Restoring 2003 Nautique 216

[Chris Parsons]

If you dont get it let me know. I wouldn't mind giving it a look. Just finished this boat.

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[JakeB1985]

That looks really nice.
My biggest concern with mine is getting everything to work how it should and be reliable.

[Chris Parsons]

As it should be. This needed a new engine.

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[SilentSeven]

The good news with a 216 and electrical is that it's relatively simple when compared to other boats with multitank ballast systems, complex stereo systems, all that. You do want to know if it's a signature (base) or a limited/team as dash system and parts will vary. I'd call Nautiqueparts and see what harness' might still be available - both engine and hull...recreating a wiring harness if mice have chewed it out could be a PITA.

No tower is a bit of a bummer - that would up the value quite a bit. You can clearly add one; it's just another expense.

I don't disagree with Chris that you likely won't loose money on this boat....particularly if you do most of the work yourself.

If you're convinced you want a direct drive and are OK with the time and effort this will take...go for it!

Just for valuation reference - pre-covid pricing - my 2004 206 limited with a tower - 360 hours - and basically nothing wrong except needing new trunk skins and a little trailer wheelbearing work was $21.5 in Aug 2019. Again pre-covid, I've seen nice 216s with tower go for a bit more. A 216 is kinda a tweener boat - not hugely desired by the skiers over the smaller 206 or 196 but better able to sack it for wakeboarding due to the bigger hull. I think a tower is a key feature that would drive resale ability.

[NautiqueJeff]

This thread does not follow the GUIDELINES FOR POSTING IN THE RESTORATIONS SECTION. I am moving it to the maint/tech section.

[bturner]

You could easily have $5K into a complete interior with carpet if you have a shop do the work. The cover is toast and wasn't a very good one to start with IMO (who drills a hundred holes in a boat to install a cover anyway?). A good waterline cover is another $1200 and a tower is $2500+ depending on what you go with. If it's been sitting that long I'm willing to bet the gauges are toast which is another grand as well as the stereo and that's going to be at least $400 if you want a stock looking base system. Trailer brakes are probably shot as well so there's another $500. Misc materials like cable, wire, connectors, rubbing compound, pads, etc, etc is easily another $400. Then there's the oh crap expenses that no one counts on so add another grand there. And all this is based on the engine and trans still being in good condition. If the engine is toast that's another $5K.

Is the boat worth doing? Absolutely but you have to go in with the high end cost expectation as it always costs more to restore anything than it's originally excepted to cost. Chris' boat looks outstanding and since he did this himself he also must have some considerably solid skills. The whole dynamic of a restoration changes once you start budgeting for someone else doing the work. This would not be a project or labor of love for them as it's how they put food on the table and you will pay for this work.

I don't disagree that this would be a great project or that there's plenty of margin in the boat IF you can do the work. I will also say I've picked up a boat or 2 like this that was taken apart by the PO only to get discouraged and sell it for a song later as they were not able to come close to completing the project. Getting a project like this requires determination, commitment in time and a willingness to expand your current skill set while teaching yourself how to do these repairs yourself as you go. You really need to be honest with yourself before jumping into one of these projects especially if you have a family that you need/want to spend time with.

But those are just my thoughts.... I could be completely wrong.

[gonefishin5555]

Personally I wouldn't touch it. It just an unreliable tow boat at this point. You need a trailer rebuild. No tower. Needs a stereo redo I'm sure. For sea Dek you might need to gelcoat? not sure on that. New seat skins and boat cover. Steering cable, electrical and minor engine rebuild at a minimum. The time it takes to troubleshoot stuff on old boats cannot be underestimated. If you are a gambler then go for it. Just do new seat skins and carpet and fix the engine problems and start using it? Fix everything else as needed.

[Chris Parsons]

You could easily have $5K into a complete interior with carpet if you have a shop do the work. The cover is toast and wasn't a very good one to start with IMO (who drills a hundred holes in a boat to install a cover anyway?). A good waterline cover is another $1200 and a tower is $2500+ depending on what you go with. If it's been sitting that long I'm willing to bet the gauges are toast which is another grand as well as the stereo and that's going to be at least $400 if you want a stock looking base system. Trailer brakes are probably shot as well so there's another $500. Misc materials like cable, wire, connectors, rubbing compound, pads, etc, etc is easily another $400. Then there's the oh crap expenses that no one counts on so add another grand there. And all this is based on the engine and trans still being in good condition. If the engine is toast that's another $5K.

Is the boat worth doing? Absolutely but you have to go in with the high end cost expectation as it always costs more to restore anything than it's originally excepted to cost. Chris' boat looks outstanding and since he did this himself he also must have some considerably solid skills. The whole dynamic of a restoration changes once you start budgeting for someone else doing the work. This would not be a project or labor of love for them as it's how they put food on the table and you will pay for this work.

I don't disagree that this would be a great project or that there's plenty of margin in the boat IF you can do the work. I will also say I've picked up a boat or 2 like this that was taken apart by the PO only to get discouraged and sell it for a song later as they were not able to come close to completing the project. Getting a project like this requires determination, commitment in time and a willingness to expand your current skill set while teaching yourself how to do these repairs yourself as you go. You really need to be honest with yourself before jumping into one of these projects especially if you have a family that you need/want to spend time with.

But those are just my thoughts.... I could be completely wrong.

Agree with almost all fo this. Especially if you dont do the work on your own. Some of the numbers are inflated but better safe than sorry.

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[dkimball]

It may be possible to salvage some of the skins if they are just full of dirt and mildew and not torn apart. It would take a lot of elbow grease but they can be cleaned and you could save yourself a good chunk of change there, same with the carpet. You may be able to give it a good cleaning and get it looking OK for a 17 year old boat. If the engine and trans were fine prior to be stored it may not require a full rebuild but I would check for any noticeable cracks or missing parts.

[NautiqueJeff]

You could easily have $5K into a complete interior with carpet if you have a shop do the work. The cover is toast and wasn't a very good one to start with IMO (who drills a hundred holes in a boat to install a cover anyway?). A good waterline cover is another $1200 and a tower is $2500+ depending on what you go with. If it's been sitting that long I'm willing to bet the gauges are toast which is another grand as well as the stereo and that's going to be at least $400 if you want a stock looking base system. Trailer brakes are probably shot as well so there's another $500. Misc materials like cable, wire, connectors, rubbing compound, pads, etc, etc is easily another $400. Then there's the oh crap expenses that no one counts on so add another grand there. And all this is based on the engine and trans still being in good condition. If the engine is toast that's another $5K.

Is the boat worth doing? Absolutely but you have to go in with the high end cost expectation as it always costs more to restore anything than it's originally excepted to cost. Chris' boat looks outstanding and since he did this himself he also must have some considerably solid skills. The whole dynamic of a restoration changes once you start budgeting for someone else doing the work. This would not be a project or labor of love for them as it's how they put food on the table and you will pay for this work.

I don't disagree that this would be a great project or that there's plenty of margin in the boat IF you can do the work. I will also say I've picked up a boat or 2 like this that was taken apart by the PO only to get discouraged and sell it for a song later as they were not able to come close to completing the project. Getting a project like this requires determination, commitment in time and a willingness to expand your current skill set while teaching yourself how to do these repairs yourself as you go. You really need to be honest with yourself before jumping into one of these projects especially if you have a family that you need/want to spend time with.

But those are just my thoughts.... I could be completely wrong.

I actually think your estimates are low!

A proper LEGAL interior (meaning from C&S Marine) with the correct logos will be pushing $8-$10,000 including proper installation. This can be done for less without the logos, but if you're restoring a boat, you should NOT skimp on the restoration. Otherwise you'll likely not see your money back again. A good quality cover will be more than $1,200 if you use Sunbrella. A repro FCT from NDT will be more than $2,500 with installation, and that doesn't include a bimini top. Also, a new engine, installed, for $5,000 would be an incredible deal.

I have restored a boat or two like this, so I know what I am talking about.

I don't think there is any way you can make this boat look new for a sales price of $5,000 + $7,500 in repairs. I would plan on at least $15,000 in repairs on top of the purchase price. And that assumes the engine, transmission and wiring are good.

[Chris Parsons]

Jeff has def done his fair share of restoring but I can tell you I did mine for a **** of a lot less than his numbers. Good luck regardless.

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[NautiqueJeff]

Yeah, like I said, you can save quite a bit by installing an interior without the logos. I advise against it though if you plan to sell the boat any time soon. My restorations are always done with either factory upholstery or official Nautique replacements, or skins from C&S, and if I don't use carpet, I always use genuine SeaDek.

Going with upholstery without official logos and using products other than SeaDek is another way to go, and that's certainly fine. When the boat is sold though, the price won't be as high. That can be offset though with the lower cost to complete the work.

[bturner]

Well there you have it, I'm in the middle.....

I'm in Michigan so these are Michigan numbers from places I've used. My examples would be.....

Long block 350 Chevy from Michigan Motorz..... $3500 for the long block, my local shop will swap components and install for $1500 - $2000 depending on the boat.

https://www.michiganmotorz.com/350ci...ent-p-109.html

Waterline Sunbrella cover from skiboatcovers.com. Probably the best covers I've ever owned and I've owned a lot of them. Wow the price really went up this year. Now they're about $1400 for the waterline cover with a tower....

http://www.skiboatcovers.com/nautiqu...over-cc487rtsx

Viper customs for the interior. This is the real wild card. I have a shop here that does work on Viper's level but as stated before you can do $5K easily with these guys. My quote for my old 07 MasterCraft X2 with MasteCraft OEM type material and no carpet was $7200. Crazy nice, factory quality with logos but crazy expensive.

https://www.facebook.com/vipercustoms

New Dimension Towers (or Roswell if you're doing a later model) are the way to go if you want that original look and they ain't cheap.

https://www.newdimensiontowers.com/t...nautique/#show

I will also echo Jeff on a restoration. If the goal is to build value then you need to have the boat look like new with original equipment type components. If the goal is to just get something put together and keep it forever, do what you want. If the goal is to sell as a true Nautique, well that's going to coat more and those looking for a complete Nautique will know the difference.

[JakeB1985]

Based on what I’ve seen with this boat the seats/interior is just dirty. There are no rips tears scuffs nothing. Just mold/mildew. I’m thinking I should have no problem salvaging the seats. It has the factory upgraded kicker stereo and the 5.7L Excalibur engine. It is also a limited edition.
I think I’m going to go for it. I’ve got 2 kids that love being on the water and I grew up on the water as well.
I’m not necessarily looking for a 100% factory restoration, but very close and would like to use the boat for a few years at minimum before I sell.

im looking forward to jumping all in on this but also a little nervous because it’s going to take a lot of time and probably more $ than I realize.
for 5k purchase I don’t think there is any way I loose money when it’s done.

[Neptune442]

$5k is an absolute no brainer! It's going to be a lot of work, but perfect timing for it to be a fun winter project. Get the kids involved...they'd be that much more proud to be out there on the water when it's finished. Pick up some Marine 31 mildew remover for the interior...you'd be amazed how that stuff can transform dirty vinyl.