Tips for older Nautique purchase

Wow....small world!!  I think you're right , that the stringers are tired. There is some "Great Stuff" around the exhaust tubes where they leave the manifold so I know they were trying to band-aid something.  One thing I'll say is the engine sounds awesome, idles great, and jumps when I hit it.  It came with a nice Eagle Trailer and the lines of that boat are awesome so I'll put it in the water this weekend just to get the feel for it and then prepare to fix it up.  I was hoping to get away with new upholstery, buffing the hull, some better gauges, polishing the metal, etc.  It sounds like I may need to consider replacing the stringers.............I saw some pictures of that work in progress.  It looks like a LOT of work, and that's if I knew how to do it.  I just retired (early), so I have time and some energy so I'll see if it's in scope for me.  I need to get it in front of an expert to see if the stringers need to be replaced (I'm guessing they didn't repair them after you looked at it.  The timeline of their purchase in 1972 or 73 seems to match but they screwed up the registration along the way and it now states that it is a 1973 boat.

I really wish you could see it and tell me what's right and what's wrong.  I don't want to replace upholstery and have to replace the floor and stringers after.

We'll be in touch I'm sure.

Rory

Gary,

College years needing the $$$

By the way....1970 Correct Craft Barracuda

Rory,

You're fine with what you've done. Starting a new thread would just eliminate any confusion between your boat and any the OP'r has. 

I'll take the challenge and say the Tique will be better than the Glastron. Flatter bottom so a flatter wake on the Tique. 

I forgot you have a 2006, so you know the difference.

Yes, a different prop would help the Glastron.  But, it already winds pretty high at WOT and cruising, which the boat is used for most of the time, would be impacted negatively I think.

Get a Tique! We can tell how much you look forward to the old school sound and feel. It will be a blast to ski behind.  One more comment ... after having an inboard to ski with most of the time for 40 years now, I really don't enjoy the I/O. I remind every skier it's back there when they are ready to jump in, and just generally prefer not to have a prop and outdrive as compared to the safety of the inboards.

1. Is a later tique essentially the same as a Mustang?

2. Is a 302 easy to winterize?  I imagine the steps are drain the block, drain the intakes, disconnect the waterpump pickup, place waterpump intake in RV antifreeze, start fog.  

Is that correct?  also realize oil change and filter should occur too.

Please let me know.  I have always had my newer Nautique done for me but was wondering if i could do this one.  Thanks to all for the replies.  Great site.