Best Year Speedster, Sportster, to Purchase?

[airforceruss]

All -

I'm looking to purchase a Speedster/Sportster or some other small variant of the Seadoo but I'm not sure what year to start looking at?

I've been reading about some 2 strokes but haven't figured out if there are 4 strokes and what year they started.

Any ideas/advice on this?

Thanks!

 

[Skatman]

4-tec....

The only 4 stroke Seadoo has to offer at the moment is the 1503, 4-TEC engine. Pretty fast for a 3 cylinder. Not sure about the very first year, but I believe it was around 2003.
The fastest 2 cycle is the 947cc.......they still make them.
I would stay away from the 2000-2004 boats equipped with the Mercury M-2 engines. Not because it's a bad motor. It isn't. It's a pretty good one. It's just that finding parts through the Seadoo, normal channels is all but impossible. So, stick with the Rotax powered watercraft.
My boat has the 787cc and is pretty nimble for a 5 passenger sport boat. Good luck!

 

[derek]

mine is a 96, i think. 2-720's in it. great little boat. motors are cheap and easy to work on. they don't like rough water though.

 

[1998speedstertwin]

1998 speedster twin 110

It took me a few years to find a clean one but i did last year. This boat and motor combo is the best setup seadoo has in a speedster. I can replace this boat with two brand new engines for 2k! great horsepower Great colors red black white. If you can find this setup i would not hesitate!

 

[kustomkarl]

uh... what about my 08 200 speedster, interloopingcooling system, 2) 4-tec engines, naturaly asperiated, 310 - Hp. runs 58mph all day long, on regular fuel. Wanna swap?............................never mind! :rofl:

Karl

 

[1998speedstertwin]

karl

I had the same boat you have and had a ton of problems. yes it was the first year of 4 tec. I sold it and purchased my 1998. Yes there were things that are better on the newer ones but for the money 2ok versus 8500 i have had no regrets. The 11o two stroke motors have proven for many years to be great engines. Replacement cost is only 1k per engine with warranty! im sure a 4 tec would be three to four times that. Yes thay are both great boats and your is awesome. I dont use mine as often as some as i have a 40' searay also. Sure wish i was in florida with ya!

 

[kustomkarl]

Uh which boat are you referring to... I have a 1997 Challenger w/787 110 hp (2 stroke) and my 2008 200 speedster with 2) 4-tec engines. Both have been flawless as far as repairs go. I would buy another seadoo in a hart beat, if I had to do over. The 4-tec is the cream of the crop. Look at my post count...I spend most of my time giving advice to 2 stroke owners. The 4-tec's don't have very many problems if maintained properly, like anything. I would say that the majority of the problems is from neglect or no maintenance on the owners behalf. If you don't take care of something no mater what it is, it will fail eventually.

Karl

 

[1998speedstertwin]

i had the first year of 200 speedster with 4 tech engines. (red in color i think it was an 05) had problems electric and was in and out of shop for a year yes under warranty and seadoo stood behind everything just out lots of time on my end. I have had great luck with my two strokes. Yes there days are very limited as 4 stroke technology is here to stay and with great reason. Im sure the day will come when i own another. maybe i just had a bad apple! As for now i enjoy the two strokes while it lasts!! glad you enjoy yours..

 

[kustomkarl]

I think it's the law of averages. No matter what we buy it can have problems. That's why everything has a warranty of some sort. If everything was perfect we wouldn't need any warranty...

Karl