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98 Speedsters Which One

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Jnz

Jnz

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I'm new to the forum and Seadoo boats and am looking to pick up my first. I have two options at the moment and would like some advice on which seems to be the better deal and questions that should be asked. First, boat is in good condition both engines have good compression, throttle cable is about to break and seller was adviced to replace both throttle cables, seats are all cracked, other than that from the seller good $3,500 obo with trailer. Second, boat was given to the seller he took it in and left engine had low compression, right engine no compression. Low compression engine had new top end put in and now has compression and is back in. Right engine has been removed from the boat and will be given fresh top end kit with. Seats are cracked as with the first. Includes trailer $1,800 obo. I have a family member that does upholstery so I am not too worried about that and have done the top end on two pwcs before. Just looking for advice. Thanks a lot
 
Hard to say from here.

BUT... I would just assume you will need a new set of engines on either boat. Boat #1.... the engines are getting tired, just because of age. (unless it has very low hours, and was well maintained) (#2) The boat with the "New Top ends" will probably give up in short order, unless they did a full rebuild. We see it here all the time. Take a 15 year old engine with a melt down... put in new pistons/rings... and the crank gives out.

At least with boat #2.... it's cheap enough that you can pay for new engines.
 
A top end for an old motor gets it running until the crankshaft lets go shortly after, especially for an older engine.
 
I'm leaning now towards the second option as if it's going to end up being about the same price. I might as well have new parts. Do you find its cheaper to rebuild the engines yourself vs a core exchange option?
 
I'm in on the cheap one and beat him up on the price if you can. Put two new mills in and check over every last detail from fuel, to cooling, to electrical. I do my own full rebuilds so I can't recommend an engine shop. The 98-99 Speedsters are my favorite boat, but the 99 is the clear winner, gotta be yellow. Best of luck either way you go.
 
So I've done the top ends, how much more difficult is it to split the cases and reassemble?
 
racerxxx said:
I'm in on the cheap one and beat him up on the price if you can. Put two new mills in and check over every last detail from fuel, to cooling, to electrical. I do my own full rebuilds so I can't recommend an engine shop. The 98-99 Speedsters are my favorite boat, but the 99 is the clear winner, gotta be yellow. Best of luck either way you go.
Click to expand...

Jnz said:
So I've done the top ends, how much more difficult is it to split the cases and reassemble?
Click to expand...

It isn't.
If your mechanically inclined it's doable with general tools and some specialty ones.
Difference is level of confidence and pleasure of building it yourself VS SBT sends you a almost drop in ready with warranty.

X2 with Racer if you can do it yourself with better parts / OEM for less do it.
You halfway there....
 
Piece of cake, you just need to pay attention to the little details. And triple check everything.
 
Lovin the way this thread is going ... I don't dive into 2 stroke section too much but my advice... Ask or pay when your in over your head!!!

Just an FYI I still have a 2 stroke in my skidoo!!
 
Picked it up, definitely going to need some work. Neither engine is completely in the ski. Passenger side was completely removed while the drivers side the top end was taken off with engine in boat. Also two seats were missing which may cause an issue from what I'm hearing. Does anyone know if the seat bases are all the same or if the bow seat had a different base cushion?
 
Ok, so this has been getting the best of me this morning. I just went and looked at all my seats and they all have the same number molded into the foams, so the bases are all the same it doesn't matter what position your new ones come from. My bad. I marked all my stuff years back so they all get back to the original location come spring time. Sorry for the confusion. I also verified this from the microfiche online, they are all the same part#.
 
Thanks for looking, although on my seats the two fronts have molded groves on the side bases and the rest do not.
 
I was just trying to edit my post. Just went back out and looked and all the bases have the grooves. I wish I'd have seen that I spent a good amount of time trying to eyeball a difference in them.
 
Yep all cushions have the same bottom. Good luck finding them. If you have a good once, i would find someone good with foam and try to have them replicate the shape. seadooupholstery.com has the new vinyl for them. That boat sounds like a lot of work. How much did you get it for?
 
This thread will eventually turn into a full rebuild and ill take as many pictures as I can. So the story is I got the boat for $1500, spent $300 in gas. One of the seats did not come with it and one flew out on the interstate. I turned around and went back and it was gone. We will see where I end up in the end.
 
I guess you learned the first lesson of why i only towed my 98 with a cover on it. Good luck. With the help of everyone here it shouldnt be too complicated.
 
You could put the motors back together as is and use them as cores and have 2 engines with warranty for 2 years for 2000. Another 700 bucks to fix the interior and you are set. Less than 5 grand in and good for lots of hours. Did you verify the mpem or any electronics are good?
 
Definitely will have a cover any tow from now on. I did not verify any of the electronics, hopefully that doesn't bite me later. I found a rear back rest today, now just need a bottom cushion.
 
Tat makes me kinda nervous. If you have any issues...it can be very costly. Through in a $1500 MPEM to my abiove equation and you are now at 6000. There are lots of these boats in running condition for that or less. Does it have a working battery?
 
No battery in it, going on claims the seller said he had it out late last fall and tore everything apart right after, and everything is good. I plan to start tearing into things next week. Another concern of mine is if all parts are there giving he took everything apart and gave me a few rubber made containers full of things.
 
Jnz said:
....throttle cable is about to break and seller was adviced to replace both throttle cables, ...
Click to expand...

I had to scour the internet, but IIRC on here there's the reference to a guy who works at a manufacturing place who side-builds these. They aren't available anymore. You could luck out and send your old ones to a similar type custom place to make 2 new ones, I didn't have one nearby & this guys company was convenient so I did it. Amazing that you can get lots of parts, but these were disco'd everywhere....anyway, at least with my searching that's the impression I got.

That's about all I can contribute to you :(. Not a mechanic by any means.

Best of luck!
 
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