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New Seadoo XP Limited owner. Reviews?

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SeadooMama83

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My husband and I just bought our first pwc. A 98 Sea Doo XP Limited.

It was a very spontaneous buy and now we are looking for reviews and some info on it.

It it fairly stable or will I have issues with it being my first PWC? I'm willing to learn the ropes! might give it a while before I take my daughter out with me though! :)
 
yes, learn to ride the ski before you start taking on passengers,

its a great ski ! fast, carves well, good sized fuel tank. An excellent cruiser ski.

its not really designed with passengers in mind, but I used to ride with a passenger with my XPL when I had it, it just wasn't that comfortable.

if your not mechanically inclined, i suggest downloading and reading the owners manual, send me a PM if you need a link for that, and probably take it to a mechanic for a "once over" to make sure you don't have something that is on the verge of a breakdown.

most used ski's get sold because they are having issues, or they've been just sitting around unused, and sometimes a ski that's been sitting a long time, especially up north, can have some issues due to temp changes if it wasn't winterized, etc.

IMO the biggest mistake you can make is to just throw it in the water and jam the throttle not knowing if you have a problem in there that will make the engine go boom boom
 
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SabrToothSqrl said:
good luck riding 2 up on that ;)

But for 1, it's a FUN ski!
Click to expand...

ya, last year at the ski fest, two guys rode one of those thru the mangrove trails, lots of tight twisty turns and spots where you really had to gun the throttle, i actually took the time to go over to them after the ride and say "nice job fella's, i didn't think you'd make it"
 
Great Ski for fun. Like others have mentioned the more weight you put on it the more challenging it can be. I personally do not have any problems riding two up as long as the passenger is not extremely big. But there is a big difference in the way the ski feels and handles withe 2 vs 1 rider. Remember also, that this hull is designed to lean into your turn. The more you lean the better it turns.. but you can go too far and spin out.

Now some advice on maintenance. Before you even run it, replace the gray fuel lines if it still has them. Make sure you find out from the previous owner what type and brand oil they used. This ski needs API low ash full synthetic oil. Use the same brand as they did if it complies to this or purge and clean the system and then replace with appropriate new oil and bleed the system. Replace the oil filter while doing this.
 
JJinSC said:
Great Ski for fun. Like others have mentioned the more weight you put on it the more challenging it can be. I personally do not have any problems riding two up as long as the passenger is not extremely big. But there is a big difference in the way the ski feels and handles withe 2 vs 1 rider. Remember also, that this hull is designed to lean into your turn. The more you lean the better it turns.. but you can go too far and spin out.

Now some advice on maintenance. Before you even run it, replace the gray fuel lines if it still has them. Make sure you find out from the previous owner what type and brand oil they used. This ski needs API low ash full synthetic oil. Use the same brand as they did if it complies to this or purge and clean the system and then replace with appropriate new oil and bleed the system. Replace the oil filter while doing this.
Click to expand...

yes a once over is critically important to any "new to you" ski, especially one that's 14 yrs old.
 
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Oh great. lol
Should have done some more research! I wanted more of a cruiser than a fun sporty ski.

We'll see how I do I guess! Wish me luck! lol
 
post up some pics of your new ski..i also have a 98 xpl and well im more happy with my xp800.
 
A two seater doesnt come to mind for a cruiser. I have a 98 GSX and its only a two seater and I can take out the kids no problem. A three seater is a better cruiser option. Take the advice from others and go over the ski with a fine tooth comb or take it to someone that can. The excitment of owning a pwc can go away fast when you get it in the water and it just sits there, as some of us on here can testify to.
 
SeadooMama83 said:
Oh great. lol
Should have done some more research! I wanted more of a cruiser than a fun sporty ski.

We'll see how I do I guess! Wish me luck! lol
Click to expand...

IMO, this ski IS a cruiser, carver... that happens to be built for 1 or max two riders.

its not built for 3 riders or anything but it's definitely a cruiser, i owned one for 6 months, and all I did pretty much was cruise the rivers with it.
 
Hubby took t out and loved it. I was too chicken. Lol too many people around watching, so I just went on with him for a little ride. It is definitely different than what I'm used to. Very tippy, and we fell off twice before we got going! lol it cruises nicely at a fast speed, but when we slowed down it got very tippy.
He took my 3-yr old out and she loved it, even after daddy fell off trying turn slowly not to scare her. He fell off and she stayed on and didn't mind.
I'll try and post a pic now....
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa421/chlobug09/c99aca7d.jpg
 
being a '98, I suggest you replace the fuel lines with new if they are the grey tempo lines.

Also clean your fuel filter and RAVEs.

You should also change the jet pump oil and grease the carrier bearing on the XP.

Does this ski have a carbon ring setup or the old style stiff tube?

Do this work now, and that ski will run a long time.
 
My husband worked on it all day yesterday replacing things and getting it in good shape! :)

Question.... To transfer the seadoo over to us the forms ask for the "hull type" anyone know what this means?
 
it'll have a carbon ring, but i think by 98 they had switched to the steel circlip instead of the rubber o-ring that breaks down.
 
hull type = planing ?

i think they are asking if its displacement, semi-d or a planing hull, and I believe all PWC's are considered planing hulls, but its been a long time since I took that boaters course :)

maybe another Canadian can chime in on that and confirm, eh ?

hull material is fiberglass, hull type is different.
 
SeadooMama83 said:
Oh great. lol
Should have done some more research! I wanted more of a cruiser than a fun sporty ski.

We'll see how I do I guess! Wish me luck! lol
Click to expand...

Don't worry about it not being a cruiser like you may think a cruiser should be. In my opinion you will get bored with a cruiser. The ski you have now can not only be used for decent one up riding but also it has just enough challenge to keep you from getting bored. If you do start to find yourself getting a little bored at 1/2 throttle just grab it a bit more and you will experience a whole new ride. Have fun and do what these guys are saying about the once-over. :cheers:
 
That's a great looking boat. One thing your husband has probably already figured out is that when turning if you don't apply throttle then you don't have steering. There are kits that you can get to retrofit a rudder on the jet nozzle that will allow your steering to be more responsive at slow speeds but personally that is just something else in the water to slow you down. The best thing to do is just take your time and learn to ride the ski as it is. I think you will be happier with it. Good Luck. :cheers:
 
hi guys..sorry in interrupt this thread,but maybe you could help me find a coupling and coupling flange assy for 98 xpl,when you check in riva oem parts finder under crankshaft-piston>its no.27 (coupling) and 22.(coupling flange assy)
 
I own a 01 DI GTX Three seater and a 98 XP limited... The XP is by far more fun to ride, quicker in the turns and overall quicker compared to the GTX, however the XP doesnt have reverse and the GTX does. Having reverse is nice at the docks and for loading and unloading. But in my opinion even with the XP not having reverse and its a little more tippy it is by far more fun and exciting to ride! Enjoy and just keep up with the basic maintenance and it will give you many years of fun!

Travis
 
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