rough too. It had a new engine with only a few hundred hours. Probably a full gelcoat color sand and polish and then +$4k to $5k for the interior and it'd be a beauty. Bear in mind based on time of year, this is a buyer's market. 4 to 5 months from now, these boats might gain +$3k in value.

**TRIP** · 10-27-2016, 10:21 AM

Are the points valid in anyway, or is this dude crazy?

Yup, dude's crazy, and full of BS.
I'd recommend checking out the boat yourself, if possible with a member from this site or from CCfan that knows these boats really well.
How much is he asking? Looks like you could get another season or 2 out of that upholstery, I've seen far worse.

**j-rob** · 10-27-2016, 01:37 PM

Thanks for all the input guys, lot of really good points made. The asking price on the boat I pictured is $21k.
An initial offer of 18 cash was rejected. Further negotiation deferred until seeing it in person. I would be shooting for 19, 20 at absolute most.
Good buy at that price if the motor check out?

Shaft being 1" is confirmed bull****. It is 1 1/8" and $350 on Nautique Parts.

An email to PCM Resulted in the following information regarding the ECM

"Unfortunately Ford Motor has discontinued these ECM�s and getting them has been difficult, we are currently out of these and not sure if we can but we are working with a company that may be able to repair them."

I didn't dig too much further on it, as life is too short to troubleshoot problems that don't actually exist yet.

Some of the comments made about the condition of blue boat has me slightly second guessing it. I didn't actually think the interior was in that bad of shape. Noel having seen it in person said we probably wouldn't need to do it until the end of next season. The gel coat however, as I can see from pictures will need quite a lot of work.
The notion of buying a "more loved boat" and being ahead of the game a bit also took hold a bit. I do enjoy turning wrenches and I also enjoy the process of improving stuff, but I'm certainly not opposed to skipping a bit of that.

I found this 03 in the Sacramento area...looks pretty sharp for 1050 hours. Pretty far though and logistics becomes a concern. Asking is a bit above my initial budget of 20, but it seems to be ready to go.
Anyone live in Rancho Cordova or know this boat?

http://www.onlyinboards.com/2003-Sup...nia-59056.aspx

Thanks again!

**Tmosely1** · 10-27-2016, 01:50 PM

I noticed this on Craigslist and thought it might be worth consideration. Not mine and I've never seen it, but seems to be close to what you're looking for.

https://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/bod/5830566574.html

**DW SD** · 10-27-2016, 02:13 PM

I'm pretty sure I talked to that dealer in Rancho Cordoba about that same boat. That boat has been for sale for some months now and I think I remember it being called clean, but also obviously used (like the interior). I wouldn't be concerned about the hours. One owner boats ( and long term owners) are usually the ones to get as they spent the most coin to buy it. I like the boat in Oklahoma, at least if you like the color scheme. Looks like a lot of boat for the $.

I shipped my boat from MN to San Diego ~ 2000 miles for $1700. I wouldn't rule out remote purchase. I used uship and had a great experience with locating and bidding shipping resources.

$20k sounds like a lot for that beat one.

I'm a believer that everything looks good in pictures and when it doesn't even look good in pictures, reality will show it to be really bad!

For a remote deal.... Ask the seller to photo all of the flaws after a discussion about how they care for it, maintain and treat it.

Use search all craigslist or search tempest or another to find more boat listings. Also, don't forget some folks don't know how to spell natique

Crazy how many times I've seen boats listed for sell with that spelling. If I list a boat, I include both spellings for the spelling impaired.

Doug

**DaveNH** · 10-27-2016, 02:45 PM

I know my 12 to 14 sounded very low - and maybe it is - but my experience with the same interior in a '98 was once it was looking bad, the rips and seam problems came along pretty quickly. I might have thought I could go a few more years, but it was going downhill and really bothered me, so I had it re-done. So I look at that boat with uncertain total hours and a fin lopped off and maybe a shaft alignment or bend and my impression is you'll have to spend let's say $5,000 to $6,000 easy to get it where you want it to be. You end up with a $20,000 boat that might have not been cared for all that well, based on how it looks. It's a 15 year old boat, to spend $18,000 range on one knowing I had to put another 6 in would be a bit much for me, I'd want it in good shape with an indication it was well cared for. Just my take.

**DW SD** · 10-27-2016, 02:59 PM

Here's another one that has been for sale for a while: https://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/5834987684.html

**jingram** · 10-27-2016, 05:14 PM

https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...03-san-limited

**j-rob** · 10-28-2016, 02:51 AM

I saw that Sacramento boat awhile back Doug. It looks pretty good, but they said firm on price, which is just a bit higher than my initial budget and it's really far.
Granted this black one at the dealership is just as far, but it's a newer team edition, thoroughly picture documented and the guy I am talking to there has been very helpful.
Can ship it to Texas for 15-1600.
Another option I am looking at is flying out there one way, renting a truck, and hauling it back. Save a good bit of money and have the advantage of being able to see it in person before throwing down.

Originally posted by DaveNH View Post

I know my 12 to 14 sounded very low - and maybe it is - but my experience with the same interior in a '98 was once it was looking bad, the rips and seam problems came along pretty quickly. I might have thought I could go a few more years, but it was going downhill and really bothered me, so I had it re-done. So I look at that boat with uncertain total hours and a fin lopped off and maybe a shaft alignment or bend and my impression is you'll have to spend let's say $5,000 to $6,000 easy to get it where you want it to be. You end up with a $20,000 boat that might have not been cared for all that well, based on how it looks. It's a 15 year old boat, to spend $18,000 range on one knowing I had to put another 6 in would be a bit much for me, I'd want it in good shape with an indication it was well cared for. Just my take.

This is exactly what has been on my mind. I came up with the same numbers and at the end of the day, I am unlikely to see any real return from money invested. Mind you I harbor no illusions that boats are an "investment" of any kind.
Anything that rolls or floats is an expense, not an investment.

Originally posted by jingram View Post

https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...03-san-limited

I saw your boat yesterday, it is beautiful. Love that color scheme.
Unfortunately it is well above my budget

2001 Super Air Nautique overall reliability

2001 Super Air Nautique overall reliability

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