upgrades on a ’86 2001

I think most people have taken a hacksaw to the ski ring. I have an 1984 Ski Nautique 2001 and it looks like that's what the previous owner did.
BUT, if it's possible to remove the ski plyons, I might be interested in trading with you. Has anybody tried this???
We don't wake board and it would be nice to be able to use the original plyon instead of having to stick the extended one on. I don't think there will be a problem with your 10' pole. My pylon is curved and my Skylon fits with no problems. There is a 3-4 inch band of carpet wrapped around the pylon that I guess is there for a tight fit and so the pole doesn't rattle.
If you're interested in a trade, email me:
pearce.james@sbcglobal.net

i took my ski ring off my 86. you have to punch out the 2 pins, and then stick something through the ring to rotate it out of the pylon. i had to use a 4 foot metal pole to rotate the ring while pulling up. it is suborn but it will come off. took me 15 minutes of twisting to get it.

Chris

You can try and have a machine shop drill out the cores of the pylon to release the ring. I tried to drill mine out and and went through every kind of drill bit you can imagine. But on another 83' I have tapped them out just fine. It's strange. But I ended up.. gulp.. sawing it off. It's a brass ring and easy to do. You can then have someone drill out the brass and have a welder put on a trailer ball or something of that sort. (or custom...) But any pole will fit then. I used a skylon for years.   If you don't want to cut the ring or deal with it, buy the Pole out of Inboard Marine catalog. It clamps onto the pole.. adds some inches to your front, minus leg room, possible cooler access!, and it's $745 or some insane number.

As for the brackets, i have looked around for awhile. Pulling the 16 screws out for storage to release the platform is a pain. But you have to look at hole in the transom you would need, holes in the teak you would need, etc. It might not be worth it, but I have seen it done somewhere.
I retired my 84 (posted here somewhere) and upgraded to a 92... miss the 84, but love the 92 SNOB.

Any questions on the 2001's... let me know.. I know these things inside and out...

cheer
tc

FYI - if you were to remove the ring without damaging it, I'm sure you could sell it on the site for some good $$$. For those who want them, they are hard to come by.

Also, Midwest Correct Craft sells the 'ball' for the ski pylon from the 87-89 style 2001. Would fit right where the ring was removed.

-Keith

I finally got the boat out yesterday. It handles real well. I haven't gotten to work on the upgrades, because I am now working on getting my house ready to sell.

Dawg,

How difficult was it to replace the ignition?

Your post is timely, I have in my basement a new acme prop, 8MM wires, cap, rotor, coil, and breakerless ignition conversion all for my 86. Just wondering how the ingition conversion went and how much time you spend doing it. It looks like a job that should take less the 1 hour.

I would think that the pin in question is located at the base of the ring (not where you indicate).

A "Flight-Pipe" pylon clamps onto the existing pylon w/ ring. It is a lot less work and keeps original pylon original. Just another option.

86_2001,
I have a ring-less 2 1/2" plyon from an '86 Ski Nautique (with the bend) that was cut (not by me) to fit an Air Boom extended pylon. It's in very good condition.

If you haven't removed your ring yet, I would swap it for yours.

Let me know if you're interested.

-Keith