Brian J
New Member
Sorry for the long post, you can skip right to the pictures and read – just bought this boat.
Yesterday I left for work not knowing I’d come home that night with a jet boat. I happened across a guy trying to sell his “good condition” 97 speedster with lift and trailer for $2k. It sounded like a smoking deal until I found out the lift was steel and the MPEM was toasted from a failed jump start last fall (which also meant it needs a battery). After some quick research on MPEM prices (6-$800) and talking to the owner about not including the lift the deal died. Seller was adamant that the lift had to go with it. So I hung up the phone thinking - close but no cigar.
An hour or two later he calls me and says he found a buyer for the lift, had a new battery for it and would sell it to me for $1,500 but that was his bottom line as he had a local dealer that was coming out if I didn’t. I text Nick at west side power sports (Minnetonka4Me) about the MPEM and he had one in stock. Out the door I went as the boat was only 20 minutes away from me.
When I got to the guys house the boat was in his heated garage, he had all the accessories for it including a factory cover. It was a very small lake so I’m thinking the hours are pretty low. Stored indoors in winter, unfortunately outdoors in the summer. The bad news is the lift was not covered and the seats show it, they might clean up a little. Also the hull is sun faded but nothing some wet sanding and buffing won’t take out (and that’s what wives are for). Two things that amaze me are the condition of the hull, no cracks or scratches, and the condition of the trailer. The guy must have stored the trailer indoors 365 days a year.
After his story checking out, the impellers looking good, all the previous maintenance done by the dealer, and compression 120-125 in all 4 cylinders (my gauge is not accurate) I didn’t even bother with trying to knuckle him down on price and paid him the full $1,500. Now it’s off to Nick’s shop for the computer that will HOPEFULLY get this thing started.
I pulled up at Nick’s shop at about 7pm and he jumped right in testing and removing the old MPEM. I had my fingers crossed it would be something simple but no such luck, the MPEM was fried. Less than an hour later Nick had a new one installed, reprogrammed my old key as a spare, and replaced the beeper. Now the moment I’ve been waiting for, will it start. I said we got a 1/5 chance both these engine fire and work well, Nick said “there’s absolutely no reason why they won’t run”. He hits the starboard engine and it fires up and revs great. Hits the port engine and it fires up and runs great. That’s what I’m talking about right there. He then gave the whole boat a once over and pointed out a couple other small things I have to button up. Total charge for parts and labor $750 which I think is worth every penny given the price and rarity of those MPEMs. Plus he did all this for me on the spot at 7 o’clock at night. Thanks again Nick.
So I’m in to this thing for $2,251.59 ($1.59 tail light bulb at a gas station). Right now I have two jet skis, an 18.5’ fishing boat and this in my garage. Once summer hits and I get these all cleaned up I’ll be having a sell-a-thon. Tonight I’ll be water testing it, and then it’s on to cleaning and buffing. I’ll post back with updates.
Yesterday I left for work not knowing I’d come home that night with a jet boat. I happened across a guy trying to sell his “good condition” 97 speedster with lift and trailer for $2k. It sounded like a smoking deal until I found out the lift was steel and the MPEM was toasted from a failed jump start last fall (which also meant it needs a battery). After some quick research on MPEM prices (6-$800) and talking to the owner about not including the lift the deal died. Seller was adamant that the lift had to go with it. So I hung up the phone thinking - close but no cigar.
An hour or two later he calls me and says he found a buyer for the lift, had a new battery for it and would sell it to me for $1,500 but that was his bottom line as he had a local dealer that was coming out if I didn’t. I text Nick at west side power sports (Minnetonka4Me) about the MPEM and he had one in stock. Out the door I went as the boat was only 20 minutes away from me.
When I got to the guys house the boat was in his heated garage, he had all the accessories for it including a factory cover. It was a very small lake so I’m thinking the hours are pretty low. Stored indoors in winter, unfortunately outdoors in the summer. The bad news is the lift was not covered and the seats show it, they might clean up a little. Also the hull is sun faded but nothing some wet sanding and buffing won’t take out (and that’s what wives are for). Two things that amaze me are the condition of the hull, no cracks or scratches, and the condition of the trailer. The guy must have stored the trailer indoors 365 days a year.
After his story checking out, the impellers looking good, all the previous maintenance done by the dealer, and compression 120-125 in all 4 cylinders (my gauge is not accurate) I didn’t even bother with trying to knuckle him down on price and paid him the full $1,500. Now it’s off to Nick’s shop for the computer that will HOPEFULLY get this thing started.
I pulled up at Nick’s shop at about 7pm and he jumped right in testing and removing the old MPEM. I had my fingers crossed it would be something simple but no such luck, the MPEM was fried. Less than an hour later Nick had a new one installed, reprogrammed my old key as a spare, and replaced the beeper. Now the moment I’ve been waiting for, will it start. I said we got a 1/5 chance both these engine fire and work well, Nick said “there’s absolutely no reason why they won’t run”. He hits the starboard engine and it fires up and revs great. Hits the port engine and it fires up and runs great. That’s what I’m talking about right there. He then gave the whole boat a once over and pointed out a couple other small things I have to button up. Total charge for parts and labor $750 which I think is worth every penny given the price and rarity of those MPEMs. Plus he did all this for me on the spot at 7 o’clock at night. Thanks again Nick.
So I’m in to this thing for $2,251.59 ($1.59 tail light bulb at a gas station). Right now I have two jet skis, an 18.5’ fishing boat and this in my garage. Once summer hits and I get these all cleaned up I’ll be having a sell-a-thon. Tonight I’ll be water testing it, and then it’s on to cleaning and buffing. I’ll post back with updates.
