2001 Super Air Nautique overall reliability

[DW SD]

I looked in to flying one way, renting a truck and one way haul return. I was surprised, but it didn't seem to save much over uship. There weren't a lot of companies offering one-way rental trucks setup to haul when I factored in $ / mile costs, the truck renal was expensive. I did consider, and rule out, adding (and then removing) a tow hitch to a rented SUV or truck from a normal rental car company. That might afford a much better deal. but was afraid of liability if there were an accident.

"firm" is relative :-) send links to the deals to the owner with pricing (like the Oklahoma city one) and show the market. An owner might change their mind on what asking price makes sense.

Also, be patient. I'm sure new ones will come on the market. And many of those who are selling will likely be motivated in some way, given the time of year.

Doug

[j-rob]

So, I think I am going with the 03 in Rancho Cordova. They forwarded me the mechanical report on the boat, and it looks pretty good, with only a few minor notes. Cosmetically there are "light scratches" in a few spots, and normal slight wear consistent with age. There are only a few areas that give me some slight concern;
-Prop is slightly dinged from "contact with foreign object"
-Rudder shaft is leaking/may need to be replaced
-Tach/Temp gauge don't work.

From lessons learned about the last boat and potential bottom contact, I inquired as to the possibility of prop ding and rudder packing being related, and if they had assessed on water for drive train vibration. It may be that I am hypersensitive on this, just trying to play out all scenarios in my questioning.
They are going to put it in the water to assess that for me next week, along with checking the actual leakage of the rudder shaft. On water video to be included.
I also asked about potential gauge diagnoses to make me feel more comfortable, as that repair could be easy, or it could be around $1k as per the sticky on this site.

We did come to terms on a price (pending results of on water test) that I am super stoked on. The only caveat, I can't find a way that is cost effective for me to fly out and scope it myself.
I exhausted all possibilities for flying one way, then hauling back myself as mentioned, and it is significantly cheaper to simply have it shipped.
The dealer has been very forthcoming with info, and they seem pretty legit.

Am I crazy for considering buying this thing sight unseen (in person)?

Link with more pictures.
http://www.superiorboatrepair.com/ne...sp?pov=4720629


This site in general and all the feedback in this thread has been a huge help and I really appreciate everyone's help and input.

Cheers

[scottb7]

yeah, anyone that knows my posts, knows for sure...i am NOT a nautique fan boy...but, yeah, that mechanic sounds like he is full of...

[phataz]

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.

HI do you think that boat in San Diego is still for sale?

[DW SD]

HI do you think that boat in San Diego is still for sale?

I checked Craigslist. I'd have to dig around my call logs and see if I can find the #. Also, I kind of remember him posting it for sale here. Let me look there.
I think he was in Vista.
Doug

[DW SD]

This was the one in the San Diego area for sale a few months back. I saw it first hand. Owner said it was mechanically sound. It fired right up and ran great when I saw it.

https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...r-air-nautique

[DW SD]

It is not listed / marked as sold. I remember him saying he might keep it if it didn't sell. He also said he had an upholstery replacement quote for $2k. I didn't see how that could be, but maybe. Cody's # is 760.889.two two five zero - call or text him.

[DW SD]

Well, I texted Cory. His is still for sale; he just stopped trying to sell it. Hit him up, perhaps. Doug

[Gwozhog]

My guess is the mechanic you are talking about is James elswick. I guarantee he knows more about nautiques then just about any member on this site because he wrenches on them all day for a living. I'm sure as a mechanic there is nothing more frustrating than not being able to get parts that you need to get the job done. So that is why older nautiques have left a bad taste in his mouth. Also if you are seeing the same problem over and over on multiple nautiques it's pretty easy to form a negative opinion about a product too. Now would I buy a Malibu in that era? No way they are just to **** fugly to look at. Mastercraft in that era is my favorite. I sold a 2000 mastercraft last year after 2 years of ownership. Most reliable piece of equipment I ever owned. But I'm sure a 100 people would tell you the same thing about there older nautiques too lol

[DaveNH]

You can guarantee what he knows, but he told the guy that the 1" shaft was prone to break, rudders break off if they hit a fish, and harnesses fail and can't be found. False, false, and false. He obviously doesn't know about some basic features of that boat. And, I'm thinking a person or two has surfed that boat, contrary to his statement.

[j-rob]

Yikes, this is taking a turn I didn't want it to take. I have no doubt the guy had reasons for what he said, and being that I turn wrenches for a living myself, I fully understand his point of view and respect his input as a mechanic. That said, I chose to disregard his input for a few reasons:

-He had no details about the boat in question other than a year and model, and never asked me my intended use until after about 15 minutes of bashing it. Primary use by the way, is an area run about to the lakeside pubs and restaurants, and general exploring. Though Wakeboarding and surfing are equal in their importance to us, otherwise we would just get a cheap runabout.
-A quick google search on a few of his points led me to know that he was correct on the ECM and Harness not being available anymore for the GT40. However searching for common failure of those components came up lacking. It should also be noted that not everyone that experiences an ECM failure on that vintage of Nautique is going to run to the internet and post a thread about it. Any forum will provide only a small glimpse into it's particular focus. Still it never hurts to cross reference.
-His POV on Nautiques is very exclusive. The rest of the world seems to love them. I am always skeptical of a negative opinion as you never know what formed it.

Side bar: A good friend of mine who is a motorcycle mechanic HATES KTM. Loves Honda. Says KTMs are expensive fragile junk and difficult to work on. I enlisted him to help me rebuild my top end. He bitched the whole time, and at the end of it....He says "you know the way they built this actually makes a lot of sense and it wasn't actually that hard, really well engineered" On the contrary,, working on my girlfriends Honda....I'm not a fan. So even from a wrenching perspective, a lot comes down to opinion.



-He said the boat doesn't surf, which I had seen evidence to the contrary of on here and other places. I'm sure it doesn't surf as well as his 2015 Malibu with 7000# of ballast.
-He bagged on where I live. This was ultimately the kicker for me. It was the thing that I actually woke up kind of pissed about the following day. "Water in that area is salt not brackish, and it ruins all the boats down there. I hate working on boats from that area because they are always rusty and dirty because people don't take care of their stuff. That water will eat a hole through your boat"


Not only did he assume that I wouldn't take care of my boat/things in general, but apparently I can't buy any boat until I move somewhere further inland with fresh water.

I am sure he is probably a good mechanic and a great guy and all, but the whole thing just rubbed me the wrong way. All this thread was about was getting a second opinion, I should have left he subject of the mechanic out of it.

Despite being undeterred about ECM failure I did start looking more exclusively at boats with the 330 excalibur motor. Parts abound for that unit and I even have a lead for a FWC kit from the forum here.

Pending an on water test (hopefully tomorrow morning) we will be going with the 03 SANTE from Rancho.

If a couple months down the road the boat falls apart, and my rudder breaks off then I guess that will just be my karma.

[xlwater01]

j-rob, let us know how it goes. For the price that 03 looks pretty clean based on hours. Trailer doesn't look the best with the rust/dents but hopefully it's not too bad. Slight prop ding is not the end of the world. As long as there is no vibration while accelerating/cruising. I'm curious how much the rudder packing is leaking. And what's with the crack in the rear right of the swim platform? My biggest concern would be the gauges as that could be a gateway box issue!

Also, I'm annoyed with what that mechanic said. Much of it was incorrect and he sounds like a Malibu fan boy that loves hating on Nautique.

In the event this 03 doesn't work out, don't discount the GT-40 because of what he said. Sure the ECU may be hard to get however I've been around GT-40s my whole life and I don't think I've ever heard of a problem with one. It is one of the most proven/bulletproof engines, some even prefer it over the 330 Excal. Usually it's a toss up depending on who you talk to.

[j-rob]

j-rob, let us know how it goes. For the price that 03 looks pretty clean based on hours. Trailer doesn't look the best with the rust/dents but hopefully it's not too bad. Slight prop ding is not the end of the world. As long as there is no vibration while accelerating/cruising. I'm curious how much the rudder packing is leaking. And what's with the crack in the rear right of the swim platform? My biggest concern would be the gauges as that could be a gateway box issue!

Also, I'm annoyed with what that mechanic said. Much of it was incorrect and he sounds like a Malibu fan boy that loves hating on Nautique.

In the event this 03 doesn't work out, don't discount the GT-40 because of what he said. Sure the ECU may be hard to get however I've been around GT-40s my whole life and I don't think I've ever heard of a problem with one. It is one of the most proven/bulletproof engines, some even prefer it over the 330 Excal. Usually it's a toss up depending on who you talk to.

Thanks dude. Pretty much all my thoughts exactly. I did notice the crack in the platform, but I'm not concerned over it. I actually have some teak in the garage that I can replace it with if it really came to it. Though one thing I am curious about...I thought in 03 they went to composite swim platforms? Just what I read. Not worried about it as I actually prefer the look of the teak myself.

I like the Vortech on account of it being made with real tornadoes!

Should know something here pretty quick if the weather in Rancho is good enough for a wet test this morning!

[xlwater01]

I believe composite was standard but teak was available as an option until 2005? You don't see too many boats of that era with the teak.

[DaveNH]

That '03 is a really nice looking boat! Doesn't look it's age at all, had to have an owner that took pride in it.