Model 2001 Ride Quality

I've thought long and hard about becoming a 2 boat owner. I'm thinking about buying a 10-12 year old I/O Crownline or similar boat for open water stuff. At Lake Powell, my little SNOB stays tied to the houseboat and only goes out in very flat water. I've had to make an open water "channel run" on occasion and it's no fun. I run between 12 and 15 mph. Sometimes slow enough just to maintain steerage.

IMO, the concept of "cross-over" is great, but no boat manufacturer (yet) has made a 3-event type towboat that can handle the bigger water. Compromise or go with 2 boats.

JQ

Then there is always the 'get something of equal value' situation . . .

Then the boat costs 2X!

My wife hates our boat. Let her pick out the new boat? Yea right. You sound like a marriage counselor or something. Letting her pick out another boat would be a very smart thing to do, get some "buy in". You must be happily married with that sort of thinking. Smart man.

We have had a 2001 since 1984, and in 1988 Dad got his second one and still has it. Wife complains about the ride being rough at times. Guys don't have that problem. We picked up a 2002 Ski Nautique last summer and the wife likes the ride a lot better, It does not bounce as hard going over the wakes. The 2001's are cool boats like them a lot, but I like my 2002.

audiodude wrote: well if you are interested in selling the pontoon I might be interested.

Our pontoon is the Beverly Hillbillies of pontoon boats. I doubt you would be interested.

MrMcD wrote: Another option for your boat that needs repairs, would be to sell it and buy another that is solid and does not need any repair or at least nearly no repairs. From 1993 and newer all Nautiques have fiberglass stringers and these can never rot out. A very nice upgrade from the old wood stringers. If Wakeboarding is your choice then you might look at the open bow boats.   I will remind you that once you drive a Ski Nautique all other boats don't measure up. A Nautique will turn and drive perfectly while other boats never seem to have the formula correct. Drive a few and you will see this is a fact. I had a Malibu Skier, looked great, actually had a slightly better ski wake than my Nautique but it turned terrible.   Turned pretty well with 1-3 people on board but if you had 5 people it was almost scarry to turn.   In the Nautiques you cant feel the difference 1 person or 6.   They are just better built boats. BTW:   I am in to old cars also,

I wouldn't bother with someone else's crap. I would keep the one I have and repair it. It is an amazing boat and has NEVER let me down. Runs great, starts every time on frist crank and drives like a Porsche as you mention. New concept! Get rid of the pontoon boat, keep the 2001 for personal fun and get a newer something for family. I do have two slips 😉

Another option for your boat that needs repairs, would be to sell it and buy another that is solid and does not need any repair or at least nearly no repairs.
From 1993 and newer all Nautiques have fiberglass stringers and these can never rot out.
A very nice upgrade from the old wood stringers. If Wakeboarding is your choice then you might look at the open bow boats.   I will remind you that once you drive a Ski Nautique all other boats don't measure up. A Nautique will turn and drive perfectly while other boats never seem to have the formula correct. Drive a few and you will see this is a fact. I had a Malibu Skier, looked great, actually had a slightly better ski wake than my Nautique but it turned terrible.   Turned pretty well with 1-3 people on board but if you had 5 people it was almost scarry to turn.   In the Nautiques you cant feel the difference 1 person or 6.   They are just better built boats.
BTW:   I am in to old cars also,

PS sorry if I should have started my own thread. Didn't mean to take yours over. Hopefully in same conversation. Let me know and I will start a fresh one.

I own a 1989 2001, I love my boat. It is a great boat. I have also owned an outboard or two and an I/O(never again) even with these boats riding in 1-2 foot chop is not comfortable and can be just a rough as my 2001. If you have to cruise in rough water, as others have stated, you need a deep V hull but even so don't expect the drive through rough water to be all that smooth.

Fixed!

You can buy a working older I/O for the same $ as replacing stringers + interior.

I/Os have deep V keels by default.

If you just want to ride on a wakeboard (as opposed to doing air tricks) then this might be a better boat for you.

I know I am committing heresy here . . .

Labor Day weekend or any summer holiday weekend in ANY boat and you'll take a beating. As stated before, you bought a Competition Ski Boat it's for pulling skiers on calm water through a course and bottom line it's a Tractor on water. It's not for cruising, loading up with 6 of your friends or family and hanging out on the lake all day.

All that being said, I am talking about older Correct Crafts. Times have changed and so have the needs of the modern day boater and have for the last 15 years. More people spend all day ON the lake and want room for their gear, coolers, friends etc. Boats that will not be affected as much by busy lakes and monsoon waves.

I cruise Lanier in my 88' SN and 72 (16 ft) Mustang all summer. I know that in either boat I'm not going to get anywhere fast and I will be dodging 40 ft yachts and their wakes all day. I accept that and it's just part of the game. Yes I got to get out early or stay late to get decent water to ski on but I also have a group of fellow Slalom skiers (that are mostly Nautique owners) to hang with.

Nothing skis, pulls, or looks better than a Correct Craft in my opinion ( however NautiqueHunter has a couple Supra's that have awesome slalom wakes) and I will never own anything but a CC.
If you are wanting to cruise the lake on busy weekends, cut through chop and miniature tidal waves then something other than a 2001 model is what you're gonna need unless it's a Barefoot hull. An SAN or something larger is gonna be better suited for rough water but even then you won't be doing 30 + mph in rough seas. About 20-23mph is suitable in the 88' SN but it's still a rough ride. Even slower in the 72' Mustang.

Teaching someone how to ski, wakeboard or anything is gonna be practically impossible in rough water and especially on a busy Holiday weekend. Get out early or on at dusk when the water is calmer and you'll have better success. Good luck and be patient.
Many of us own these old boats because of the Coolness factor and because they're fun to play in/on/behind.....Well, when the water is glass!

The old boats are like old sports cars. They offer unique things you can't get anywhere else.   If you ski on a rough lake you bought the wrong boat. I only use the Nautique in smooth water to water ski. That is what I do and the boat is perfect. If the water is rough I don't wish to ski so the boat stays parked.   
There are many boats with deep V hulls that will cut rough water like butter.   A old Nautique will not do that but will pull a skier nearly as well as the most modern ski boats. A deep V can't do that.   Decide what you want and buy a boat that matches your needs.

It's a lot smoother ride in the back seat......

to each their own, These boats def aren't for everyone.
They are purpose built and do only but a few things perfect, a few things well and anything else you have the wrong tool for the job.
That being said its tough to beat the reliability and low maintenance of the 2001 hull driveline and other mechanicals.
You couldn't pay me to own an I/O, even if it only saw freshwater use. i dont care how good the ride is or isn't.