new fish-nautique owner here

I have long lusted for an inboard center console, I am a moderator over at classicmako.com and of course wanted a mako inboard but never found one in good shape for resonable money. I just purchased a 1984 fish
nautique from the east coast. I mostly fish lake michigan offshore. I am looking forwards to participating here and perhaps a partial restore of my new fish nautique. I do boat repair and resto's for part fun and school money for the kids. Thanks for a great forum and website. dave.

yes sir welcome to a great website

is that the company boat? looking forward to seeing the personel ride.

That is my personal boat, I volunteer for the coast guard aux. That is a 1978 Mako 21 that I restored. dave./

Dear Dave, Good luck with your “Fish”. I too had longed for an inboard for about 5 years, just got mine this May. I looked at several 23’ Makos, we have 3 docked at my club, but I do agree, with Mark about the “Fish” vs. the Mako and certainly a better ride than a Slamrock. My “Fish” is a project boat, but we are using it this summer. In fact, I have been using the “Fish” more than the Jersey. Many helpful people on this site, with a ton of knowledge. Welcome aboard, and I hope you enjoy your “Fish”.

I believe they came with black and chrome emblems for that year. My 79 had metal ones when I bought it and I replaced them with the black and chrome ones from MidWestCC. Someone has made a plastic version for the metal ones here on the site that look pretty decent painted chrome, there is a white and chrome version as well. If it does have the metal ones the mounting holes are a little different, two locations have been move from what I remember when changing mine out. A little trick to making them last longer is gluing them on as well as using the screws. Just using the screws leaves a slight gap and water from the spray gets behind them and ripes them off in pieces over time. I've had mine on for four years and they still look like new, well with the one excepting of the scratch on one. The bottom paint looks like it needs freshened up but over all looks pretty solid. Good luck and give the engine a good look over maybe a quick tune-up before you get too far off shore chasing those stripers.

Dave,
If you are seeing this Fish for the first time, it might help to look at the sides of the engine box to see if there is any wood rot starting in the plywood that makes up the sides of the engine area. Fish Nautiques are notorious for getting rot in this area as there was a slight design flaw which allows water to leak down around the engine compartment and saturate the plywood sides. All four sides should be checked for soft wood. Be very careful to check the area in back of the engine (back bulkhead between the engine and fuel tank) where you will find a board which is used to stiffen up the top of the bulkhead. If your boat has been stored outside over the years, you will most likely find some amount of water intrusion there. Mine was so bad that I had to replace all of the plywood on all four sides and re-glass the whole area, including cutting out the port deck and drying out all of the foam under the deck. Sounds like a huge issue but it's really not if you catch it in time. I can say it's been well worth my money and effort. I have been on many inboard center consoles and I can say without any reservation that a Fish Nautique has the best ride of all. Not to mention that there is just something very cool about that broken shearline and big flair in the bow.

Thanks for the advice Hotfish 172, say could you send me info on that inboard mako you found for sale. I have a buddy looking for one. thanks. dave. red71gs@yahoo.com

Hotfish 172 My buddy thats looking for the Mako lives in Destin. We have a Mako fun-familiy tournament there every year. I hauled my Mako down this june for a weeks worth of fun and fishing. Fort Walton beach and the surrounding area is one of my all time favourite play spots. We caught fish that I am still wondering what kind they were Small world. If you can please get the inboard info. My buddy Steve is definatly interested in a project. Oh and those pics were from this past monday afternoon., dave.

Well the trip went pretty good on the way home, the only glitch was the hydraulic surge brake coupler leaked like a sieve. Had to fill it about every 100 miles. Also burned a LOT of fuel on the return trip. Got 18mpg on the way out and about 10 on the flip. The boat trailers great. Ran 65 most of the way.   Did a quick shine on the hull after church and went out for a water test this afternoon. Had to clean the Racor filter once and it needs it again. other than that it ran out well. It doesnt idle slow enough to suit me yet, too much prop. Tops out at around 3500 rpms. I believe It should turn at least 4 grand. (ford 351) The prop on it is a agressive 4 blade "speed" prop according to the P.O. Im guessing it was running in the mid to upper 30s on the big end. Got the skunk out of the boat also this evening. Brenda brought in a little salmon.
All in all a great adventure so far. Can any
fish owner recomend a size prop for me. thanks. dave







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dave

Dave, great pictures and a wonderful place. Glad to see the FN out on Lake Michigan.