1980 Ski Nautique Total Restoration

It sounds like the previous owner probably knew the boat had issues but decided to recarpet and market the boat? If the secondaries and one primary have issues you can safely wager that the boat has many more issues. My opinion is that every single one of these-era boats needs a total restoration. I have heard of some exceptions, e.g., a boat with 50 hours that was always stored in a climate controlled garage under a ceiling fan with a dehumidifier placed in the boat after each use, but those are very rare.

You will need to decide if you can use it for another year or two before you begin the restoration, or sell it. My guess is that the summer is nearing the end in NH, so if you are thinking you may jump into the restoration business the timing is good.

If you are thinking restoration, you should honestly count the cost, commitment, time, skill level, and availability of space to undertake the job, before you jump in. The time needed could be 250-500 hours depending on your skill, help available, and if you also are doing the trailer, upholstery and the engine. There may be contractors around that you could hire to do the work, but I highly doubt they would be able to do it to your satisfaction or within your budget. The cost of the materials to do a stringer job and floor might be around $2,500. Carpet $300-400. Upholstery $1,500-2,000 depending on if you have the deluxe interior and coming pads, more if you need to rebuild the seat bases, etc.. Engine $2,000 or more. Trailer $200-600. Hope that gives you some beginning budgetary figures, your cost could be way higher or much less. Starting on one of these boats is like opening up the proverbial can of worms (since I went this this far shouldn't I also rebuild the carb. or fix that non-working speedometer, or put a new sending unit in the fuel cell, or refinish the boarding platform, or replace the steering cable and control cables). Those cost add up rather quickly. I am not trying to discourage you at all, just saying you should be honest with yourself before you begin.

Yes I agree that the seller was fully aware and actually stated primary stringers were "decent" and that the secondary's were "not as good". I explained to him that he and I have a differing opinion of what decent and not as good means when it comes to ROT! But at the end of the day, I'm still not mad. He has to live with the deception and I fully believe in karma.

I certainly do appreciate you taking the time out of your morning to send the message regarding the restoration and costs. As my wife and kids and I were at the table I read your message to her which she responded that it was very nice of you to have written.

I still believe that there is value in the boat and my father and I have had similar discussions that you stated regarding not having the ability to afford a brand new Nautique.

My thoughts are the same where I think I can get one to two years in current condition as long as I take it easy with it. Stay up on maintenance that it will require and see where we stand at that time. My thoughts are telling me now that this boat will probably stay in the family and can take the time and money and do the restoration it will require.

Watauga, I know that this post has lain dormant since 2015 but, it's a wonderful guide for my application. I am about to begin my stringer rebuild experience on a 1980 Ski Nautique. I was wondering what the dimensions were on the Douglas Fir that you bought for the main stringers? I have located a supplier locally but want to make sure I purchase large enough lumber. I haven't began to tear any of the floor out but, want to get this DF purchased while they have it in stock.

Thanks for any help!

Pete, thanks for the quick reply. I will definitely have time for the lumber to dry. This is part of the reason for buying it early in the restoration and I do plan to start a new thread on the restoration as soon as the weather will allow me to get started. My question is what dimension lumber should I buy for the mains on an 80 model? My options are: 2x8's, 2x10x24"s, and 2x12x24"s. Thanks for any input.

I was wondering if anyone can tell me how the ski pylon comes out? I have the four big bolts loose and the one on the bottom removed. What else needs to be done?