Reliability question. These new boats are so complex!

[Nautiqueusername]

looking to return to water sports after a couple decades out of it. Currently have an 89 prostar so that's my reference point. Looking at a friends 2012 San 230. Want something roomy good in chop and nice for surfing. I have three young kids. We don it live on a lake so we will be trailering or renting a slip. 'This boat is super well taken care of.

Now my question...
given the complexity of these boats should I be worried as I would if buying a car that retailed new for as much? For example I don't think I want to be buying a 2012 BMW seven series without a warranty

[DW SD]

I can't really answer your question, but can say I'd have the same issue with buying a newer boat and frankly expect to one day when the = > 2013s are further down the depreciation curve. But I did think it through a bit.

It does seem to me you could dumb down a bit once expensive items start to fail, for example with manually controlling ballast pumps. I mean just wiring in old school fill / drain toggle switches. The timer-activated versions are great and nicely repeatable, but it isn't the only way to do things. I'd rather manually control than have to replace a very expensive broken computer, for example. And if you are very handy, you could probably program an arduino - based (or other) 3rd party controller to replace the factory one if it fails. ***Note, I'm guessing a replacement touchscreen computer is $2k+. Maybe I'm wrong.

Same goes for NSS. 3rd party surf controllers do exist for $1000 that just time the deployment of the surf gate, tab, etc. Actually, a timer-controlled 12V relay is available on Amazon for about $10.

Of course... none of those solution are as slick, and would require a bit of hacking, but seems like Keep it simple (KISS) is a good philosophy to keeping operating expenses in check.

Doug

[Nautiquehunter]

These newer cloned space ships scare the shi out of me . I tend to keep my boats a long time I still have my 89 I bought new . Its not how high tec they are its will the manufactures support the systems 10 years or more down the line. I look at the ProTec ignition and the digital gauges both not supported by the manufactures . Both were add on systems and not to hard to overcome . What will happen when the whole boat is run by a computer system and they don't make parts for it anymore?

[gary s]

Well you'll have to hope enough of them will go bad Mike and that aftermarket sees an opportunity. Look at the guys that figured out the cure for the Ford ECM problem,if not for Mustang tuners,there would be some good boats down. Good news is that they will make the parts for 10 years,it will be 20 before their failing regularly and can't get spares. Very few here keep a boat that long,it will be a great opportunity for some CCF'ers to get some modern powerplants. I'm sorry I missed a complete freeze damaged GT40 last spring,it would have made a great upgrade for my Shamrock,but the timing just was not right at the time.

[R0CKETMAN]

Why not hold out for a '13 with NSS?

[Nautiqueusername]

Why not hold out for a '13 with NSS?

its a late '12 and has nss

[macpres]

Boats are expensive either way, so say you pay $2k for a computer 5-10 years down the road. Is paying 30k more for a new boat really a better investment? that boat will get old too, then you're going to upgrade again? for another 30k? I don't see the issue. Don't hesitate, save the $$ on a new and get the 2012 and maintain it when its needed. Will be a lot less money than upgrading all the time.

[vanhanbr]

If I owned a '12-'17 nautique and planned on keeping it, I would buy a backup computer now before they get discontinued. I'd say they have 1-2 years left. Replaced with the 12" model.in '18 (earlier for g owners)

[vanhanbr]

Maybe they will make a way to upgrade dash? Doubt it, doesn't encourage new boat sales.

[macpres]

I have a really hard time believing that Nautique would completely abandon their customers and dealers for that matter, and not have parts available somehow. Remember, dealers make their money from service and financing, not selling new boats.

[gary s]

Your missing his point- just where do you go to get that computer or linc screen after Nautique no longer supports it? If you have a Ford in your '02 try getting a thermostat housing- they can go bad,don't forget PCM engines were used in alot of other brand boats too. Some people haven't been able to use their boats if their ECM has failed,PCM has no fix.

[Nautiqueusername]

Part of my concern is with the pumps and ballasts and drivetrain too

granted these are much simpler than a car (no abs esc srs hvac etc etc) but they also aren't pumping out 200k units a year at six sigma disciplines

ah ****
im just procrastinating cuz my usage is an unknown given that we don't surf or wakeboard

just looking for a fun activity with kids and their friends

and now I've conditioned my expectations beyond a pre computerized wake boat

[functionoverfashion]

If I owned a '12-'17 nautique and planned on keeping it, I would buy a backup computer now before they get discontinued. I'd say they have 1-2 years left. Replaced with the 12" model.in '18 (earlier for g owners)

I've thought about buying a spare keypad for my '03 before they're unobtanium, too. That's about the biggest PITA electronic part in my boat that could fail and really be hard to replace by rewiring all those accessories. I'm with you on the computers in the newer boats... it's a lot of money to have a spare, but what if? It's like having a spare prop, to me.

[DW SD]

I've thought about buying a spare keypad for my '03 before they're unobtanium, too. That's about the biggest PITA electronic part in my boat that could fail and really be hard to replace by rewiring all those accessories. I'm with you on the computers in the newer boats... it's a lot of money to have a spare, but what if? It's like having a spare prop, to me.

I looked at the pad wiring on my '01. if it came down to it, you could replace each button with a toggle switch.. Or revert to the push-button breaker style on the previous generation Nautiques. Not ideal, but functionality would not be lost.

I talked to a friend who said he goes out to Havasu, where it is hotter than hades now. He said many of the boats with the touchscreen have problems with the touchscreen overheating (like a cell phone). The users are running around with wet towels trying to keep the screens from overheating.

Too bad you can't order a new boat with the old skool controls!

Doug

[sporte77]

Just do a google search on the "Malibu Touch Command" problems. You'll see the example of how, in 5 years, your $80-$100k plus boat isn't handling the touchscreen durability - AND you are S.O.L.. from both Malibu & Medallion (who made their touch screens). But what do you do - other an buy an entry level-ish boat with switches like an Axis or something? Even those are going to have the complex boxes running part of your show. So either way, eventually you're gonna pay. I'm here researching how Nautique is taking care of their customers & how they are dealing with technology failures before I jump ship from Malibu to Nautique. I'm hoping to find an answer, but I'm guessing that every manufacturer has its ups and downs. My '12 VLX has done good, but right after the end of my 5 year warranty, stuff is starting to fail - mostly electronics. So, I'm checking out the Correct Craft family....