opinions on a 1973 nautique

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Justin and I have been looking for a ski boat for a few months now and have decided on a ski nautique. I found a 1973 locally and i have a few questions. The boat seems like it is in decent shape but there are a few areas that need addressing. None of the lights work but it has new gauges. The rub rail is in horrible shape. Can these still be found? The nose of the deck has so cracks in it from possiblely the trailer. Looks almost crushed. I havent heard it run yet...he's working on getting it started. Its got new carpet and there doesnt seem to be any soft spots. The trailer is home made, not the best to look at and kind of rusty (he used the boat in salt water). It also has the 318 chrysler motor in it. He's asking right under 4k. Should i move on or consider?

well he said he flushed it after every time he used it...it looks pretty straight...has some surface rust on the mounts and transmission. He replaced the risers 3 years ago and they look decent. Its an ok lookin boat except for all the fading and the rub rail. Its got one spider crack on the corner where it looks like someone may have come in a little too hot. He's trying to get it started today and I am supposed to go look at it tomorrow again.

doesn't sound like a bad deal as long as the motor fires up. If the motor becomes a problem you could always rebuild it just cut him on the price, I would cut him on the price already just because of the saltwater use but 4K-5K is average price for a fresh water 70's nautique even if he doesn't come down.

orrr...rubrails.com
reid i'll be in a 1999 forest green E-150 custom conversion van,gold stripes & fiberglass running boards,ky tags and a little silver propeller stuck in the recever.
just buried dad yesterday.i'll be there a little later than planed,but i'll be there.

Good luck with the boat Jeepguy. Keep us posted. Rubrails.com? where have I been? Kenny, we're all sorry to learn of your loss. We'll be glad to help you move on. I hear the Bayshore Estates campground resort is rather large. We'll do a "drive by" looking for you in our '74 Vega wagon or '76 Pacer with the tow package. And if both of them break down then look for a 1998 autumn orange (I didn't make that up) Explorer or white Aviator. But we won't be in until very late Thursday/early Friday. I'm psyched.

Rob, We'll look hard, but I'm not sure we'll be able to pick you out. We should probably be adding this info to the "Who's going to Cedar Point" thread that I believe you started a week or so back. I'll jump to that one and request some contact - hookup info.