Ski Boat Engine Makeover

Flip your ski boat engine on a budget without blasting or pulling the engine out.

[@juniordelgiorno5260]

I grew up on a 78’ Nautique and later owned a 96’ Nautique. Would love to own a classic Nautique again some day. Great job on your boat.

[@user-ih1mo8vv7o]

❤❤❤❤❤ we've owned two nautiques and '74 and an '86. Loved them!!!!!

[@Nathan-uo9yf]

Alternator Tip- Find an alternator shop, drop it off to get it rebuilt, and they will send it home with a nice beadblasted finish, you can seal or paint from there. Two birds with one stone, typical rebuild cost near me is around 70-90$.

[@philf4086]

I bought a 4 year old I/O in 2003, it is now 24 years old. The best thing I did when I got it was to spray the engine with an anti-corrosion coating. It was almost like a thin gel. That has kept the engine in top shape for all of these years.

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

Good tip!

[@jimbo1326]

Jasco sucks. I bought some to strip the paint off out front porch and it was useless. I'll never buy it again. As for your wife's lack of enthusiasm, you're not alone. I just finished replacing the cross members, leaf spring packs and shackles, and wire brushing and repainting the entire frame of my beloved 99 Silverado. And like you I have no mechanical training. Just KZbin. My wife has never been less interested an anything I have ever done. Stay strong!

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

That’s awesome. Appreciate the comment.

[@markp.7165]

I once upon a time owned one of these boats and they are just as solid as it can get. I had the boat for about 12 years and spent almost nothing on it other than storage and basic upkeep. I don't regret a dollar I spent on that boat including the purchase. Those were some great times!!

[@tomhurst5363]

So glad to hear this Mark. Going out to see one that I’m very excited about. So nice to hear knowledgable Owner’s such as yourself confirm what I’ve always hoped were true about their durability and dependability. I hope to have the opportunity to spend hours doing just what this fine gentleman has so painstakingly and lovingly done with his 2001.

[@kennethhacker1341]

?looks great buddy...I been wrenching on boat engines for 25 years...next Time use antisieze on them manifold holds,that's a part that will need to be replaced in the future,happy boating

[@davidjessee7701]

Great job!!! I wich I still had our family master craft stars and stripes from the mid 80s...... What a glorious time it was... Class 0f 84....

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

Go pick an old one up for $3,000 and fix it up!

[@raybazan-lindsay197]

Man I can’t get enough of this content!! Nice work .

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

Thanks!

[@norcal8718]

Good job bud that looks Kick-Ass 👍🏻

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

Thanks

[@john_clarke_2994]

Great job dressing up that ol' Windsor. I have a 1990 Ski Brendella, in many ways identical to Nautiques and Malibus from that era. It is in fantastic shape, but I would love to dress up the motor too. These old boats are like little Hot Rods now.

[@09ironman1]

nice job

[@psneves]

awesome man. congrats

[@findvoltage]

Nice boat there. Looks ship shape matey, Arrr!

[@flyingbatfish]

I'm working on a 2001 Pro Air now. Not tackling the engine, but gel coat is buffed and ripping out the carpet this week. You're keeping me motivated!

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

Thanks! I'm starting on an 86 this weekend. Will have more to come.

[@rebeccavalentine3006]

Engine looks great!

[@toddharvey6543]

Nice job!. I used to have an 84 Nautique. Bought it it new in 84.

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

Thanks!

[@hughfoley1609]

There's a special place in heaven for people like us who understand and care for elderly Ski Nautiques.

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

LOL... elderly

[@backwaterboatrehab]

I had really good results with Jasco removing several layers of paint off an old jon boat last year. Key was to really glob it on. Engine turned out great dude.

[@phillipmatthews8341]

Fantastic job you did, great detail.

[@LuisMarquez80]

I would never have the patience for that, well done!

[@joshshearer4730]

Nice job

[@mehagel65]

Looks amazing, well done. With that impeller I'm surprised there was any cooling at all.

[@tomhurst5363]

Another excellent video! I have always felt so inept with mechanical “handiness”, but your thorough and patience process shows me that with some common sense research, tool and materials prep and lots of sweat equity this is manageable stuff. (Obviously easier said than done and so MAD RESPECT my friend. 😅❤️👍) Enjoy your awesome boat. Happy for you and excited to see your next project. (I literally started a notes page based on these two videos as I’ve dreamed of owning a 89-early 90’s era Nautique my entire adult life.)

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

Awesome. We are planning many more videos to come with more detail on what we do. Hope you subscribed.

[@CleoMoera]

Awesome work.

[@DiegoRodriguez-je2ok]

looks great man. i give it to you... i have a 93 silver cloud... I re did everything... I didnt get so deep on the engine cos still looks great and shiny, but eventually i will do something similar.

[@tomharvey704]

Nice work! I’m in the process of repairing my neighbors 1993 Mastercraft engine...when I get a broken bolt out I like to throw at my neighbors house!!😬

[@sawboman]

Looks like a labour of love. Well done. Happy to watch more.

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

Thanks. Starting on an 86 this week.

[@sawboman]

Looking forward to it. Will you be doing regular half hour updates on a specific section of the boat or just a start to finish summary?

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

I'm planning to do more in-depth breakdowns of various processes. Would love to put out a video a week if I can find the time.

[@langstonjones69]

Love your attention to detail

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

Thanks

[@ianf3144]

Dude, legit work, keep the videos coming! Looks great!

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

Just picked up an '86 2001 but I need things to warm up a bit before I can start working on it.

[@brianbelliveau5551]

Looks good nice job

[@miketdarnell]

Great job

[@parcelrecovery]

Great job! If there is one thing i've learned over 30 years owning ski boats - replace the raw water impeller every spring regardless of hours. Cheap insurance for an expensive engine.

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

Yup

[@jayon101]

Looks Amazing you killed it I love the look 😍

[@wraithconscience]

NIce job, Eric!

[@francispalmer9737]

What a great job. Cheers

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

Thanks!

[@theaquacrew4408]

That is awesome brother

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

Thank you!

[@andysaunders3708]

Looks good, people.

[@devries17004]

Great video. We like you are a Nautique family. Over 43 years and 9 Nautique’s I’m not sure which boat was our favorite. Might try a restoration one of these days. Where were you vacationing at? The white sand looks like Destin, Florida.

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

This was Fort Myers Beach

[@doughood3378]

Nice job! Where are you finding old nautiques in need of restoration? Aside from eBay and boat trader I’m coming up empty.

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

Marketplace and Boat trader. We are willing to drive to get it and the one I just bought we out of state.

[@fixitwise7194]

94 SNOB owner here. Nice work! Where, or how did you redo the upholstery?

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

Company is called J&Ds Creative Colors. I don't think they do a lot of these, but I'm friends with the owner so he gets me in. They do fantastic work. Things are backed up right now with supply issues tho.

[@nickshupe5602]

Did you buy the Ski Nautique in Indiana? Pretty sure I remember seeing one shot up for sale there last year listed for $4,000.

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

Yes, that was the price I paid. Was in northern Indiana.

[@jetskier209]

The motor look amazing you did a great job but that blue distributor cap is really out of place if you really what that motor to pop you need to try to find a yellow one or paint the one you have that would really set it off.

[@ceetwarrior]

My buddy is trying to change the oil in his super ski boat with the same engine setup. How do you drain it? Has a long rubber hose attached to the oil pan with a plug on the end...

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

That’s actually a good setup but the boat needs to be on the trailer. Pull the main plug on the bottom of the boat. Snake that rubber hose through the main drain and remove the can. Let it pour into an oil pan (just like a car at this point). Make sense?

[@houladog]

I noticed that your wife replaced the decals and pinstripes. Is there a reason she did not apply decals over a soapy water spray down? She did great work, I was just curious.

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

These are more like big thick stickers. That process is more for film like applications such as window tint.

[@belledetector]

Super nice restoration. I love this boat and actually had a 91 in black/yellow a super combination. Engine looks fab, but the non skid from Wallmart has to go. It´s an eye sore. Otherwise a beautiful boat.

[@andysaunders3708]

It's a fact of life. There's ALWAYS one, whether it be bolts/studs, or the people you work with. There ALWAYS has to be an asshole.

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

Ha ha 👍

[@Arjanvde]

Nice video! Make sure that you put the impeller in the correct way, it doesn't work the other way around!

[@719vol]

Yes. It will. First time you spin the starter, the vanes will “correct” themselves. A little dish soap will help the install process too.

[@hottubmobileneil]

but you complete missed the point. CAN YOU SKI?

[@MakeSkiBoatsGreatAgain]

Of course