New to me boat dilemma

I'd say you will be right in-between Don and Dan's price for skins only. a 2000 sport full set costs $3,700 from C&S and a 1999 closed bow is just shy of 2k depending on a few variables... like you don't have the stern sundeck pad to cover etc... I'd plan on paying $3,200 for skins. throw in another $500 for carpet and if you are just replacing factory stereo with nice marine grade stereo (no amp and subs etc) maybe $500. I plan on 5k to sort this boat... and if you get it done for closer to 4k... good for you!

a drill bit might be all you need to fix the airguides... just clean the mud etc out of your pickups or replace them. In my experience, that works for 99% of issues I have ever had with airguides in 35 years etc.

As for Moomba... I have never driven or skied behind one... but last week I was in a shop that had a Super Air 230 next to the comparable Moomba... (I was hoping to see a new ski nautique but they haven't sold one in over 5 years! ) Of course the price for Nautique was 45k more... but it was like comparing a Chevy Camero to an AMG Mercedes...of course even the Malibu at like 30k less than the Nautique didn't compare... only Mastercraft even comes close in my opinion...

my two cents...ain't no way you'd spend $4000 on interior..I just got done doing mine, all my skins were purchased through C and S Marine (93 SN) and I think my total bill came to just under $2000. now I'm not paying anyone to install them, I did that myself.

Anyway, do what makes you happy. If you like Nautiques, go with a Nautique. I'd say the price for the 94 is in line at around $9k. I''d let the owner know cost of new skins, etc that need replacing and make a fair offer. Offer $8K and see if he bites.

There are '90's era boats out there with good interiors that have some life left, but not all that many of them. I might disagree with Donald, when I bought my '98 the interior was shot but after spending that $4,000 he mentioned on the interior my boat looked and felt almost new, and 7 or 8 years later still does. So the '94 Sport, with an additional spend on the interior and the usual thousand that just kind of disappears into the boat you will have a really solid boat that reminds you of your youth.

On the speedos, if you are lucky it's just the pickups that need to be cleaned or replaced. If you need speedo repair I believe someone here knows where to get that done.

I admit I don't know much of anything about Moombas of that era, could be a great alternative, I just don't know.

Greetings new to the forum and happily getting back into owning an inboard. I grew up on an 87' 2001 then dad upgraded to a 94 Sport Nautique. After college and moving out on my own my wife an I have owned a small flats boat 1997 15' Baycraft with 50 Nissan with over 2k hours that still starts without fault. Our only complaint with the small boat is we can only take two friends with us to enjoy the St. Johns river that is 5 min from the house. I have often toyed with the idea with owning another inboard as there is nothing like the sound and feel of it however my wife wouldn't allow me to own 2 boats(I know we all have our crosses to bear). She has since changed her position I guess after 21 years a marriage even her strongest convictions are starting to wane. The primary purpose for the new boat would be for river cruising and some light wakeboarding and tubing with the nieces and nephews. I'll save the flats boat for the salt water.

I have found a decent shaped 94' sport nautique with 550 hours it needs a new interior and stereo plus the speedometers don't work. We test drove the boat a week ago everything drove as it should no vibrations at various speeds. The 4 blade prop was a big upgrade from the 3 blade we had on our old 94 really shot out of the water nicely. The seller is wanting $9100 but it has been for sale for a couple of months so there may be some haggling room.

Just before finding that boat I learned that a colleagues father in law is selling his 2004 Moomba with 580 hours the interior is in better shape and could wait a few years before recovering. It is in decent shape garage kept. I haven't test ridden it but he wants 11k and was willing to negotiate. I liked the looks of boat but I know Moomba is kind of like the Chevy of inboards compared to the Cadillac that is Nautique.   

So my questions are: Stick with what I know Ski Nautique and by a 10 year older boat with similar hours or consider the newer less desirable Moomba?
If going with the Ski Nautique what should I expect to pay for new carpeting, and recovering interior? How expensive/difficult is repairing the speedometers? What issues should I worry about with 26 year old Nautique?

Thanks in advance for your assistance excited to get back into a boat that holds a lot of fond memories of skurfing on lakes of the Winter Park Chain.
Regards,
Al