Looking to Buy a SeaDoo Boat

[KegStandKing]

Hey all, I am looking to buy my first boat. Ive driven my parents deck boat for years so I am familiar with how to drive manuver etc. But ive never owned my own.

A friend of mine suggested to me that the sea doo boats are pretty killer for a simple first boat that you can you can easily pull a wakeboard or tube which is what i will be using it for. Figured Id ask the guys that have em if there are any pro's con's in these little guys.

Where is a good place to learn about the different models. I see people selling these guys for super cheap like 2-3 .... why would they be so cheap? the only thing I can think of is they are 2 stroke non emmissions compliant which is useless to me since two strokes arent allowed on my local water ways.

Can anyone help me out, where I should start reading/things to know..... should I run away? it will be used probably 2 times a month during summer and mothballed during winter.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks all!

 

[ocod]

Hi, and welcome to best site for seadoo enthusiast.

It helps if we know what your looking at.

Most 2-3k boats will be 2 stroke and out of compliance if 2 stroke is a no no where your going to be using it.

Here's a guide on models/engine combo.
Anything 2003 and up will be a 4 stroke

http://www.seadoosource.com/boatengineref.html

 

[Coastiejoe]

04 to 06 4-tec engines had hollow core sodium filled exhaust valves. I would not buy this engine unless I was willing to spend the money to replace the valves. The issue is, the stems fail and the lower valve section fall into the motor and cause serious damage.

Boats are normally a year behind. So,, with a boat I would not buy anything older than a 2007 if you want to avoid the potential exhaust valve issue.

Also, the Super Charged (SC) engines had ceramic washer from 2004 to 2007. In 08 they went to metal washers. That said, I have seen a few 08 with ceramic washers, (I assume it was old stock SC's). It is fine to buy one with ceramic washer, just KNOW that you need to replace them NOW, not next season. A full rebuild through this site is $495 with returned shipping e last time I looked.

Not trying to scare you, just inform you.

I own two skis that have the 4-tec engines and LOVE them. I will always own a SC'd ski. I love the performance.

 

[KegStandKing]

This is the exact information I am looking for Not scaring me away. Great to know what im getting into.

Thanks so much for the info so far!!!! any other contributions are welcomed.

You guys ROCK!

 

[X-Runner]

I absolutely love my little supercharged boat. Rips a skier through the water faster than most want to go. It's no prob taking it easy for when the kids are behind it on a tube as well.

I would say to look for a 2008 and up if you can afford it. Depends where you are but they will be around 8 to 10 grand with a trailer. But worth every penny so far.

Good luck to you!

 

[Coastiejoe]

For engine concerns, what I mentioned above is about it. the 155 4-tec engine is VERY well proven. They slightly modify the 155 to get the 215, 255 and the 260. They are all good. Again,, I LOVE the SC in my ski. I do realize that it will cost more in a boat. But knowing what I know and what I personally like, I'd be buying twins with SC's.

But again, this is coming from experience. I did 23 years in the Coast Guard and used probably 100 different styles of boats and configurations..

 

[kwmnh]

as a seadoo boat owner the best advise i can give you is, buy a Yamaha .
seadoo is great if you have mechanic skills, willing to do lots of work and have extra cash, lots of it.
buy a Yamaha youll be happy you did.

 

[Coastiejoe]

as a seadoo boat owner the best advise i can give you is, buy a Yamaha .
seadoo is great if you have mechanic skills, willing to do lots of work and have extra cash, lots of it.
buy a Yamaha youll be happy you did.

I don't know that I agree with this advice. Some boats/skis/engines are just a nightmare even when the masses are not. It does just happen. But the 4-tec engine is a GREAT engine. A normally maintained engine can easily get into the thousands of hours. What issues have you had?

 

[kwmnh]

i don't really have issues with this one. just know you have to constant be on top of it.
the Yamaha seem to take way more abuse and easy on you when you not really on top, or a bit late on maintenance.
being a member in this and Yamaha forum, i can confidently say, as a first boat a Yamaha will be easier on him.
nothing beats the sc seadoo, but it comes with a price tag.

 

[Coastiejoe]

i don't really have issues with this one. just know you have to constant be on top of it.
the Yamaha seem to take way more abuse and easy on you when you not really on top, or a bit late on maintenance.
being a member in this and Yamaha forum, i can confidently say, as a first boat a Yamaha will be easier on him.
nothing beats the sc seadoo, but it comes with a price tag.

I won't argue the SC'd boat comes with a cost. But that is somewhat a compliment in reality. And yes, the SC'r does add some cost and comes with concerns to do the maintenance. But again, do the maintenance and in most cases, getting thousands of hours is realistic.

 

[kwmnh]

tell me about it, its no fun taking 2xSC out of a seadoo boat every 100hr, i like to be safe.
but i agree with you in general.

 

[Coastiejoe]

I would suggest you do it like I use to do the batteries and tune ups on my 27 ft Searay Express Cruiser. Every other year I did a tune up on one engine and the battery on the other engine. Kept it affordable and well maintained.

So do your SC's every other year on the opposite engine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[miramar2]

as a seadoo boat owner the best advise i can give you is, buy a Yamaha .
seadoo is great if you have mechanic skills, willing to do lots of work and have extra cash, lots of it.
buy a Yamaha youll be happy you did.

Regarding Yamaha and quality, i do not completely agree!
As you can see of my watercrafts, i'll also have a Yamaha XL1200 LTD. I know is has a 2 stroke engine, but it has broken down every season.
After complete engine rebuild, it only last 20 - 30 hours before a new major breakdown. It seems to be a different cause and part(s) that fail every time.
Now it sits in my garage with new pistons, carburetors and cylinders. I do not dare to use it any longer (too expensive)
In Norway there are none or only a few Yamaha sportsboats, but many SeaDoo's, could there be a reason for it?

 

[X-Runner]

I came from being a Yamaha owner to a Seadoo owner. Had a FX SHO SC'ed Waverunner for a few years. Put around 230 hours on it. I never had one lick of trouble with that thing, ever. Only reason i sold it was because i wanted something bigger for the family. Yamaha is very good.

I went with the Doo also because it was the right size and way more affordable. This depends on your area, i know, but this was what was available to me. So far its been awesome.

 

[Eclipse1701d]

My 2 cents - I owned two used Doo's, '07 and '08 155's, we put 90 hours on them in one season. We had to change a starter relay on the '07 and tighten a few clamps on the '08. NEVER any major issues. Of course, we maintained them - wear rings, oil, plugs and greased the jet pack bearings. On a smooth day, we hit 59MPH. Dropped the ski's and purchased the '07 Utopia. We did the same maintenance BEFORE we used it. Since then, I have changed the battery, and replaced a rectifier and temperature sensor. I do have some RPM variance between the engines, but it hauls if I need it and it hasn't let me down. Any used craft is going to need some work, and I am always tinkering. Making sure clamps are tight, cleaning electrical contacts, adding dielectric grease...

I have never owned a Yamaha, so I have no business saying not to get one, but I am really happy with the Doo!