Site Sponsors:
Brochures:
1981 Correct Craft Brochure
1982 Correct Craft Brochure
1983 Correct Craft Brochure
Brochures:1981 Correct Craft Brochure
1982 Correct Craft Brochure
1983 Correct Craft Brochure
Diaries | Details
This boat's story has been posted by the owner. Please contact the owner with any questions. You may use the form below to send the owner an email.
Updated:
10/18/2017 (7 years ago)
Originally Posted: 10/15/2017
Total Views: 1,382
Owner: Mark Allen
Forum Nickname: MarkNH
Location: Manchester, NH
Phone: (603) 860-3481
Model: 1982 Ski Nautique 2001
Length: 0
Engine: Ford 351
HP: 400
Hours: 1300
Modify this Diaries Listing
Forum Nickname: MarkNH
Location: Manchester, NH
Phone: (603) 860-3481
Model: 1982 Ski Nautique 2001
Length: 0
Engine: Ford 351
HP: 400
Hours: 1300
Modify this Diaries Listing
My wife and I did not meet until 1998.
But in 1982 we were living parallel lives in different states: both 16 years old, both living on a lake and into slalom, and both skiing behind a crappy I/O bow-rider with a wake that terrified us every time we had to cross it. ("Hold on, here we go again! Whew, I didn't wipe, now I get to carve again. But look out, get ready!") And we were each obsessed with a beautiful brand new (i.e. 1982) Ski Nautique 2001 that we would see other people skiing behind ... and that we never got to experience for ourselves. When we saw it pass our hearts sank and rose at the same time, in a bittersweet mixture of love, lust, and envy. Can you see where this story is going? Yes, we almost accidentally stumbled across this 1982 Ski Nautique a few years back and snapped it up for what seemed like pennies! We were 16 again but this time everything was perfect! WE were the ones with the Nautique!
Now the story gets more complicated. It would be an understatement to say that I am not a gear-head. So I knew nothing about what I'd gotten myself into. Turns out this boat was used in competitions back in the day and had been modded to the max. So modded that when I ran into engine problems two mechanics that are well respected around here essentially said the same thing: "this is crazy, it's like a drag car engine, way over my head. I'm not even sure what's in here or what's wrong. I can't fix it." I thought, "damn 240HP is plenty for me, all I wanted is the stock boat I saw when I was 16! I don't want this "extra special" nightmare!" But that's what I had.
Fortunately I stumbled across a guy who built drag cars from scratch, and he agreed to help. He said it has a reverse cam and a reverse engine, and that it needed a new distributor ... which would need to be custom-built by a guy in California. He replaced the entire ignition system as well the Holley 750. And now this thing is a 100% dependable drag boat! Starts every time and pulls like crazy! The mechanic estimates it's putting out 400HP "at a minimum." Sounds great but unfortunately this boat is all crazy acceleration and no speed. It's awesome up to 35 but it tops out around 44MPH and really even 40 sounds like you're beating the snot out of it. My son is now 16 and wants to barefoot. Sounds good to me!
The engine has more power than a stock 454 so I know no issue there but what do I change, the transmission or the prop or both? Thanks for listening, and thanks for your help!
But in 1982 we were living parallel lives in different states: both 16 years old, both living on a lake and into slalom, and both skiing behind a crappy I/O bow-rider with a wake that terrified us every time we had to cross it. ("Hold on, here we go again! Whew, I didn't wipe, now I get to carve again. But look out, get ready!") And we were each obsessed with a beautiful brand new (i.e. 1982) Ski Nautique 2001 that we would see other people skiing behind ... and that we never got to experience for ourselves. When we saw it pass our hearts sank and rose at the same time, in a bittersweet mixture of love, lust, and envy. Can you see where this story is going? Yes, we almost accidentally stumbled across this 1982 Ski Nautique a few years back and snapped it up for what seemed like pennies! We were 16 again but this time everything was perfect! WE were the ones with the Nautique!
Now the story gets more complicated. It would be an understatement to say that I am not a gear-head. So I knew nothing about what I'd gotten myself into. Turns out this boat was used in competitions back in the day and had been modded to the max. So modded that when I ran into engine problems two mechanics that are well respected around here essentially said the same thing: "this is crazy, it's like a drag car engine, way over my head. I'm not even sure what's in here or what's wrong. I can't fix it." I thought, "damn 240HP is plenty for me, all I wanted is the stock boat I saw when I was 16! I don't want this "extra special" nightmare!" But that's what I had.
Fortunately I stumbled across a guy who built drag cars from scratch, and he agreed to help. He said it has a reverse cam and a reverse engine, and that it needed a new distributor ... which would need to be custom-built by a guy in California. He replaced the entire ignition system as well the Holley 750. And now this thing is a 100% dependable drag boat! Starts every time and pulls like crazy! The mechanic estimates it's putting out 400HP "at a minimum." Sounds great but unfortunately this boat is all crazy acceleration and no speed. It's awesome up to 35 but it tops out around 44MPH and really even 40 sounds like you're beating the snot out of it. My son is now 16 and wants to barefoot. Sounds good to me!
The engine has more power than a stock 454 so I know no issue there but what do I change, the transmission or the prop or both? Thanks for listening, and thanks for your help!
