Purchasing help on used SeaDoo Speedster

[TexanEngineer]

Hey guys, I am debating on making my next boat a 1997 Seadoo Speedster. I've driven boats all my life and want to experience a jet powered boat for the first time.

The one I have found is a 1997 Sea Doo Speedster with the twin 85hp engines. The seller says the fuel and oil lines have been replaced and the carbs have been rebuilt. He is asking $3,800.

Do you guys have any advice on reliability of this old of a jet boat? And is there anything in particular I can look for when I go see it that would signal me to stay away? I know I should inspect the impellers and such. I do not know much about jet boats and this seems like a good deal but I do not know how long these engines typically last. He does say a lake test is welcome but I'm not sure what a bad jet powered engine would sound like.

I just do not want to spend money on a boat and then have to spend thousands later to rebuild the engines or something.

Thanks!

 

[howie099]

Think of the boat as a large jetski since there are almost the same. Look over the hull pretty good what you can see and underneath. Look at the impellers and jet pumps for any damage. You won't know the hours on the engines unless you have a dealer hookup to MPEM or get an aftermarket tool to read MPEM. All depends on how you take care of them, you can get a 300+ hours on them if you maintain them. Try out all the switches on the control panel, the weedless system if it has one. Do a compression check on the engines, if you don't have the tool you can ususlly rent them from auto parts stores and that. Drive it on the water if you are able to. If the engines go bad a premium rebuild w/2-3 year warranty is $900 for the engine.

 

[TexanEngineer]

Thank you for the reply! I had no idea a rebuild was only $900 per engine. I thought they would be around $2,000 or more!

 

[RFoster130]

It has 717 engines and they are very reliable. If it all checks out, that is a fair price. Take it out and water test it. Check out every feature and make sure everything works. Then read up here on how to do a compression test on the engine.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

Thank you for the reply! I had no idea a rebuild was only $900 per engine. I thought they would be around $2,000 or more!

they are pretty reasonable, and reasonable to fix (top ends, etc)
keep in mind i think that figure of $900 doesn't factor in two way shipping and labor to pull and replace.

 

[bigtexan99]

The jet pump powered boat will put a smile on your face. Mine does everytime as she comes onto plane.

If you are near San Antonio I have a good mechanic who will inspect your boats engines for $35.

Otherwise, take it for a lake test. There's not much you can hide during a sea trial. When you push the throttles forward the boat should instantly respond. Look into the engine compartment frequently for any water leaks or excess smoke. Hold the boat at speed for 5 minutes, drop to an idle, then speed back up. You'll want the the throttles to be equal and the boat going straight. If it pulls to the left or right, or you have to adjust the RPM's to make it go straight then that engine may have issues.