Getting ready to pull the trigger on a 2003 205 Utopia.

[captcharles]

I'm new to jet boats. I found this boat on Craigslist and it sounds OK. Seller agreed to let me take it to a shop to get checked out.

He's asking 8800 with a trailer. Pictures look good. Upholstery looks good and boat looks clean. NADA says high retail on the boat is $8000 and he won't negotiate on the price.

What say you?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Seadoosam]

Are you stuck on a Utopia? Are you stuck on getting a jet?

That sounds like a lot of money for that boat. I would expect to pay no more than 7k for that boat depending on condition. How many hours does it have ? Has it had salt water use?

 

[captcharles]

Seller says he doesn't know the hours. Said fresh water use. Not stuck on that particular boat but they seem hard to find. Spent hours on Craigslist, iboats and several other sites but not much. I'd like to keep it to 8K for my budget. I do need a jet drive, light weight boat for my purpose.

 

[Seadoosam]

Ok, yeah I do think the utopias are rare. I've only seen a few in person. Are you going to see it in person? Check for corrosion in the bilge and around the jet pump. If there is corrosion it was probably used in salt water which is bad IMO.

Is the interior in 100% perfect shape?

What is the purpose / goal of the boat?

 

[captcharles]

They said the interior is good. The boat is about 2 hours away. I called to see if I can go look at it tomorrow.

The use. I operate a sightseeing chartboat operation in WA state. There is a lighthouse on a spit that people want to go to. No dock. Can only land on the "beach". I've been using a small Livingston but it's a PIA to use, slow and I can only take 4 passengers.

I was thinking that if I could find this or something similar, carry 6 passengers and only draft 12" it would be much more useful for that purpose.

 

[captcharles]

I should add that it doesn't have to be a Utopia. Just fit the requirements above. Done a lot of searching for "jet boats" and haven't found much of anything in the area or state.

 

[captcharles]

One other thing. I can't get the Classifieds section of this site to work. Keep getting error messages. So if there are boats here on this forum for sale I can't see them.

 

[Seadoosam]

That's a cool use for the boat. Sounds like a jet would be ideal for your situation but you do know a stern drive can just be tilted up? Anyway, the Utopia probably would be the best of the Seadoo jet boats because of the windshield. You do have to go look in person pictures can tell a very false tale.

Also is this a 2 or four stroke?
Usually I try to stay away from salt water with a jet.. are you against an outboard powered vessel?

Also, are you sure you want fiberglass if you are continually beaching the thing?

The Classifieds don't work for me either.

 

[captcharles]

This one is a Merc 2 stroke.

The beach is really shallow and most rocky. I was planning on putting either a Keel Guard or Rhino line the keel to protect it. I've been using a small fiberglass boat with an outboard and it's just a PIA to land with that and I can only take 4 passengers. The biggest thing is it's so small I have to launch from a small ramp close to the spit and it takes a 6' incoming tide to launch. It's too small as well. With the 205 I can launch from my usual marina with pretty any time.

I really wanted something as light as I can get and the 205 says 2200 lbs dry in the specs. Any old 19' boat with an outboard would weigh a good bit more.

I have a Waverunner and use it in salt water. I just flush well and use Salt Away after each use. The boat won't stay in the water either. Only launched for each use the pulled out.

 

[Seadoosam]

Ok, now I see why you don't want an outboard. as long as you don't leave it in the water and flush as you already do it should be fine then. When you say rocky are we talking small rocks that would possibly get sucked up ?

Post your findings when and if you take a look at the boat in person.

 

[captcharles]

Some small rocks. I'll definitely have to be careful with that.

And I'll report back after I see her.

 

[1of500]

Id stay away from the merc

 

[captcharles]

Why not a Merc. Turns out it was a 185 not a 205 as the listing said. Looked pretty clean. 2 gauges looked fogged up. So....

 

[1of500]

Hard to acquire parts for the engine if it fails.

 

[SeptemberC]

I have a 2004 merc powered Islandia. We love it. Engine is very reliable if taken care of. Dr Honda can offer help if needed. Doesn't sound like the guy really wants to part with it if he's not willing to negotiate. I wouldn't part with mine for $$ over retail.

 

[captcharles]

This guy said he's not a dealer. He works for a auto dealer and buys and sells stuff on the side. I can't imagine he has much in it but we'll see. It's going to a Merc dealer tomorrow to get checked out and based on that I'll see. I really surprised how much these sell for. A 13 year old boat for 1/3 of what it sold for new. That's amazing to me. I wish the classifieds section of this site was working. I really wanted to see if there were any boats for sale here.

Thanks for all the replies y'all.

 

[SeptemberC]

I just found this in Craigslist. We have a Sea-Doo RXP 155 also. Hubby complained that he never gets to ride it because someone else is always riding it. LOL. ANYWAY... while searching for another ski I ran across this.

2002 Sea-Doo Utopia 20ft Jet Boat, Mercruiser V6 -FREE WINTER STORAGE

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/boa/5939699661.html

Just thought I'd show you for price comparison.

 

[captcharles]

Looks nice. But that would be about a 6000 mile trip. Thanks for showing me that though.

 

[185utopia210]

In our area, prices have gone up for the Utopias. I got more $ for mine last summer than we paid 5 years earlier. Just check the hours(if its Fuel inj) and visual condition at least. When purchased I also did a compression test. If he's just flipping the boat i'd be wary and certainly not give him asking price.

 

[captcharles]

It's at a Mercury shop right now. They're doing compression test and checking pump oils and running a computer for hours and rpm recorded, impeller and more. Should know this morning. I'm not going to pay his ask price of $8800 especially since he advertised it as a 205 and it turned out to be a 185.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Cablebandit]

If the Utopia has the older style oil pump, you need to convert to premix immediately and it will last. If it has the newer electric oil pump, you are good to go.

Also, Utopia doesnt have a DIY interior kit so keep that in mind, The Challenger does and goes for around 600 dollars. I am currently redoing my Challenger interior as we speak.

I have an abused 02 utopia i am parting so let me know if i might have something you need

 

[captcharles]

Got the inspection report yesterday. Bad. Two gauges don't work. He said it looked like the oil had never been changed. Ignition wires rusted through. Plugs were shot. And on and on...

So on to the next. Found a 2006 Utopia 205se in California. The seller agreed to take it for an inspection. Hopefully it will be in better shape.

Thanks for all the replies y'all.

 

[gioakjoe]

dang id sell you my 2003 185 for 7k all new gauges with merc Monitor, new 1 year engine installed by a certified merc repair shop, trim tabs(i think are a must) and new Sony stereo with sub and amp just a couple tears in the sun pad

im looking to get a bigger boat other wise I love my boat just have to many friends lol

 

[SeptemberC]

http://www.powerboatlistings.com/cg...facturer=Sea Doo&view_records=1date&sb=33&so=

 

[captcharles]

The report came in great for the 06 205SE. The seller is delivering the boat from LA to Washington State (not for free but less that the uship.com prices I had received). Picking it up tomorrow. Yea!!

Thanks again for the replies.