long time lurker finally gets a CC

I wanted to introduce myself,I found this site many years ago (about 6-7 years ago) and have made it a daily routine of mine to look through many of the topics. Never created a log in because I didn't have anything to add. But Just about three weeks ago I took my wife and two kids up to northern Wisconsin for our first family vacation and had been looking at CL ads in northern Wisconsin for kicks. the exact night we got back home from vacation I happened to look again and came across what looked like a sweet deal and good looking 87' ski nautique that had just posted. called the next day and made an offer $4300. seller called back that night and said it was mine. waited a week till I could drive back to Arbor Vitae,wi to pick up/purchase, take it for a drive (amazing!!!)and ski all before the sun went down. spent the night with aunt and uncle, woke up next morning to do trailer bearings and new tires and drive home for quick weekend! one of the best times of my life! This boat is #7 that I've owned. grew up around being at the lake in northern Wisconsin and boats. I remember looking at either the 86' or 87' correct craft brochure as a kid (20+ years ago)that I probably picked up at the Chicago boat show and falling in love. honestly I didn't think I would be able to get the chance to own one for many years from now (till the kids are older and more financially stable) but my wife said "its something you have always dreamed of Go for it"!
I'll have many questions down the road as the boat is in decent shape for 87' with 806 hrs. but boat and trailer need some TLC, I'll be taking my time to do it right.
Just when I thought I knew quit a bit about Correct crafts by visiting here everyday, boy was I wrong! kind of had to start back a square one once I had the boat in my possession. with every detail and re-reading posts and topics intensely the last two weeks to do research on boat. This site has been a tremendous resource to me so far!
Does anybody in the Chicago area have a recommendation where to go for prop repair? Hit either a log or rock on the Fox River second time out with boat and first time taking the family out! very bad moment!
shaft seems ok and I haven't gotten a chance to check alignment yet. Although my rudder has some movement back and forth, most likely the stuffing box needs to be tightened? Pictures coming soon, thank you to everybody!

cool thank you for the recommendation! I'm thinking on at least this first time winterizing this fall ill have it done somewhere, Like at Munson's in fox lake (think that's the dealer sells inboards right outside Fox Lake) so when Im up there I will check it out and drop it off. your offer is really appreciated! after my initial test drive after purchasing the boat, I found the orginal Fed 13 prop under the back seat storage. I put it back on last week and didn't seem right, so i went back and found Pete's post about setting a prop correctly. The prop i bent up is an Oj 13 4 blade. I want to get it fixed but no rush as it will be my vacation prop where Im more confident that won't happen again.

working on pictures still!

Forget that OJ and pick up a 540 ;). You won't be sorry. Congrats on satisfying your long time need!!

Joel,
I drive through Spring Grove every day from Bartlett. Let me know and I could always drop off the prop and pick up for you. You just have to get the props to me. Simple from Batavia..

Congrats on the new boat. And yes, winterizing is easy. When your up to it, we can certainly help you through it so you can do it yourself the next time.

Pics when you can !!! again Congrats.

Moj'

Welcome to the family!

what differences would I notice in a 540 to the OJ? called Fox Prop and they estimated it to be about $125 to fix the ss 4 blade, which i thought was really reasonable....

Any suggestions on the rudder movement? Maybe an 1/8" front to back. the mount doesn't move just the rudder. I took the boat back down to the launch last weekend with motor cover off and back floor just to watch it run and check leaks. I need to tighten up the stuffing box on the rudder when I get the chance. Will that suck up the play in the rudder?

once I get my pictures posted I run down my LONG list of things to do, but also notice down at the boat launch that one of my mufflers has pin holes on the top and leaking. I read somewhere I can fix that with fiberglass, what is the best cloth weight to fiberglass over that with?

yeah i was really impressed with the steering. My uncle said it best "its like driving a vette"! What i don't remember was if that play was there before I hit something, so it had me nervous.

That's what I'm thinking, use the FED stock prop when I'm on the river or lakes in the area and only use the 4 blade for vacation in Wisconsin when I know we will be doing a lot more sking.

Fox chain? Never been on it and I don't see myself ever wanting to (way to busy). I go on the Fox River down by Batavia and St.charles. interested to try the Rock River soon. In dash depth finder on my list as well.

Buy first and figure out storage later! Had to build an addition on my "shed" to fit the nautique inside!

This was my first boat. bought it for $200 12 years ago and pretty much saved it from the burn pile. Too much time and money went into this one. just let it go last year but this is what my shed was built for storing when we bought our house

wow that looks like a pretty cool old boat!

Nice looking boat you got there Joel, welcome aboard!

Good to see you upgraded from lurker to Ski Nautique owner!
Welcome to the site

I would be a fool to pass up the offers for help winterizing, thanks guys.
alan- the river has been really low for sure. Guess I'm saying I'm used to going there with other boats I've had. Its close and cheap. Going farther up to Algonquin for example probably take at least an hour with traffic. Might as well go to delevan or the twin lakes. I love lake Geneva but just too rough and busy for this boat. Same time I probably need to come to the realization I just need to stay away from the river its too risky.
ill post more pics after work tonight. The interior (carpet and upholstery) are in good shape. The hull needs buffing, there's alot of oxidation. Teak all needs to be taken off and oiled. The pictures make it look better than in person.