Need Help Understanding Used Nautique Market & Engines

[Skiin]

Skied behind them my whole life but am looking to buy my first Nautique. Will likely get a '94-'97 model. There appears to be two types of boat for sale.

1st was babied it's whole life and is in excellent condition with 400-700 hours. Priced between $14-$18k

2nd was treated well but used as a tool to ski behind. These have 700-1100 hours. Some blemishes, tears, stains, etc.. Priced between $9-$12k. This type of boat appears to be much easier to find and often has a much more motivated seller.

How much would it likely cost if I buy the 2nd boat type for $9k, use it for the season, then pay someone for a full tuneup and overhaul of the critical non-vanity components? If I do this, would the 2nd boat type provide at least the same or better reliability and life expectancy as the 1st type?

Price is definitely a factor but my primary concern is having a reliable boat. The last thing I want is to save a couple grand then have a boat that may or may not start each time I take it off the lift.

Thanks guys!

[charlesml3]

There’s no assumption that the 2nd boat would need an overhaul at the end of the season. 1100 hours is not a problem as long as it’s been properly maintained.

Mostly, you should be looking for obvious signs of neglect. Rust, leaking hoses, bad wiring, etc.

Have a compression test done. Take a close look at the motor oil and transmission fluid. Examine the drive train.

A tuneup is easy. Plugs, wires, cap and rotor. Maybe fuel filter.

There’s no reason to believe a well-maintained 94-97 YM boat wouldn’t be reliable.

-Charles


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[Tom_H]

With the years you're considering, be wary of the 94's or anything with a Protec ignition system still in it. On the 94, it may have already been swapped out to a traditional distributor, in which case, it's good to go. If not, expect that it will need a retrofit at some point, as spare parts for the Protec are obsolete. If it was a carb'd boat with Protec, it will just need a distributor. If it's one of the Protec's with the throttle body injection, you'd need a distributor and a carb when it craps out (and it will crap out). This will run you probably $700-$1500 as a DIY depending on what you need to retrofit from (more if you're paying someone else to do it).

With that in mind, in that age range, I'd be trying to find one with a GT-40 in it (which would be 95 and above), but the carb'd 351's can work just fine as well. And really, anything with less than 500 hours at that age, has barely been used, and may be more cause for concern (not being run regularly) than something with higher hours. If the engine was taken care of, you shouldn't have any problem hitting 2,000 or much much more, before needing to worry about bigger things like a rebuild. I'd have no issue with a 1,000+ hour boat of that age, if it's in decent shape.

Interior replacement is what can really get you from a cost perspective, but obviously won't keep you off the water. I have an open bow boat, and a new interior was ~$3500 last winter, but realistically was quoted $5,000 at most places. For a closed bow, you'd probably be in that $2-3k realm.

[hal2814]

I wouldn’t say hours don’t matter as far as engine life goes but on a 20+ year old boat, it’s not a big deal. My 95 Super Sport had 480 hours on it when I bought it. After a lot of riding it still has 480. I don’t know when the hour meter broke but I’ll bet it was a long long time ago. In my experience, how the exterior looks is a decent indication of how well the mechanical bits were maintained. People generally either take care of their boat or they don’t. If you’re sweating a couple thousand dollars I’d highly suggest you learn to do the mechanical upkeep yourself. That will save you a ton of money and keep your boat out of the shop during the busy season.

[beamons]

Like Tom_H said, the GT40 is a great engine and worth the effort to find.

Also, check here. http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skii...vent&sorton=13

[Skiin]

Thanks guys. Will definitely look into that engine. On a side note, should I be concerned if a seller won’t take anything but cash? I’d much rather pay with a bank certified check.

[charlesml3]

Thanks guys. Will definitely look into that engine. On a side note, should I be concerned if a seller won’t take anything but cash? I’d much rather pay with a bank certified check.

No. He's worried about a fake cashier's check (with good reason). If you really don't want to deal with cash then do a wire transfer.

-Charles

[Skiin]

Are fake certified bank checks a common thing scammers use?

[charlesml3]

Are fake certified bank checks a common thing scammers use?

Oh yea. And it usually isn't discovered until the check goes back to the ISSUING bank. This could take days.

[beamons]

I pm'd you one that is a bit of a drive but really looks like a find. I have been watching for a while and this really would be one I would get myself even being across the country if I hadn't already bought one. Look into uship and have it brought up to you.

[Skiin]

Appreciate it guys! Will check it out.

[Tom_H]

If I were a seller, the only way I'd accept a certified check would be if I witnessed it being cut at the bank (which is what I did when I purchased), but only works if your bank has a branch in the vicinity of the sale. Otherwise, wire transfer all the way if you don't want to get/carry the cash.

[homer12]

I sold my truck via certified check but it was during normal day hours and I called the issuing bank to verify validity.


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[charlesml3]

I sold my truck via certified check but it was during normal day hours and I called the issuing bank to verify validity.

Yep. Outside of witnessing the bank cut the check myself, this is the ONLY way I'd accept a cashier's check. It's a real shame it has to be this way. Years ago a cashier's check was just as good as a stack of Franklins.

[GMLIII]

Yep. Outside of witnessing the bank cut the check myself, this is the ONLY way I'd accept a cashier's check. It's a real shame it has to be this way. Years ago a cashier's check was just as good as a stack of Franklins.

Venmo