Good Deal On a 2000 Air Nautique?

[aluchij]

2000 Air Nautique with 320MPI Chevy Apex engine.
Included options: Digital perfect pass, amp, tower speakers, sub, Nautique wakeboard racks, bimini, bow cover, full cover, tandem trailer, depth gauge, 3 speed heater, shower, ballast tanks, jump seat.
240 hrs. Guy is asking $24k. Any info would be helpful since i am new to buying these types of boats. I think the boat needs a new prop and has a bent fin.

let me know your thoughts.. Thanks guys

[rbalan]

RE: Good Deal On a 2000 Air Nautique?

A damaged prop and fin could mean something else is damaged (shaft, fiberglass, etc.) I would only consider this boat if it was under 20, and still have a reputable mechanic check out the damage first. BTW, I purchased a 2000 Air about this time last year. If you are looking at boats around 2000 model year, check for bad gauges as most have problems as well as ballast pumps. Good luck!

[KD7000Guy]

RE: Good Deal On a 2000 Air Nautique?

I bought a 2000 Pro Air last year also. The boat had about 350 hrs on it and it has the GT-40. The boat has been great! We ski mostly and wakeboard somet. The digital gauges are pretty much shot, but I am having them swaped out this spring for std. gauges along with new speakers. Also my ballast pumps are fine, but don't get used a ton. If we we weight the boat we normally just use fat sacks. Your boat has pretty much the same thing as mine and with only 240 hrs I would say its a decent price. I agree with rbalan, having a mechanic check it out would be a good idea. If he says it checks out....I think you would like the boat.

[mcbridek]

RE: Good Deal On a 2000 Air Nautique?

Given the Options listed and 240 hours, if the boat has been well cared for (exec condition) then that is an good price. Care and condition are key. My view is the 98 - 2002 Sport / Air is an excellent cross over boat. I have a 99 Sport. GT40, tower ballast... Good for slalom (not tournament) and weighted not bad for the type of wakeboarding that 90% of us do. You can really improve the wake with a bit more then the 400 lbs. I would not worry about ballast pumps, even if they work, I would replace with higher volume pumps to reduce fill/empty time. On mine, 400 lbs takes 2 minutes

On 2000 model guages below is a thread.


http://planetnautique.com/index.php?...ghlight=gauges

[aluchij]

Awesome info thanks guys. My wife and I just moved onto a ski/wakeboard only lake and are looking for a good crossover boat under 25k, so we thought this would fit our needs. I am going to take the boat to a mechanic as you suggested. Anything else you would do before making the puchase?

[rbalan]

Let me clarify my post. $24,000 would be a great price for that boat without prop/fin damage and decently taken care of. If the mechanic says it'll cost x amount to fix and everything else checks out (shaft, hull, rudder,etc.), price accordingly plus the inconvenience of having it fixed yourself.

Also, I would get underneath while its on the trailer, obviously, and meticulously check for fiberglass work or the need to do so with a flashlight i.e. look for slightly discolored spots, deep scratches, and chips. Fiberglass work is VERY expensive. I'm not trying to scare you away from this boat, but it seems like for every one problem found during inspection, there is 2.25 more found later on or soon after.