1st nautique... To my knowledge its a 1996 ski nautique

[jzmolik]

First post of my first nautique. Got it dirt cheap and plan on adding some sound and lights and a bimini on the tower. Any suggestions for what brands and location of speakers/lights? Thanks in advance!!!!

[scott resick]

The hull number stamped under the rub rail in the back corner will give you your year. No title?

[xlair]

Ski nautique fo sho. Not sure it is a 1996 though as they had a clamshell motorbox. Looks to be 94 or 95

[Rick]

Here's a link or you can search hull number. http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/sh...ht=hull+number . If you look on the back of the boat on the drivers side under the rub rail there will be a hull number there is a letter that tells you the month of manufacture and the last 2 numbers are the model year. I believe 96 was the first year of no wood in the boat. The search function will answer alot of your questions. If you post more pictures of the engine, and interior it will help with the identity. Welcome you are going to love it.

[s_kelley2000]

Cool link on the hull numbers, I will have to translate mine later.

When you say "no wood in the boat" are you talking about panels like combing pads, etc? If so then 96 might be right. If you are talking about wood stringers then 93 was the first year they started using composite stringers in all of their boats. The only exception to that might be the Nautique Excel/BFN still had wood stringers in 93 and 94 but I am not sure that rumor has ever been confirmed.

[jzmolik]

Ok so it is a '95 model. Just looked at the title. So heres my next question, if budget wasnt an issue what would be some upgrades you would do to this thing?

[Rick]

Does it have PerfectPass? That is the best speed control you can get.( I know I know but Zero Off wont work on a non drive by wire boat...)

[jzmolik]

Ya i was told perfect pass cant be installed on my boat. This is my 1st inboard/ski boat. Can someone explain why i cant? .... If this needs to move to another thread feel free to move it. But ill keep posting pics as i get time to work on it

[swc5150]

You can install Perfect Pass in it. Someone wasn't informed or being straight with you. You may be able to find a used system on ski-it-again.com Keep in mind you don't have drive-by-wire throttle, so you'll need a setup with a servo motor.

[Rick]

They are probably thinking that you can't buy the newest. However you could put 6.5 or even Wakeboard pro. I also think you could use the stargazer. SWC is right you will need a servo. You will probably also need a paddlewheel installed through the hull. If you can't find one let me know. I think I have an extra 1.

[Txpilot83]

Sweet boat. Really like the color combo. I got a 176 last year and currently working on doing the same upgrades. What lake you planning on going to? I'm in Irving and usually go to Grapevine. Looks like your tower already has speakers. You just wanting to upgrade? My boats very similar to yours and I started a thread in the stereo section titled something like "ground up stereo build" (sorry don't know how to correctly add a like to it) that might help you out. Mines a 96 with a GT-40 and the PO installed Perfect Pass so I know it can be done. I does have the paddle wheel added through the hull and I'm almost positive it has the servo. It's the "DigitalPro" 6.5N by PerfectPass.

[wakeboarder3780]

I would really focus on seriously pursuing perfect pass. It's referred to jokingly as "the marriage saver" for a reason. I had a boat without it for about 3 years and I can honestly say PP is absolutely the number 1 addition to put on your boat - before audio even I'd say, but that's just me.

If anyone wakeboards in the group I'd try your best to at least get some sacs that you can fill up as it will greatly enhance the wake - however as a DD keep in mind that this will also really cloud up your walkways and make it cumbersome to walk through the boat. I still say its completely worth it if anyone wakeboards though.

[swc5150]

Rick makes a good point. If you don't want to drill a hole in the bottom of your hull for a paddle wheel, install Stargazer. SG has a great pull, and it gives you an accurate clock If you're heavy into slalom, you can even go one step further with Perfect Pass Z Box (Zero Off simulator).

[bhectus]

The biggest bang for your buck is going to be a new prop. Surprised nobody has mentioned that yet. I'm copying Tim Benjamin's reccomendation to another gentleman from CCFan, but Tim is usually spot on with his prop advice. He's done his homework.

"Any of the CNC props made for the direct drive 1.23 boats (422, 470, 1442, 428, etc) should improve just about every single aspect of the boats performance over the stock cast Federal- holeshot, speed holding, midrange power, smoothness and top end. The one that will see the least benefit is the top end, but Ive yet to see a properly matched CNC prop slow a boat down.

42mph @4200rpm is a pretty slow hull, but not radically so. Some No Wake Zone (1990-1996) Ski Nautiques just bury the nose, so Im guessing you have one of these. Of course, if you havent tuned the boat up (cap/rotor/plugs/wires/timing/alignment/etc) then I would do that first. If you still only pull 4200 RPM then you'll want a prop that gets you into the 4400-4600 RPM range at WOT. If you have no intentions of ever adding power, then Id say the 470 would probably be your best choice, followed closely by the 1442 based on how you use the boat. I would expect a marginal increase in top end (43ish).If you wakeboarded, then the 1458 would probably be one to consider- that would give you a bit more RPM at all speeds but would most likely slow the boat down on top.

Chris, Delta is a great place to get a prop- good prices, customer service, repair, etc. I have seen some iffy prop recommendations come from them though- I would stick with the advice shared on these forums instead. Call Acme directly if you want- they are another good source of info. Of course, most of it comes from their customer trials and testing... which often leads right back to these forums. I have no idea where Delta gets the data to base their recommendations. "

[swc5150]

If you want buy an Acme prop, pm Jody Seal (teamseal), and he'll set you up at a great price.