1983 Ski (not tique)

As a former Nautique owner, when I impulsively bought a Ski Supreme last week, I figured who better to ask for advice than avid CC enthusiasts... Here's a picture of it. The previous owners were obviously ignorant about installing the tower, and I'll post more specific photos... but I just wanted to make sure everyone is okay with me asking about a non-Correct Craft.

Good looking boat! Congrats!

Thanks, you guys are awesome! I wish I had a Nautique again... Maybe someday when I'm out of school.
Your Nautiques are insanely pristine! Great boats.

Alan - That jacket and those skis are classic... they remind me of learning to ski.

A steal will depend upon how much you have to put into it along the way. Assuming it runs well, and you don't have any major problems, how could you not get your money's worth for $2800. One summer of fun ought to cover that. BKH

Would wet sanding the entire body with 2000 grit be a bad idea? Any suggestions?

Wet sanding will certainly help to bring back the shine of the gel coat, and if you plan to leave the decals off, is probably the only way you will be able to hide the lettering marks. There are a lot of threads on wetsanding, if you do a search. Folks have recommended various grits. BKH

Paul -
I couldn't agree with you more. This can be just as fun as a new $60k SAN, but without the worry.
Today, even though there were 40+ mph gusts, I decided I couldn't wait to see what the wake looked like. I hastily got insurance, called up a couple buddies and was in the water... but not for very long. I won't say, because I feel like an idiot, but the picture pretty much gives it away... and yes, I did put the plug in.



Brian and Chris-
Thanks for the suggestion. I got home from the lake, and went straight to autozone, getting 1k and 2k grit. My process is using a spray bottle with warm water, I wet the surface and sand, followed by a quick spray and squeege to assess progress. There is still a ghost from the decals though. I'm thinking I need to move down to 800. Chris, what grit did you start with?

Ryan, I started with 320 grit on the parts below the waterline where it was really oxidized. Then moved to 600 then 800 and then 1200. It took quite a while but the results are worth it! I then buffed with some compound and waxed. Shines like new!!

You can see how bad the transom was in my video...the pic is after I got done with one side. Sorry for the side ways photo

didn't seal the old swim platform mounting holes in the transom??

What an '82 brown 'preme looks like without the gaudy letters...
Brown-hulled boats rock, no staining but the sun beats up the sides. Mine was chalk-white when I got it.

Unlike the Nautique, the driving arangement is to look over the windshield, not through it. The later models had a lower seat pedastal.
Your arrangement provided the best field-of-view. You may need all you got with the tuna-tower.

I replaced my front seat with one from Todd industries, and matched the interior to that.

My seat height is now lower than yours, but not as low as the '86-up boats.

Yup, thats still mine, don't anticipate an upgrade for quite a while.

Must be tough in that business now,

Mine was beat to hell too, almost ready for the heap. Lots of turd polish, but its my turd.

Two more things (for now): Do you have the original trailer?
Mine is missing a prop/ rudder guard, bunks, and a winch post.
If so, could you post some photos whenever you get a chance?

Could you tell me what the switches on the dash
are as far a bilge, blower, etc.

Thanks

Ryan, the neighbor I referenced does own Kal Kustoms. However, Kal Kustoms is a much bigger enterprise than Supreme boats. Kal Kustoms is the sole distributor of Sanger, I believe the sole distributor of Centurion, and I believe the west coast distributor of Cigarette. They have some sort of ownership in Reinell, Blue Water, and others. I don't know for a fact, but the rumor around here is that Carl gave the Supreme company to his daughter.

I thought that they could be more helpful, but, unless you find an old timer, it does not surprise me. If I recall, back when your boat was made, the Supreme company was in Tennessee. There have been several changes of hands and the boats are now made out here in CA. I'm not sure if they're made by Fineline in Merced, or one of the others. I doubt there are many, if any, around the company that have any knowledge of the old boats.

BKH