Help grandpa - To Super or Not?

[Grandpa B]

New here but great forum, have scanned a few posts in the past!
Purchase help.
Have narrowed it down to the speedster/ sportster
Highly considering the 215 hp 2007 speedster like the one in my profile.
The supercharger has me concerned, with the added purchase cost and maintenance. Kind of a power Grandpa though.
Own 4 jet skis. 2 - GP1200 (noisey, gas guzzling rockets) and 2 - stand up,s. Own house on a lake with all kinds of wake boats on it and I have no boat. Ya, it's a WANT! Garage length only 19', gravel launch on site.

215 HP 4tec supercharged
1. Are they dependable? Will not be out of the water (air borne) much, I think, have the jet skis for that.
2. Do I really need it for pulling 200 plus lbs - Skiing and wakeboarding or will the 155 hp do just fine? Will be used for this maybe 50% of the time, balance will be cruising and tubbing.
3. Service absolutely required when, after break in?
4. How much more hole shot and top end power do you really get/improve by moving to the 215.
5. Tell me what I'd be missing with 155 HP. Sorry very open ended question?
6. Tell me what I would get with the 215 HP?
Thanks in advance
Grandpa B, looking for advise from the people that know!!
What we Grandpa's don't do for our kids and grand kids.

 

[Craigmri]

Gramps,

I've never been out on the water aboard a speedster 150 so take my comments as you will.

If I was going to get a Speedster 150 I would get the 155hp. For the relatively small difference in performance you pay less up front, aret subject to potential failures and downtime associated with the failures. No aupercharger rebuild every 100 hours and no need for premium fuel.

I had twin 155s in my Utopia 205 and think they're great! Very economical on gas and reliable.

Craig

 

[Grandpa B]

Super or Not to super?

thanks for the info Craigmri
Was hopeing to here from some 155 sportster/speedster owners.
I'm sure they will come.
Everybody likes their own boat, yours looks great, looked at the challengers, how are they for pulling, Oh you have 2 motors, sorry it must pull awesome.
My plan is to anchor the speedster in front of the house like we do the jet skis. Does the bow eye when anchored pull down the front to much for a small wave to enter the boat on a speedster.
Well asking more questions, sorry.
Thanks for the reply
Grandpa B

 

[Craigmri]

Gramps,

My current boat(Challenger 180 in my Avatar) is a single engine 215hp engine. It was mu Utopia 205 that was the twin.

Craig

 

[makmend]

Grandpa B;
I regulary pull a heavy two person tube (Sportstuff Speedszone 2) with two heavy adults with my 155 hp speedster with addtional two adults in the boat. I have more than enough power and usually its the riders begging to slow down. I do not see any difference in the hole shot or top speed whether I am using regular or premium gas, and as Craigmri it is very economical on gas.
The 155 hp can use any XW-40 full synthetic oil (SJ,SL or SM) as it does not have the supercharger washer.
Before I bought my boat I was looking at the 215 HP and 155 HP. I was concerned with the reliability of the supercharger washer and selected the 155 hp. However the 215 supercharger clutch washer can be upgraded to a heavy duty steel decreasing the chance of failure.

 

[Grandpa B]

To Super or Not?

Thanks for the post/info Makmend,
Sounds like you were once in the position I'm in right now!
Thats a nice looking speedster, we have the same taste, just like the one I PASSED on today, but it had the 215 hp. (a 2007, $14 w/ tower, 16 hours on it) Made that discision before your post, hopefully I will not regret it, nice boat and think was a good, (not great) price! Something was holding me back about the supercharger, and it wasn't this speedster or the up front $. May be making something out of nothing, so I'm seeking input / info / Help?

Tubeing will be about (estimated of course) 30%.
Skiing & Wakeboarding 30%
Cruising 40% - Grandpa's and Grandma like to do this you know!
I know what your thinking, pretty sporty boat for a Grandpa, but grandpa thinks grandma will wear it well!

Would like to hear from some late model Speedster/Sportster 155 hp 4TEC owners on how they pull skier's and wake boarders, including the heavy weights?

Thanks again for your post!
Grandpa B

 

[screwball]

I'm a Grandpa too, 63 years old. We bought the boat because #1 son and his wife gave us a beautiful Grand daughter, and we figured she wouldn't be riding the GTX Limiteds soon. We bought an 08 Speedster with the blower. Had a problem initially with the supercharger, but Seadoo fixed it and all is well.

First, can you try both?? We did. The additional 60 hp makes a hell of a difference. I'm no spring chicken, and not a flyweight (245lbs) and the little guy pulls me up in no time on a single ski. For the extra couple of bucks why not be faster than most boats on the river (or lake) Really pisses them off when a gray haired old man blow them out of the water!

Anyway, we are very happy with ours, good luck, and ENJOY!

 

[Comfortably Numb]

I have to say I agree with Screwball.....

I don't own either speedster you are talking about but since I purchased a 97 Speedster this summer two of my friends have purchased newer Speedsters.

The first was an 08 150 w/ 155hp the second friend 07 150 w/ 215.

While there is nothing wrong with the 155hp there is a huge difference in the added power. You will notice this difference in hole shots, flat out running, and when trying to do spins. The 155hp just doesn't have enough balls to spin like the older style Speedsters or the higher horsepower ones.

Also I do understand the 215hp does get a little worse gas mileage, but compared to the twin 85hp engines I have mileage it is awesome. We ran 110 miles last weekend and the 215hp used about 18 gallons.

One final note: These boats they are calling supercharged are really not supercharged...they are turbo-charged which in actually works out much better. So if you are concerned about maintenance do some research on turbo maintenance.

That is as unbiased info as I think you can get....Good Luck!

 

[Craigmri]

Turbo what??

Trust me...they're supercharged.......A Turbo produces boost from exhaust....A supercharger is either belt driven or like our Seadoos, Gear driven.

Craig

I have to say I agree with Screwball.....

I don't own either speedster you are talking about but since I purchased a 97 Speedster this summer two of my friends have purchased newer Speedsters.

The first was an 08 150 w/ 155hp the second friend 07 150 w/ 215.

While there is nothing wrong with the 155hp there is a huge difference in the added power. You will notice this difference in hole shots, flat out running, and when trying to do spins. The 155hp just doesn't have enough balls to spin like the older style Speedsters or the higher horsepower ones.

Also I do understand the 215hp does get a little worse gas mileage, but compared to the twin 85hp engines I have mileage it is awesome. We ran 110 miles last weekend and the 215hp used about 18 gallons.

One final note: These boats they are calling supercharged are really not supercharged...they are turbo-charged which in actually works out much better. So if you are concerned about maintenance do some research on turbo maintenance.

That is as unbiased info as I think you can get....Good Luck!

 

[Grandpa B]

Help Grandpa B

Wow Guys;
What a lot info / posts! I LOVE this forum / place!

KEEP THE POST COMING GUYS!
Lets hear all!
Sounds like both the 155 HP and 215 HP are great motors, the ones to buy!

Just to set the record strait, there is no Grandpa A, Grandpa B, the B stands for my first name. I'm not a second rate Grandpa, at least in my own mind, well maybe sometimes Grandma will argue that point!

I will have to absorb all of this and post more later! I'm at WORK, ya I'm a working Grandpa B, YET.
Thanks all for the info
Will post more later
Grandpa B

 

[Grandpa B]

Help Grandpa B

Thanks for all the post's

I am now thinking I may have made a mistake passing on that 2007 Speedster 150 215 HP, super charger or not! It still may be availible if I act fast. Grandpa's are not very fast though!

Thanks for your post screwball, did you actually try out both and there was that much differance? Just when I was leaning to the 155 hp.
That 100 hour service on the super charger.....? Is it every 100 hours or just after the first 100 hours?
I have a super charged sports car, do I need to service it at 100 hours?

I'm learning lot's.
Nice to know the 215 HP does well on gas. Thanks for that comfortably Numb.

Would still like to hear from some late model Speedster/Sportster 155 hp 4TEC owners on how they pull skier's and wake boarders, including the heavy weights?

[/B]KEEP THE POST COMING GUYS!
Thanks again,
Grandpa B

 

[Lee]

super

Grampa, I have the 155hp and when I bought it (7hrs. on it) it pulled me(225lbs) on a tube no problem.GPS'ed at 50 mph in 12" waves with 2 of us(equally heavy) in it and a half tank of fuel. As far as the supercharged models I didn't even consider it. Too much maintenence for me.I don't think seadoo has this blower thing figured out yet. I have a 10psi vortech blower on my car that works flawlessly and you can buy #1 fuel at any station.It's bad enough to find a marina when low on fuel let alone one that has #1:ack:
Thats my opinion anyway:cheers:

 

[CypherAZ]

Trust me...they're supercharged.......A Turbo produces boost from exhaust....A supercharger is either belt driven or like our Seadoos, Gear driven.

Craig

Never heard of a hotside supercharger? :reddevil:

 

[shockerfd]

If you're like most people, there never seems to be enough power. You don't want to make that purchase and then find out it's not enough. The boat has or should come with a warranty. That should ease your mind on repairs. If you don't mind turning a wrench or two the maintenance doesn't seem too intimidating. I say go for the 215hp and enjoy the ride.

BTW, what Supercharged car are you driving? My guess is you're sporting the Shelby Mustang? My 89 Stang is powered by Vortech and the differences with and without it are obviously night and day. Sort of like with the differences between the two boats you would probably encounter.

 

[Grandpa B]

Help Grandpa B

Wow thanks for all the posts GUYS!
THIS is great help!!!!!!

Lets review what I've learned thru your posts on the seadoo 4TEC - 4 stroke motors, in this case the late model speedster / sportster 150.

155 HP 4TEC1. Very good gas mileage
2. Pulls tubes well even with some weight involved
3. Quiet motor / dependable / 4 stroke
4. Decent power - is it enough? *****

215 HP 4TEC Super charged / Blower
1. Decent gas mileage
2. Can pull heavier skiers
3. Quiet motor? / probably dependable? / 4 stroke
4. Better hole shots and top end speed
5. Service required at 100 hrs on super charger! $$ more maintenance.
6. More up front $

Please correct any and all of the above?

Sounds like both the 155 HP and 215 HP are great motors, the ones to buy!
Nobody dissputed this/my comment, Yet?

Still like to hear from some late model Speedster/Sportster 155 hp 4TEC owners on how they pull skier's and wake boarders, including the heavy weights?
As to my supercharged sports car, it's a 2006 MINI COPPER S, dolled up just a little under the hood and on the outside. Remember in my first post, I like power, thats what makes this discision difficult. My heart say 215 HP, my gut says 155 HP.

I'd have to say I'm inclined to agree with one of Lee's comments that jumped out at me>

Lee's Post
Grampa, I have the 155hp and when I bought it (7hrs. on it) it pulled me(225lbs) on a tube no problem.GPS'ed at 50 mph in 12" waves with 2 of us(equally heavy) in it and a half tank of fuel. As far as the supercharged models I didn't even consider it. Too much maintenence for me. I don't think seadoo has this blower thing figured out yet. I have a 10psi vortech blower on my car that works flawlessly and you can buy #1 fuel at any station.It's bad enough to find a marina when low on fuel let alone one that has #1
Thats my opinion anyway
__________________
Lee

Added comment,
Saw an advertisment for a speedster 215 HP where the add said he ran on regular GAS, I believe in CA, missprint / lie or what?

Still milling over all the posts!!!!!!! No discision made YET!
Most important - Grammy with look good in either!!!
Thanks to all
Grandpa B

 

[CypherAZ]

People overract to the 100hr service on the superchargered 4-tec engines. $800 to rebuild the charger every 100 hours, do you know how long it'll take the average person to put 100 hours on their boat.

As for the regular gas, the owners manual on the C180 says that you can use 87 octane....I don't.

 

[CypherAZ]

Thanks for all the post's

I am now thinking I may have made a mistake passing on that 2007 Speedster 150 215 HP, super charger or not! It still may be availible if I act fast. Grandpa's are not very fast though!

Thanks for your post screwball, did you actually try out both and there was that much differance? Just when I was leaning to the 155 hp.
That 100 hour service on the super charger.....? Is it every 100 hours or just after the first 100 hours?
I have a super charged sports car, do I need to service it at 100 hours?

I'm learning lot's.
Nice to know the 215 HP does well on gas. Thanks for that comfortably Numb.

Would still like to hear from some late model Speedster/Sportster 155 hp 4TEC owners on how they pull skier's and wake boarders, including the heavy weights?

[/B]KEEP THE POST COMING GUYS!
Thanks again,
Grandpa B

Look at it this way drive your supercharged car around above 6000rpm all the time, do you think the supercharger would last through a 100 hours of use? I doubt it.

 

[screwball]

Did I try both, yes. My neighbor bought a 155 hp. Fun boat, really liked it, so wife and I went to the dealer to get one. She noticed that there were 2 different HP ratings and asked. The dealer set up a 'test ride' and we drove the 215....and bought it. Neighbor Rich almost crapped when we showed up with the blown version of his boat. His is yellow, ours is red.

There is a little friendly competition going on in our little community. Most of us are retired and financially comfortable. I had the fastest Seadoos in the community with our GTX Limiteds. Our Speedster is the second fastest boat, neighbor Jim's Avenger can smoke most everything on the river. Neighbor Dan just bought a pair of the 255 hp Seadoo PWC's, haven't had a chance to race him yet....(My GTX Limited's aren't stock!) All this from a bunch of fat old retired engineers.

But I degress...

If you don't like the additional speed, don't push the throttle too far. Would be a shame if you got the 155 and didn't have the power you wanted, not much you can do. I too am a bit confused, if you are worried about the maintenance cost of the blower, why did you get one on the Mini?? Can you see yourself driving it with a 30% reduction in power? Remember, boats ain't cheap. Wanna save lots of maintenance money, get a canoe

NOW, throw caution to the wind, get that boat and drive the hell out of it!

 

[Grandpa B]

Help Grandpa B

Lets do some math!
Not my favorite and someone will tear this apart, but so be it.
Its just a educated guess anyway!

If I use the boat with a 215 HP 4tec motor somewhat, so lets say:
Annually 12 days @ 4.17 hours a day = 50 hrs annual use.
Super charge rebuild cost Approx. $800.00
Super charge rebuild every 100 hrs.
So figure 1/2 of the $800.00 per year = $400.00 needs to be saved up/put away.
Adds up doesn't it, just for the supercharger.

One more step.
the $400.00 could be used toward fuel
$400.00 worth of fuel at $3.50 @ gal = 114 gallons
114 gallons / 6 gal +/- per hour = 19 hrs of use.
Which is 38% of the rebuild charge of the blower per year, could be used for fuel!
Please don't tear Grandpa's math to much apart!

End result,
WHO CARES!!!
Enjoy your BOAT!!!!!

THIS IS WHERE I AM TODAY, TOMORROW WHO KNOWS?

I've heard it said that a boat is nothing but a displacement in the water to throw your money into, I think this came from grammy.

As I'm wrting this post had a mail call. Received Screw ball's post, your great, love your comments man, oh sorry grand pa pa.
NOW, throw caution to the wind, get that boat and drive the hell out of it!

Will have to digest that awesome post for a while, thanks for putting it all in perspective.
Good point about the mini, it receives a lot of love with not much use.
The boat will get a little more use!! Remember I live in the Pacific NW, rains 367 ½ days a year, wouldn't want to get her wet or anything. I thinks it's a HER, my wife thinks its a HER. Don't go there!

Oh by the way screw ball I do own a kayak, actually 2 of them, close to a canoe only better! Still a working Grandpa, better get back to the salt mine, if the boss catches me online he'll, he'll, he'll, well I'm the boss so I better set a good example!!!!!!

Well Still waiting for someone to post about:

Like to hear from some late model Speedster/Sportster 155 hp 4TEC owners on how they pull skier's and wake boarders, including the heavy weights?

Grand ma ma thinks Grandpa needs some real Professional help!! Not on Boats!!

Thanks for all the post Guys
This is just GREAT!!!!!!!!
Grandpa B