Thinking about buying my first boat, need advice.

[Alexcozumel]

Hi,

I´m new here, I hope I´m posting in the right place.

I´m a dive instructor in Cozumel, moved there four years ago and I´d like to get a boat for my wife and I, we want a small, fun boat, and I´m just in love with the smaller seadoo´s, but quite frankly I´ve never ever owned a boat.

I´d like to ask a few questions to you more experienced ppl,

I´ve heard that seadoo´s need extra care when used in salt water, I think I can manage, but what do you think?

I´ve been looking at this one on the link, seems in good condition, and the owner says it has 25 hours of use. By the pics it looks very well kept.

http://vehiculo.mercadolibre.com.mx/MLM-423375481-lancha-sea-doo-_JM

The price is in pesos, it roughly translates to 15,000$US, but the owner is willing to give me a better price if I show up with an offer.

What can I expect from this particular boat in terms of speed, and the fact that it will go into saltwater?

Another thing is that in some places ppl say they prefer a "real boat" and I´m kinda lost as to what do they mean by that.

Your advice will be greately apreciated, and I´m here if for any question about diving, my field of expertise.

Regards, Alex.

 

[xintersecty]

I just got into the jet boat because I need a shallow draft to get from my dock to out to the lake. Here are the the things I learned:
1) Can't keep it water (darn it)
2) Very maneuverable when docking
3) Fast and light (very affected by the waves)
4) The superchargers for those years boats where an implosion waiting to happen
5) They are fun and fuel economical.

What is a real boat? Just means something bigger and more expensive. If you are going to carry dive gear on that boat, just remember they are small.

Also I think 15K is way too much. Of course that is my view from a US market. Good luck on your search.

 

[Alexcozumel]

I just got into the jet boat because I need a shallow draft to get from my dock to out to the lake. Here are the the things I learned:
1) Can't keep it water (darn it)
2) Very maneuverable when docking
3) Fast and light (very affected by the waves)
4) The superchargers for those years boats where an implosion waiting to happen
5) They are fun and fuel economical.

What is a real boat? Just means something bigger and more expensive. If you are going to carry dive gear on that boat, just remember they are small.

Also I think 15K is way too much. Of course that is my view from a US market. Good luck on your search.

Thanx for the reply,

As far as point 4, do you mean that the year of this model could fail?

I won´t be using it for diving, just to cruise around the island.

Cheers, Alex

 

[xintersecty]

I bought the 2006 Challenger with the 215HP with Supercharger. They used a slip clutch with ceramic washer which tended to fail prematurely. I think my boat they have been changed. I will pull the super charger later this year. Here is the specs on the sportster.
http://www.sea-doo.com/archives/archives_2005/en-us/sportboats/2004/sportster.4-tec/index.htm
That boat does not have the supercharger so it should be ok and good on gas. The downside you will need somebody with the special computer to do maintenance on the computer. Otherwise you can change the oil yourself. Very easy.

 

[timeman]

The earlier superchargers on Seadoo sport boats (prior to 08?) had washers (internal parts) made from ceramics, over time (heat/ cool) they became brittle and were subject to failure, which was usually catastrophic to the engine if and when they broke and pieces got sucked into the cylinders.

This is something easily avoided if you have the ceramic washers replaced with stainless steel ones when you rebuild the supercharger (which is needed around 100-+ 200 hours of use).

Having said that, I'm not sure I would recommend someone start out with a jet boat as their first boat. The low speed handling is something that takes more than a little getting used to. Jet boats, because they require power to push a stream of water through the jet, have zero steerage in neutral and slow speeds. Also not sure if I would recommend a boat with such a low profile for use in ocean waters where wave heights can vary greatly.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Seadoo, but from what little I read about your situation, I would think you might be a lot happier with a prop driven, deep V design/ run about, something more along the platform of a Sea-Ray or Bayliner? Of course,this is: JMHO, and you know what they say,.... opinions are like butt holes....everyone's got one...and some stink more than others !

Good luck, and Happy boating!

 

[Steve_Cay]

I assume you will be using it in the ocean ... And while I have no ocean experience ...

My $0.02 ...

I find even on a lake/river on a moderately windy day the waves are a chore. Lots of going airborne, and waves comming over the front into the boat. And slowing down does not help, as the profile is so low (look at the first pic in your add, front is barely above the water line unloaded), so you gotta keep up the speed to ride it on top (boom ... Bang ... Boom...) While I can find the fun in that and feel safe enegh, the wife and daughter don't.

Can't beat the nimbleness, practicality and garageability of the 150 though! But from what I remember from my Cancun vacations, the water can be rough! And I would consider something with a deeper v hull, and a bit taller ... unless you will be predominantly using it on inlets and calm water or want a thrilling and wet ride. But if you want more of a jet-ski experice, than an average boat will give you, this is it!

You will have to flush the engine while running with a hose when you pull it out each time for saltwater. And from the pictures, I dont think the trailer is the galvanized version (white instead of metallic) ... should rinse it each time and I am surprised there is no rust already! But with 25hrs in 7 years, they hardley used it.

 

[Alexcozumel]

Thanks Steve,

You guys have been a lot of help, I´m considering all options.

I can get a bayliner for 13,000$ which may be better suited for Cozumel, but still, those seadoos look like FUN.

I´m visiting the inlaws in Europe, and I´ll be back home in the second of August, so I´ll have time to give it some research and thought,

your input is highly apreciated, Alex

 

[Coastiejoe]

Seadoo jet boats are an absolute ball, but not not really designed as a practical boat for lack of better words.

The Bayliner will have a hull better suited for the ocean. It won't be as much fun as the Seadoo, but for ocena dn diving I think it will be better suited. Generally speaking the "tradition" boats will have more "V" in the v-hull which will allow the boats to cut into a wave better as well as absorb it better.

If you have rolling seas, nothing to small will ever be too good as you will always be fighting the throttle lever. If the boat is a bit larger or heavier you won't be fighting it as much...

 

[mtitus]

Have you thought of looking at the Challenger 180
Bigger boat, Better open water handling and almost as much fun on a lake

 

[Alexcozumel]

Have you thought of looking at the Challenger 180
Bigger boat, Better open water handling and almost as much fun on a lake

Not really, but what do you think of this bayliner?

http://vehiculo.mercadolibre.com.mx/MLM-424538224-lancha-bayliner-para-7-pasajeros-_JM

Price is roughly 11,000$US what do you think?

Cheers, Alex

 

[speedster32940]

I'm going to be a wisea$$ here, but i have to say I really laughed when I clicked the link without carefully reading your post & saw a $135,000 bayliner :willy_nilly::lols::lols::lols::lols:. For $11,000... much more feasible.

Not really, but what do you think of this bayliner?

http://vehiculo.mercadolibre.com.mx/MLM-424538224-lancha-bayliner-para-7-pasajeros-_JM

Price is roughly 11,000$US what do you think?

Cheers, Alex

 

[Alexcozumel]

I'm going to be a wisea$$ here, but i have to say I really laughed when I clicked the link without carefully reading your post & saw a $135,000 bayliner :willy_nilly::lols::lols::lols::lols:. For $11,000... much more feasible.

You thought it was 135,000$ dollars? LOL No friend it´s pesos!

I´m in love with the little seadoos speedsters, but I´ve been told the Bayliner might be better suited for the choppy watrs of Cozumel.

What do you think about the boat? Your input is greately apeciated.

Cheers, Alex

 

[mtitus]

Hi Alex
That bayliner looks good.
I bought a 2009 180se in feb for $15500
Has the high output motor 255hp covers and Bimini on gal trailer with 10hrs on motor.
Have taken it in open water and it is stable. Hull is nice and deep also .
It can also be thrown around like a jet ski and is tonnes of fun.
Can easily pull up 2 skiers.
Had it at 48mph in open water and she soaked up the waves easily.
There is a few videos on YouTube where a guy has done the trip from Miami to the Bahamas, if you wanted to see how it handles open water.
I am extremely happy with it. Only thing I would like is it to be 23ft but then wouldn't fit in my garage lol. Guess you can't have everything.

 

[timeman]

Alex, The ad you linked says it's a BAYLINER 2452,which is a 24 ft. cuddy cabin boat.(enclosed cabin in front) The picture shown is not a 2452, it looks more like a 19 ft. Bayliner Capri, (open bow), run about. It would be along the same platform as the Seadoo Challenger 180. Bayliner sits a little taller above the water line, and has a slightly deeper V hull. I had an earlier model which had a 4 cyl. Volvo Penta which performed and handled well. I would check all the dealers details carefully, quite a difference between the model speced and the picture shown...Good luck!

 

[Alexcozumel]

Alex, The ad you linked says it's a BAYLINER 2452,which is a 24 ft. cuddy cabin boat.(enclosed cabin in front) The picture shown is not a 2452, it looks more like a 19 ft. Bayliner Capri, (open bow), run about. It would be along the same platform as the Seadoo Challenger 180. Bayliner sits a little taller above the water line, and has a slightly deeper V hull. I had an earlier model which had a 4 cyl. Volvo Penta which performed and handled well. I would check all the dealers details carefully, quite a difference between the model speced and the picture shown...Good luck!

Thanks timeman,

As I´ve said, I wont be able to look around until August, I´m in Europe visiting the inlaws.

I think what I´ll do when I come back is take my time and check out the dealrer in Cancún and maybe Florida (I think there´s a loophole to avoid taxes)

You guys have been great, your help is very apreciated.

Cheers, Alex

 

[wveers92]

I love my Speedster, but $15K seems quite high. Of course that is in US vs Cozumel, but I just got my 2012 brand new (left over marina inventory) for $15, with 5 ys warranty. For two people it is a blast.
One thing you don’t mention…..storage. 95% of the reason I bought the Speedster was because it fits in my garage. I am not up for $150 plus per month storage. Something to strongly consider if you have a garage.