Is it fair to call SeaDoo's two-stroke engines unreliable?

[blacter]

I'm searching around the web trying to get an idea of the value of my '96 Challenger and came across this thread from another boating forum: http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/490585-96-seadoo.html.

Not a big sample, but two posters use the term "unreliable" to describe SeaDoo's two-stroke engines. I wonder if that's a fair characterization and if it's a widely held view that you more seasoned SeaDoo owners come across often.

Thanks.

 

[Guest_User]

I'm searching around the web trying to get an idea of the value of my '96 Challenger and came across this thread from another boating forum: http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/490585-96-seadoo.html.

Not a big sample, but two posters use the term "unreliable" to describe SeaDoo's two-stroke engines. I wonder if that's a fair characterization and if it's a widely held view that you more seasoned SeaDoo owners come across often.

Thanks.

I`m going to be biased here and say, well you can expect that kind of reply from that forum and the same types as...
the 720 and 787 are very good engines. high strung, yes, but as reliable as the care put into them...
unfortunately used boats could very well be abused boats then the PO gets rid of it... we have all been there and replaced an engine or 2...

I`ve also had Yamaha`s and can tell you that they are a very reliable engine as well, and stuff does happen, and I also rebuilt yamaha engines beside the seadoo`s.

so it is not really "fair" to say one is less reliable than the other... it`s all in the way the craft was cared for.
The good part is, they are easily repaired for a lot less money than it`s 4 stroke counterpart...

 

[purple_people_eater]

no. 587/657/717/787's are all very reliable motors even 951's if cared for correctly can live pretty long lives. do seadoo two require a little more up-keep? yes. the main problem with the "unreliablity" is lack of user care. 90% of the seadoos i repair around my area could have been prevented by a little care, such as fuel line replacement( if its not done, green goo can simi-plug the carbs, making a lean condition and causing a piston to melt), oil line replacement(duh), ect. and something else to remember is these motors are now 10-18+ years old and its starting to show. nothing runs forever without work and upkeep.

 

[howie099]

I wouldn't say they are unreliable. Most of the older boats just have some glitches you need to take care of. Most of time the older boats/ski have tired engines in them. The older ones don't have hour meters in them, the models with DESS you get the hours from the ECM. A 14' boat is a large ski. Most people don't upkeep them, put the wrong oil in them, don't service the fuel system and so on. The older Polaris w/Fuji engines have way more issues than the Seadoo's. Here are the big +'s with Seadoo's they sold the heck out of them so you can get about any OEM part new or used a good prices. Most parts from the ski's fit the boats and you can get tons of help of them.

 

[griz400]

I will give it a go, first off on that forum, in the boating world, they just dont like anything without a propeller, that being said, yours is equipped with an impeller, so, boat forums are just like that, it takes a certain breed to like seadoo boats, but, they always wanna take a ride in one -- go figure.... so, back when yours was built, (pre 4 tech), they all were 2 strokes, and when they were new, they were reliable, where unreliabilty comes in (is that a word ??) is when we buy these boats, skis, etc, and some dont realize, that if you dont personally know the person you buy it from, you dont know about the boat.... so, rule of thumb, say you buy a boat, and just take it out in the water, and you break down, was that really the thing to do ?? when i buy anything used, skis, cars, 4 wheelers, i just plan before hand, to change fluids, tune ups, grease, new battery, and go over everything, i mean everything, then, with some trial and error, you end up with a nice boat .... after may last year, i have ridden at least 3 out every 4 weeks, year round and never did anything but gas and oil, and grease everyyhing and sprayed down with silicon and always keep a battery tender hooked up , and flush after every time out - no repairs at all... put a set of plugs in it just for something to do .. my .03 cents -- happy boating this year .