My first Seadoo boat, 97 sportster

[Ruskeyjdm]

Have never owned or ridden in a Seadoo boat, friend of mine had a 1997 sportster with a single 717 that he was looking to get rid off. For the price I couldn't pass it up.

Good, even compression, decent shape overall except seats. Bimini is in great shape

Plans are to clean it up, typical engine once over, buff, recover seats.
Looking forward to taking it out for the first time

Any thoughts, tips or anything I need to watch out for on these boats?

 

[hotrodssnova]

Don't ever, ever jump start the boat with a running vehicle. You will fry the mpem. ...that's the boat computer. Run good gas in it at all times, and consider a boat safety course if this is your first boat.

Edit

Engine pics

 

[Ruskeyjdm]

I have a pontoon currently, and a few seadoos, if this one turns out good, maybe I'll replace my ski with a twin engine in the future.
Hotrod, did your speedster jump on plane quick with the twin 657xs?

 

[hotrodssnova]

Sure did, but i have a bad engine at the moment. Did the previous owner have any paperwork that came with the boat? You know they require maintenance. Just the same as your skis, filters, pump, it is almost the same. Check and make sure the bilge pump works, and the hull plugs are tight. Also do a trailer test in the water and make sure the drive shaft boot doesn't leak.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Seats in the boats are often an issue.. Simply find a local canvas shop and let them re-do them. This way you can choose your own colors as well..

 

[northstar1951]

RUSKEYJDM, I just purchased the exact same year/colour/model that you have. Don't you just love the faded plastic look on the dash.:lol:

The fuel sender baffle and bilge pumps tend to be the most common issues and mine came with these built right in. Figuring out what is causing these problems, that I have "inherited",definitely required the purchase of a Shop Manual and knowing how to use a Multimeter and read a wiring diagram.

I determined that the bilge pump is fried as well as having a faulty float in the fuel tank baffle that is not sending a signal to the fuel gauge up front. I will replace the float and automatic bilge pump when the parts come in.

The sun faded plastic pieces will be removed and carbon fibre vinyl wrapped when the weather warms up a bit. I thought about painting these plastics with spray paint but I chose the more difficult vinyl wrap route just to challenge my limited abilities. The console decals will be removed and replaced with the same vinyl wrap as the console. I also plan on painting the existing switches and installing a three way (auto/off/manual) bilge pump switch up front. I have a minor separation of the seat vinyl on one of the seat bottoms, but it is just a cosmetic thing that I will repair if I get around to it.

The bilge will need to be cleaned and the outer hull will require some rubbing compound and wax to bring back the shine. Once again not a big issue.

This is my first jet boat and considering the age of the unit I suspect that I will just need to deal with issues as they arise. As with any forum there is a great deal of useful information here, but you will also find a few horror stories along the way that could make you paranoid about what will break next. Fortunately, you will be able to find replies to posts that will point you in the right direction and help you resolve any issue that you find with your boat.

 

[howie099]

You pretty much do the same servicing as the PCW. Some of the differences is you need to use USCG approve fuel line in the engine compartment than the standard automotive line/colored fast fuel lines. Need to make sure your bilge pump and auto float works. Make sure you flapper is good on the deck drain so you can expell water and not take in water since those wear out from age. Make sure your exhaust fan works to clear the fumes in the bilge area so do don't go boom. Test the safety lights in case you get caught out after dark. Make sure your reverse cable and bucket are set. Grease the trailer bearings and check the tires out. Do the standard 20 year old Seadoo check up :thumbsup:.

 

[Ruskeyjdm]

Great tips guys, look toward to working on it, have a few project I need to finish before i get to it.

Havnt really dug into it yet to see what all works/doesn't.

Anyone know a source to get the side rub rail center piece?

 

[Ruskeyjdm]

[MENTION=81410]northstar1951[/MENTION] post a new build thread when you start working on yours, interested to see how yours comes along

 

[howie099]

I am seen them popup on fleabay every now an than. I don't think you can get that new from seadoo but it might be a universal boat item for the rail system.

 

[northstar1951]

[MENTION=81410]northstar1951[/MENTION] post a new build thread when you start working on yours, interested to see how yours comes along

I have slowly started work on my project but have been limited to diagnosing what works and what doesn't work, any most importantly, why. It is still pretty cold in this part of the world and my garage is not insulated. I have found out it is tough on the fingers fiddling around with wiring without wearing gloves so once the weather warms up a bit, and the parts arrive I will start the repairs.
My restoration will be quite simple as compared to many others that have posted their projects on line. My goal is to get everything "ship shape" by the end of March.. I will take pictures of the finished bilge pump install as well as the install of electrical connections at the helm and vinyl wrapping of the front compartment hatch and switch area.

M

 

[Ruskeyjdm]

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Got around to cleaning it up, started on the hood with the heat gun, pulled some of the torn stickers off, cleaned bilge.
Rear seats are coming off next

 

[Ruskeyjdm]

Ordered new seat covers.
Hydroturf next

 

[northstar1951]

Ruskeyjdm how is your restoration going? I have pretty well finished the bulk of my tinkering on my 97 Sportster. Here is the list of things that needed attention:
Gear oil change
New Automatic Bilge Pump
New Fuel Baffle float
New Battery
New Trailer Tires
New Trailer Winch
Recover Bow Seat, adding extra foam
Minor patching of vinyl tears in bottoms of seats
Removed a few upper decals
Painted front compartment cowling
Installed Bimini Top
Added 12 Volt plug & Ram Mount for GPS (poor man's speedo)
I still need to patch up a few knicks in the underside of the hull with JB Weld as soon as the weather heats up here and do a thorough rub/wax job and trailer paint touch ups.
The key for me was getting the boat mechanically sound to start the season. Further cosmetic work will have to wait for the warmer weather to arrive.

 

[Ruskeyjdm]

Finishing it up slowly, actually splashed it for the first time yesterday.
It ran very good, starts right up, no issues.
Ran 39mph with me alone and 36 with my cousin and I
Very happy with it, very fun, I will be keeping an eye out for a twin engine [emoji13][emoji41]

I changed the old tcw oil they were using, all the lines, cleaned bilge.
Cleaned carbs
Finished up the upholstery
Removed a few decals
Installed hyrdoturf
Rub rail insert that was missing

Still need to install the lower and front seat

Little cousin, first time driving a boat

 

[Mask1]

Ruskeyjdm how is your restoration going? I have pretty well finished the bulk of my tinkering on my 97 Sportster. Here is the list of things that needed attention:
Gear oil change
New Automatic Bilge Pump
New Fuel Baffle float
New Battery
New Trailer Tires
New Trailer Winch
Recover Bow Seat, adding extra foam
Minor patching of vinyl tears in bottoms of seats
Removed a few upper decals
Painted front compartment cowling
Installed Bimini Top
Added 12 Volt plug & Ram Mount for GPS (poor man's speedo)
I still need to patch up a few knicks in the underside of the hull with JB Weld as soon as the weather heats up here and do a thorough rub/wax job and trailer paint touch ups.
The key for me was getting the boat mechanically sound to start the season. Further cosmetic work will have to wait for the warmer weather to arrive.

Would love to see pictures of your 97 restoration as I am currently restoring my 1997 speedster as well.

 

[northstar1951]

I will take it out of the garage and get pictures of the boat the next time it stops raining down my way.:willy_nilly:

It has been unseasonally cool this spring down my way. I blame myself for buying a snowblower and a boat at the same time!