96 XP - Before Purchase Questions

[digital sol]

Hello, I am considering adding another sea doo to my stable and found a local who is restoring a 96 xp that will be for sale in a couple months including a double trailer. I wanted to stay in the 787 family but have more fun by myself with a smaller/lighter ski than my current GTX/3 seater.

The restoration is just getting started but he is swapping the motor, cleaning up the inside, cut/polish the outside, new seat cover, new floor mats, cleaning carbs etc.

He is asking $1500 for ski & trailor.

My questions are

1) Whats the going price for a clean 96 xp
2) Whats a double or single trailer worth if i try to re-sell my current single and just have the double
3) Is there a specific brand seat cover you recommend I go with
4) Are there any base mods I should look into such as ride plate, impeller, intake grate while its apart to add a little more oomph without turning it into a tuning nightmare or lowering the reliability?

I am going to check it out in a week or two. If i end up making an offer things such as sea cover etc are basically my choices and included with the restoration before picking her up. My gtx has an aftermarket impeller and intake grate so I plan to do some reasearch and see if I should swap the impeller over to the xp and then put the stock back on the gtx. Basically the gtx will be used but mostly by my girlfriend and she mostly just likes to cruise.

Anything in particular I should look at besides the obvious like hull condition, motor compression, starter being used & carbs?

Thanks!

 

[Sloanman7]

Price is a little high for resto imo...400 to 500 is what I get for double trailer with title. Seat cover blacktip or mline imo..if it has mods such as UMI steering,aftermarket pipe,head,and carbs then is well worth it. Try and get it for a grand. Some pic will help.

 

[AdamXP800]

Price is not high if the seller is doing the resto and including a double trailer

 

[Sloanman7]

Price is not high if the seller is doing the resto and including a double trailer

Oh I thought he had to finish the resto. ..I didnt read it right. So yea good price.

 

[digital sol]

Thanks guys, yes the seller is doing the resto now. Hes just getting started so it might be a month or so but that price is basically for a stock ski but will come cleaned up, used but good comp motor, new seat covers and floor grips. He is also cutting/polishing to restore the gel coat etc. I am going to go check it out next week as he is just cleaning out the hull and swapping in a working motor now. Basically if i pull the trigger on it I would have some freedom as to what decals and/or seat covers etc he goes with. Ill snap some pics next week. It works out w/the double trailor because then I can sell my single and have space for my gtx as well.

Are there any must have upgrades for this ski? If so I may look into snagging some if i pull the trigger and have him install them while its apart. Save me some time down the road.

 

[Sloanman7]

As far as upgrades really it's pretty damn fun bone stock, but once it's in your blood you can't help bolting stuff on...[emoji1]

 

[Matt Braley]

I "restore" 96 XP's myself and I agree that this seller sounds like his price is very fair.

Blacktip is a base model brand cover made of very thin vinyl. I put them on the skis I'm selling because they're cheap and they look as good as anything else to someone just getting into the sport. Jettrim is the name you want but I understand if the builder can't afford to pay an additional 100 bucks. I agree that Mline is very good also and they are not much more then BT.

Once you start modding it's hard to stop. Many of us have big money in these things and cherish them. I suggest you get it in good running condition and set out with it. After a couple trips you will have a good idea of what your working with and what you would like it to do better.

Putting the aftermarket impeller from the GTX in it and using a stock one back in the GTX is a good idea potentially. Just give the part #'s of the impellers so we can see what brand and how they are pitched. It's tough to out perform a mint stock impeller there's only a couple different ones out there that do.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

good price from my pov especially if you trust the guy doing the work to do it proper.

I might ask some questions to verify what is expected as far as functionality: all gauges working, choke, vts, etc...

if its empty now, engine out, no better time to consider a t-tank, maybe adding some sponsons.

 

[digital sol]

Thanks guys! Compression was a hair over 150 on both cylinders and it started right up. I am purchasing it Saturday!

With that being said I wanted to ask a few questions. I have a new impeller on my gtx that I was going to swap to the XP if it will increase performance.

Solas Concord 15/23
-Will this work on the XP? Are the pumps between a 96 xp and 97 gtx the same? I just rebuilt my entire gtx pump so if I can just swap the pump over to the XP and then put my stock GTX impeller back in the XP pump that would be the least amount of work.

I wasnt sure because my gtx has a reverse bucket etc. The XP has a new wear ring etc but the gtx pump was 100% rebuilt with brand new parts. I could always pull both pumps and swap the impellers around but it would be less work to swap the pumps if compatible.

Ill post pics come this weekend! I already ordered a 3 button umi holder & single guage hood. Next is grips, bars, trim tabs, seat cover & some sanding/polish work!

Ill get a thread together to track progress this weekend once I get her home and start working on her!

 

[pwgsx]

I sold my 96 XP for $1,800 this year.

 

[Matt Braley]

Yes those pumps should swap fine. The GTX will not have the through hull fittings though so you will have to swap those with the thick O-ring seals in the other pump.