88 ski Nautique

Overpriced? All depends. If the seller gets 7k, then no.

But anytime a 30+ year old boat is considered, a super careful look is in order. Old ski boats have been wet A LOT over the decades. Rotted strings can manifest in a number of ways, that folks on here are way more qualified to comment on than I. You'll get some good feedback.

Faded gelcoat is a weekend with a buffer, a bunch of sandpaper, waxes, polishes, oils, lotions, incense, and some excellent directions that are on this site. Folks have brought back their finishes to better than factory, if that is even possible. ;-)

Which motor? Hours? Used regularly? Orig. eng an trans? Transmission work, like a 're-seal' or OH? Engine updates, boat updates, like PP and such?

Link to the ad if you have it, as we're all super curious and nosy around here.

Ice should be gone up your way soon, so you're on the right track.

Welcome to the group.

Mark

who has it.

It sounds like you very much like that era and hull and sound. 7K for an '88 2001 Ski Nautique is the top of the market. You say upholstery is good, was it re-upholstered with original pattern skins?

If what you want is a 2001, and this one after closer inspection is "the one", meaning great mechanically and sound stringers and original pattern interior, then offer the dealer $5,600 and I bet you'll own it for $6,000. Most dealers don't want boats this old in their used inventory.

That’s what I’m after, I’m assuming this ones gone as it was posted2 years ago?

I took a look at the pics. Interior looks terrific, and with what appears to be all new, and correct skins. Same for carpet. If a new interior and good history and the floor and stringers check out, 7k isn’t too crazy a number with a trailer in good condition.

9500 is way too high. I’m just a touch over that on my 1996 SN, with good trailer and 460 hours, and like new on the inside, and some nice upgrades...

Bolin wrote: Thanks, is there a certain area on the stringers that normally goes bad first or do I need to try and get access to all of them?

Ya know Ben, stringer rot begins with floor rot, with the latter allowing water to begin to soak through and getting sucked up by the foam. Over time, the foam becomes waterlogged and the moisture starts breaking down the wood that surrounds it.

Weak spots in the floor are the typical 'high traffic areas'. In front of rear bench, were you're getting in and out all the time, and the floor around the pylon and drivers seat.

About the only access you have on these boats is the removable panel behind the engine cover, and the engine bay itself, that allows seeing the inboard side of the mains. Pulling the rear couch is also a good idea along with the gas tank panel, so you can see what might be going on back there, where a LOT of water can collect routinely.

Folks also recommend the 'ole "engine mounting bolt test", to determine if they are tight. Of course that ONLY tests that specific area, but could be a good gauge if one or more bolts are loose and won't tighten into the mains.

There more than a few members I suspect up your way that, like most of us right now, don't have much going on and might be up for a road trip to help you check it out...

Keep us posted.

Safe travels,

Mark

Yep, we are as we say in Pgh, a nebby group on this form!

Always baffles me why people asking top dollar don’t at minimum spend a day or in this case have the shop kid compound, polish and wax boat before listing!

Not saying this boat is worth the 7k or god forbid 9.5k but if you are going to try for that kinda money... make it look like it! Just bizarre!

609 is very low hours and if it was out of the water on covered lift or trailer that is good news for floor/stringers..

Just can’t imagine an owner keeping everything mint except the hull..

Here's Watercraft's listing on the 2001

Ben,
The only "pot stirring" I plan on doing with Ryan is telling him ever boat he has isn't worth a million bucks!!
Seriously, I what to take a good look at the stringers.

AAM196 wrote: Yep, we are as we say in Pgh, a nebby group on this form! Always baffles me why people asking top dollar don’t at minimum spend a day or in this case have the shop kid compound, polish and wax boat before listing! Not saying this boat is worth the 7k or god forbid 9.5k but if you are going to try for that kinda money... make it look like it! Just bizarre! 609 is very low hours and if it was out of the water on covered lift or trailer that is good news for floor/stringers.. Just can’t imagine an owner keeping everything mint except the hull..

I agree, don't get it. The pictures look like they are from one boat for interior and engine, another boat for hull.

Interestingly enough, the same dealer has a 91. Interior not as good, and same worn out gel.

I’d definitely get the intel on the PO’s and ask some questions.

Hi Guys,

Looking forward to meeting Ben tomorrow. If you don't have thick skin the marine biz, then you are in the wrong line of work. We all know Pete is straight shooter that always tells it like it is.

Some backstory for you though, since that is what a forum is all about.
I can certainly discuss in further detail why we didn't attack the exterior.   What it takes to purchase a trade in and get a deal done can affect what makes sense to stick into refab and each situation is different. That is the call I made on this boat.

This boat is gas and go with a terrific interior that has been well cared lived on a lift it's entire life, and just happened to get prevailing sun on both sides for the past 30 years. It happens.

There won't be any further negotiation as I do have the boat sold for more money, but committed to Ben and have been holding it, (against store policy without a deposit) because I thought Ben and I had a good rapport and it seemed like he would really enjoy it from our conversations. Not everything is about the almighty dollar, and as one of the few dealerships still selling traditional ski nautiques while still passing the handle as much as possible. we certainly try hard to keep people happy.

You will be happy to note that the 91 is sold as well. That was a boat that my team wanted to part out, but I thought it ran too well to let it go to it's grave. So we resurrected it with a few different pieces of interior and a windshield from another boat to make sure we had another affordable ski boat to get a family into the sport and the Correct Craft / Nautique family. Getting new people into our sport     

It's easy to have an opinion, but we are grinding 65-70 weeks trying to keep people happy and boating when there isn't much else to do for fun.

It is nice having Pete close by for the oddities. I will post a picture of the 77 ski nautique we have in for service with a cobbled together motor with a brand I have never heard of.

We are one of the few dealerships that will even look at anything past 2000, trying to keep it real as best we can.
On a bright note it looks like the weather will be a little nicer tomorrow.   We are looking forward to getting Ben on the water getting him into an awesome new ride.

Cheers- J. Ryan Lamon Vice President - Watercraft Sales.   

Tough life running an outdoor business depending on weather and things that are not necessary in life. I was 4 th generation in that and chose not to follow in their footsteps. Even tougher when you only have that one day in August- race to make everyone happy for that one day then start the process all over to put them away til the next August   

That sounds promising!

And I never said don’t buy it... my thinking is normally a used car dealer buffs the car out and hides the real issues! If Pete is confident in the stringers and mechanics of the boat as best as he can without a water test...that would be good enough for me to take that drive!

I can see demanding a bit more for a boat after storing for winter... we are now in their prime selling time frame. + the cost of a new inboard is thru the roof...

Good luck to all parties on this transaction. If it makes its way home with you... before you commit to wet sanding... try rotary buffer with wool pad and 3m compound... you might get lucky... if so finesse it 2 then wax 😉 and hit us with the before and after.

Ben,
Before you go after the hull sand/buff don't remove the decals until you trace them on some tracing paper. I don't know if there's a computer file on them but if there isn't one, the tracing can be used. A vinyl graphics shop will scan the full size trancing, clean up the rough edges on their computer and then use it to cut new vinyl, I do remember and did mention it that the clear/color fade on the decals is difficult but maybe there's a vinyl shop that can reproduce it. The problem as I understand it is the fade is actually produced by starting with clear vinyl and then the color is printed on the clear so it's a two step process. The clear areas allow the gel color of the hull to show and then the color area produce the fade. If the fade can't be reproduced, at least you can go with a solid color.

Is Ryan going to get it in the water for you?

Have a safe trip and keep us informed.

Roll tracing paper