Question re: 1997 "Air" Nautique

Good afternoon all,

My family is looking to possibly purchase a 1997 Air Nautique. I've looked at the 1997 brochure and don't see an "Air" Nautique, but a Sport Nautique. Is there such a thing as a 1997 Air Nautique, or are these just new graphics?

It's open bow, has the 5.8 EFI 310 hp GT-40 direct drive. It's listed for $14.5k with all new interior and sound system, new tires, new prop and factory tower (which I can't tell if it's collapsable or not).

Thanks for any advice!

Matt

Ultrarunner,

Thanks for the reply and the welcome!!! I really appreciate that clarity. The listing doesn't indicate the engine hours, but I'm talking to the gentleman on the phone later today and probably going down to look at/test run it this weekend.

From the pics, and maintenance he mentions, it seems pretty well taken care of. I'm actually more wary of low hours on an older boat. I''d rather it have been run and taken care of than sit, also just feel like someone is lying to me when they have a 20-year old boat with 300 hours. What hour range would you (or anyone else with knowledge) think is a good range for the $14.5K price on a 1997?

Also, for anyone who might know, I currently have a 1988 SN 2001 (she needs restored and know one in my family wants to spend the time and money on that - new stringers and engine needs some work due to an unnamed family member running her too hot) how would the slalom wake compare? We ski courses occasionally and free ski like there is a course there (haha) - all of us run at 34-36 mph.

Thanks again for any advice!

Matt

Matt, prices seem to be all over the place. And a cursory look at some recent ads on this site will show an approximate value range. Prices have come down the last few years, and folks still will generally pay a bit more for a lower hour boat. With that being said, a new interior on a Sport is every bit of 6 grand, from C & S Marine. I"d want to know if this boat has C & S skins, or done at a local shop. Big difference. Single axle or dual axle original steel trailer, or an aftermarket galvanized? Another big price swing. Perfect Pass or Zero Off? That's a pricey upgrade.

What some folks would pay a bit more for, others would not, i.e, someone that trailers everyday might like that nice dual axle trailer, as opposed to someone that will keep it on a lift year round.

If you like, post a link to the ad with some pics of the boat. Folks on here will be happy to give you an objective opinion. Really nice folks even offer to go take a look, if the boat isn't local to you

Again, with a high quality trailer in excellent condition, a new-ish looking boat that has been well cared for, with say under 1000 hours, and a quality CC new interior, PP or ZO, 14k is not unreasonable.

Also, the Sports changed the decks a couple years later, I believe '99 was the first year for the large aft storage locker, and more of a 'walk-through' to the bow. Both those appeal to some vs. the earlier generation.

Keep us posted Matt and shoot us the link to the boat so we can take a look.

Mark

Hey Matt, I took a look at the ad. Definitely a Florida boat. My guess is it spent a fair amount of time outside, judging by how faded the dash pod appears to be. Likely the reason for the new interior. History of ownership?

The tower appears aftermarket, but not necessarily a bad thing. Interesting it's advertised as a factory tower, as it's definitely different. Maybe you could spec your own. But if the boat delivered with the factory FC-1 tower, I'd take a look at what was done with original forward and aft mounts, as the town shown is mounted in different places than the original FC-1 tower. Did they just take the mounts off and leave the blank mounting holes? See the pic of my previous boat on the aft mount location.

GT-40 is a good motor. How many hours? Service history? Any salt or brackish?

I'd say it might be a bit overpriced, If it has a ton of hours on it and always sat in the sun...way less....again, depending on how it looks, condition, etc...when you see it.....keep us posted.

Mark

cboland wrote: Matt, If you do your own engine work understand that troubleshooting issues is a bit more complicated and with these engines now over 20 years old, the various sensors and electronic component can start to go bad, even on low hour boats.

Somebody finally acknowledged that elephant in the room

The "I'm having trouble with my gt40" threads get more numerous every year and without the right diagnostic tools life gets tough and aggravating.

So for Matt, do a search on here about gt40 issues and you'll have lots of reading with long multiple page threads before you decide.

All,

Thank you for the wonderful advise and years of wisdom! I’ve tried to reach out the the gentleman about the boat, and were playing phone tag right now. There is another boat I found on here which from the one pic and description sounds great. He has someone who offered to buy it, but it might fall through. Price seems a tad high, but I don’t know with all the extras and how nice it looks. Don’t have any other pics yet, but what does this group think?

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forsale/details.asp?ID=9719&sort=&pagenum=1

If the link doesn’t work, it’s the 1994 SNOB for sale.

Thanks again!

Matt

Thanks re the SNOB. It looks beautiful, but waiting on more pics.

Here is another we are looking at. We kind of have it narrowed down to the two above and this one. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2896978927054717/

This is a 1997, and interior looks great. Seller has been very honest and upfront. Low hours and new injectors installed, fresh water only and garage kept. Again, I really appreciate everyone’s insight, help and guidance, especially on price and value we might be getting for that price.

Sorry about the links, I though they were clickable. Doing this on my phone so learning to navigate everything. I’ll be sure to fix that if I post any other links.

Thanks for the info. Haven’t seen any 1998s pop up in my searches, but I’ll keep an eye out. Interesting point about the SNOBs bow. Any others any here have any more insight as to the SNOB bow? I know someone mentioned they own a SNOB, but my phone isn’t letting me see the whole thread to tag that person.

Again, ya’ll have been tremendous! Thank you so much!

Hi Matt, don't underestimate Bud's comments above re: the 98-later Sports with the larger rear trunk. Having previously owned a '99, I can agree. With that said, unless you absolutely have a need to carry a ton of gear, the slant-back should serve you well. IMO, the SNOB's OB is not a place for two adults and a long day on the water.

Just an FYI also, the earlier gen Sports you're looking at have a slightly different couch that takes a curved jump seat. It's nice to have to allow a second person on the couch.

Let us know how it goes.

Mark

Matt if you do not end up getting the 97 PM me as I have another lead for you to check out before you go with your second options.

Good luck!

If you mean the forest green one, yes. The consensus the the buying party didn’t like the color.

Yeah, I would too, but I’m not buying this myself. It’s a family boat being split between my folks, brothers and sisters. Have to find the right balance between all those people and color matters to some in the group and their money is just as green as mine, so they get a say.

It’s a GT-40 engine. Has C&S skins, gel coat is perfect and interior is perfect. He sent us 15 different videos walking around every angle of the boat and starting it up cold. All in all, it checked all the boxes for everyone chipping in. If I had my own $15k in cash right now, I would have picked a different boat, but In these times, I’m not spending a large chunk of my emergency fund to buy a boat for myself when we all always use it together anyhow. I can settle and be happy with the 1997, as it will be better than what we have. If in 2 years we are all in a diff place financially, I trust we will have gotten our value out of this boat and then move on to something a little newer and with more storage.

I took all your comments and knowledge and lobbied hard for a 1998, just couldn’t find one that made the group happy as a whole. Such is life. It’s a Nautique after all, it’s not like we’re making a bad decision. We not buying a MC ;-)

I’ll let you know if we bring her home. Hitting the road in the am. Thanks again everyone!!

Leaving bright and early tomorrow morning.

Actual model year, in the example below it's an 1988 model built in April of 88


Go down til you see boats made after August 1 1984 or later in that link-

Look for this -

ABC 12345 D8 88


link

Mcdees84 wrote: Hi gents, Quick question regarding HIN. I know the last 4 characters indicate the year built. If it says 95, would that make it a 95 model, 96, or could it be a 97?

Hey Matt, look at your decoder and see what month it was built. That'll tell you.