Question about speedster 150 (155 HP)...

[rockhouse]

Hi all, i'm looking at getting a 08 speedster 150 soon and have a couple of questions.
I am planning on using it primarily to wakeskate and as a run-about. I will usually have 3-4 people on board. I weigh 200 lbs, so...
1)Would the 155 HP have enough power to pull me up efficiently on my board, with 3 other people also in the boat?
2)Does anybody know how hard it is too maintain a constant speed driving, while someone is wakeskating (or boarding) behind? Do you have to constantly play with the throttle to maintain a steady speed?
3) Would the 215 HP SC version be better for wakeskating?

Thanks alot.

 

[screwball]

I've got the 215, and weigh more than 200 Lbs. The boat can easily pull me up on a single ski or my sons on a wake board. We usually have 3 or 4 in the boat. As far as 'playing' with the throttle to hold speed, never had that problem. Slam it to get started, back off to an appropriate speed and off we go. Once you are up there isn't that much drag..... unless the boys are playing bulldozer with their board.

Good Luck, have fun!

 

[rockhouse]

I've got the 215, and weigh more than 200 Lbs. The boat can easily pull me up on a single ski or my sons on a wake board. We usually have 3 or 4 in the boat. As far as 'playing' with the throttle to hold speed, never had that problem. Slam it to get started, back off to an appropriate speed and off we go. Once you are up there isn't that much drag..... unless the boys are playing bulldozer with their board.

Good Luck, have fun!

Yeah, i figured the 215 was better at what i wanna do, but all the stuff i've read about ceramic SC washers failing has me worried.
It seems the 155 would be alot easier/cheaper to maintain, so i'm really curious if it will do what your 215 will do regarding getting people up on their boards and holding the right RPM while riding.
Thanks for the reply....and BTW, have you had any SC problems at all with yours?

 

[SAF001]

I have never tried wakeboarding behind my 155hp but it pulls slalom skiers just fine. The heaviest skier was in the 200lb range and the boat had more than enough power to get him up.

As far as working the throttle, i was pleasantly surprised to learn that we didn't have to fight with it much. Once we learned how fast each skier wanted to go it basically just set it and forget it.

Wakeboarding may be a little different but i think you will be pleased with either engine.

 

[rockhouse]

Thanks for the responses fellas..........anyone else have a 155 HP and wanna weigh-in?

 

[screwball]

and BTW, have you had any SC problems at all with yours?

BIG TIME!

At 11 hours those washers you mentioned decided to let go and ate the blower. Seadoo/Bombardier replaced the blower, flushed the engine, and gave me about $200 in 'goodies' for my inconvenience, and gave me the extended warranty freeby. I've got a thread in here somewhere about it. Since the fix there have been no problems at all. When people tell me about the $900 to rebuild the blower at 100 hours, I think I will just take it off then, or, who knows if I will still have it by then......

 

[rockhouse]

Wow! That sux man! Sorry to hear that.
I decided that i'd go with the 155 HP anyway.......but now the new problem is financing. The dealer just called me earlier and said that all they could get was 17.75% interest!:ack:
If that doesn't change then i'll be cruisin the 'ol sea ray again this summer!

 

[Dr Honda]

BIG TIME!

At 11 hours those washers you mentioned decided to let go and ate the blower. Seadoo/Bombardier replaced the blower, flushed the engine, and gave me about $200 in 'goodies' for my inconvenience, and gave me the extended warranty freeby. I've got a thread in here somewhere about it. Since the fix there have been no problems at all. When people tell me about the $900 to rebuild the blower at 100 hours, I think I will just take it off then, or, who knows if I will still have it by then......

I've said it before... but I think the SC needs yanked, and a turbo put in it's place. You would wind up making more HP because of less parasitic drag on the engine, and it won't scatter when the engine is over reved, and suddenly slowed down because of jumping waves. Also... you have a nice lake full of cool water... run that though a water to air intercooler, and I bet you would find an extra 20Hp when it's all said and done.

The dealer just called me earlier and said that all they could get was 17.75% interest!:ack:
If that doesn't change then i'll be cruisin the 'ol sea ray again this summer!

That's not even realistic. That would make the payments crazy high. Ask if that was with SeaDoo. I've found some (not nice) dealers will go with a local bank first, because they get an incentive (kick-back) from banks that rape the customer. But you would be surprised how many people will just say OK because they want the new toy.

 

[screwball]

17.75% Boy, they sure don't want to sell many boats. We went through our credit union for under 7% last year. Guess Oboma's stimulus plan ain't working too well for you!

Good Luck!

 

[hitman782]

I dont think it is that, I know one of the dealers i was trying to go through wouldnt give me the good financing options if I opted for all of the rebates and incentives from sea-doo, but i would magically get the better APR and longer financing if i would have passed on the extended warranty and rebates... I signed up with a local credit union, got a pretty good APR and longer financing. Best of luck with finding a good deal, i spent a good part of last season trying to find the right deal, and getting financed for it.

 

[RobinHood]

So did you get the 155 speedster. does it pull you up on a slalom ski. My son is 150 lbs but in a few years I think he will top end at 180 ish and I want to be sure I can pull him out of the water for several years with the speedster. The dealer isn't sure the speedster will do the job and is suggesting a 3 seater regular sea doo. I am feeling older and like the idea of more of a boat seat.... does anyone have experience with this? HELP

 

[RobinHood]

when you pulled the 200 lber how many people and/or what type of weight was in the boat? I'm lookin g at 2009 - 155 speedster NO turbo but the dealer is telling me it won't pull my 150lb son out of the water? then again the dealer tells me he hasn't tried driving a speedster let alone pull someone....

 

[SAF001]

when you pulled the 200 lber how many people and/or what type of weight was in the boat? I'm lookin g at 2009 - 155 speedster NO turbo but the dealer is telling me it won't pull my 150lb son out of the water? then again the dealer tells me he hasn't tried driving a speedster let alone pull someone....

There was a driver and a spotter with normal safety gear in the boat plenty of power. Keeping in mind we have some experience so maybe a large beginner would be more troublesome. I have now put over 250hrs on the 155hp speedster and I don't regret that engine at all. Sure its not as fast but it has been very good to me.
Will the supercharged version pull harder ... yes, no doubt. But it sounds like the dealer is just trying to sell you a more expensive model.

 

[Macster]

I just bought a 2008 Speedster 150 with the na 155hp motor. I haven't GPS'd my speeds yet, so won't guess how fast it goes. Here's my initial impressions around power and towing ability.

There is a substantial difference in acceleration and top speed between having 1 or 2 ppl in the boat and four. For example, if you pull a really tight turn at max rpm with 4 ppl in the boat, it will nearly come to a stop as it struggles to regain momentum (no it is not cavitating). Compare this to when there's only a driver in the boat and it will pull some serious g-forces.

If you're not fussed about losing momentum on tight turns with lots of passengers, then know that it will still slow dramatically if you pull 45 degree fishtail turns.

Towing:
Double skis (95kg skier) with two people in the boat = no problem
Double skis (60kg skier) with three people in the boat = no problem
Single ski (95kgs skier) with two people in the boat = TBC

(I am a learner skier with poor technique and the boat couldn't get me up. I've read up on how to do a deep water single ski start, so let you know how I get on in a few weeks). Having said that my 250hp Kawasaki Jetski would pull me up on one ski despite my poor technique!

Would I go the SC version if I had my time over? A little early to tell, but probably not. We've been out three times now, spending half a day at the lake (2hrs engine run time each visit) and only use 15-20 litres of fuel on average.

Worst case scenario if it can't pull me on one ski I will either look at a few of the cheap modes (air intake system, Solas prop, plugging ride holes etc) to try and squeeze a couple of extra HP, or just use the drop a ski technique after I have stood up. There's also the start with a leg out technique which is supposed to be good for low HP engines.

Hope this helps.

N.B. Losing 20kgs is not an option (yes I am the 95kg skier!)

 

[RobinHood]

HI

We have the 155 and have been able to pull 150 to 180 lb skiers up on slalom no problem with 2 men each weighing 180lbs and a womaan weighing 150 lbs in the boat. With skiing don't have to play with the throttle at all unless you do a sharper turn and hit a wind. Wake boarding is easy to get them up but we are finding on the wakeboard that you do need to adjust throttle. So far this has been easy to do and everyone is having fun. Tubing has been more of a challenge. If have talked to people who tube behind their 155 all the time but for I me I become stressed when pulling a tuber. Too much having to adjust the throttle. My kids are older and love to ski so for us the tubing issue is not a problem. Everyone in the family loves the boat - age range 17-54 years. We got the boat this summer and are all thinking it is great. Good luck

 

[Macster]

HI

We have the 155 and have been able to pull 150 to 180 lb skiers up on slalom no problem with 2 men each weighing 180lbs and a womaan weighing 150 lbs in the boat.

Crap, so I converted 95kgs and its 210 lbs...

 

[Macster]

Ok, so 3 months has gone by. We have waterskied fortnightly on our Speedster 155 during this time, so fair to say I now have a good idea of what the 155hp engine can and can't do.

As mentioned before I'm 95kgs. On a single ski deep water start there are 3 ways I can get up in the Speedster and none of them are particuarly easy:

1. Boat starts at 45 degrees, gets some momentum, then cuts back to 0 degrees and pulls me up.

2. I start with one leg / foot out

3. I start with both feet in - boat takes 30-odd meters to get enough speed for me to stand up.

Prop / wear ring / engine is all fine - it's just not as powerful as other boats. We might change the impeller but for now have adapted to the boat.

65kg single skiers are fine btw. Fuel economy is fantastic (average 10-11 litres per engine hour, therefore get 3-4 ski trips out of a tank of gas)

Hope this helps anyone who may be considering buying the Speedster 155hp as a ski boat.

GPS speed reading of 75kph with two men in boat (a little more to go - not quite redline).

 

[TimIHB]

Sportster 215 SC

BIG TIME!

At 11 hours those washers you mentioned decided to let go and ate the blower. Seadoo/Bombardier replaced the blower, flushed the engine, and gave me about $200 in 'goodies' for my inconvenience, and gave me the extended warranty freeby. I've got a thread in here somewhere about it. Since the fix there have been no problems at all. When people tell me about the $900 to rebuild the blower at 100 hours, I think I will just take it off then, or, who knows if I will still have it by then......

I had mine rebuilt at 105 hours. No problems what so ever. The kit was 325.00 and labor was 180.00. I plan on doing the next rebuild myself. It didnt look that difficult. I had it out last weekend. The boat runs fantastic. I also have a RIva performance air intake. Is it worth it? its 5.00 per hour for an additional 60 horsepower. I like to go fast. it's worth it to me. You can save dollars on the scheduled maintenance as well. I order the oil, filter and plug kit from Seadoo. Its about 80.00 shipped. Do the job yourself and save on the 240.00 the dealer charges.