Purchasing advice on 96 Challenger

[CraigMac]

Hello all. This is my first post here. I'm considering buying a SeaDoo boat. I've found one locally that the owner says has a rebuilt engine and I haven't called her about it yet. It is a single engine boat and I really have two groups of questions for everyone.

First: What should I ask the owner?
It's far enough away that I don't think I will be testing it on the water. What should I do to make sure it's running proeprly?
Anything that is a "for sure you must check out the..." kinda thing on this?

Second: I plan on using this as a family fun boat. I have two small kids. I know that this boat will be fine for taking the family hout and tubing, but with this single enigine boat will it be strong enough to pull me water skiing? I'm only 170 lbs.
How about wake boarding with my teenaged nephews?


Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[kustomkarl]

Here is a link on buying a used seadoo. http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?t=134

I'm sure the Jet boat will do what you need it to do. I owned a 1997 Challenger with a 110 hp engine, and it had lots of pulling power.
I'm sure other owners will chime in with information too.

Karl

 

[CraigMac]

KustomKarl,

Thanks for the reply. I saw a few of your posts about your own single engine challenger before posting this thread.

I look forward to more input from others.

 

[kustomkarl]

Seadoosnipe, owns a 1997 challenger with a 110 hp also and I'm sure he'll add to some good comments too...he loves his Challenger.

Karl

 

[CraigMac]

OK...so I called the lady during lunchtime today. She posted this thing as being about 1 hour away from my home. She's actually about 6 hours away but willing to drive it to the location she specified in the ad if I commit to buy. Well, sorry but I'm not committing to buy something I haven't seen nor am I willing to make a 12 hour round trip drive to check it out.

So...on to the next one. I found another boat for sale. This one is a twin engine, but the ad says it runs but needs some minor work. Specifically it says:
"Exhaust flange Gaskets and studs need replacing on both engines:

I'm a pretty handy guy with a lot of knowledge of working on cars in my own garage. What's the deal with the type of maintenance this boat needs? Is it common? Abused? Is the job to repair as simple as ordering the parts and putting it back together?

I've replaced many exhausts and intakes on cars. Is this job similar?

Thanks!

 

[kustomkarl]

Chances are the exhaust studs broke off flush and will need to be drilled out and re-taped with new bolts. I would recommend that if your looking for a nightmare problem as a "do it yourself project" then it might be a project for you. I would prefer to get a running machine you can try out to be sure it is a good running machine and does what you want it to, not someones else's problem.

RULE OF THUMB: Never buy a water craft that can't be test driven first.

Karl