1997 XP- potential purchase ... opinions?

[brnr17]

looking at a 1997 xp. think i can get it for $1700. tried doing a search for reviews but couldnt really find what i was looking for. Is there a reason to stay away from this model with it being the first year of the new design? price seems decent for it. Owner said he purchased it from a seadoo mechanic who replaced the impeller and housing. other than that nothing wrong according to seller. he's not sure on hours, kids used it quite a bit the first summer but not much since.
Opinion please

 

[seadooya]

a great ski, just picked one up for 700 buks...:reddevil: I'd install a bilge in rear deck lid area. Make sure you "water test" it before buying....everything sounds good outta water and last words from sellers' are...it ran great last time out.:cheers:

 

[brnr17]

a great ski, just picked one up for 700 buks...:reddevil: I'd install a bilge in rear deck lid area. Make sure you "water test" it before buying....everything sounds good outta water and last words from sellers' are...it ran great last time out.:cheers:

what does a bilge run? i know theres not a lake or really any water source nearby the seller (i used to live in the area), what would you recommend to "water test" it then?

 

[seadooya]

bilge pump will run around 30-50 buks...wal-mart,..etc, any watercraft/parts place. IF you cannot water test it, then atleast bring a compression gauge and see what the cylinders are banging at. Also, if compression good, then hook hose to the machine and fire ski up then turn on water, and let sit for 2-3 minutes, burping the throttle now/then....compression should be no lower than 120psi, and no more than 160psi.

 

[brnr17]

bilge pump will run around 30-50 buks...wal-mart,..etc, any watercraft/parts place. IF you cannot water test it, then atleast bring a compression gauge and see what the cylinders are banging at. Also, if compression good, then hook hose to the machine and fire ski up then turn on water, and let sit for 2-3 minutes, burping the throttle now/then....compression should be no lower than 120psi, and no more than 160psi.

okay thanks, any one else have any opinions on this ski? going to look at it thursday. does anyone have any pics of what the impeller and housing should look like on the inside?

sorry for the questions, i'm completely new to this and trying to learn. My gf just bought a 99 tigershark and it looks like i'm gonna NEEEED to learn quickly

 

[grader33]

97 xp

I just purchased the same year/make/model, seadoosnipe currently has it getting it ready for the upcoming year. Check the fuel lines if they are grey in color they will more than likely have to be changed out as they go bad. When you put the key on DESS post you should hear 2 beeps, this is a good indication that the on board computer (MPEM) is good. If it were bad it is pretty costly. Test the VTS to see if it works. There is no hour meter, but the overall condition should give you some sort of indication of what kind of life it has had. Check some of the bolt heads around the motor to see if it apprears a wrench has been on them before.

I have not rode my yet, but can't wait to. Reviews are good, it has the Rotax 787 engine so parts are easy to come by.

Thats all I can think of, I am still a newbie myself, read as much as you can on this site, thats what I did. The search box is your friend.

Let us know how it works out for you.

 

[JJinSC]

I have had mine for 13 years and wouldn't trade it for any other model. Follow the advise on here and if you end up getting it, you'll have a blast.

 

[brnr17]

I have had mine for 13 years and wouldn't trade it for any other model. Follow the advise on here and if you end up getting it, you'll have a blast.

well good because i ended up getting it! ... it really seemed to be in good condition all around. I have a few questions on what some things are and took pics but they won't load at the moment so i'll have to ask later.
So when i go buy the bilge pump, where should i tap into for power? where should i mount a toggle? and where should i run the bilge hose to dump the water too?

 

[grader33]

pics

Get some pictures up when you can. Congrats on the purchase, hope you enjoy riding it.

 

[brnr17]

few questions

in the top left of the first pic you see the oil tank. should there be a hose on that nipple opposite of the oil line?

in pic two, what is that tube for at the top left corner. it sticks out about 6 inches and is threaded at the end, what goes there?

 

[seadoosnipe]

Connections....

few questions

in the top left of the first pic you see the oil tank. should there be a hose on that nipple opposite of the oil line?

in pic two, what is that tube for at the top left corner. it sticks out about 6 inches and is threaded at the end, what goes there?

The open end of the oil tank is your vent. There is a one way valve in it, then it's vented to the atosphere. No problems there that I see.

The other pix shows your back flush connection. This normally has a threaded end in it with a female connector to accept your water house for back flush. But, you can thread a waterhose into that tube as is. Just easier with the adapter.........:cheers:

 

[brnr17]

The open end of the oil tank is your vent. There is a one way valve in it, then it's vented to the atosphere. No problems there that I see.

The other pix shows your back flush connection. This normally has a threaded end in it with a female connector to accept your water house for back flush. But, you can thread a waterhose into that tube as is. Just easier with the adapter.........:cheers:

okay hey thanks! now does this have a "pisser" on it that shows that the pump is running and circulating water?

any ideas on anything else i should do to it?

I looked inside and the fuel lines are gray. If they look good and not cracked or anything do they still need replacing?

are there any filters on this that should probably be changed out?

 

[JJinSC]

The "pisser" hole is left front just underneath the side bumper about where your numbers would be.

If your lines are gray, change them as soon as possible. They deteriorate from the inside and green goo will clog your filters inside your carbs. It is not a matter of if, but when and chances are on a '97 it has already started regardless of use and/or care.

 

[brnr17]

The "pisser" hole is left front just underneath the side bumper about where your numbers would be.

If your lines are gray, change them as soon as possible. They deteriorate from the inside and green goo will clog your filters inside your carbs. It is not a matter of if, but when and chances are on a '97 it has already started regardless of use and/or care.

okay thanks. Could you tell me how much of what size line i need to do the swap?

also any ideas on switching the footpads on this thing. it has the originals riveted in and they are all boiled up. I'd like to take em off and put on some nice hydroturfs but im not sure how much work is involved or whats involved with the whole rivet thing. thakns

 

[96seadooxpBC]

okay thanks. Could you tell me how much of what size line i need to do the swap?

also any ideas on switching the footpads on this thing. it has the originals riveted in and they are all boiled up. I'd like to take em off and put on some nice hydroturfs but im not sure how much work is involved or whats involved with the whole rivet thing. thakns

for the 97 xp with the 787, use 5' 5/16" & 20' 1/4", the 5 feet of smaller is for the check valves, im not 100 percent sure but you'll notice where the slightly smaller tubes are.

Search up on the search bar on hydro turf mat replacements, its pretty easy to do, removing those rivets with a little muscle from the hull isnt hard with some plyers. I even believe hydro turf gives you a slight discount on turf if you have there logo on the mats. I know you can either order the giant mats and cut them yourself, or buy the pre-epoxyed ones that u can stick right on after cleaning the surface from the old mats.
:cheers:
cam

 

[seadooya]

okay thanks. Could you tell me how much of what size line i need to do the swap?

also any ideas on switching the footpads on this thing. it has the originals riveted in and they are all boiled up. I'd like to take em off and put on some nice hydroturfs but im not sure how much work is involved or whats involved with the whole rivet thing. thakns

you wont need to replace any of the "vent" grey fuel lines. You'll need about 15ft of 5/16in and 5ft of 1/4in fuel lines. As for the hydroturf, i drilled mine out, knocked in what was left of the rivets into the fiberglass but not all the way through, where your gonna have 100 little metal things flying around, inside the hull of your ski, then covered hull w/ cheap fiberglass filler, then chased it with a "swipe" of silicone. Let dry, then lay your mats.