Added a new boat

[motoxr]

We made a big move over a year ago whereby our house is now on the water, in addition to our cottage.

This made the tough (ok not too tough) decision to buy a second ski boat. Clearly can't afford 2 new boats.

Last year we bought a 2014 Prostar, which we love, yet could not afford to duplicate that.

Delighted that we added a 2004 ski Nautique with only 324 hours on it. However, it did need lots of cleaning as they didn't clean the hull before putting it aware for winter. Spent most of the last week working on it. Thought I would share the new boat. 

Still more polishing to go to clean up oxidation, yet it's FAR better than it was.

Yes, that is the Prostar trailer.....had to use it temporarily.

Edited May 14, 2023 by motoxr
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[RAWSki]

That's a great little boat! I should serve you well.

[6balls]

You might just like driving/skiing it better than the prostar!  I love me some 196

[motoxr]

Having always read terrific posts about the 196 here on BOS, I thought it would be a fantastic boat. The initial test drive was impressive. Now I want to really clean it up before we start using it.

Really excited to have it!

[BKistler]

Nice find. Put some weight in it and you’ll have a great trick boat. 

[6balls]

I did a new steering cable and rudder packing right after I got mine and the steering was marvelously smooth.  What motor do you have?  Speed control?  Depending on motor you could Z.O. it.  @thager has an awesome mounting solution right in the driver's side cup-holder for the control module.  

Here is another one:

https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/boa/d/shelbyville-2003-correct-craft-ski/7619527539.html

 

 

[jpwhit]

Nice boat! Seems like we think alike, we both have a ProStar and now an older Nautique. But mine is more of a project boat than yours! I picked it up last year and haven't really started on it yet. But my workshop out-building at the lake house should be done in the next 6-8 weeks and then this project will get going. 

[motoxr]

11 hours ago, 6balls said:

I did a new steering cable and rudder packing right after I got mine and the steering was marvelously smooth.  What motor do you have?  Speed control?  Depending on motor you could Z.O. it.  @thager has an awesome mounting solution right in the driver's side cup-holder for the control module.  

Here is another one:

https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/boa/d/shelbyville-2003-correct-craft-ski/7619527539.html

 

 

That's an interesting comment about ZO.

It has the Excalibur 330 engine. The speed control was not included, so I just ordered the Perfect Pass Stargazer with ZBox.

Was ZO an option for me?

[rockdog]

@motoxrno not on that engine.

[MISkier]

Excalibur engine can be converted to ZO with minimal effort, but is not a plug and play.

[motoxr]

Thank you rockdog and MISkier.

I think I will stick with the PP ZBox install then. That will be over the next couple of weeks. 

[Lieutenant Dan]

@MISkier is correct. One of my ski partners has a 2003 196 limited like the OP and it was converted to ZO a number of years ago. I can’t recall what exactly needed to be done but @Jody_Seal would know…

[Jody_Seal]

it's funny , just got off the phone with a fella in Canada with an 03 and a naff mefi controller. either looking for a replacement or updating to E control.  any one out that has done the conversion and still have their mefi controller hit me up I may have a home for it..

E control requires complete engine wire harness replacement as well as a few mounting brackets and ecm and sending units. 

[rockdog]

@MISkier minimal effort? No.

[MISkier]

@rockdog, I guess I was comparing it to an engine swap.