Ski Nautique Salt water vs. Fresh water boat issue

Have a lead on a 86 Ski Nautique 2001. Still getting the details, but I was told over the phone by a person that works for the owner of the shop the interior was new a few years ago, floor is solid and the Nautique trailer is road worthy.
So I'm going to ask the normal questions when I get the shop owner on the phone since it is over an hour away:
Hours
Compression Anything above 120 with little variance between cylinders is OK right?
Any trans issues
Recent work done
Hull beat up
Last time on the water
Any known issues
Once I get the beast on the water:
I presume these have a temp gauge what should it be at once warm?
Going to feel for smooth steering
Any other things I should check?
Is there a PPI list that someone created for these models?

They are asking $3950
I know a lot depends on condition, but I thought $3950 was a good place to start.
Thanks for the insight!
Robert

Hollywood wrote: pick up a beater. You won't feel obligated to wipe it down and outlaw snacks and shoes!

Outlaw snacks??? Who does that?   I've met some meticulous guys around here with nautiquehunter at the top of it but even he allows snacks on the 210 and I've even been guilty of drinking a beer or two on it.

Heck, he even does body work on your tow vehicle with his boat trailer so he really isn't that bad.

Snag the camp and pick up a beater. You won't feel obligated to wipe it down and outlaw snacks and shoes!

RobertV wrote: Correct Craft forums (here & planetnautique), craigslist, boatertrader, yatchworld, & ebay. Is there somewhere else I should be looking?

OnlyInboards.com is a good one, BallofSpray and Ski-It-Again could also be worth a look.

On this site you may want to subscribe to the craigslist finds thread.

quinner wrote: Don't even bother with a Jet boat for so many reasons if nothing else because they are terrible tow boats.

+1!

Thank you so much for the input. As you can tell I'm a noob when it comes to these boats. I will widen my search not only model wise, but also location wise as per your recommendations.
Cheers everyone.
Robert

TRBenj wrote: Yikes, pass on that overpriced heap. Pickings are not slim at all... where have you been searching for used boats?

Listen to what Tim is saying Robert. You're only looking at a pretty small area geographically. Keep in mind that there are lots of guys here that don't even think twice about driving a 1000 miles or more one way for a prime CC! There's a lot of them out there! You want a nice boat, be prepared for a road trip to get it.
You would also be surprised at how a seller might be willing to meet you half way too.
Another option is having one of us go to check out a boat for you. Many members here have gone out to look at, drive and ski a boat and have even arranged to pick it up and meet you along the way to help on delivery. It's happened more than you can imagine.
You're really limiting yourself to stay in your geographic area unless you're really patient and in no hurry.

I have to put in a plug for the 2001 hulls. While I don't currently use mine for wake boarding, I bought it with the possibility of wake boarding in mind one day (kids). The wake can be made better for wake boarding than it can for slalom or barefoot, but you can't get away from the wood in the boat.

Yikes, pass on that overpriced heap. Pickings are not slim at all... where have you been searching for used boats?

ski boats generally use lake water/ocean water for cooling the engine, not just the exhaust. Think through what salt water does to the exhaust risers on your large boat, and then compound the issue by circulating saltwater through your engine cavities, any heater cores you have, etc.   I think cosmetically, nothing will last as long if exposed to salt water.   also, most people either trailer their boats, or have lifts. flushing on a lift would be OK,if you had fresh water close by, but with a trailer boat, you also need to be concerned about trailer life, and the fact that you will be dipping the trailer every time you put the boat in salt.   that requires some additional consideration to how roadworthy the trailer will be after a year or two. I agree with Quinner above,   most of these boats are not used in salt, so it would require a MAJOR discount for me to even consider one.   With the 94 or so boats being in the 10k range, I would only consider a salt boat for 3-4k, if everything was working as it should. JMO, so consider what you paid for it

All,
I posted this on another forum and have no responses after four days so I'm asking the same questions here. I've been bitten by the wakeboarding bug (at 44 yrs old :P) and have started to look at used ski/wakeboard boats. Our neighbors at our camp in upstate NY have been pulling me around with their 2011 Seadoo Speedster. I have also have the pleasure of being pulled by an older Mastercraft (unsure of exact model but is has a Corvette motor) and liked how much instant pull it had. We have a 4 yr old daughter who is a thrill seeker like her dad so I know she will want to continue tubing and I sure hope she takes to wakeboarding or water skiing. I first thought we wanted to jet a jet boat too, but have started to look at Nautiques and other name brand ski boats. I've been reading everything I can on the forums.
So to the question for the forum:
What issues do these ski boats have with regards to salt water use vs. fresh water use?
Keep in mind I have a 1987 Silverton 34x (twin 454s with v-drives) that came from Long Island with 18 years of salt water use before we put it in fresh water so I know about the exhaust risers and other bits that require replacement more frequently due to salt water use. I've done all the work myself on the 34x : new exhaust manifolds, risers, drive plates, one tranny housing, full interior gut job, new carbs, etc. etc. We have had some issues with the tachs not reading properly that I have not worked on yet, but no other electrical issues (fingers crossed).
I read one post that the electrical systems can be bothersome on salt water ski boats. The poster said to stay away from salt water boats bc you will be chasing electrical issues for the life of the boat. Is this really a problem on let's say a 94 ski nautique? I've been looking at 93 and up Nautiques so far since they fit in my budget and want to stay away from wood stringers.
Are there any other salt water issues that I should be concerned about?
And I presume that everyone here would say get a ski boat over a jet drive right?
Thanks for reading and your input.
Robert