Picking up a 98 sportster 1800 tomorrow, good deal? + engine boring question

[bobbobobbo]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone that has helped me. I've taken all the advice and decided to go for an 18 footer. I've found a nice sportster 1800 and it seems to be a perfect fit, + I really like the seat layout.

The previous owner says it runs great, all the seats reupholstered, and it has 1 season on two fully rebuilt engines. He was building to keep but found a mastercraft he's always wanted so he's letting this go. Got him down to $5300. Good deal?

The engines are complete with new crank, pistons the works. Said he used only quality OEM parts. He said he had it bored over 1 step up, .5 I think he said. Is that the next typical size up? With that the calculator shows them ending at 727cc with 82mm to 82.5. Would that even effect hp by any?


I'll post some pics tomorrow if it all goes through

 

[Dr Honda]

half a millimeter is a common oversize... but it's not enough to really make the engine "Bigger" or for it to make more HP. Yes... there is a physical size change... but it's a small difference.


Anyway... you know the dirll....

1) Check the compression.

2) Take it for a water test.



Good luck on the buy, and keep us posted. Oh... and the price is good with what he's done.

 

[ocod]

Congrats on Boat!

I have the 99 and will make a great starter boat.

If it doesn't work out lmk?

 

[Bobbuff]

Congrats on the New boat. I have the same one and love it. It is my first jet boat and I couldnt be more pleased. It is taking me a little time to figure my way around everything but I love it. I got mine a little cheaper but I have to do all the seats and everything myself.

 

[Albysure]

Yea same here..... I love my sportster 1800... The only down side I could see in that deal is the motors being bored over... Not sure if they could be used for a core charge in the future... But not a big deal other ways around that...

 

[bobbobobbo]

All went quite smooth, real nice owner. Boat has some aging and use here and there, yet solid and engines are great. It will overall clean up very nicely. Already ordered some hydro-turf and plan on painting the trailer white. Older trailer but has new wheels, bearings, lights, everything. Will make a thread showing plenty of pictures, especially after the turf install.

One thing.. there was clearly a loss of title at some point. The title he gave me is clean and clear, and even gave me a copy of his registration, yet it's for a 1995 14' SeaDoo jetboat instead. I checked and it completely matches the (obviously re-riveted) HIN in the rear. The HIN, manufacturer, etc all matches up.. will I get in trouble if a police boat stops me with a seadoo jetboat thats 4 feet longer? Will they even know/check/care? Didn't think much of it at the time since it all matched up, yet I'm kind of out of luck at this point. I'm not asking ethically, I'm asking realistically...

 

[Dr Honda]

That is SUPER illegal !!! I would have walked away from it. And yes... you can get in trouble. Did you ask for the old HIN, so you can check to see if it was stolen?

 

[ocod]

The title he gave me is clean and clear, and even gave me a copy of his registration, yet it's for a 1995 14' SeaDoo jetboat instead. I checked and it completely matches the (obviously re-riveted) HIN in the rear. The HIN, manufacturer, etc all matches up.. will I get in trouble if a police boat stops me with a seadoo jetboat thats 4 feet longer? Will they even know/check/care? Didn't think much of it at the time since it all matched up, yet I'm kind of out of luck at this point. I'm not asking ethically, I'm asking realistically...

That is SUPER illegal !!! I would have walked away from it. And yes... you can get in trouble. Did you ask for the old HIN, so you can check to see if it was stolen?

I would contact seller and let him know and get my 5300 back.
Lets hope he's still a nice boat owner!!!!!

/thread

 

[rjcress]

:agree: :agree:

 

[LouDoo]

I once bought a car in Chicago, from a guy they called "Milwaukee Phil", down on the docks, it wasn't the same guy was it?

True story, no BS.

Lou

 

[Guest_User]

oh boy! sounds like a to good to be true just sunk...

return and get your $$$ back...

there are many many stolen ski`s and boats with swapped HID tags. If it was a simple loss of title or BOS, then the paperwork just needs to be tracked down and completed at the correct venue/municipality. time consuming yes...

even trailers can be stolen and swapped...

but with the boats the HID could very well be stamped into the hull somewhere out of sight and if your boat is on any theft suspect list or even the new HID number for that matter, you will be left holding your sack...

def find out why this came about and correct it, even with you now being in the middle of this transaction, this puts you in the front row when you go to resell... good luck...

 

[LouDoo]

I don't know about SeaDoo boats, but PWC's there's another HIN under the gas tank.

Lou

 

[RFoster130]

I don't know about SeaDoo boats, but PWC's there's another HIN under the gas tank.

Lou

Its on the boat somewhere. I know because i just remember reading about it on my new boat. I either read it in the owners manual or shop manual.

 

[bobbobobbo]

Just got off the phone with him. Says he's never had any problems, as long as everythings current police won't look into exact boat length. Which is likely true. Regardless he's going to send me the original HIN, just he has no title for it at all. I'll apply for lost title.

He bought the sportster without a title (and probably bad engines), and had bought a 14ft seadoo scrap boat for title/parts from his last project, ended up slapping it on here. Yes I understand it's illegal. Yet I also understand a lot of pwc guys do this a lot...

I have his full name, address, everything. As well he had this titled and registered for over a year to his name/address, I have originals of both. No I'm not going to report him.



edit:: Hahahah nope no Milwaukee Phil

 

[rjcress]

Just got off the phone with him. Says he's never had any problems, as long as everythings current police won't look into exact boat length. Which is likely true. Regardless he's going to send me the original HIN, just he has no title for it at all. I'll apply for lost title.

He bought the sportster without a title (and probably bad engines), and had bought a 14ft seadoo scrap boat for title/parts from his last project, ended up slapping it on here. Yes I understand it's illegal. Yet I also understand a lot of pwc guys do this a lot...

I have his full name, address, everything. As well he had this titled and registered for over a year to his name/address, I have originals of both. No I'm not going to report him.

It is your purchase and decision, but I agree with the folks that advised you to run from this deal. Why risk your butt over the shady decisions the other guy made. There are too many other legit boats out there that you could purchase and have no such worries.
... unless the guy is offering to give you a significant portion of your money back so that he doesn't have to take the boat back from you. In that case, it may (or may not) be worth the risk of keeping it and trying to get the correct title... assuming that he gives you the right original HIN... which I would call suspect, at best.

Regardless of what you decide, I wish the best for you.

 

[Dr Honda]

OK... I don't condone any illegal activity. But, as long as the old number is clean... Well.... it's your call. Without the old number, and a verification... it's a very touchy subject.


Now... back in the day... I had an old VW DuneBuggy. It was a mash of 3 different cars. And the title said 1958 VW Beetle. It kind of falls into that category... but in my case... it was a build project, and all 3 cars were clean.

But, the act of swapping a VIN or HIN is illegal. And, ignorance of the law is not a defense for reviving stolen property.


If nothing else... I would want the old HIN tag to verify the actual year. (so you know what parts to buy)

 

[bobbobobbo]

I realize this was a touchy subject and obviously wouldn't get much realistic responses as it would be condoning something unallowed. Probably should have kept to myself. I trust the guy, family man, just likes to collect work on these older seadoos. Both numbers are clean and we're talking a difference of 3.5 feet. I will still absolutely apply for the lost title regardless when the HIN comes in, will make it easier to sell.

Thanks all. (ps I get it everyone, I'm dumb for buying it)

 

[Guest_User]

I realize this was a touchy subject and obviously wouldn't get much realistic responses as it would be condoning something unallowed. Probably should have kept to myself. I trust the guy, family man, just likes to collect work on these older seadoos. Both numbers are clean and we're talking a difference of 3.5 feet. I will still absolutely apply for the lost title regardless when the HIN comes in, will make it easier to sell.

Thanks all. (ps I get it everyone, I'm dumb for buying it)

no one is busting your balls! he could have also taken the time to straighten out the title issue before the sale, before he decided to list the boat for sale, I`m sure there is a statute or broken law of something for selling a boat with a false HID.

I`ll tell you what, my Coast Guard buddies scrutinize everything, if the paper works lays one length and the boat is surely another, it`s gone, and you`ll get carted away... the water police are no joke.

this is something that guy would have done if he were going to keep the boat until he dies. he is guilty of selling this boat with the current paperwork...

now strike 3 removing the questionable HID and putting back the original, in the eyes of the court/law it is tampering period...

good luck...

 

[howie099]

In Illinois you don't need the title to tranfser owner ship if the buyer is in the same state. They have an afidavid form on DNR website the current owner signs and you are good to go. I know it works since that is how I got my boat faster and a better deal from the last owner. They lost the title and most people don't know you can do that. Well you could get in trouble with the HIN since you will not be paying the state the proper money for the sticker since you boat is 4' less. Of course it is only $30 every 3 years but I am not sure what they would fine you if you get caught. At busy times or if you get pulled over they could check since I see them run peoples registration just like a car if you break any rules like a no wake. Don't mess with the DNR those guys are tuff. I am pretty sure you might not be able to sell it to the next person.

 

[LouDoo]

Hey Howie,

I just noticed they named a town in Illinois after the Blue Brothers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjGfnsjdJec

Lou

 

[howie099]

I live in Elwood, IL right off Historic RT66. The prison where the film was made is a few miles from my house.