Proactive maintenance questions

Hi everyone, Next Spring my 1994 Ski Nautique will turn 25 years old, and has almost exactly 1000 hours (5.8 Pro Boss). I'm thinking about doing a couple things to hopefully keep it running for many years to come. Keep in mind that I am not the type of person to run anything until it breaks before fixing. I'm proactive on all my maintenance, no matter what it is. And keeping this boat running is a heck of a lot cheaper than buying a different one. I also don't mind spending a little money here and there on the boat. If I wanted to save money, I never would have bought it.

The main thing I'm trying to decide is whether or not I should do something with the carburetor. If I do anything with it, I will have to take it to someone for that help. Sorry, no matter how easy you tell me it is to do myself, I know I will only mess it up. I figure if I take it in, there are a few other things I'd have them do while it's there. I don't believe there are any issues with the carb as of now. Two pumps, a little throttle as the key is turned, and it fires up every time. I replaced the Protec last summer with a DUI distributor, and no longer have the plastic cover over the engine. This might have been happening all along, but I notice almost an "ooze" of fuel that will show up under the carb on top of the engine. Here are the things I was thinking about. Opinions/advice are more thank welcome.

1. Replace/rebuild carb? If replace - QFT or Holley, and why one or the other?
2. New fuel lines?
3. New hoses?
4. New steering/throttle/shift cables? Steering cable has about 500 hours on it.
5. Anything else?

Riser gaskets, fuel pump, fuel filter assembly, and exhaust hose (from riders to muffler) have been replaced. All other routine stuff has been done. Sorry for long post.

I agree with Chris. When you have a carb that is functioning properly there is absolutely no reason to mess with it, it's not a sudden failure item. As for the ooze of fuel, see if you can find a weeping carb gasket, that might be the only reason I could see for doing anything with it.

If your steering is smooth and easy, no reason to replace the cable. Same with shift cable.

How about plug wires, did you change them when you replaced the protec? If they are old that would be a possible item to look at.

Things definitely wear out on these boats, but generally you have some warning, in my experience like a whole season of warning, so if you address them as they BEGIN to be a problem you'll rarely be off the water.

Thanks for the input guys. Appreciate it! Yes, there are new plugs and wires since the DUI was installed. The carb sounds like it can wait. And I'll try looking at it a little closer to see if I can isolate the ooze. I just didn't know if there was a certain number of years or hours before you needed to deal with it. That doesn't seem to be the case.

I like the creed Morfoot! I think my biggest problem is spending too much time on this website. Ha!! I start thinking "Hey, I have the same boat as that person. What can I do to avoid the issues they're having?" Maybe we should have a sub-forum where people write about how great their boats are running?

I still think having a complete reserve boat ready to go is the best idea. Just need to convince others in my home how wise I am. So far you guys aren't helping with all this talk about how reliable, and trouble free these boats are!!!

4 boats......now that is some true wisdom. I'm waaaaaaaaaaay behind.

Well, for what it's worth, I just found out I won't be the owner of a second boat. Was going to look at a 1998 Ski Nautique after work today, but he already had someone lined up to check it out. That guy bought it. So, at least I'm trying. Does that count?