Old ski boats

kyle hyams · Backside 180 Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Posts: 641 City: maitland

So I'm entertaining the idea of picking up an old ski boat, like an old Ski Nautique or a 2001. Just wanted to know from whoever rides that type of vessel, how they like it and how the wake is. I'm not looking for a huge wake or anything, just something fun that I can maybe go w2w and i/o.

Thank you online forum community.

OverEasy · Pop Shuvit Joined: 08 Aug 2005 Posts: 167 City: Richardson

I used to have a '94 Ski Nautique (closed bow), and it was awesome. The wake wasn't huge, but it had a great shape, and responded well to added weight. I've never ridden behind one, but I've only heard good things about the 2001 models that came out from '82 to '89.

I really don't think you can go wrong with any direct drive ski boat. You just have to be ready to deal with the maintenance that may be needed for older boats (wood floors, stringers, etc.).

BB · Backside 180 Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 1706

My buddy has an older Nautique that puts out a nice wake. It's not the nicest boat to cruise around in but great to ride behind. If you can find one that is in good shape I would say go for it.

nate · Frontside 180 Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 278 City: ATX

Those boats put up serious wake. You will be happy with any of those. My buddy has a Supreme. I dont know much about it. It's an older ski boat, but the wake is awesome. It's also holds speed surprisingly well.

uidzero · Kickflip Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 3839 City: Casselberry

Even the smaller ski tique has a really fun wake with only two people in the boat Cool

I'd get a 2001 if I could though just for the extra space on the inside.

kyle hyams · Backside 180 Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Posts: 641 City: maitland

Thanks guys. Yeah I'm not looking for anything to put crazy weight in. Something to ride behind and can take more than two people and the digs out in.

Those vintage 'tiques are so boss.

JennyDanger · Faceplant Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 29 City: Chuluota

Don't get anything past 1980. You don't want to end up with a badass looking vintage correct craft that can't handle weight, is stuck in forward, and has rot stringers.

The 2001 editions are supposed to be epic.

JennyDanger · Faceplant Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 29 City: Chuluota

Almost forgot, check this site out for older Nautiques for sale:

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forsale/

key · Posted: May 20, 2010 12:15 pm Post subject:

dido the 2001's!!!! buddy had one with a bunch of lead and it was a serious wake!! Birthday

kyle hyams · Backside 180 Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Posts: 641 City: maitland

coricluster · Backside 180 Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 1826 City: berlin

i have a 2001. its a 1983. the boat has no ballast at all besides just the wieght of the people in the boat and the gas and the wake is easily a little over knee high. it gets bigger with ballast but i dont see a need for it. the stringers in these boats are wood. so make sure that you walk around on the floor and make sure there is no soft spotts....usually when the wood is soft the stringers are also rotten. i have had 2 of them. and im sure that they both have rot in the stringers. but mine rides great and runs awesome. they are super easy to work on. i have wanted a newer boat a few times but i always end up with the older ones. they are epic boats.

coricluster · Backside 180 Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 1826 City: berlin

here is mine.

mojo · Posted: May 20, 2010 2:36 pm Post subject:

2001's are sick. just really check the floor for soft spots on anything made before 93 in a correct craft boat. they stopped using wood stringers in 93. check for rust, check the oil, test drive it, etc. correctcraftfan.com is probably your best resource and getting to know these boats, how to fix them, what to watch for, and they have classifieds also. you should join the family

JennyDanger · Faceplant Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 29 City: Chuluota

mojo · Posted: May 20, 2010 10:19 pm Post subject:

usually looking at a rebuild around 2000-2500 hours also. and jenny that is one beautiful boat. nautiques for life.

kyle hyams · Backside 180 Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Posts: 641 City: maitland

I looked at two today, one was at a dealership and one was at the home of a salesperson from a dealership. The one at the dealership was decent but showed the signs of worn out stringers (mushy floorboard in the back and a spider crack in the fiberglass on the outside). The other one was in better shape. The main stringers were in great shape minus one between the engine cover and seats, but I don't think that one causes any structural damage. I didn't get to take it on the water (yet) but she started up like nothing and purred like a kitten.

They need a little rubbing compound and some elbow grease but nothing major.

A pylon would be the way to go though, a tower just wouldn't look as classy on these older vessels.

coricluster · Backside 180 Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 1826 City: berlin

all of them boats get spider cracks. nothing much u can do about that besides sand and paint. its nothing to worry about. if its in good shape, get it.

EJazzle · Posted: May 20, 2010 11:00 pm Post subject:

JennyDanger, the ski cuda with no neutral or reverse is the sh*t. Laughing

kyle, with pretty much any of these boats from the 80's you are gonna be looking at rotted stringers unless they have been redone. Me and my buddy put new stringers in his boat and it wasn't that bad.

88skisupreme · Backside 180 Joined: 11 Nov 2004 Posts: 1342 City: ATX

coricluster · Backside 180 Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 1826 City: berlin

Why not. Awl grip gets used everyday on million dollar boats. In that picture of my boat that 68 foot viking right next to mine is painted with awl grip. Six million dollar boat. Don't talk if you don't know what your talking about