just bought a 1978 ski nautique
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Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: Anything Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40548
Printed Date: April-29-2024 at 5:26am
Topic: just bought a 1978 ski nautique
Posted By: mrjester12
Subject: just bought a 1978 ski nautique
Date Posted: February-14-2017 at 11:41pm
| hey guys first time getting on the forum and first post in my life so hope this is right. so i just bought a 1978 ski nautique. First boat i have ever owned, and its a fixer upper so i plan on restoring it. The boat has sat in a shed for about 10 years with out being moved. so my plan is to rebuild the engine, upholstery, carpet etc... but i guess my first question is the boat i have has a ladder on the rear, i want to put a swim platform on, like my uncles ski nautiue has. but my question is hat do i have to do about the holes where the ladder was installed. do i need to have a body shop fill with fiber glass or something. im never really messed with a boat other then driving, wakeboarding behind, etc etc.... any advice or tips will hep thanks. and i will put some pictures up once i get it home and start taking everything apart. and if ny has or knows where i can buy 1 of the platforms let me know |
Replies:
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-14-2017 at 11:53pm
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Zane, Welcome to CCfan. Get some pictures posted of the 78. We'd love to see what the project is. How are the stringers? That's something you may need to address before you drop that rebuilt engine back in. You mention you what to restore the boat but say you what a swim platform and get rid of the ladder! This is contradictory since a true restoration would be to keep the ladder! Yes, holes in gel can be patched but color matching is the hard part. You can try it yourself using one of the gel patch kits or have a pro do it. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: mrjester12
Date Posted: February-15-2017 at 12:01am
| ive seen a lot of people say that. i know ill probably get some hell for this but what exactly is the stringers |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-15-2017 at 12:04am
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Zane, The stringers are the wood structure of the boat that are glassed into the hull. They rot!!! ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-15-2017 at 12:11am
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Zane, Do some exploring of the site. Tons of info plus the member knowledge base is fantastic. Ask any questions that you may have. Also, http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27356&title=ccf-faq" rel="nofollow - take a look at this thread. It has links to lots of great threads. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: joshjanae
Date Posted: February-15-2017 at 12:53am
| Congrats on the new boat. I also bought my first Ski Nautique a few months ago, not my first boat though. One thing to note is that your engine is likely a reverse rotation engine. If so, there are some specific things to consider in the rebuild. Can't just use any cams, pistons, starter... Ask around, The members here are very knowledgeable and have helped me out a ton already. |
Posted By: MrMcD
Date Posted: February-15-2017 at 4:12am
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A 78 was my first Nautique. Great Boat you will have lots of fun with it. ------------- |
Posted By: JPASS
Date Posted: February-15-2017 at 8:39am
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Congrats on your new boat. You've come to the right place to get your questions answered. Fairly quickly, I might add. As several have stated, your stringers are the wooden structure under the floor that gives the boat it's rigidity and holds everything together. Here are some pics: New Stringers  Rotted stringers  Removed rotted stringers  ------------- '92 Correctcraft Ski Nautique |
Posted By: fgroce
Date Posted: February-15-2017 at 10:08am
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Congratulations on your purchase. How many hours are on the boat? What makes you think it needs rebuilding. Lots of boats have sat for years and run just fine. I would spray some oil in the cylinders and spin it over without the plugs in it. Then tune it up and try to fire it up. You can look on the forum about a new impeller for the raw water pump and how to run the boat out of the lake. If you can, check compression may just need a valve job. Keep us posted. ------------- FGroce 88 Ski Nautique For 28 years Now 2002 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-15-2017 at 10:33am
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Zane, Does the ladder look factory or aftermarket? Are you sure the model is a Ski Nautique? I ask since a SN typically would not have a ladder. Other models did. Get those pictures up!  ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: mrjester12
Date Posted: February-15-2017 at 10:49am
| Thanks guys! They guy I bought the boat from, said that the guy that had it before him, put a performance cam, and performance piston heads, and stuff like that. And the last time he ran it, it did fine at first but once it warmed up it would backfire through the carb almost like it was starving for fuel. And that if he didn't run 110 racing fuel the engine wouldn't run right. So I was going to go through and just rebuild the engine. Go back with stock cam, and pistons, replace gaskets, near carb all that good stuff. The boat has 611 hours on it. To be honest idk if the ladder looks stock or not, but yes the boat is a 1978 ski nautique. I will try to get some pictures up this afternoon. And I will check out the stringers once I start tearing everything out. The floors feel pretty solid, I didn't see any spongy places or anything like that |
Posted By: quinner
Date Posted: February-15-2017 at 11:55am
OMG Pete, you may want to check your facts, 78 or 79 was the first year CC offered platforms, my 77' SN had a factory installed ladder which I removed and replaced with a swim platform  Edit, looked in the brochures, 78 does not show or list platforms, 79 it is listed as an option as is the ladder!! ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1143" rel="nofollow - Mi Bowt |
8122pbrainard wrote:Posted By: backfoot100
Date Posted: February-15-2017 at 12:22pm
Not a lot out there for reverse rotation performance cams. Even the ones that are available, while better than stock, are a far cry from what I would call "performance". Then performance heads and pistons????? Needing 110 racing fuel to run right???? This isn't quarter miler. It's a tractor. These boat engines are actually very mild compared to performance engine builds you would find in autos or trucks. Everything about this just sounds fishy. If these "performance" parts were indeed added, the builder had no clue what he was doing or why and even if he did, then he had no idea how to tune it after he put them in. You should verify that the engine is reverse rotation and hasn't been changed to a standard rotation engine before you start doing anything with it. Most hacks will put a standard rotation in place of the factory engine when rebuilding or repowering because it's cheaper or they have no idea that's it's a reverse rotation or both. If that's truly the case that can open up an entire new can of worms. Let us know how that goes and we can help you out from that point. ------------- When people run down to the lake to see what's making that noise, you've succeeded. Eddie |
Posted By: mrjester12
Date Posted: February-15-2017 at 1:14pm
| I'm not sure about what has been done to the engine. I know it is a reverse rotation engine. And I'm pretty sure it's the engine that came in the boat. I was told the guy that had it, put a performance cam, and changed the piston with one's that have a knot like raise on them. I'm not 100% sure I'm going to pick it up tomorrow and take the engine out and start the tear down. I'll put some pictures up ASAP |
Posted By: fanofccfan
Date Posted: February-15-2017 at 1:29pm
| Our 78 had a factory or dealer installed platform from the get go. |
Posted By: 63 Skier
Date Posted: February-15-2017 at 1:34pm
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There is nothing he could have done to really require racing fuel to run correctly. That comment either means the rebuild was done with parts that don't actually work (could he have installed a standard cam in a reverse engine ??? Pistons/rods so far off that he increased compression ???) or there is some other fuel/ignition problem that he wasn't capable of diagnosing. I would: remove spark plugs, and spray/squirt some fogging or light oil in each cylinder using a wrench see if the engine spins over smoothly by hand if so, hook up a battery and just bump the starter, see if in fact the engine spins reverse From there, your problem is that you don't know if the internal parts were the right ones. You could skip all of above and just tear it down for a rebuild but I'm always in favor of seeing if an engine can run first. Others may disagree. ------------- '63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique |
Posted By: mrjester12
Date Posted: February-15-2017 at 8:29pm
     hey guys these are some pics of the boat, i just picked it up today. |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: February-15-2017 at 8:46pm
| Cool, nice and original. I like ladders too. |
Posted By: mrjester12
Date Posted: February-15-2017 at 10:32pm
| i just dont really like the ladder, im going to put a platform on it and remove the ladder |
Posted By: Donald80SN
Date Posted: February-15-2017 at 10:52pm
Nice looking boat. Yes, I am pretty sure that your ladder is original. If you remove it, I would reglass the inside of the stern where the bolts went through the hull. Then use a gel coat putty to fill the holes. It will impossible to get a perfect gel match but it will not leak. The CCFAN Store offers new platforms out of an easier to maintain wood than teak that looks great. However, original brackets and platforms show up often on this site from boats being parted out. You will need parts from a 79-81 to fit correctly. I am just trying to answer your first question. I would also keep the ladder, but I am scared of Pete.  I too would run the boat and the guys her on this site can work you through the back fire issues. I would rebuild or have the carb rebuilt by a professional and then start from their with the timing. Many old boats like this have the wrong rotation starter on them (Left Hand) and the boat never runs and then they get rid of the boat. Also, you will need a marine grade carb, and starter. Not automotive or you can go BOOM. I hope this helps, Donald Good luck with your project. ------------- 1980 Ski Nautique SOLD Back to Cypress Gardens 2002 Sport Nautique, GT-40, FCT2, Cover Sports, Tower Bimini, Inc., Wet Sounds Audio System, Star Gazer Wake Edition S. 1968 Ski Nautique, Project. |
Posted By: smac76
Date Posted: February-15-2017 at 11:07pm
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My 76 is almost identical to your 78, and as far as I know is all original- with a swim platform. That boat looks sweet, I don't know why you're in such a hurry to rip the motor down. I have an old HD (even older than my SN) and I was gonna tear it down when I first got it after it had been sitting for 7 years. The best advice I ever got was to "get it running, tune it up from there, and wait til the thing blows before you rebuild it". Rode that thing for several years before I tore it all down for a resto project. [http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/uploads/16943/20160903_173436.jpg] [http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/uploads/16943/20160718_061141.jpg] ------------- It's 5 o'clock somewhere... |
Posted By: geecee
Date Posted: February-16-2017 at 4:55am
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does it actually run when it back fires through the edit: carb. are you sure the timing or leads are correct, sounds stupid i know. ------------- 1983 Ski Nautique '2001' -Chev 350 Mercruiser -Custom Wake Tower -Custom Interior |
Posted By: 63 Skier
Date Posted: February-16-2017 at 10:52am
Very nice!   ------------- '63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: February-16-2017 at 11:27am
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Nice boat, but someone has changed it. Carpet, interior and platform wouldn't have come on a '76. Love that ladder!!! |
Posted By: Mojo
Date Posted: February-16-2017 at 12:25pm
Go for it, do what you want.. ladders suck.. Nice boat, welcome to CC life........ moj' ------------- 05' SV211 TE 73' Martinique had:96' SNOB had:76' Nautique had 77 Tique |
Posted By: MrMcD
Date Posted: February-16-2017 at 12:59pm
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You could restore it to be Unique, we called my 78 the Unique Nautique. I sold this boat in 1990 with 1,500 hours on it.  ------------- |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: February-16-2017 at 1:22pm
| I'm sure someone will be interested in the ladder, myself included. Let me know if you decide to let it go. |
Posted By: MrMcD
Date Posted: February-16-2017 at 7:02pm
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My 78 had a fiberglass platform, not wood. Show here the day we had our custom cover made in 1983, it was stored outside for the next 7 years and that cover was still perfect. when I sold it.  ------------- |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-16-2017 at 8:15pm
"restore"????? From Webster: : "to bring back to or put back into a former or original state" " ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: MrMcD
Date Posted: February-16-2017 at 10:56pm
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OK, Modify it, I will say that my boat drew a lot of attention back then. I used to ski with the owner of West Coast Correct Craft, he would have a fit about my lack of graphics. The boat was stolen and recovered a year later. The guys that stole it put the paint on it and did a really nice job, but I really liked it and we had no extra money back then to fix it so it stayed. They also ground out the numbers off the back of the hull and we found years later that the trailer returned was not the trailer it was stolen on. Looked the same but the one returned did not match our registration numbers. ------------- |
Posted By: MrMcD
Date Posted: February-16-2017 at 11:01pm
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The pop out vent in the windshield in your new 78 comes in really handy on those 100 degree days on the water. Wish our newer boat had those. ------------- |
Posted By: mrjester12
Date Posted: February-16-2017 at 11:56pm
| Well did some cleaning up and tearing out today. And good news. Stringers look in great shape. Not sure if they are original or someone replaced them and refiner glassed them. I'm gonna replace the floor with marine plywood, and new carpet. Working on the engine this weekend, I'm going to try to get it running and see what needs to be worked on |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-17-2017 at 8:02am
Zane, Do you have any pictures you can post of the stringers? We could probably tell if they are original or not. What did you do to check their condition? You may not be aware that marine grade plywood has no means of waterproofing. It's simply plywood with very tight control of voids in the inner plys. It still needs the recommended CPES and glass with epoxy just like regular exterior grade ply. For a sole (floor) I do not feel the extra cost is worth using it. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: tryathlete
Date Posted: February-17-2017 at 2:52pm
| If the floor is solid and has no soft spots why not just replace carpet. You're getting close to ski season. I'd get it running and use it for a year then go after it in the Fall. You'll get to know what it needs while having fun. The platform can even wait. Polish it up and get down to basics like others have said. Prop shaft seal, impeller replacement, engine tune and fresh fluids then start playing. |
Posted By: mrjester12
Date Posted: February-17-2017 at 8:57pm
| there are a few soft spots at the seats |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-17-2017 at 9:47pm
Zane, Have you had an opportunity to look at any of the stringer threads? ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: GlassSeeker
Date Posted: February-17-2017 at 10:08pm
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So I just read through this and you are going to have a steep learning curve. Pay close attention to everything you are being told. If it's going over your head then pump the brakes and read about or ask questions about anything you're not sure of. That is a neat boat and if you take girls in the boat they will like the ladder to get in with. Platforms are nice though but my girlfriend has a little trouble getting in. Post pics of the engine so we can see if it has the dreaded fram. ------------- This is the life |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: February-17-2017 at 10:16pm
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^^what he said Soft spots in the floor is usually a "tip of the iceberg" thing. Time to educate yourself. |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: February-17-2017 at 10:49pm
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An easy way to patch screw holes in hull is to mix some 'mash' - finely cut fiberglass cloth mixed with some epoxy resin (thin laminating resin, not the little tubes they sell at hardware stores). Mix it up to peanut butter consistency, then you can push it into the holes with a nail or something similar. Mask off around the hole, of couse. Once hardened, sand level & finish with matching gel coat or (gasp) paint.. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: smac76
Date Posted: February-18-2017 at 12:09am
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What interior options were available in 76? And what year was the maroon pleated interior an option? I'm pretty sure that the vinyl in the boat now is factory as I have ordered a matching rear seat from Christines Marine. Maybe a special order? I'll defer to you that the carpet isn't original as it's in way too good a condition to be 40 years old, but it was certainly done well enough to look like it was original. ------------- It's 5 o'clock somewhere... |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: February-18-2017 at 12:42am
| It would be even easier to pick up a handful of finishing washers and 4200 and just put the ladder screws back in. |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-18-2017 at 7:05am
Scott, Per the 76 brochure in the reference section, the colors available were red green blue and gold.  ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-18-2017 at 7:10am
I agree:  Plus, it makes it easier to go back to the original!   ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: February-18-2017 at 9:18am
Pleats (which may have been optional- seen plenty of boats with plain vinyl) would have been straight heat stamped, not the diamond "oven mitt" pattern. The latter was found on the '80-83 boats only. Your observer seat back cushion also looks very square (like the 80+ standard interior) so it's possible someone just swapped slightly newer seats in. (Seat back style through 79 had a little more taper- cushion was narrower at the top.) Carpet would have been the grass style and color matched to the graphics/vinyl color (red/black). Gray non-matching carpet wasn't common until ~1989. Pm me if you are interested in putting an original steering wheel back on. |
Posted By: smac76
Date Posted: February-18-2017 at 8:10pm
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That's great info to have, thanks. I did some research yesterday digging up that old brochure and came to find that my boat isn't as original as I had thought. The PO hadn't said anything to me about it being all original or anything; just clean, and it is very clean. I'll just have to accept that the boat at some time had a tastefully upgraded interior. And I love it! Thanks. ------------- It's 5 o'clock somewhere... |