Hello all, <BR> <BR>I have a chance to buy a 1985 Ski Nautique 2001 for possibly in the upper $6k range. The boat would mainly be used for of course wakeboarding and *gasp* tubing (I know, I know <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/wink.gif" border=0> ). The boat only has around 400 original hours on it and the interior looks to be in great shape and the outside could use a little bit of help (from waht i can see in the pictures I have), ill know more once I get to take a look at it. How would I go about checking the stringers in this boat for rot? Also, what are some other things that I should look for on this boat? Are the 82-86 hulls the same as the 87-89 hulls? The only difference I can see is on the 87-89 the vents on the front are by the windshield instead of side by side in the center, and also it looks like the changed the dash design. Thanks in advance everyone! <BR> <BR>-Callaway

The hulls are the same from '82-'89. They changed the dash in '85 (the '82-'84 dash looks like ass) and they may have changed it again somewhat in '87 (not sure of that, though). <BR> <BR>Check the bolts around the engine to see if they tighten. If they do not, you may have rot. I did this, but the stringers were good there, unfortunately they weren't in other places. Where my stringers rotted was under the driver's and observer's seats. The factory didn't spray enough foam under them and left quite a void so that water dripping off of people would just gather there and never get out. Also, check at the transom, that is where I had some problems as well. Go for a ride in the boat and be sure you are the one who pulls the plug and check the water in the bilge for any wood. <BR> <BR>Those old SN 2001s are great boats, just go over it really well. Good luck!

Great boats... The hulls are indeed the same, only in '89 they changed the exhaust system.. But that's not dramatic. The dashes are also changed in '88 and from my point of view the most nice ones. <BR>Are you for sure about the 400hrs on that baby? It's seems (a bit) low. Check the compression on all 8 cilinders. And check the transmission. Everything else on the engine is no problem to fix. <BR> <BR>Have fun with it!

Erik, <BR> <BR>The 89 has the PCM aluminum 1.23:1 tranny standard, or Power Plus Transmission as PCM calls it. <BR>That is a BIG DEAL! <BR> <BR>Also that year started AME 4000 Epoxy resin, another big deal. <BR> <BR>All of the hulls 82-89 are the same so the wakes should be the same except for the different prop on the 1.23:1's vs the 1:1 trannys. <BR> <BR>Enjoy, it is a great inexpensive wakeboard boat!