need nautique info

[nelbird]

Hello, I am looking to buy my first inboard boat. I like the nautiques but know little about them. I almost bought a 93 sport nautique open bow 250 hrs for 14,000 but missed out. I would like to know what year nautiques were all fiberglass. I need an open bow and I need to stay around 15,000. I realy liked the 93 sport is this a good boat. We will need a boat for mostly wakeboarding but I also like to ski. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am also looking at a 96 malibu sunsetter lx any comments.
Thanks Ken

[skinautique]

Nautiques quit using wood all together in 1992. Since then, they have been using the same stringer system. It is either 93 or 94 when they changed the sport hull to a more versatile hull. It is the boat with a sloped transom and a removable swim platform. The hull before it was very very recreational and more suitable for wakeboarding only. Those boats had the platform integrated into the transom of the boat so it wasn't removable. The Nautique will definately hold its resale and quality up a lot better than the Malibu will for various reasons including quality of vinyl and other asthetic things. Hope this helps.

[NautiqueJeff]

First off, I believe Correct Craft stopped using wood in any part of their construction in 1992 or 1993. You might want to check out THIS THREAD (http://www.planetnautique.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=239&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=wood) if you're new to purchasing used inboards. There is some good information there.

The older Sport Nautiques are good boats, and can be had these days for a decent price. I would say that for what you intend to use the boat for, and your price range, it sounds like the Sport Nautique might be one of your best choices, especially if you're totally against any wood in the construction.

Here's a '97 for $19,900. A little above what you wanted to spend, but it looks like a pretty good boat. I've dealt with this dealer for the past few years, and have no complaints.
1997 Sport Nautique (http://www.whitelake.com/Bunn%2097%20spn.htm)

Here's a '95 also listed at $19,900. This happens to be at the dealer that I bought my current boat from.
1995 Sport Nautique (http://www.midohionautiques.com/Pre-owned/1995%20Sport%20CS%2022,250.00/1995%20Sport%2022,250.00%20Pre-Owned.htm)

You can find less expensive ones for sale by private parties. Make sure you check ANY used boat out thoroughly on and off the water before you buy.

[skinautique]

Not sure the price but I was on this dealers site and they have a 1996

http://www.silverspraysports.com/page38.html

[SGY]

If I'm not mistaken you are posting the same question on the MBO site regarding the Sunsetter. The Mailbu is a good boat--but I don't know anything specific regarding that particular model. And, since you are posting on a Nautique forum you really can't expect anyone to tell you to pick a Malibu over a Nautique here. Not going to happen.

BUT, in my honest opinion, I don't think Malibu had really caught up with CC by the mid 90s. I even had a Malibu dealer tell me that Malibu really didn't start catching up on building techniques until the late 90s. But in your price range you are going to have to stay early to mid 90s for a CC and a Bu. With that in mind I think you are going to be very happy with a 90 to 94 Sport Nautique. The construction and styling were unmatched for that period boat and way ahead of its time. My buddy has a 94 Sport and it is an awesome boat. Runs like a scalded dog and is a great wakeboard boat with an adequate ski wake. Again, way ahead of its time.

My advice would be to crawl around inside both brands. And, if you can, drive and ride behind both. I think the decision will be an easy one. A CC will cost you more than the same year Malibu. But the few thousand dollars more will be worth it.

Good luck. [/u]

[M3Fan]

1993 was the first year with no wood. 1992 was still wood. Check out the dealer brochures on correctcraftfan.com for info on these older boats. For the record, CC was waiting to switch because they had been testing composite stringer systems for years and wanted to make sure they would be perfect before rolling them out in 93.

[tryan]

there was a 92 sn in the local paper for 12.9k. look around. they are out there. boattrader, iboat, alboat, flipsell, whitelake, new england correct craft ect. you might pay less from a private buyer, but if you are getting your first boat, buying from a dealer that will support you does have it's advantages.

[nelbird]

I want to thank everyone for the info, it is very helpful. I still can't find a deal as good as the one I missed out on. These boats seem to sell fast if they are priced right.
Ken.

[SGY]

As I indicated in an earlier post, my buddy has a 94 Sport. We store our boats in the same garage for the winter. I have to tell you, his Sport next to my 206 looks pretty dang good. If one didin't know anything about inboards one would say that both boats are of the same vintage. The more I look at it the more impressed I am. Its a great family ski and wakeboard boat with lots of room and function. That vintage Sport rides really well and is one of the fastest inboards still around.

When you find one that you are interested in please post any questions--I love to help others spend their money on boats. :D

[gn6027]

I just ran across www.waterskiboat.com. They have a good variety of boats for sale.