Just brought home a '77 Ski Nautique that I believe is in very  good condition.  Obviously, the radio and speakers are an addition (unfortunate, but not too bad).

I am most curious about the gauges.  Lots of them, transmission pressure?.  Looks like the gas gauge is not original, maybe others.  The Sun tach looks like a good one, is it original?  The trans pressure gauge does not show up well, it is behind the wheel.

Also, I noted that the outside calibration of the Airguides is in KPH, is this typical?  The look original.  Pretty sure the boat is from GA, not CAN!

The new home for the boat will be inside heated storage, so she should stay in great condition!

Appreciate any input on the gauges, anyone have a good period gas gauge available?

Robert

And a barometer? 

The Sun tach...........well no it's not original 

The upholstery, it ain't original but it sure looks good in the pictures 

Notable extra gauges are water pressure(?) and trans pressure.  If it works, the water pressure could be handy to monitor raw water pump operation.  There are at least 2 water temp gauges, will have to see what's up with that.

The gas gauge looks newer and out of place, anyone know the ohm range of a '77 sending unit so I can get something that looks more correct?

Good idea, I will have to add a barometer!  Altimiter?...Elevation probably does not change much once on the lake, LOL.

33 to 240 ohms

33 would be full   240 would be empty.

It's a marine industry standard these days and was back then too for USA gauges. European stuff is different but you shouldn't have to worry about that.

Boat started right up, gas gauge said 3/4 tank.  Oil and tranny fluid were at the top marks, both looked clean.  Boat actually came with a PCM labelled oil filter with 4/20 date written on it.  PO indicated that he had a good marine mechanic for annual maintenance.  Boat has a raw water screen that looked clean before and after.

She sounds fantastic, runs very well.  My former business partner (FBP) and son both got up on first pull.  I did, also, sort of.

My impressions are that it cuts through small waves better than the '76 MC Stars/stripes that I have (but out of commission for years) and better than the MC 205 that FMB has.  The MC 205 probably has a smaller/better ski wake, but the '77 SN is more fun to drive, IMO.

My 24 year old son is generally critical of my purchases, but he likes the SN!  

Lastly, many of the excessive gauges don't work.  Both Airguides moved but need repair, and no readout from the very nice looking Sun Tach.  Water temp indicated 145 (a little low?), oil pressure was 25 at idle and 52 during a long ski pull, amps and volts indicate charge.  Tranny pressure was boring, stayed in the middle of the range.  Several other gauges did not seem to indicate anything.  Getting all of them working will be a fun project.  I will check the shaft and alignment, but probably get an Acme 540 prop that is reported to reduce the (very) minor vibration we felt.  Boat still has the Federal 13x13 that does not have a nick on it!

 

Our 78 seemed to find something to plug up a speedo almost every trip out.  I kept a small wire that was bent at a 90* angle.  Got to where I could lean over the swim platform, reach under and clean out the pitot in about 30 seconds and my speedo's would be back on track.  GPS was not available yet when I had my 78 so we all guessed to get as close as possible to accurate.  I actually ran a 13 x 14 federal on mine and liked it.  Had lots of top speed and still plenty of hole shot but I was never in a short course with that boat.  My buddy liked to one foot barefoot and I could do that at 45 mph in that boat no problem.   He had a new 2001 bought in 1982 that could not go over 40 with a barefooter in tow.  Nice boat for sure but I always ragged on him that it had no top speed.

Great on the first run and I know there will be many more ahead.