Buying a Utopia...

[Cest la vie]

...probably...

Hi all!
New to jet boating, but have been boating and jet skiing all my life. A few years ago, my wife wanted a boat, so we bought a 24 foot pontoon boat, which was great for our daughter (6 at the time) to learn how to swim and jump and all of that, but we outgrew it after a year. "I want to go fast, Daddy!"

Sold the pontoon and haven't had a boat for the past 2 seasons, and my wife told me she would like another boat. I have always wanted a jet boat, so we began the search and decided on the Utopia.

We are driving up to test drive a 2002 tomorrow. Anything in particular I should be looking/listening for?

Thanks!

 

[Dr Honda]

Welcome.

This question has been asked at least 4 times this summer.... but here is a snip-it from another post I made. But, since you didn't say what Utopia/engine combo you are looking at... it will be a little generic. The small utopia with the 210 engine will have carbs, and not be EFI. But the info is still relevant.

{Originally posted a few weeks ago}

So.... what to look for:


1) Big holes are not good. (lol) Ok... I know... sounds like a joke... but seriously... it's a heavy boat... and rock damage is real. Get your head into the engine compartment, and look for patches. Get under it (since it's on a trailer) and look for large gouges. Ask the owner flat out... "Has there been any hull damage/repair?"


2) How does it run? These Merc EFI engines should start easy, and quick. After I did my rebuild (and got a loose fuel hose tightened down) My engine would start with a touch of the key. (hot or cold) I haven't gotten mine out from hibernation yet... but I'm betting it will start with less than 5 seconds of cranking. (once I charge the bat)

3) The smoke should be minimal. Heavy smoke at idle is a sign of a bad TPS or port side temp sender. The TPS is CRAZY expensive. ($500)

4) Make sure the pumps work. there are 3 pumps in that boat. There is the pond pump, the bilge pump, and the fresh water pump. None are overly expensive... but they seem to be bad when people buy the boat. Also... take the cap off the fresh water tank, and give it a sniff. It shouldn't smell nasty.


5) The new wear ring, and impeller are a good sign that the people maintained the boat. But... check the pump for corrosion. Also... get under it, and look at the intake grate. The stock one is weak, and known to break. If it's bent, or missing tines... that will need fixed.

6) general part movement. Check the steering, throttle, shiftier to make sure they are free. Also, check the seats, changing room lid, draws, and deck lid for function. Basically... open and close... or operate any thing that can move.

7) If you are really serious about it... and don't want any surprises... check the compression. It should be 125 psi or better for a healthy engine. If it has some time on it... it should still run down around 120. And... if they guys is willing... you can take it to a Merc dealer, and have them plug the scanner in, and they can tell you the history, and time.

8) THE MOST IMPORTANT THING: take it on a water ride, long enough to know if there is any issues. (Over heating, hard starting, loss of power, etc) You need to be out there at least 15~20 min. And... turn it off, and restart a few times.



With all that said... I dont expect it to be a new boat... and the price is good. So, weigh any issues you find to the price. But... under $10K... I would overlook some small stuff.

If you have any questions.... just yell.

 

[Cest la vie]

Thanks! I saw some of that is other threads, but that was lots of good info all in one thread. I know...I know...Use the "Search" function!

 

[Murph_13]

Doc has provided you with some good info...it looks to be geared toward the Islandia so keep that in mind...the only pump (#4 above) is the bilge on the Utopia and you may or may not have a changing room which would be under the sunpad if equipped.

Also, for pricing, be aware that there were two 185 models available in 2002 and the NADA values are significantly different. They offered the "Distinctive" and the "Sport" models in the 185. The "Distinctive" has green trim and the older hull (I think the differences in the hull are minimal, the exhaust exits are located in different places is probably the biggest difference...possibly a performance improvement? The original hull had a short run, 1-1/2 years?) and the "Sport" has navy trim and the newer hull design along with a nicer helm and glovebox area.

NADA on the two:

185 Distinctive/Green Trim...MSRP $20,799 and the Average Retail $7050

185 Sport/Navy Trim...MSRP $22,127 and the Average Retail $9,230

The average retail prices above were for my area/ZIP and with no options seleceted (i.e. bimini top, boat cover, etc.)...so you don't want to pay "Sport" price for a "Distinctive" model. You may already be aware of this, but just want to make sure and if you're looking at a 205 (which I suspect you are since you're coming from a 24 ft. pontoon) then this is moot point.

If you're looking at a carbureted 210HP model it may take a bit to start cold (not excessively long, but not a touch of the key either), but should fire up with the touch of the key thereafter. The RPMs should be near 6000 at WOT and I would think that you should see at least 40 mph on the speedo (not actual) with either the 185 or 205 if everything is in good running order.

I personally have a 2002 Utopia 185 Sport with the 210 HP carbureted model and have seen 50-55 mph on the speedometer with my wife and I in the boat and in good water conditions and have seen a GPS reading of 48 mph when the speedometer read 52 mph...with that said, my impeller and pump are in very good condition and I keep them protected with the 11-tine rock grate (see Doc's info above on the grate, #5)...if the original hydro-surge grate is on the boat you are looking at you will want to replace it ASAP with a fixed grate. I'm on my third summer with this boat and absolutely love the Utopia and I think you will as well...especially if you're looking at the 205...that's my only regret...should have gotten the 205 as it's trimmed out much nicer than the 185, has the table and more storage area (didn't realize it would have fit in my garage with a swing-away trailer tongue when I was looking).

Hope your test drive goes well.

 

[Cest la vie]

Thanks!
yes, it is the 185 sport model. I already planned on replacing the grate and also adding the cobra steering.

It is very well priced. I'll let you know how it works out.

 

[Murph_13]

Sounds good and again, good luck, I hope it all works out...they're great boats!

 

[Dr Honda]

Thanks!
yes, it is the 185 sport model. I already planned on replacing the grate and also adding the cobra steering.

It is very well priced. I'll let you know how it works out.

Actually... the search kind of sux on this site... but at least you know to use it. (LOL) Honestly... I just didn't feel like typing when I posted above.



OK... with the 185... I'm going to assume it also has the 210. But Murph can tell us.


THe big things are...

1) Damage, and patches.

2) It should start cold, without too much trouble

3) it should re-start warm, after sitting for 5~10 minutes... and after only 1~2 min.

4) Smoke should be minimal after it's warm... and there should be no visible smoke above 3000 RPM.

5) Check function of every switch.

 

[Murph_13]

More good points Doc...it could have the 200HP Optimax (DI) or 240HP EFI...I could be wrong, but I believe the 210HP Carb'd was the standard motor and the other two were options...

 

[Cest la vie]

Drove up and test drove it! Had the chance to check it out while it was still on the trailer. One small patch job over a ding in the glass on the bottom. No big deal. No hydrosurge grate, so that is a plus!
Put it in the water and it started right up. Test drive went well. Everything worked with small minor cosmetic issues. Engine sounded great and was responsive, Steering was true, even at low speeds.

The only problem was that my truck started to overheat in the mountains on the way home! (But we made it!)

So... I am now a Utopia owner!

 

[Dr Honda]

Nice !!!


The little cosmetic stuff is normal.

So... post up some pics when you get a chance.

 

[Murph_13]

Congrats!

Nice that the grate has already been replaced. One thing I would recommend that I think your wife and daughter will appreciate (you too!) would be to keep your eye out for a two-step boarding ladder (that single-step ladder doesn't cut it). I found one on ebay in great shape and got it to the house for just under $50 (which I thought was a great deal...came with the hardware...the mounting brackets are different between the original and the two-step). I'm pretty sure the ladder I got was from a Challenger 1800 and the brackets and everything lined up perfectly. There are posts on the site about replacing boarding ladders and it seems like they are not all the same so you may have to do some looking into which one's work with your boat. They actually went to a two-step ladder on the Utopia in 2005 (possibly earlier, but 2005 for sure which was still Merc powered and that may be where I got the part number for the ladder and was able to cross reference it with other boats this way to see what works).

Well again, congratulations...I think you'll really enjoy it!

 

[Cest la vie]

Sorry it took a while to post these. I have been working out of town since I bought it!