1998 Sport Nautique - Rudder Port Access

[nautiquesonly]

I have a question and hope someone here can help me with the answer. I have asked a few Nautique dealeships and they were unable to help with this one. I have a 1998 Sport Nautique and want to check the rudder port and steering assembly but the panels inside the rear hatch seem to be unremovable without removing the gas tank or looseing the lift ring hardware. I have removed the floor board just behind the engine hatch but does not allow me to access the rear area. Anyone have any ideas here or accessed this before? I sure could use some help here.

Thanks,

Nautiquesonly

[DanielC]

This is a wild guess because I do not have a 1998 Sport Nautique to practice on, this is just based on my experience with an "Air Nautique" direct drive boat. The hull is the same, but I also had to deal with ballast tanks. It was a few years ago, so details might be sketchy, or missing.
A basic philosophy I try to use is this. What man has put together, man can take apart.
I did not have to remove the lift ring to get into this area.

On many Correct Craft boats, there is enough flex in the various panels that you can get them out, with out breaking them. Try to see in the piece forming the floor in the trunk area goes under the gas tank. It might just be sitting in there, with only a corner or edge under the gas tank. You might have to remove a cover that goes over the lifting ring bolt.
If you can get the trunk floor up, you should have access to the rudder, and pitman arm.
See if you can do that, and report back.

[WakeSlayer]

My buddies brother has that boat. He says he removed the panels in the trunk and could get access to the rudder port.
Is your steering tight? Or do you think you have a leak? Kind of strange that a dealer would not be able to help describe how to get access...

[nautiquesonly]

Well I have been in the trunk and I must say I am pretty mechanically inclined and the only way I see to remove the center panel is to move the gas tank forward. I spoke to Bruce at N3 Boatworks and he said he believes this is what you have to do but was not sure. The center panel is secured by the platform bracket and lift ring assembly so taking that apart is an option but one I dont want to do. I dont see anyway of just removing the panel as there is no flex these are much to stiff. Did your buddies brother have to move the tank forward? The steering is a bit tight but the cable is almost new so I want to lube up the rudder port first. Any insight here is much appreciated.

Happy New Year,

Nautiquesonly

[mcbridek]

Does the 98 have the rear Storage compartment ? I thought it did. On my 99 Sport, you first remove the storage area floor panel (carpet covered flexible one piece). Once this is up, you can see two "hard" floor panels, but if I remember, pulling them up is blocked by the carpet covered "flex" panel that is against the fuel tank (covers the rear side of the tank). Once you remove this panel, the two hard panels on the floor come up. The two hard panels are pulled up on the fuel tank side - meaning pull up on the side of the panel closest to the fuel tank. Your might be different, because this is pretty straight forward when you are looking at it.

[nautiquesonly]

Yes my 98 has the rear storage compartment. I have removed the flexible piece and mine only has the hard single panel in the middle. They may have changed this in 99 not sure. I have removed the floor panel behind the engine and the only way I see to access this is to move the gas tank forward. The middle panel is under the tank and held in by the lift ring/platform bracket. I spoke to White Lake and they were not sure. If anyone has done this before I move the tank and has any insight I appreciate it. Other than that I am going to move the tank its not that bad looking at it. I appreciate the help.

Nautiquesonly

98 Sport Nautique/GT40

[nautiquesonly]

Came home early today and moved the gas tank forward and there you go center piece comes right up to access everything. Took less than an hour to do.

Nautiquesonly

98 Sport Nautique/GT40