New Guy Here!!

ask away, alot of knowledge here

Thanks guys for the quick reply...finally found the search option, but no thread to a pre-purchase inspection list or a "what to look for when you buy a used Nautique" checklist....anyone got some tips???? I wanna seem halfway knowledgeable when I buy my 'baby'...

This should get you started. Written several years ago by M3fan, who also participates on this forum. BKH

Pre-Purchase Checklist
1992 And Earlier Correct Craft Boats

Most information for this article was taken from the PlanetNautique forums.
Forum member M3Fan’s information in THIS THREAD is widely used here.

If you’re considering the purchase of a Ski Nautique 2001 (Produced from 1982 – 1989), or another older Correct Craft, this article will give you some general information about things that you should check for before making your purchase. This article is not meant to include all items that should be checked during a used boat pre-purchase inspection. It is meant to point out possible trouble areas in older Correct Crafts. These checks should be performed along with any other necessary inspections when looking over a used boat.

All 2001 series Correct Crafts used wood in their construction, which can deteriorate over time if not kept in check. Well-maintained boats can still be found showing no signs of problems related to the wood used in their construction, but it is always a good idea to check the items listed below if you’re considering a 2001, or another Correct Craft built before 1993. Correct Craft stopped using wood in their construction in 1993.

The following steps should be completed
when inspecting a Pre-1993 Correct Craft for purchase:

* Open the engine cover, and you'll notice hex-head bolts, probably about 4 on each side, running parallel to the engine on the edge of the floor, on the edge of the engine compartment. These are lag bolts screwed right into the wooden stringers. Bring a socket wrench with you and try to tighten each one. They should still bite into the wood well. If they spin freely, the boat probably has some deterioration of the wood in the stringers.

These bolts also continue to the back of the boat under a removable floor piece that covers the prop shaft. Spin those also. Engine mount bolts are also a good indicator, as these attach to wooden mounts as well.

* Walk around on the floor and feel for soft spots. This isn't as big a deal as the stringers, but is still a big job to fix.

* Often when you see a boat with a replaced engine, it's due to improper winterization. When I was shopping around, almost every early 90's SN I came upon in the north had a new engine or short block.

* Drive the boat! The engine should idle smoothly and run hard up to 4400 rpm on the water.

* Make sure the oil pan isn't too rusty- replacing this involves removing the engine from the boat.

* Look in the bilge for fresh oil spots, as this could be a sign of leakage.

* The transmission should shift smoothly, and transmission oil should be clean. The transmissions on these boats are fairly expensive to replace.

* TALK to the seller. Have them describe parts of the boat and feel out their personality. This can tell you how well the boat was taken care of while they owned it.

* The prop should spin smoothly with minor resistance when turned by hand. Position yourself directly behind the propeller, and spin it by hand. Check to be sure the shaft spins smoothly. Any deviation could indicate a bent shaft.

* Electronic ignition is a good thing, although not offered from the factory on these boats. You may want to look for one that has been converted.

Awsum guys!! I'm going to look at a 97 SN...hey, it's Saturday, shouldn't you guys be out cuttin' some passes???

Again, I agree with Brian, if I was in the market for a late model boat, it would definitely be a TSC 1 like the 97, I really like the lines of those boats.   Too crowded during the day....will be on the water at 7 am tomorrow   

Kevin,
I think yor are referring to wood in a boat as in wood stringers correct? A wood boat is a completely different story. Wood stringers as done by the factory aren't bad but the method used will end with them rotting sooner or later. However, if the boat is striped and new wood put in using the proper methods, it's hard saying how long it would last. 60 - 70 years? There is no maintenance after the job is finished.

Welcome to CCfan. Keep us informed as to what you're looking at so we can comment. Also tell us the intended usage.

If you ever want to search the forum it is easier to do it through Google. Just type this in google and what you want to search for. For instance:

site:correctcraftfan.com pre-purchase checklist

This will produce this:

Search only Correctcraftfan.com - pre purchase check list

You can do this for any site that Google indexes! Pretty cool!

Thanks for this post. Very good points. And info. Here's a little more info on this boat. The current owner bought the boat not running because the flywheel had some missing teeth which would not engage with the starter. So he replaced flywheel and starter said the boat ran but the exhaust manifolds were bad from improper winterzation.
So that's were it stands now. Thanks again for the response.

Strega you may want to mention year and model you're talking about.

I think you mean to post this in your other thread.

Strega51 wrote: The boat is an 1982 Nautique. If I didn't mention

Dave,
You did mention it 26 minutes ago!!

Strega51 wrote: 1982 Nautique

How about some pictures. We love them!

I'll try to post some pics. I think I'm going to go back and take another look. Check the eng. cover and motor mount bolts to see if there secure into the stringers. I already know it needs new exhaust manifolds. All the swim platform
bracket bolts are rusted some loose. So I'm guessing the fuel tank got to come out to repair. Soft spot in the floor which I can't see how bad until I lift the carpet and floor.I've got to see if he can start the motor even with the cracked manifolds. At $2900 if he let it go for that sounds good. But we all know how much the unknowns can add up.