1999 Longhorn Nautique Restoration
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: Anything Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47725
Printed Date: May-05-2024 at 3:21am
Topic: 1999 Longhorn Nautique Restoration
Posted By: DHMcFadin
Subject: 1999 Longhorn Nautique Restoration
Date Posted: July-11-2019 at 2:24pm
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Hey CCF, This is the boat I learned how to Jump, Trick, Slalom, Air Chair, Barefoot, and booze cruise behind. It’s been a number of years since I’ve seen her and she’s pretty much been sitting that long too. She needs some work.... well a lot of work but I am happy to say that today, she is mine. Passed down from father to son. One of a kind burnt orange (used to be) gel coat color and custom graphics straight from Correct Craft, this boat is all original. I am very excited to join the forum and bring this very special boat back to her former glory. Looking forward to sharing the rebuild process and recreating the same memories with my future family. So far I have given her a deep clean (as best I can without a wet sand and polish), new 654 prop, changed oil, plugs, plug wires, impeller, bilge pumps, starter, fixed wiring, new vent and blower hoses, new trailer bunks, tires. Still waiting on a fuel filter, new coil, distributor cap, thermostat, fuel sender, horn, rudder trim tab, and shift knob/steering wheel. There will be alot more to do as I get further into it. I have had her out on Lake Austin and she runs but not great. Lots of parts are going to replaced this summer. This winter I plan to replace the interior, carpet, dash panels, switches, stereo, ballast system, and do a full exterior restoration with lots of fiberglass and gelcoat work, and, of-course, new original decals. The trailer also needs a ton of work (20 year old hydraulics). Deciding if its worth restoring the trailer or starting over new. Dom        ------------- 1999 Longhorn Nautique 1995 Nautique Super Sport https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/" rel="nofollow - https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/ |
Replies:
Posted By: DHMcFadin
Date Posted: July-11-2019 at 2:28pm
Here are some of the repairs that need to be made.        ------------- 1999 Longhorn Nautique 1995 Nautique Super Sport https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/" rel="nofollow - https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/ |
Posted By: Mojo
Date Posted: July-11-2019 at 3:23pm
Carpet is a bit worn....  Good luck with the boat and congrats on keeping it... Moj' ------------- 05' SV211 TE 73' Martinique had:96' SNOB had:76' Nautique had 77 Tique |
Posted By: Treybizttu
Date Posted: July-11-2019 at 4:01pm
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As a TX Tech grad that came from a family of nothing but UT grads I'm conflicted about the colors/decals but glad to see you keeping it alive. |
Posted By: rebel skier
Date Posted: July-11-2019 at 5:08pm
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Sweet! Fan or not, that is a cool boat. ------------- Hotty Toddy lets go skiing! |
Posted By: flyweed
Date Posted: July-11-2019 at 9:28pm
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Sounds like you have a good plan. i was JUST in your spot about 3 years ago. Total restore of my 93 S.N. It was definitely a labor of love, but worth it in the end. I am still doing minor things yet today, but nothing like the job of restoring gel coat, teak deck, interior, new heavier ground wires, etc etc. Good luck ------------- '93 Ski Nautique NWZ, Air Boom Tower Drink Tonight..for tomorrow We Ride! |
Posted By: Fabcon
Date Posted: July-12-2019 at 4:04pm
Looks like a nice boat to start with  ------------- 1976 Ski Nautique 351 Escort 1984 Barefoot Nautique (Parting Out) |
Posted By: gt40KS
Date Posted: July-12-2019 at 11:56pm
Wow, cool boat DH! Yes, she's a bit rough now but sounds like she's in good hands that will breath life and youth back into her  Looking forward to reading more and following your progress and Yes, more pictures as things continue. Sure looks like a lot of fun ------------- JCCI 1995 Ski Nautique GT40 |
Posted By: DHMcFadin
Date Posted: July-24-2019 at 4:25pm
Well when it rains, it pours. The gt40 was still not running well after a complete tune up. Rough idle, lack of power, shaking. I had read another thread on this forum about clearing out the anti siphon valve and pick-up tube screen inside the tank. Upon removing the pick-up tube, I got my first glimpse of what ethanol does to a fuel system when it sits. From here I decided to take a look at the rest of the fuel system. I had been waiting on a new fuel filter. That finally came in so I started removing the low pressure fuel pump to clean the screens inside. Found some junk but nothing bad. Drained the high pressure fuel pump canister, again, some junk but nothing bad. BUT, once I unscrewed the high pressure fuel pump canister and removed the fuel filter, the outlook changed. Needless to say, I have ordered an entirely new FCC retrofit kit with all pumps, hoses, canister, etc along with new fuel/return lines. I am hoping after this, the boat will start running right. I've gone through the ignition (plugs, wires, cap, rotor, coil) and I've gone through the air side of the equation by refurbishing the throttle body, replacing the air/idle sensor, and using brand new gaskets. We will see what happens in the coming weeks.   ------------- 1999 Longhorn Nautique 1995 Nautique Super Sport https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/" rel="nofollow - https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/ |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: July-24-2019 at 4:52pm
Here's a quote from you in another thread
Maybe you should make believe it's winter right now  Why don't you blame it on obviously lousy maintenance/storage practices instead of ethanol? |
DHMcFadin wrote:Posted By: DHMcFadin
Date Posted: July-24-2019 at 5:31pm
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I’ll be draining the gas tank before running the boat again. As far as storage goes, while my father was in the process of winterizing this boat (2016), he was in a very serious car wreck. Head on collision on the highway. They didn’t think he would live. The boat sat at the lake house, cover blew off, etc. The way the boat sat and was improperly stored was not deliberate but maybe its a blessing in disguise. I am really enjoying the restoration process! ------------- 1999 Longhorn Nautique 1995 Nautique Super Sport https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/" rel="nofollow - https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/ |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: July-24-2019 at 7:22pm
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Well now, if you'd led in with that bit of information/history originally it would have been good. Sorry to hear about Dad, hope everything is good. You have your opinion of gas with ethanol, I have mine, we'll leave it at that
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Posted By: DHMcFadin
Date Posted: July-24-2019 at 7:46pm
I appreciate that. While on the subject. I always thought ethanol introduced water into the fuel system which is what causes internal fuel system components to rust. Is this not accurate? ------------- 1999 Longhorn Nautique 1995 Nautique Super Sport https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/" rel="nofollow - https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/ |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: July-24-2019 at 9:15pm
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If you read the different articles in the link below, you can probably come up with any answer you want https://www.google.com/search?q=does+ethanol+in+gas+attract+water&oq=does+ethanol+in+gas&aqs=chrome.4.0j69i57j0l4.10407j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8" rel="nofollow - link I like to think that the ethanol absorbs any water in the fuel and the engine burns it harmlessly up to a certain point. Too much water in the fuel and phase separation occurs when the ethanol can't absorb all the water. Being kinda old, I can remember having all the same problems with straight gas, like you get water in the fuel from wherever (condensation, bad batch of gas, the kid next door dumped some in your tank etc) and with no ethanol to absorb it funny things happen like rust in fuel lines, the water settles since it doesn't mix with straight gas and things run like crap. Living up where it gets cold in the winter, I used gas line anti freeze (AKA methanol or ethanol) to mix with any water instead of the water freezing in all the wrong places like the tank suction, fuel lines etc. I haven't bought any gas line antifreeze in so many years I can't remember. And I haven't really had any gas issues that I can remember that could be attributed to ethanol All just my experiences and opinions other people's might (will) be different PS Glad you're excited to be here on CCF |
Posted By: lewy2001
Date Posted: July-24-2019 at 9:29pm
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Yes Ken not a new problem water in petrol (gas :) ). A long time ago before ethanol blended fuels I remember using a cup a metho in the tank to mix with the water so it could burn. ------------- If you're going through hell, keep going http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=2999" rel="nofollow - 89 Ski <a href="http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5685" ta |
Posted By: DHMcFadin
Date Posted: July-24-2019 at 10:53pm
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Awesome info. I honestly just thought ethanol was the problem lol. Hopefully I won’t run into these issues in the future now that I am caring for the boat! ------------- 1999 Longhorn Nautique 1995 Nautique Super Sport https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/" rel="nofollow - https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/ |
Posted By: DHMcFadin
Date Posted: July-25-2019 at 1:50am
While I am waiting on fuel system parts, I decided to improve some of the aesthetics of the steering wheel and shift knob. I will miss the original wood grain but I plan to rebuild the entire dash so eventually, everything will match.    ------------- 1999 Longhorn Nautique 1995 Nautique Super Sport https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/" rel="nofollow - https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/ |
Posted By: Treybizttu
Date Posted: July-25-2019 at 11:21am
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I like the steering wheel and throttle knob. Did you order the wheel from Nautique Parts? Mine looks like a mouse was eating it for a few years so it's on my list of replacement items. |
Posted By: mdvalant
Date Posted: July-25-2019 at 12:51pm
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Ugh, I love those steering wheels. Wanted to throw one in our Sport but they're like $400! ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5009 - '90 Ski (sold) http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5479 - '00 Sport Mississippi River - Bellevue, IA |
Posted By: DHMcFadin
Date Posted: July-25-2019 at 1:13pm
Yup, ordered everything from Nautique Parts. Direct bolt on but there is a larger gap between the rubber boot and steering wheel base so I’m trying to figure out what to do there. Might need a new tilt assembly. ------------- 1999 Longhorn Nautique 1995 Nautique Super Sport https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/" rel="nofollow - https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/ |
Posted By: flyweed
Date Posted: July-25-2019 at 4:53pm
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be sure and use the CCF discount code when you order parts from Nautique Parts..you'll save yourself some money! ------------- '93 Ski Nautique NWZ, Air Boom Tower Drink Tonight..for tomorrow We Ride! |
Posted By: DHMcFadin
Date Posted: July-25-2019 at 5:18pm
I have been using PND. What is is the code for CCF? ------------- 1999 Longhorn Nautique 1995 Nautique Super Sport https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/" rel="nofollow - https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/ |
Posted By: DHMcFadin
Date Posted: July-26-2019 at 8:22pm
Here's a couple more pics of the new steering wheel and shifter for anyone on the fence. Really liking the look.  ------------- 1999 Longhorn Nautique 1995 Nautique Super Sport https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/" rel="nofollow - https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/ |
Posted By: DHMcFadin
Date Posted: July-27-2019 at 11:18am
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Another quick update: I had been chasing a pretty significant vibration. I had replaced the prop, checked the run-out on the prop shaft, and verified I could spin the shift by hand with no binding. Everything checked out. I searched a little on this site and read about the strut bearing causing vibration. I pulled the prop again and started inspecting. I realized I could move the shaft a 1/16th of an inch up, down, left, right inside the strut. Grabbed my pick and found out the current strut bearing is broken into pieces... I searched some more on this site for solutions. To remove the oem shaft it was either: 1. pull the engine 2. battle getting the coupling off the single taper shaft and slide it out the bottom 3. cut out the old shaft and upgrade to an ARE double taper shaft. I chose option three because I want this boat to look and perform better than it did when it rolled out of the Correct Craft factory. So I have ordered more parts from discount inboard marine. Since I will have it all apart and have to pull the rudder, I am going to give the hull a nice bath, new steering cable and new bilge lines. I've only pulled the fuel tank and ballast tanks so far but man it is nasty under there. I've also found three different sets of carpet lol. The upholstery in this boat has been done three times. Once at the factory and twice aftermarket. I am fairly certain the carpet under the ballast tank is original as it doesn't look like those have ever been removed and there is cut line just in front of where the ballast tanks end. Kinda funny!!!  ------------- 1999 Longhorn Nautique 1995 Nautique Super Sport https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/" rel="nofollow - https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/ |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: July-27-2019 at 11:23am
The plastic type cutlass "bushings"? ------------- /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: DHMcFadin
Date Posted: July-27-2019 at 12:05pm
It's a brass bearing to best of my knowledge. Heres a pic inside the hub of the strut. There are chunks missing. That sliver on the right hand side is a piece of brass that has started sheering off.  ------------- 1999 Longhorn Nautique 1995 Nautique Super Sport https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/" rel="nofollow - https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/ |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: July-27-2019 at 12:44pm
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What you have is a rubber bearing encased in a brass shell. Since you're removing the shaft, now's the time to replace it since you have that much movement and pieces coming off. If you search here on CCF for Cutlass or Cutless bearing you'll find a lot of info Or as a start click on the link below https://www.google.com/search?q=correctcraftfan+cutlass+bearing&oq=correctcraftfan+cutlass+bearing&aqs=chrome..69i57j33.8396j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8" rel="nofollow - link |
Posted By: DHMcFadin
Date Posted: July-27-2019 at 12:48pm
Thanks for the insight Keno! And absolutely! The whole reason I needed to remove the shaft was to replace it. Thank you for the link. I will check it out! ------------- 1999 Longhorn Nautique 1995 Nautique Super Sport https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/" rel="nofollow - https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/ |
Posted By: DHMcFadin
Date Posted: July-31-2019 at 1:50pm
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It's been a busy week. I was able to cut our the prop shaft. Was easy to do with a cutoff wheel. I also removed the strut bearing. It was pretty nasty! The shaft had scoring as well. Inside of the strut looked great. The FCC replacement fuel system and the high-output alternator came in. Before installation, I removed all bilge, fuel, ballast, and shower hoses. I also removed the old alternator, old fuel system, and all electronics and modules, including the ecm, from the boat. I covered all exposed connectors and the starter with plastic bags. Using a very diluted mixture of muriatic acid on the inside of the hull and CLR/ de-greaser on the engine, I took the boat to the self wash and did a high pressure soap and rinse on everything inside the boat. I couldn't believe how much better everything looked after removing all the grease, mildew, and mold.               ------------- 1999 Longhorn Nautique 1995 Nautique Super Sport https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/" rel="nofollow - https://www.instagram.com/longhorn_nautique/ |