HELP -What's it worth?

[SabrToothSqrl]

New member; long time Sea-Doo owner!

I have (had) a 1999 GTX LTD with 308 hrs on it.

It got water from the exaust system, into the intake. (apparently this is a known defect, I've read online)? I'm pretty handy working on cars and such, so I looked up how to remove the engine. And did.

The plan was to repair the engine and put it back in the ski.

Turns out that repairing this engine is WAY out of my comfort zone. I don't want to get 20 miles from the launch on an engine I put together... a Reman one is around $1200 + $100 gaskets + $100 shipping. Which is $1400ish total. on a ski, that running is worth $2800? so, anyway between being out of my comfort zone and approching the point of diminished return... I am thinking of selling my ski AS IS.

What I want to know is... what is it worth? I know the economy sucks right now, but this should be an 'easy' fix for someone who knows what they are doing.

The ski / hull is in 99% condition, garage kept, freshwater only, always covered. galvinized trailer... engine is OUT of the ski, all bolts are in zip lock bags. new wear ring last summer.

what do you think its worth? (trailer included).

I am thinking of just replacing it w/a double trailer and 1 (for now) used ski...

or should I suck it up and repair it?! I loved my ski and I love riding; but I dont know if I can do all this! :-/ put a $1400 engine in a $1,000 ski?! is 300hrs a good run for the 951 engine?

 

[custompartsguy]

this is a question that is all to common to us mechanics.....and as always pice vs what is it worth?
Let me start by saying this...you will never get as much as you put into something...at the same time something is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it. Now do you plan on selling it soon after you put the new motor in? Has it sat with the water in the motor and the motor locked up? what is wrong with the motor thats in it? The best answer here is cost vs cost how much do you want to spend to have fun? You can make something as new as you want and fully restore it to brand new, watercrafts are money pits, boaters sink money into them everyday.

 

[glenwhitt]

part it out

you may be able to get more for it if you part it out on ebay. Have you checked what the guages, pump, wiring harness, mpem, etc. etc. etc. go for on there? Just a thought. When all done you would have nice hull to sell also to someone that has put a rock through theres.

I dump tones of money into mine, but it gives me a hobby.

 

[fireball451]

I had to put a motor in mine. Went with one from SBT. So far all has been good. Their instructions and info on the net will help get you through it. I am a shade tree car mechanic at times and was a little intimidated by these skis at first. My dad pointed out that I can tear down a tuned port injection motor, rebuild it and have it running, why can't I do these...... There is really not much to them! Carbs are simple with few part etc... Go for it and put her back on the water!

 

[ski-d00]

I buy skis like yours all the time, it's worth about $1200 with the trailer if it's in good shape, at least that's what I pay for them in here in Ohio.
If you're an experienced mechanic, you can rebuild it yourself. You will need some special tools like a flywheel puller, engine alignment tool, etc, but people here can help you out, should cost no more than $800. Not difficult, but you must pay attention to detail.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

well

I have a 95 Tahoe for sale at the moment, once that is gone I can return my attention to the GTX...

I used the directions on the SBT site to remove the engine; and that is where I was considering getting the engine... the hull is in great shape. I'm just thinking if I can get $1,200 for the hull, trailer, and engine, that $1200 + $3,000 = new 'used' ski vs repairing this one... its a tough call... from what I've heard though I better off sticking with the 2 stroke older sea-doos as the newer ones won't run 10+ years... too much too go wrong... but I dont have any personal experience as I only have this 99...

well, we had a 94 then 96 then finally this 99

then they leveled off in HP for a while, now they are up to 255 right?!

I drove a 235 HP one that was insane... I loved it... but I just bought a new car, so that's way outta the price range...

 

[ski-d00]

I think the 4 strokes are more reliable and last longer than the 2 strokes, not to mention quieter and no smoke. I've seen some rental 4 stroke seadoos hit 1000+ hours with only regular maintenance, you'll never get that out of a 2 stroke. They are not as complicated as most people think, very similar to a small car engine, although still more parts than the 2 strokes.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

hmmm

well it looks like the 08s now have a 5 year warrenty... limited... what does that mean?