Looking at 2017 Spark/what to look for?

[burtshaver2021]

Hello, I’m going on Saturday with my brother in law to look at a 2017 Spark 2 up. The ad says 60HP and says 68 hours. I’m very familiar with the 2 stroke seadoo’s but the 4 stroke, not at all. What are some things I should be looking at wem looking it over? Any common issues with them? They are allowing us to water test it, so that’s a good sign. With my limited knowledge with these machines I was simply going to test ride it, make sure it reaches a decent top speed, thinking that should be about 50mph? Make sure there is no cavitation, good out of the hole but other than that and just looking it over I really don’t know what to look for.

 

[ski-d00]

The 90 hp will only go around 50-52, the 60 hp will be around 40-42. On the sparks you can't really get a good look at the engine but you should check the oil and look in the best you can looking for corrosion and oil leaks. More importantly, it should idle and run well as you mentioned.

 

[burtshaver2021]

The 90 hp will only go around 50-52, the 60 hp will be around 40-42. On the sparks you can't really get a good look at the engine but you should check the oil and look in the best you can looking for corrosion and oil leaks. More importantly, it should idle and run well as you mentioned.

Thank you, what about maintenance? I like to do all my own mechanical work if I can, are they hard to winterize? Would I be able to change the wear ring myself with a manual and a little guidance on here? Anything else you can think of? I never want to go to the dealership.

 

[ski-d00]

Maintenance is fairly simple and pulling the deck off is pretty simple, just takes a little time. Wear ring and impeller changes are also pretty simple. The spark, in general, is a simple ski to work on and maintain and is similar to winterize as all the 4 strokes.

 

[burtshaver2021]

One more question, I see the Riva tune at pwc muscle for 349.00 this tunes it to 90HP?

 

[ski-d00]

You have to have the maptuner system which is about $500 in addition to the $349 license but this can get you to 110hp.
To get to 90, it is simpler process and there are people that can do this for not a lot of money.

 

[burtshaver2021]

I guess we will find out tomorrow when we go to look at this 2017 2up spark but are they more stable than a 94XP? It’s my brother in law who may be purchasing this, he finds his 94XP to unstable. I will admit that I find my 95XP is more stable than his 94.

 

[burtshaver2021]

So the 2017 Seadoo spark purchase was a no go, as I mentioned it was for my brother in law but I got to take it out first, hit the start button, rolled over but didn’t start, this happened twice more, then the owner said to give it a little gas while starting, it finally just barely started, I was all excited to drive my first spark but what a let down, it didn’t run right, couldn’t get it over 44km/h which is 27mph. Tried to do some tight turns with it, no power. So after having it out for a total of about 3 minutes I brought it back in, my brother in law didn’t even take it out. Owner said it just needed plugs which he may have been right but not purchasing it for 5400.00 in that condition. So I still feel like I really haven’t rode a Spark.

 

[burtshaver2021]

Oh, but it was a gorgeous day, maybe 62 farenheit / 17 Celsius , and I found another great place to launch, walking trails, picnic tables, about 35 minutes from my place and I’m tired of our usual launching place. So yea, found a place we can launch, go for a ride and then have a picnic or there’s a few restaurants in the water in the area. Still a good day

 

[Spider4real]

May I ask where that ramp is? I'm always looking for new ramps to try out.

 

[burtshaver2021]

May I ask where that ramp is? I'm always looking for new ramps to try out.

It’s in Cornwall at the R.C.A.F boat launch, Lameroux Park on Montreal Road. Gorgeous spot, hoping to get out there before this season is over but if not, next year for sure. I’m really starting to enjoy the fall riding. Very weird current there though, water is flowing west in the north side of the river and flowing east on the south side, never seen that before. It’s a fairly fast current as well, so not somewhere I want to be Falling off. Same here, I’ve been running the same waterways for quite a few years now and honestly I’m getting bored dog running the same waters so if you know of any good spots please let me know

 

[Spider4real]

Cool, thanks. A bit far for me but I will try and hit it up next year for sure. Cardinal has a nice free boat ramp on Legion Way.

Since I'm in Ottawa I am on the Ottawa River mostly. Nepean sailing club has a nice ramp but it's $10 to park. I have also been to Arnprior, but it costs $10 on Friday Saturday and Sunday. Free every other day. I also hit up Rockland at Du Moulin park. But parking is $20 there. I have been to Rigaud in Quebec at 47 Chem. de la Pointe-Séguin. Nice free ramp.

 

[Spider4real]

I also go to Big Rideau Lake. It's a dirt ramp but free and.has a decent dock.

2797 ON-15, Portland, ON K0G 1V0, Canada