New owner here - 1984 Ski Nautique 454

Whereabouts in MA?

Gottaski?

Where did the boat come from?

Oh yes! Super Beast. Ivory and three stripe rust/brown. Tall pylon. No mufflers last we knew. Hopefully its not too badly molested.

I spent lots of mornings in and behind super beast thanks to a great set of men gracious enough to teach me barefoot for years, and long after they moved onto other boats. good times.

Unless its been replaced, that's not your father's 454. Not as stout at Tim's BNF but it was a 55+/- mph machine i recall,

Its probably been passed around like a pool toy since being meticulously maintained for a good spell. Who knows how many owners by now

but hopefully its under good new stewardship

That engine should still be the LH Rotation rectangle port 425+HP.
Don't shoot your eye out! The boat should be respected and can spank you if your try going 40+ in mixed up water and wakes, or many aboard.

That boat's original build was not for the general public to purchase but for select people in the club of responsible enthusiasts

And recall it didn't like champion plugs, best give it AC.

Pictures sure are required!

GottaSki wrote: Crmaverick wrote: Actually western Connecticut huh...

That's an awesome history thanks for the info. I actually bought this off the second owner who told me the boat came from CT, I'm not sure on the exact area but I'm guessing West/Central CT.

The motor is original apparently, his family bought it in the 80's from the original owner, the motor was just maintained from then and has 850 hours. Did you know the original owner?

GottaSki wrote: Yes, i know a prior owner that had it in the later 80's , maybe very early nineties But i'd have to say your the fourth owner, at minimum!

No kidding, is the super beast lettering factory? Here’s some photos, you sure this is the same boat or was their only one super beast?


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UeRiHyBL4FySdSiiUzfosxtjbUOFJFhq/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I5qUjEhDxEFuQKYuYARVRmqQKaF1K5e-/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T8KPvnDhvVwdJUm6Gd1PtbOXcCSJIKV7/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dPAUx5KNJ564YpljmG1NL1RqAVIGZ_XZ/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nXjDwQe_24RcVxJGoGHqW0Edf623sXBB/view?usp=drivesdk

That's definitely a LH engine

Sounds awesome. What a find

The red stripe on the outside is definitely not original. Neither is the interior vinyl or carpet.

Let’s hope not

Well there are enough distinctive pieces to Id if its same boat.
I'll make some emails this week.

MrMcD wrote: I like it and it sounds healthy! Gottaski sent you a warning about your new boat. Pay attention. That hull is normally perfect but in some conditions, rough water or high speed it can suddenly spin a 180 on you and throw people right out of the boat. I have two friends that had this happen. one of them says his wife is still convinced he was screwing around and it was his fault. He swears he was sober and trying to drive straight back to the dock when it happened on Lake Powell in rough water. Do some reading and know what to avoid in that hull. The two guys I know both have the 351W bone stock in their boats so they were not going over 46 MPH when it happened and scared the dog doo out of them. One was in 1982 when these first came out and the other just happened 2 years ago and he bought his new in 1986 and had never had an issue up till then. Nice boat and it will be a ton of fun just learn to respect it and know what it does best before playing in it at high speed.

Indeed

If one thinks their superior driving skill can save oneself from this condition, one is mistaken. The only superior skill is awe and respect of the forces involved and precious life. No doubt you will be egged to demonstrate the boats speed at the worst times possible.

i encourage you to tell them meet you at the dock at 6am, else forget it!

The swapped ends is abrupt and brutal. In a sister boat, after morning sessions a, watched a fellow barefooter riding the engine cover and holding the tall pylon go azz over teakettle (still in barefoot suit), he said he hit the water then dove as soon as he could. I in the middle got stuffed under the bow/driver footwell so thoroughly, had to be pulled out. Luckily the boat stayed shiny side up, mostly.

Throttle down below 40 well before hitting irregular waves and wakes obliquely

Driving skills don't come into play once you roll the rudder up out of the water.

KENO wrote: Why is it that the usual suspects haven't come up with any warnings about how the boat is gonna list terribly to the drivers side and handle terribly because it's a normal rotation engine in a hull designed? for a reverse rotation engine?

Cause rare factory HO engines are worth a little gangsta lean... and lean it will when driven by driver alone. Don't go out alone would be my advise, and if you are driving frisky put the passengers in the back seat port side. Just generally carrying extra ballast on the passenger side would not be recommended unless all the way aft otherwise it is not likely to help the tendency to put a chine in the water. Speeds 30+ the lean is pretty much gone.   Isn't someone gonna post this lucky guy a picture with the tri color brown graphics this had originally? I don't have the picture or skills.   Based on the remaining 3 color paint patches on the rope deflector feature of the back deck alone and the same name being used I would be shocked if this was not the same boat that Gottaski had spent some time on.

Click on the link and you'll find 84 tan and brown colors and stripe scheme. that Joe mentioned

I'm not sure why somebody takes a picture of their boat in front of a cemetery though

link

GottaSki wrote: Crmaverick wrote: Thanks for the info guys that’s all good stuff to know, I’ve seen the videos of people easily power sliding these boats which made me think that in the right conditions it might get away from ya It seems you understand well, Just to remove possible remaining ambiguity, the event we are speaking of is going straight, fast with no wheel inputs, vs the power slide which is horsing around and looking for trouble and downright controlled in comparison. Also not recommended because one looks like a yahoo and doesn't represent the brand nor sport well. heh with big power come big responsibility. Big dogs don't need to bark.

Right seems like the issue only happens in rough water, calm water seems to be the only time to go 50+