Barn Find 1989 Ski Nautique

WOW! She cleaned up well!

Kristof,
Thanks, I will definitely fix that prop and look at getting an Acme CNC-can't have enough props.
Happy Birthday from one Team Red member to another

8122pbrainard wrote: john b wrote: skutsch wrote: [QUOTE=8122pbrainard] A bad cutlass with good alignment will vibrate due to the shaft slop in the cutlass. Sounds like date night from the 70s John, You must have been dating girls from the other side of town!!

The whole town I grew up in was on the " other side " Pete.

Just taking a quick look, there is a ding in the prop, not sure if this could cause it or not. I don't feel any slop in the cutless, but I was young (and high) in the 70's

8122pbrainard wrote: A bad cutlass with good alignment will vibrate due to the shaft slop in the cutlass.

Whew, cause that was the last thing to check/fix on the 63 - still working through that one... Hoping it solves the issue.

skutsch wrote: 8122pbrainard wrote: What will cause vibration is a bad prop, a loose prop and or a bent prop shaft. Have you check any of these items? Wait, I thought a cutlass bearing (bad) could also cause a vibration in the final portion of the drive train, is that wrong?

Pete,
Your input is always welcome and appreciated. It isn't much of a vibration, but I think I will check the entire running gear. Start with checking shaft runout, check or replace cutless bearing, evaluate the prop and do an alignment. Now that the boat is running good I can concentrate on perfecting it.

8122pbrainard wrote: What will cause vibration is a bad prop, a loose prop and or a bent prop shaft. Have you check any of these items?

Wait, I thought a cutlass bearing (bad) could also cause a vibration in the final portion of the drive train, is that wrong?

wwchevy wrote: I still have to buff and polish the boat, do a shaft alignment (very slight vibration) and adjust my steering wheel alignment.

The boat looks great. Enjoy all the hours you put into doing all that work.

I do need to correct you about an alignment needed due to vibration. Typically a misaligned shaft/strut/engine will NOT cause vibration since the shaft is in a bind. What will cause vibration is a bad prop, a loose prop and or a bent prop shaft. Have you check any of these items?

What a pretty boat!

I still have to buff and polish the boat, do a shaft alignment (very slight vibration) and adjust my steering wheel alignment.
Few more

I went through all of the mechanicals of the boat in the last month and finally took it out to the lake yesterday. Weather was absolutely beautiful and spent about 3 hours doing a "test" run. Had a few small kinks to iron out, but overall it performed excellent.
New Steering Cable
Rebuilt Carb
Electronic Ignition conversion
Compression 145lbs lowest / 149 highest
Changes all the fluids
Tune up
Plug Wires
Cleaned all electrical connections
New manifold and riser gaskets
Gore tex rope seals
New impeller
New accessory drive belts

Where I started

If my memory is correct. The 71 Nautique I owned, had a slot in front of the motor cover, to clear the pylon as you closed it.
I guess that way they could mount the motor cover a little farther foward to clear the pulley.

But that's the most comfortable position!! haha.

Thanks for the info- I guess the new policy is feet off the motor box

My 90 is susceptible to the box rubbing on the pulleys as well... not a lot of clearance. I would be hesitant to move the box forward, as you'll decrease clearance between the pylon and box, which is a negative when it comes to using a barefoot boom. You may not have the option to do so anyways- I know my rear panel that holds the hinge tie downs is all the way forward, butted against the transmission.

Like everyone else confirmed, the Fly High has nothing to do with that wear... its all from people putting their feet up against the motorbox. Thats a no-no.