Pontoons
Nautique Excel Boats for Sale
The Nautique Excel is a notable model in Correct Craft’s history as one of the first V-drive inboards the company ever built. Produced mainly in the early to mid-1990s, the Excel was designed as a large, comfortable inboard that could serve multiple purposes, from skiing and cruising to early-stage wakeboarding. Its deep hull, generous interior, and V-drive configuration set the foundation for future models like the Super Sport Nautique and the legendary Super Air Nautique 210. Built with the same quality and craftsmanship for which Nautique was known, the Excel remains a standout for families seeking a roomy, well-balanced boat with true inboard performance.
The Correct Craft Nautique Excel was introduced around 1991 and marked a turning point for the company’s engineering approach. Until then, nearly all Nautique models were direct-drive inboards built for tournament skiing. The Excel broke from that tradition by introducing a V-drive layout that placed the engine in the stern and the transmission forward, allowing for more interior space and improved weight distribution for recreational use.
At 21 feet in length, the Excel featured a deeper hull than most Nautiques of its time, resulting in a smoother ride and a larger wake at boarding speeds. Although wakeboarding was still in its early years, this hull design naturally produced more displacement and a cleaner wake shape than traditional ski boats. The model quickly gained popularity among families who wanted the quality and handling of a Nautique but with added space and versatility.
Most Excels were powered by PCM’s 5.8L Ford-based V8 engines, commonly the 351 GT-40 fuel-injected powerplant producing around 310 horsepower. This engine provided strong torque and reliability, easily managing the boat’s additional weight compared to smaller Ski Nautique models. A few earlier versions were available with carbureted PCM engines before fuel injection became standard in the mid-1990s.
Interior layout was one of the Excel’s strongest attributes. The V-drive configuration allowed for wraparound lounge seating in the main cabin and an open bow in the Excel Open Bow variant, making it one of the most comfortable Nautiques of its time. Large storage compartments and a full sun pad over the rear engine bay made it ideal for families spending long days on the water.
In terms of performance, the Excel was regarded as a versatile crossover. Its wake was too large for competitive slalom skiing but ideal for recreational riders and early wakeboarders looking for more size and push. The boat’s deep hull and balanced weight distribution also gave it excellent stability and a smooth ride in rougher water.
By the mid-1990s, Correct Craft began refining this concept further, leading to the introduction of the Super Sport Nautique, which used a similar hull and interior layout. That same hull later became the basis for the first Super Air Nautique 210, one of the most famous wake boats ever built. In that sense, the Excel served as the origin point for Nautique’s entire modern wake and surf lineup.
Though production of the Excel ended by the late 1990s, its influence remains significant. Owners appreciate the model for its durability, space, and the classic feel of a hand-built Correct Craft inboard. Today, the Nautique Excel holds a special place in inboard history as the boat that connected the traditional ski era to the wakeboarding revolution.