My 1985 Nautique 2001 Project

My original post got archived so I am going to re-post here:

Posted July 7th, 2008

Just bought a 85 Nautique 2001 for a good price. Has an engine that runs solid (idles well and runs at a good rpm), the boat holds speed well and the handling is fantastic. The boat needs cosmetic work, but the stringers are in good shape and the floor in general has no soft spots.

I of course missed getting pictures originally, but have some now. This weekend I started dry vac'ing the carpet and ended up ripping it all out. Taking out all the seats and carpet. The floor panel between the motor and back of the boat will need to be replaced, since that was a little soft. It is the only part of the floor that was not resin coated.

I just ordered a Monster Tower, 2 board racks and a burgundy colored bimini. I am getting ready to recarpet the boat and then put in a auto-ballast system. Since I have never weighted this boat before, I'm starting to wonder if I should wait to do the ballast until I can try some different configurations on the water. I know a lot of people have done these with this boat, but I would like to suit it to taste. On the flip side, I would like to get everything done at once.

Here are some picks. Oh yeah, the outside was just completely scrub and buffed. It was pretty nasty when I first got it.

Originally Posted July 8th, 2008:


Wow! So far I’ve got to say I’m happy I went with Monster Tower. I was originally going to use diywake, because of the price ($799 shipped with one free board rack). However, because I have already been waiting a couple of weeks for them to get items in stock (I even called the company for estimated date with no luck) and I couldn’t find more than one person saying they liked the product, I decided to spend an extra couple hundred for the peace of mind of going with a company that has a history of providing quality products. Also, the diywake universal tower was going to be a questionable fit. Monster Towers fit 60”-102”, while diywake was 74”-108”. I am right at 74”, might even be a little more narrow depending on where it fits best. Funny, as I am writing this and wanted to get accurate numbers, diywake’s website is now updated with in stock. That figures.

As I was saying, I am impressed with Monster Tower (MT). I placed my order this morning it originally included a bimini. In the comments section I entered my boat make and model. Within 5 minutes of placing my order, MT called me to let me know it would be best to wait on the order of the bimini to make sure of the measurements after the tower is installed. This makes sense and I should have known this, but it was nice they called me it, I think it shows integrity. They removed the bimini from my order. They have already shipped the order and I have got my tracking information. My Monster Tower and board racks will be arriving on Wednesday. Fantastic!

This now puts me in a position where I might be able to get the carpet, tower and board racks installed this coming weekend. I don't think it is an overly aggressive estimate, but we'll see.

The current plan:

1) Grey carpet – the original color was red
2) White with burgundy stripe -> seats/motor cover/side panels
-I think the two tone color scheme will look cleaner than the white, burgundy and blue they were rocking in this boat originally. A very 70’s-ish scheme.
3) New throttle handle
4) New steering wheel
5) New mirror to mount on the tower – the original mirror is installed on the dash, these mirrors are awful for spotting a wakeboarder.
6) Install a glove box that actually has a cover. The current box is just an indented dish on the dash. There is no cover for keeping items secure.
7) Rebuild the backseat (it was water rotted and vinyl ripped to shreds). The new seat will accommodate either:
a) one-ballast bag center mounted in the rear (aprox. 600lbs)
b) two bags running the length of the boat on either ends of the seat (500 lbs each)

I want this new seat to be functional, because this boat is small. I will have to get creative. If I want to spend the cash, I could use a container company that makes a 600lb hard plastic container whose dimensions should fit under the seat. I will have to search my work computer for the website, I will try to post it later.

8) Install an auto-ballast system, with aprox. 1,500 lbs. Details of two options include some of the same as listed above:

a) 600 lbs in the rear of boat integrated with the back seat, 350 lbs on each side of the motor (create a box that will sit over the bags for people to step on – these will be covered in Grey carpeting) and 200 lbs of hard weight in the bow.

b) 650 lbs running length-wise of boat on both sides of the back. These ballast bags will be up against the back of the boat integrated with the back seat. Also include 200 lbs of hard weight in the bow.

New Post as of today:


I installed the Monster Tower:



I filled in cracks in the floor with a mixture of resin/hardner/filler. I then rolled out the entire floor with resin and hardner.

Recarpeted the entire boat in grey carpet. This included replacing the main floor board in the back, all 3 back boards that hide the gas tank (which including sanding the edge to taper the baord to fit into holding slots. The carpet ending up being a pretty big job given the replacement of wood and the resin/hardner work.




Problems:

I am having a major issue with the carpet on the floor. It's been raining everyday since laying the carpet on the floor of the boat. I don't have a garage to put this boat, but do have it covered. It has been hard keeping it completely dry. As such, parts of the carpet are wet. When I had stepped on it today, glue seeped through. I'm not sure it is ever going to dry now. I'm dreading the though of having to pull up the carpet on the floor and redo it.

Second problem. The piece between the main stringers in the back of the boat that I replaced ended up being a little short. There are little gaps, but really can't afford to redo this part. The 3/4" plywood is very expensive.
Most of this board will be covered up with the box and back seat I am building in the back, but it still bothers me.


I was planning on picking up the new vinyl seats and motor cover and putting them back in the boat, but the problem with the glue has slowed up this plan.

Later in the week I plan to start the ballast system.

I have cut the wood for the back box and back seat. Here is a picture of the current layout. I need to pickup another piece of 1/2" plywood to finish the front and back of the box and the front bottom of the seat. I will also be making a jumpseat to place right behind the drivers seat.

What did you do with the black trim for the carpet. That will cover your gap on your center board.

It was all twisted and gunked up from the old glue. Thanks. I forgot that was in that slot also. I know it goes along the sides. I am going to be replacing that once I build my seats and see what is exposed.

Looks good Steve. Lemme know when your maiden voyage will be and im in.

Oh yeah, on August 5th i will be on the water for most of the day (unless my nephew freaks out as it will only be his 2nd time on a boat and the first time was a lil sketchy, but he's 5 now so...). I will be busy in the morning but if you can get out of work early I will be happy to pull you in the early afternoon.

Nice project!
Let me know if you need any help with anything. Here's my project I completed this spring

http://the2001.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=1050

http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/3183/577634.html

Got my seats back yesterday. I wish I would have taken the time to do the side pieces right away, especially since I have to break up the foam behind them to get at the bolts. Anyways. I should be getting the ballast pieces today and hopefully have it piped for the weekend. I still need to finish the backseat, but it's getting close.

I have a line on a discounted ACME 542 prop that I am going to put on this boat sometime next week.

Maybe linex spray in bedliner instead of carpet? I think it comes in whatever color you want.
Looks great man!

did you install the rear legs on the wrong sides on purpose ?

"did you install the rear legs on the wrong sides on purpose ?"

??? You speaking about the tower?

Yep he is talking about the tower. In the profile shot they are on backwards, but it looks like you may have fixed them in the later shots?

Actually the back legs are not on backwards and can be setup in many different ways depending on the width of your boat and your setup.