New, picked up a '96 XP

[Jyn]

Got it from a family friend for a grand. Good condition w/ 100 hours.

Completely new to watercrafts. Interested in the best reads, tips (maintenance, etc), advice for this specific model/year, and things I can upgrade appearance/performance wise.

First thing it's getting is a complete detailing

 

[bubba2400]

Looks good. I just sold one just like it. Very quick little machine.

 

[seadoosnipe]

Wow!..........

You just got an awesome buy! What a steal. There is nothing I would do as far as mod, just yet. This was one of the first 787cc engines that came out. I use this same engine in my 97 Challenger boat. My boat is awesome fast so I know the ski is even faster.

If it's only got 100 hours, then it's likely been sitting up a lot. You may be looking at rebuilding the carbs soon. Make sure that your not still using the grey fuel lines. These were removed and replaced years ago when they found the line broke down the rubber from the inside, choking off the fuel supply to the engine.

The first thing I'd do is clean it up, start it on the hose, then take it for a test spin checking to see that you have water coming from the "tell-tale". If you got the grey fuel lines, then you need to take care of that first.

There is a lot of info in here about this model ski and engine type. Oh, BTW, when you run these on the hose, the procedure is to start engine, then start water. To turn off, in the reverse order. If you just want to hear it fire, you can do that without the water. But only for a second or two. If it won't shut off, choke it.

When you attach the lanyard, you'll be wanting to listen up for 2 audible beeps. This signals that you have the correct lanyard. Anything other than that, holler back...........:cheers:

 

[Jyn]

water coming from the "tell-tale".

Thanks for the information!

Can you elaborate just a bit on the above?

As for the fuel lines, were they recalled or were they just poor quality?

 

[Jyn]

Looks good. I just sold one just like it. Very quick little machine.

Just curious, how much did you sell it for?

 

[seadoosnipe]

Quality...

The fuel lines were of poor quality. They stopped using them and went to better fuel line. I don't believe they had an actual recall on them.

As for elaborating on the above.....I'm not sure what else you want to know. The ski's engine is really a nice, powerful engine for that hull design. If you've never rode the PWC with the 787 engine, then your in for a surprise. It is fast.

 

[Jyn]

Sorry, I was wondering what exactly the "tell tale" is.

 

[bigler]

yeah the fuel lines are a priority because the longer u have them on, the more clogged your carb filters get. my ski is constipated with broken down rubber and im doing all the fuel line/carb cleaning work next week. it will be a journey

 

[scooper77515]

Tell tale is where it pees out the back when water is flowing through the cooling passages. If you are running it and it stops peeing, you need to shut it down because it is not cooling.

When running it on the hose, you need to put enough water into it so you see it coming out the pee hole in the back, but not much more than that or you could "over water" it.

 

[scooper77515]

By the way, when you test drive it, if it does not leap out of the water and have you at 55 mph in 2 or 3 seconds, then start gathering parts for a wear ring replacement.

First, clean the RAVE valves, most likely a carb rebuild, and possibly wear ring.

Of course, if it starts now, ride it for a bit first. Won't hurt anything permanently.

Great little ride. I have one, and use is primarily off the beach to jump waves. Dad will start pulling me into big surf this year with it.

 

[Jay138]

I've got the same machine and I ran it for a while with out getting rid of the gray fuel lines, big mistake! Get rid of them ASAP! Or you can do what I did, run them till they gunk up the fuel selector and carbs, and then learn how to fix all that stuff.
Jay138:cheers: