1996 Ski Nautique, first boat

[StagNW]

I've wanted a boat since 5th grade.

Met friend in high school who ski's three event, he introduced me to all things related to water sports. He has a 08 SN.

Wife recently said I could start looking, didn't take long!



1996 SN, 250 hours. ProSki. Was said to be a two owner boat. I believe the tower is a Samson Edge, you guys will know more about it then me. My favorite color of older Nautiques as well.



Boat has a stereo, but whoever wired it had never wired a stereo before, I feel bad for whoever owned it for the last 21 years. I spent 3 hours figuring out and fixing the wiring. It's now as good as it will get until money can be invested.



It towed ok with the 4Runner, not a lot of extra power there though. Upgraded to a Tundra.






Special thanks to Jeff for linking my old account with my new email! I've been lurking for years.


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[StagNW]

My plans for the winter are to replace the rub rail and insert, it has a teal insert that is yellow and nasty. I think black would look more appropriate. Detail while the rub rail is off.



Give the boat a full service and inspection, have mechanical background, new to boats. Figure out why the throttle is so stiff, driving the wife crazy.

And dial in the trailer lighting with LED's, I already started since one was out.



(They aren't quite installed in these photos.)

That's it for now, I really appreciate reading through the archives, lots of good info on there, although I'm not finding much about this Chevy ProSki engine.

Cheers!






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[xlair]

Take the rubrail insert out and turn it inside out. May look new again!


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[gobluemike2142]

I've got the Super Sport in the same year, rub rail is nasty and plan to put in a new one and black insert as well. Nice rig.

[CincinnatiCC]

Congratulations - nice boat!

[Blamey]

You can get the rub rail from Integrity marine. They are the manufacturer of the rub rail on that era of boat. A little over $200 if ordered directly from them.

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[Blamey]

I flipped the rub rail insert on my boat. Looks great.

Just make sure you do it when it's warm out. I tried to do it on my last boat when it was about 35 outside and the insert snapped.

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[StagNW]

You guys triggered my interest in flipping the insert. I popped the cap to see what the other side of the insert looks like, woah was I surprised the difference.





I still think I'll replace it with black, but wild to see how much it's faded.

Anyone know if the newer metal end caps are a direct replacement for these old plastic ones?





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[carrotmalt]

I see this post is a bit old, but I'm curious if you went with the black rub rail. I just got a 96 Sport in similar colors (though mines MUCH dirtier) and wondered how the black came out.

[Blamey]

I did black and it looks fine. Black is better then an old faded color run rail. Had to see in the pic but the teal was really faded.

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[Blamey]

I actually didn't use original rub rail in the boat, I used cheap hose from McMaster car. I wouldn't do that again since you can get the rub rail from Integrity Marine for not much more.

[StagNW]

I see this post is a bit old, but I'm curious if you went with the black rub rail. I just got a 96 Sport in similar colors (though mines MUCH dirtier) and wondered how the black came out.

Carrot, i did replace it. I snagged the replacement off Nautique Parts when it was on sale. It’s just a bulk roll of plastic hose, it’s not a specific Nautique part. I paid around $30 though, so taking the time to figure out what the correct size was and where to source it wasn’t worth it to me. Also, i tried flipping my teal rub rail and it had indents from the screws on other side and wasn’t worth flipping.

I’ll add a picture, but the black looks sharp, really added a dimension to the old girl. It just cleans up the look and makes it look more modern. Well worth the money in my opinion.

[carrotmalt]

That black looks pretty sharp too. Thanks for the follow up guys.