1984 Ski nautique questions

astro209 · Soul Rider Joined: 09 Oct 2003 Posts: 279 City: Nor*Cal

How hard is it to find parts for this boat??? I am thinking of buying one really cheap and fixing it up.

Lucky · Posted: Oct 14, 2003 9:35 am Post subject:

Not hard at all. PCM still makes all of the motor parts and you can buy them easily. Correct Craft still has inventory new and used for replacement parts. Really the engine is the biggest issue and that is not going to be a problem for you.

astro209 · Soul Rider Joined: 09 Oct 2003 Posts: 279 City: Nor*Cal

Does anyone know where I can find specifications on this boat. The internet is really sparse on the boats.

fuel · Outlaw Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Posts: 110 City: Gatesville

Actually, making sure the stringers are not rotted out is the biggest issue.

As far as the engine goes, finding parts is no big deal. It's just a 351 Ford. Your local autoparts store should carry everything that is not specifically for marine engines. Check out www.skidim.com for just about any inboard boat part.

Funkster · Posted: Oct 14, 2003 7:24 pm Post subject:

astro209, you can get alot of the parts on www.skidim.com

astro209 · Soul Rider Joined: 09 Oct 2003 Posts: 279 City: Nor*Cal

How do I check the stringers, what are they ( I think they are the pieces of wood that run along the bottom of the boat, right?)? Can they be replaced or repaired if damaged? Hum, how about everyone give me their thoughts on what I should look for, keep in mind that I can get the boat for $2,500 bucks. So I am expecting to put some work into it, but I do not want something that is going to fall apart in my hands either....

Thanks

vette74 · Posted: Oct 16, 2003 10:38 am Post subject:

My boss is replacing stringers on his Glastron you do NOT want to do that he has spend every weekend for almost a month doing it plus longer reading books, watching videos, ect... and it was not cheap by the time he bought everything.

The stingers run front to back and side to side under the deck. Look carefully at these because you have to take everything out of the boat to replace them.

Also make sure the vinyl is in good shape he got a quote of $2700 for a 16' boat. Shocked

Good Luck

astro209 · Soul Rider Joined: 09 Oct 2003 Posts: 279 City: Nor*Cal

Dude, you should tell him to get a second opinion, I have gotton quote's for much less then that. The last quote I got to re-vinyl the entire inside of my 19' was $900. Can I even look at the stringers without taking the boat apart? What else should I look for...

vette74 · Posted: Oct 16, 2003 12:37 pm Post subject:

You can see the stringers if you lift up the engine cover usually the motor mounts will be sitting on them they are usually fiberglassed in but look for cracks in the glass where water can get in and rot them out. On those boats look in the bow compartment for the same.
Other than that I would bring a compression tester with you and test out all 8 cylinders. Open up the cap where you put the oil in on the valve cover and check to see any gummy oil deposits, this will give you an indication on how the previous owner took care of the boat or how often he changed oil. When you fire it up check to see if the engine is smoking excessively. Check the oil in the gear box, look for metal shavings and see if it was ever changed. Look for soft spots in the deck.
Do a search on the web and remember these things have a tail light warranty, make sure you look it over good before you take it home.

astro209 · Soul Rider Joined: 09 Oct 2003 Posts: 279 City: Nor*Cal

vette74, Awesome suggestions, I am going to do all of those things. The guy is selling it as-is, no warrenty, and they used to be rentals. I know that sounds bad, but I thought the $2,500 price tag pretty much makes up for that don't you think? I will look at all the things that you mentioned and let you guys know. I am looking at it tomorrow. Wish me luck!!!

vette74, thanks again....

vette74 · Posted: Oct 16, 2003 1:05 pm Post subject:

$2500 is a real good deal if every thing checks out ok.
Oh yea. You might want to spin the shaft to or put it in gear if you cannot drive it and check for vibration.
Good luck Very Happy

wakerwes · Outlaw Joined: 31 Aug 2003 Posts: 135 City: belgium

vette74, nice tips. just what i need.
this weekend i gonna take a look at a ski nautique 2001 89,
engine rebuild? he says so?
surely gonna use your tips
thanks
anyone else more Idea

flsurflover · Outlaw Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 131 City: Melbourne, FL

Don't buy any boat without driving it first.
Try every switch, guage, and button and see what doesn't work.
Check for bent rudder, prop, shaft, and fins.
Check hull for major cracks, chips, and holes.
Check out the rust on the trailer, especially the metal DIRECTLY touching the carpeted wooden bunk supports. These rot out, and new trailers aren't cheap for these narrow inboards.
$2500 is waaay below blue book so try to find out why he's selling it so cheap. Might be ignorance, might need to get rid of it in a hurry, might have major problems.
If the floor has soft spots in the floor (rotten wood) that is a major pain to repair once you put a foot through it.
Check transmission fluid for good level and no milky pink color (water in fluid).
Check the compression on every cylinder or you are rolling the dice on an engine rebuild.
Good price, hope it turns out to be a good deal!

marcg · Addict Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 944 City: Salt Lake City

For 2500 I am surprised this boat would be in running order!....if it is it is a steal