1988 Ski Nautique 2011

For any die-hard water-skier, a used tow boat is a great buy to have at the dock

By Matt Spencer

Tow boats have come a very long way in the past 15 to 20 years, with many of them now sporting high-tech gadgets that would make James Bond look twice. But sometimes it’s nice to get back to the roots – precisely what we’re going to do with a look at this 1988 Ski Nautique 2001.

Personally I am a sucker for the classic sleek and low-profile lines of a traditional water-ski boat. Perhaps it’s my own water-skiing roots as a kid always dreaming of being towed behind a world-class tow boat.

From the forward helm to the closed bow and reverse spotter seat, I love it all.

In terms of the used market, you’ll often find water-ski boats sprinkled at various dealerships, often sitting in the back of the yard, left to rot. They’re designed for a specific purpose and it’s often hard for people to look past that, causing them to get overlooked by today’s multipurpose boater. It breaks my heart every time I see one in an ad or as I drive by a dealership.

Read the full article

PowerBoat Television: This boat was featured on Episode 4 of the 2011 season. To view the episode online or for a list of broadcasters and airtimes, please visit powerboattv.com.