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1996 seadoo speedster opinions

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rolando14

rolando14

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hey guys/gals, new member here...


so I'm looking at a 1996 seadoo speedster for $4,000... one brand new engine, and comes with wakeboard, skis, vests, all that.. new trailer tires.

good deal? I mean I would prefer to have one big engine rather than two small ones...

am I putting myself at risk by getting a boat with ONE new engine? Is that like buying one new shoe? The boat is in great condition cosmetically, not that cosmetics are really the idea here, but it does appear to be healthy, it was obviously stored correctly.. not sure if it ran on salt water...

comments? i would really appreciate the input, i look forward to bein a part of this board!
 
That price is a little high. This time of year though is when they are higher. Usually if one of the 2 engines has been replaced, I wouldnt necessarily worry. Just make sure both engines have good compression. Find out why the other engine was replaced. If it was a matter of just being worn out, I would expect the other one to need work too though. There are lots of good tips here on buying used if you search. The general idea though, make sure to compression test the engine and I always prefer to take it out for a water test. Makes sure it runs good, good it up to a normal temp range and play with every button and function.
 
Thanks for the reply.. Well I have no idea how to do a field test for compression.. can these engines run when not in water? i would assume they're water cooled but goes to show what i know, maybe i should take a step back for a second...


i have a barrage of questions for this seller.. i wasn't sure if i'd be able to get it out on the water to test though... i guess that would be dumb not to test it?

I'll search around for some good things to keep my eye out for,

to be honest this is the best condition boat i've found. I've been searching for roughly 5-6 months now.. the nada guide said up to 5,200 for a good vessel i think... and as low as 3,700-3,900 for a low retail, but i mean "brand new engine" ~ should ask for a receipt for that too lol... i got a lot of homework ahead of me....!
 
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Yeah the key is do your homework and dont be in a rush. Read up here and make an informed rational decision. Dont just buy one cuz it looks cool and is fast and seemed like a deal. We get a lot of people on here who come in with problems when they thought they had bought an awesome ski or boat at a bargain price. When we ask if they did a compression test or water test they reply no. These things really should be done. I wouldnt buy a watercraft without a water test. Would you buy a car without driving it?

Read up here and find out how to do a compression test. It is easy.
 
well i've somehow managed to bring my offering price down to $3,700.. pissed the guy off a little, (i'd piss me off too :bigear:).

he's dewinterizing the boat on friday, hopefully gonna let me whip it on saturday.. i hope he's got some spare time because i plan on running the boat for about 25-35 minutes..


here's a pic of the boat.. so hmm. hopefully he goes for the price I'm asking.. I could use the 300 savings right now.
 

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Hmmm....

I'd check and make sure that one has dual water intakes, instead of the single, and make sure it has the 4th seat...
 
it only has the fourth seat in the bow...


but can you elaborate a little on the water intakes? would a stock vessel of this make and model have two intakes or one?

i didn't know this year and model had the fourth seat facing backward? ya learn something new everyday!
 
There are were some changes in 94-95/96ish boats, the earlier speedsters only have 1 water intake that supplies water to both jet pumps, poor design, problems with cavitation, debris, and performance.

Seadoo move to separate intakes for each pump sometime in 96, the earlier ones aren't "bad" but I'd look for a dual one since they're a lot better. The later 96+ speedsters have a rear facing side seat, takes up a little extra space but you can then have 4 people in the boat comfortably.

With my 95 no one ever sat in the front seat, the 4th person ends up sitting on the floor near the back seat. Otherwise they go flying out of the boat(not kidding, or fly up and then smack their butt on the deck)..

They're a fun small boat, basically a large jetski that can carry 3-4 people, not great for sking/wakeboard, but enough to have fun with. I had mine for a few months before upgrading to a larger boat.. :)
 
Funny you mention a 95.

If the 96 doesn't work out, I've found a 95 speedster in town with two brand new engines (658) x2 ? I know it's in that cc realm.. the boat is literally immaculate, and it's funny because i've been searching up and down the east coast for the perfect boat, this one seems to fit the budget/intention mold i'm trying to fill..

evidently it has plenty of torque... the 95' i'm referring to now..

what is the intake a component of, the jet drive? sorry i need to download a pdf of these boats' jet drive so i can understand it a little bit better..

I'm just looking for a sound vessel to start out with, ya know pull the lady on a tube, stupid sh*& like that. Maybe a little wakeboarding and skiing ?? :( you say it doesn't ski or wake too well?
 
Either will work, take them for a test ride and see, there's not that much difference between the 657x and 720 motors, I think 5-6 hp(X2).

It'll be fine for what you want to do, you can pull skiers, slalom skiers, and wake boarders. I have fond memories of slalom skiing behind my 95, watching it hit a small wave and launching the entire boat out of the water, cups, hats coolers and part of the steering wheel fly out!! We kept going until I wiped out... :)


There's tons of info on this site use the search:

check the compression, check the pumps/jetdrive/props wear rings for damage...
 
hahaha I was just watching videos of seadoo jet boat wake jumping before... gotta admit, never really considered that you could do that with a boat... but i'm goin there... oh yes.


yeah I'm bringing my mechanic buddy he's gonna test the comp. for me.. i mean other than that i don't really know what i'm looking at.. just looking for obvious wear and tear?

i'm gonna take some pictures of both and post them.. i'd really like to pick a boat up this next week it's gonna be my only free shot at concentrating on a jet boat... (school work & running a landscaping company).. i know it's illogical to rush the purchase but we'll just see how it goes..

The 95' is winterized, and the guy didn't sound as if he were making any effort to dewinterize, but luckily he's the guy in town.. my dad actually knows him, (sold him lumber, etc.) so maybe i can bank on the 'who ya know' thing...


the rant ends here.
 
WELLLLLLLLLL

you're probably gonna fall out of your chair on this one..

the guy's wife posted an add asking for $7,200.. i fell out of my chair..

i called him and long story short, the price is $4,000.. but i mean like i said, it has two brand new engines, not even an hour on them.. i believe he is first owner, the hull and upholstery are immaculate..

i mean the 96' is $300 less, but it only has one new engine, idk why but that makes me a little skeptical, i don't wanna buy teh boat and have the otehr engine fail, but like RFoster said, evidently that isn't so likely, given there isn't anything wrong with the other motor.
 
I sold my 95 before the season started, 1 new SBT engine and new crank in the other egine, new upholstery, hydro-turf, radio, new impellers and rings, new poppy cover and trailer for $4200.00...
 
okay, so then i guess i'm at least in the ballpark here.. nice.
this boat looks radical with the purple hydro turf, or at least the purple on the color scheme of this boat. was your color scheme the same as this one Parothd?


that is not the boat i am looking @, i found it in a google search..




I plan to do an impeller for sh*^# & giggles.. would i do a wear ring too if i did the impeller?
 

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hahah, your boat is the purple hydro turf i was referring to, i was showing my dad that first back shot yesterday, it's good luckin' man.


yeah same exact color as the one i'm lookin' at. if you don't mind me askin' how much was a turf job for that vessel ? i like your stitching job on the seats, pretty custom look.


is reverse on these boats just a diverter valve ? they don't have a trans right!?
 
yeah i saw somewhere said 15% off...

well thanks for all the input, i'll post some pictures of the boats here asap
 
I have a 1996 Seadoo Speedster, they have twin 717 engines and parts are becoming increasingly hard to find. My buddy accidently broke my reverse gate cable, turns out they only sell the right now and that happens to be the shorter one. Long story short, I have taken care of my boat tune-ups, always garaged always well maintained and I would be happy to get $3000.00 for it.
 
Do you have any pics of your 96? Bring it to Kansas and I guarantee you'll get more than $3,000... as long as it's in good condition. These little 15-footers are gems to people over here. They see them playing on the water and say... "Wow, I just have to have one of those!" They're hard to find out here.
 
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