303Skier

@wcalroberts That boat is sold and it didn't have a trailer. @Roger I could contact the owner and set something up for you to take a look?

@LeonL I called the guy and he rated the boat at a B+. Said it was in great shape overall and just had oil changed, new steering cable. I reached out to Roger, see if he's willing to go check it out for me.

@Roger yeah I really want this boat and don't really have the time to get down there to look at it :( I'd have to get it shipped up here to CO.

The guy said he lives on the same lake Jaret Llewellyn lives on in Lake Worth, FL.

Hey Ballers! I'm very interested in picking this boat up but I live in Colorado. Has anyone seen it or know the guy who owns it? Also anyone interested in helping me out to go look at it? http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?endless=summer&topic=Search&postid=33730

@PT Mike can you post some pictures of the boat and engine? I think we'd all love to see it! Even if I don't do the project I want this to be a good thread to help others out.

@gginco sure Greg, just loan me the $40k ;)

@ShaneH How did the guy like the wake and pull?

Teaser from David Long

You guys are scaring me!! Haha. Okay I havea lot to think about! @skier2788 Can that boat you sent me lint to be converted?

@Alberto Soares Why wouldn't you do it? I've never been bothered by the spray and I get into 38 off 36mph. Is the spary your only consideration? Can you elaborate?

Are the battery terminals getting hot when you try and start it? Clean up battery, charge and double check. Also check oil on dip stick...is it milky white or brown?

@skier2788 Thanks for the link Travis! I think this would be a little more work then I want to do. Plus by the time I buy the ECM and other supporting bolt-on's it would probably be too much money.

Or even better, does anyone have a used ZO they need to unload?

Also here is a picture of the tug

@Fast351 I haven't researched the gauges yet but this is great to know! I just found this great article on history of gauges in automotive and marine. http://faria-instruments.com/canbus.php

@skier2788 I'd love to come ski behind you tug and see for myself how the 343 ZO would feel! My 94 is a throttle body EFI and already has the return line back to the tank. The PCM engine would have the low and high pressure pump already attached, no need for a sending unit. The gauges will probably be my biggest hurdle as I've heard they might not work depending on the engine I get and sending units on it. I haven't researched the raw water p/u but I'm sure that will be the least of my worries. I'll PM you for a ride before it gets cold!

@Onside135 Thanks a ton...this will be a huge asset in my project! @DW @Nautibynature @wtrskior Those are some great questions to ask and take note of. The current engine has a crack in the block. Not sure how it happened being that it isn't winter and hasn't frozen? We were having some issues with it cranking and thought it was the starter. replaced started and still had the same issue. When you go to crank the boat, it seems like the engine is locked up/seized. If you crank hard enough and get the engine to break loose it will start and run great! We then looked on the dip stick and in the valve cover and it's obvious a lot of water has gotten into the oil. So at this point it could be a cracked block or cracked heads/intake manifold...the list goes on. Engine hasn't been broken down yet.

@ozski what year is your 196?

@rockdog What I want to know is if there is anything I'm missing? Is this boat going to be good enough to mimic newer ZO boats. I think I know what I'm talking about but i'm sure there is something I'm no thinking of.

@dtm8119 the project on Teamtalk looks a lot more involved then what I have planned. From what I understand the 5.7 Excalibur mounts right in the same place the old engine is and also mounts to the original transmission. All I would need to do is run some fuel lines, rout the throttle cable to opposite side of motor and possibly relocate the oil filter bracket. Oh and wire ZO in.

@skier2788 I spoke to Jody and I can get a bobtail 343 for around $9k dropped shipped. Add an extra $1600 for ZO and another $500 for miscellaneous parts and I have a ZO boat for $11K. With my current situation it's going to cost me at least $2,500 for a short block. So if you really think about it, if I sell my Perfect Pass with Z-box ($1000), other parts off my old 350 ($500) and cost of new short block ($2,500) it might be as cheap as $7.5k. My dad and I are mechanics, we would do all the work installing the engine. I just don't see why I'd spend $20+K on a new boat when I could get what I'm after for $10k? If the boat wouldn't feel at all close to the newer ZO boats then I could see the point but it's the engine and speed control that makes these boats the way they are. I could care less about the "cool" factor or aesthetics, this is all about fixing my problem and getting something I can practice behind that will be close to when I go to tournaments.

If I can have a ZO boat for $10k why wouldn't I just re power my 94? It would have a brand new PCM power plant with ZO control in a older hull. The boat is in great mechanical condition minus the engine. I don't see how a newer boat would be any better? Can someone tell what I am missing?

@Jody_Seal Would there be a way to know if it would be a direct fit for sure?

I love the wake and the boat drives decent. Not like a Nautique but for thousands less I can live with it. My question is will the new engine paired with the old transmission and shaft/prop be some what similar to the pull of newer boats?