2001 Super Air Nautique overall reliability

[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]

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

[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?

[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...

[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

[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]

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.

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.

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

[jingram]

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

[DW SD]

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

[DaveNH]

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]

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

[Tmosely1]

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

[j-rob]

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!

[TRIP]

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.

[DW SD]

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.