Buying advice for a 1995-1997 Ski Nautique

[spenclo123]

Hello, I'm looking at buying a nice used 1995 to 1997 Ski Nautique and found this super nice 1997 version with ~550 hours on it here in Atlanta, GA. It ran and drove great and was in excellent shape. However, it didn't have the GT-40 motor (see photos attached). If I'm just pulling my teenagers around tubing or knee boarding, etc. should i really be concerned about it not having the more powerful HP engine? Would I have trouble reselling it without the more popular GT40 engine (if that is indeed the case - as it's just a guess based on most that I see online for sale having that engine? Is the EFI GT40 engine more reliable? Thanks

[beamons]

That looks like a fantastic boat. I would be seriously looking at it right now if I were in the area.
I am not sure the engine options on that year but I believe that NautiqueJeff just rebuilt that boat and same engine in his.
https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...fully-restored

PCM make great engines. The boat looks like it is in great shape. What are they asking for it? Those are highly sought after ski boats.

[spenclo123]

They are asking $15.5K for it. It definitely is in awesome shape.

[beamons]

It looks like a great buy. It might be a sin to use that boat tubing. Good luck I hope you get it.

[96SNEFI]

It might be a sin to use that boat tubing.

Hey! If my guests, particularly kids, want to go tear around in a skill-less activity while having FUN as evidenced by all the screeching and laughing then I'll pull them with a purpose-built tournament ski boat all day long.
Of course I would much rather they learn and practice a skill but dossarnit tubing is fun.

[Skidave]

That is the PCM Ford 351 motor. It is the standard carburetor used for years with the ProTec ignition. My uncle has the same motor. It will last forever.

Someone dressed this motor with chrome valve covers and yellow plug wires. Not exactly stock, but only exterior bolt on dressings.

The ProTec ignition is not made any longer, but my uncle has over 1200 hours on his w/o issues.

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[spenclo123]

Thanks Skidave, very helpful to know.

[charlesml3]

Hello, I'm looking at buying a nice used 1995 to 1997 Ski Nautique and found this super nice 1997 version with ~550 hours on it here in Atlanta, GA. It ran and drove great and was in excellent shape. However, it didn't have the GT-40 motor (see photos attached). If I'm just pulling my teenagers around tubing or knee boarding, etc. should i really be concerned about it not having the more powerful HP engine? Would I have trouble reselling it without the more popular GT40 engine (if that is indeed the case - as it's just a guess based on most that I see online for sale having that engine? Is the EFI GT40 engine more reliable? Thanks

Dude, this boat is in SPECTACULAR condition. Probably one of the best I've seen. $15.5K is on the high side for one of this year, but this particular boat certainly meets all of the criteria for the price. I wouldn't even hesitate if I was in the market for something like this.

-Charles

[spenclo123]

Thanks. Yes, it is pristine for sure as i haven't found anything close to it in the market today. Thanks for the color.

[Blamey]

I would take a pristine boat without the GT40 over a less pristine one with it

The nice thing with the carburatored engines is if you want to dig into them you can add more horses. A simple swap of the heads to the GT40p head (these are heads that are not popular with the cars guys and can be bought on eBay pretty cheap) will get you pretty close to the power of the GT40 engine.

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[charlesml3]

I would take a pristine boat without the GT40 over a less pristine one with it

So would I. Any boat that's been cared for as well as this one is what I'd be after.

[functionoverfashion]

That is the PCM Ford 351 motor. It is the standard carburetor used for years with the ProTec ignition. My uncle has the same motor. It will last forever.

Someone dressed this motor with chrome valve covers and yellow plug wires. Not exactly stock, but only exterior bolt on dressings.

The ProTec ignition is not made any longer, but my uncle has over 1200 hours on his w/o issues.

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Correct me if I'm wrong, but (yellow plug wires aside) that looks like a regular distributor, not the pro-tec ignition. So it may have already been swapped out?

In any case, I agree that it looks fantastic overall. You can add features you want, but you can never "add on" a lifetime of care like that boat has had.

[swc5150]

That looks like a nice find! This is likely the best comparison, with a GT40 / PP Stargazer, so the $15.5 asking price you're looking at is high.

http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skii...t&postid=47508

BTW, the '97 hull is much better than '95/'96 you're considering. Good luck with your search!

[Tom_H]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but (yellow plug wires aside) that looks like a regular distributor, not the pro-tec ignition. So it may have already been swapped out?

In any case, I agree that it looks fantastic overall. You can add features you want, but you can never "add on" a lifetime of care like that boat has had.

Absolutely correct. It either never had the Protec, or has been swapped out to a standard distributor. The ProTec would have had plug wires going to the back of the engine where the coil packs were mounted. Considering there isn't ProTec stickers plastered on the flame arrestor cover, I would guess it never had it.

[j2nh]

Wow, that is a pristine Nautique. 550 hours is barely broken in. Little less power than the GT-40 but for the most part you will never notice that. Price is well matched to the boat, these are getting harder and harder to find in that condition. If I was in the market I would pull the trigger on that boat. Who ever had it took exceptional care of it.