1973 ski nautique national tow boat info

Hi does anyone know anything about the 1973 ski nautique that say national tow boat on them. My freind has one and has not used it in years and now want's to restore it.

Were these just labeled differently for the year or were the boats actually different than regular model SN's?

I want to say these were Promo boats from 73, but could be wrong.

Maybe promo I also heard something about abc sports some of them said abc sports on the side of them.

If the boat was used for the nationals it would have had a third speedo on the front of the motor box for the judge as he could not turn around and look at the dash and watch the skier. It was also located on the back panel since there was no stern seat in the boat. Hope this helps. Woody

This may be a difficult question. In 1972 in the brochure the Ski Nautique only list one fin, in the 1973 it list one fin and 1974 list two fins on the Ski Nautique. I saw a 1973 this weekend with two fins and was curious if Correct Craft started adding the extra fin in 1973 or did someone add this at a later date?

Thanks!

I appreciate the help DRCC. It looks like two was correct on a 73 Correct Craft.

Yes we have mentioned the Dells and Tommy Bartlett, we spent some time around those guys. Pauly Banana has skied in two reunion shows. We both planned to ski in the last one but the water ran out of lake Delton. I did some show skiing (small team in Minnesota) but not for Tommy Bartlett.

Your 1974 looks great, a real keeper! What does your 1974 look like on the trailer?

Question: Does the 1973 have inline mufflers of any type?

I have a 1972 ski-nautique national tow boat. The "national tow boat" lettering was put on the boats that towed the skiers in the USA national tournaments. Not the type or brand of boats, but THE actual boats only. Mine is all orange gel coat, and I've seen one exactly like mine on the internet in past years. Mine HAD 3 speedometers. Has 3 pickups, 2 bronze tracking fins, a 351 windsor with a 13x13 prop, counterclockwise (LH) rotation. Mine is fully operational with original stringers but without the 3rd speedo which was mounted on the front of engine cover. I ran the engine today with boat on the original correct craft trailer to warm it up, I did an oil change. Now using 20w50 oil (and STP oil treatment for the zinc) as engine is worn. Have original owners book, and Waukesha engine owners manual (Waukesha became PCM). It says to use 10w30 or 10w40 oil. Plan to put in water soon after fixing some minor maintenance issues within a week. No mufflers, copper pipes instead. I think I answered all questions on this thread. Have owned boat for over 30 years.

I'll try to post a pic later, busy now. I use the STP oil treatment because of the zinc (ZDDP) that is in this additive. I assume it's worn due to age. Also use lead substitute in the fuel to protect the valve seating area in the head, as there ARE no hardened seats like modern motors have. I do old cars also and you must put proper hardened seats in an old cast iron head, or use lead substitute. This oil change in the boat I also added Lucas oil leak stop as the rear crankshaft seal leaks. My boat held 9 quarts full for years, but with the leaking seal, only 8. which is exactly at the low mark on dipstick.

I also had a fish-nautique for 10 years. Super offshore fishing boat, 1987. Bought it just after previous owner repowered it with a PCM GT-40 351 injected. Super motor, took it offshore 30 miles off cape canaveral numerous times. The salt kept chewing up every metal part and I had to part with it. Wiring, trailer, steering cables, everything. If I hit the lotto, I'll get another one, but it chewed up my bank account!

What year was the teak platform put on the boat?

jeffware wrote: 72 boat marinized by Waukesha. Later changed the name or merged with Pleasure Craft Marine (PCM). The national tow boats were done a bit different than regular ski-nautiques. LIke the 3 speedometer pickups and 3 speedos. My teak swim platform has the three cutouts to give room for the 3 pickup tubes to go UP the transom, approaching the deck, before the hoses go thru the stern. This is only on national tow boats of this vintage. The giant 9 quart aluminum oil pan was another one. And the orange gel coat. I recently recarpeted in blue for florida gator team colors!

Hello Jeff, we would love to see some pictures of the boat. Its always good to chart another 72 promo boat and how it was delivered.   Pete up there is trying to hint to you that the platform wasn't original, and it wasn't - they weren't an option until later in the 70s, our 72 promo also has had one added at some point. We have a 302 Waukesha it is RH like all the other 72 promos that we have so far seen (either 302 fords or 318 Chryslers) ours it uses a standard stamped steel oil pan typical to all other 302 waukeshas of the era.   If yours has a large aluminum pan and was delivered as a LH from the factory that would be a first for sure and it would be worth trying to figure out the story behind it.   Is there still a serial plate intact on the motor somehwhere?

um no comment

Seems you're contradicting yourself here Pete,

You say there's no such thing and then go on to say he's wasting his money buying a bottle of lead substitute

Or maybe you should rephrase whatever it is you're trying to say.

Edit ..............I see you added a few words to your lead substitute statement after I typed this Pete

Who wouldn't want to think they have something special...