Look at a 1997 Speedster that has been sitting

[RobertV]

So, I am looking at a 1997 Speedster that has been sitting for some time.
I have been reading here and on other forums about the common issues with these beasts.
I think I have a pretty good idea of what to look for.
I hope to find that it only needs a good carb clean/rebuild, new plugs, battery, new fuel lines, maybe some oil injector pump work, really good cleaning, etc. AND has good/even compression, with a working MPEM, you know - all the expensive stuff working.
This will be a winter project for me.
Attached are a few pics (yeah I know it is rough, but it will be cheap)
I will be inspecting it tomorrow and will post more pics.

 

[factory81]

Not bad looking seats really for being in the elements.

Replace the speakers, get cleaning the inside.

I am not a professional by any means, but when I got my boat (it had some problems). I had cavitation caused by a $6 part that needed to be replaced, so make sure it does not cavitate.

Also clean your RAVE's obviously...

 

[vilord]

what was the $6 part, was it the neoprene seal?

 

[PayVay]

Wow... Can you say tarp? lol

 

[RobertV]

Looked at it this morning - picking it up tonight

factory81:
Seats are in good shape - no rips or splits
This has the 717 motors - so no RAVEs right?

PayVay:
Yeah, it has a cover - the yard workers at the marina never put it back on after it was blown off this year - stupid.

This beast was winterized the end of 06 and has not been used since. It is reported that it ran well and the owner owed the marina money for other work on his "go fast" boat so he signed over the speedster.

I'll snap some more photos during the day tomorrow and post them.

Can't wait to give her a good cleaning and dive in on the mechanicals:cheers:

 

[factory81]

Neoprene seal and jet pump seal.

 

[RobertV]

Got her running last night

I sucked out all the old fuel, put in five gals of high test, filled up the oil tank with Seadoo oil, installed a new battery - cranked her over - would not fire. So I pulled the plugs, they were all full of oil - so it looks like the oil pumps are working - good sign - no fuel though.
I dripped some fuel in each plug hole, cleaned the plugs off - and both motors fired and died - then fired again after about 15 secs of cranking each.
I was happy. :cheers: I left my compression tester up north - so I didn't get to do a compression test - I would prefer to do one before I continued.
Despite that, I went to town and pulled all the seats out getting her ready to have a good cleaning.
This morning I used the pressure washer and some serious brush scrubbing - the hull looks nice and the engine bay is somewhat clean. I would love to pull the motors, fuel tank, etc. and go to town on the engine bay - but that will have to wait until I need to pull a motor.
I am going to replace the oil in the jet pump cones.
Is there anything else I need to do before a sea trial?
TIA

 

[sporsterjoel]

id check the impellers and wear rings.

 

[Dans97challenger]

I would be careful about going in the ocean too. These are not ocean friendly boats at only 14ft. They are pretty much built to be on lakes with no choppy waters. Good luck I hope it all works out for you in the end. They are definitely fun boats for sure. I only got to use mine twice since I bought it and had fun both times.

 

[RobertV]

I forgot to add -

I will be greasing the PTO flywheel too.

Sportserjoel - Yes, good point about the impellers and wear rings - I'll inspect them when I change the pump lube - just need to find my feeler gauges.

Dans97challenger - I will be testing this on the Hudson river and then in the spring it will be on a lake - no ocean going for me in this - way too small - even too small to truly enjoy the Hudson river by me.

Found a new issue last night - one of the exhaust headers/tuned pipe has a leak where they weld or cast the flat plugs in - just between the two water inlet nozzles.

I think I have a used one locally in good shape that should be pretty cheap - if not, eBay here I come. At least the 717 is a very common motor - tons of used parts out there.

 

[Nate Surveyor]

OK, give us an update!

Didja get the boat?

How's repairs coming on?

N

 

[RobertV]

Pics

Nate - yes I did buy her - read some of the posts above for updates.

Here are a bunch of her dirty pics:

 

[RobertV]

Pics 2

More dirty pics:

 

[RobertV]

Pics 3

Here is her current state (I'll buff the hull in the spring):

 

[unclejay]

For seats

try this - use Simple Green and a terrry towel to clean them. You can use 3M green scrubber VERY LIGHTLY on tough spots. Then rinse thoroughly with water, this is very important to remove Simple Green residue. Final step is Armor All, this does wonders on seats, the yellow console, and in fact the entire hull. True, A-A doesnt last that long but if you keep at it, it does an amazing job in just a few minutes. Ive been doing my Doo for many years that way and it is primo.

 

[RobertV]

I used Simple Green on the hull - I love that stuff - beein using it since 1994

THX for the advice to use it on the seats with the terry cloth - they need a ton of TLC - but i am sure that they will look 10 times better when I am done.
If the beast runs well in the water, I may even make and replace the yellow sections of vinyl - time will tell.

 

[Dans97challenger]

Great job on cleaning it. It looks a million times better. What I did to clean mine is I took my bucket and put car wash and a 1/2 gallon of bleach in it and I scrubbed the hell out of every part of the boat with it. Man did it brighten up the entire boat big time. I would recommend that to anyone. Just remember to wear gloves or you could be in some pain from the bleach if you have cuts on your hands.

 

[Turbo442]

Is that an air box cover in the very first photo laying in the leaves? Thats probably a sign of some kind of trouble a while back?

Look at the fuel strainers.

Dont just check the impeller to wear ring clearence. You need to look at the leading and trailing edge of the impeller for damage. Its pretty hard to do with out removing it from the pump.

 

[RobertV]

Not sure what that was from -

Turbo442 - it was not from this boat - it does look like an air box cover.

I did check the fuel strainers - I was surprised to find them very clean.

THX for the heads up on the impellers - I'll inspect the leading and trailing edge when I replace the oil.

 

[vilord]

On that age boat, you might want to check the exhaust gaskets at the hull. The rubber on mine was completely disintegrated, ruined a day to the lake, as it had to be ordered from brp canada.

Yours uses different gaskets than mine did, but still worth a look. In fact I'd visually check all the gaskets... exhaust, bilge plugs, ride plate-hull, etc.

And I'd reseal between the pump and the ride plate no matter how the existing RTV looks, just use ULTRA BLACK rtv sealant.

 

[factory81]

Boat is missing the bumper thing it looks like.

Not needed but if your going about it.

Nice job on cleaning the boat. I didn't even take my seats out of my boat and I feel like I should now.

 

[timmyboy76]

1 full day of a little elbow grease, and BAM, thousands buks added to resale value.
Good job, Rob....boat looks killer. btw, ebay has that bumper stuff by the miles....:cheers:

 

[RobertV]

I always end up doing more than I set out to - LOL

I have attempted to clean the yellow part of the seats but there is always some mold that will not come off.
One of the covers had a seam that was just starting to come apart so I removed it to sew it back together - the back side of the vinyl has mildew too and the foam is still wet. I think I am going to order that yellow marine vinyl off eBay and make some new yellow sections for the boat - gotta love doing more than you set out to do.

vilord - THX - I will check the exhaust gaskets and do the plates with new rtv - what is the saying an once of prevention = a pound of cure

factory81 - yeah the rub rail could use the center section - I'll see how she runs once I get her in the water - that can be added at any time.
I had to take my seats out - there was just so much dirt and crap between the hull and the seats - plus it allows me to check for any other hidden issues - not that would be many on a boat like this - but people can hide some nasty repairs where you can't see them - none here thank god!

timmyboy76 - THX - yeah I wish I could make a living doing this - I know some do, but the boat market is too fickle for me - need steady income to pay all of our bills - THX for the heads up on the rub rail - eBay can be your friend!

One update - she did spit a good amount of oil out the exhaust - you know from sitting so long all the oil in the tank drained into the crankcases. I ran her for about 15 mins each side out of the water with the hose attached and she blows pretty clean now.
Needs both carbs clean big time - won't rev past 3500rpm - not surprising since she sat.

Overall - I am happy and wish she was together right now - the weather here in Westcheter, NY today is perfect for spending time on the water!!!

 

[vilord]

Just an FYI, there's a rev limiter switch in the FNR selector lever, it won't rev past about 3500 when in neutral, switches to the normal 7K limit when in F or R.
If it won't go past it in F or R, then the switch could be stuck.

You can check this easily because the same switch is used as a starter kill, put it in F and try to start it. If it starts, the switch is stuck.

 

[timmyboy76]

also, get qt of white gloss "rustoleum", couple rollers/brushes, and take gander at trailer. Made world difference in appearance on my trailer (had same one, galv)...