Used 2003 Utopia 205

[rdradu]

Hello gang,
I have found the above and am very excited about buying this boat however I will be unable to get this in the water for a test run (it snowed here again last night - good grief!!) so I need to know what steps I need to do to make sure that I don't get hosed. The boat is in getting a partial inspection, only has 63 hours on it, and looks great in pictures. This is my first boat ever so don't want to mess this up.
Can I safely fire it up and run out of the water? What is acceptable for impeller wear? As the boat is in for inspection, should I cough up for a compression test?
The boat is about 6 hours away but the seller has been very accommodating so far.
Looking forward to your help.
Richard

 

[rookie101]

Can I safely fire it up and run out of the water? What is acceptable for impeller wear? As the boat is in for inspection, should I cough up for a compression test?
Richard

Yes you can run the boat on the trailer, but be sure to hook it up to a hose and start the HOSE FIRST. Impeller wear limit is .100 of an inch, or 2.54mm. Mercury recommends that you replace both the wear housing and the the impeller if the wear exceeds this. They do have a note just under that statement in the manual though, that states the impeller accounts for 75% of the wear, so I'm not sure if I would replace the wear housing "just because".

For the compression test, I would say it is a must for an engine that will cost between 5,000-16,000 to rebuild/replace.

If I remember correctly you are near Red Deer aren't you? If you are Outlaw Eagle manufacturing a custom river boat manufacturer uses a lot of the Sport Jet's, and can do all sorts of custom pump mods (not cheap).

Aaron:cheers:

 

[rdradu]

Thanks

Hi Aaron and thanks for your input. :hurray: I will see if the seller will go halfers on me for this.
Yes, we are close to RD and thanks for the tip however, this being my first boat, I think that I will stick with stock and keep it simple (for now anyhow - heh).

 

[rdradu]

change of plans

Well, a big change of plans! I just put a deposit on a brand new from the factory, 2007 Challenger in Kelowna!! :hurray::hurray::hurray: Full warranty and zero hours. Now the painful part of having to wait until May long weekend before picking her up.
It doesn't have a mooring cover or bimini top - both things that I need - so I need your advise. Should I buy from the dealer or am I better off elsewhere? Should I go with the two piece mooring covers (passenger/tonneau) or the one piece full?
I appreciate all the help that I have received so far - this site rocks

 

[rookie101]

That's awesome ! You don't say what Challenger though......230 or 180. Also what engine package??

As for tops pick them up aftermarket. I went with Poppys for my mooring/trailering cover, and had my bimini and bow cover made at a local upholstery shop.

Aaron:cheers:

 

[rdradu]

Thanks Aaron - it's the 180 with the 215 HP. I was hoping for the SE model but am also just glad to have this one.

 

[Craigmri]

Aaron

Aaron,

Your one of many great resources here on the Seadooforum. I appreciate your advice and really admire how you like to help people. You rock! :cheers:

Craig

Yes you can run the boat on the trailer, but be sure to hook it up to a hose and start the HOSE FIRST. Impeller wear limit is .100 of an inch, or 2.54mm. Mercury recommends that you replace both the wear housing and the the impeller if the wear exceeds this. They do have a note just under that statement in the manual though, that states the impeller accounts for 75% of the wear, so I'm not sure if I would replace the wear housing "just because".

For the compression test, I would say it is a must for an engine that will cost between 5,000-16,000 to rebuild/replace.

If I remember correctly you are near Red Deer aren't you? If you are Outlaw Eagle manufacturing a custom river boat manufacturer uses a lot of the Sport Jet's, and can do all sorts of custom pump mods (not cheap).

Aaron:cheers:

 

[Lee]

Aaron,

Your one of many great resources here on the Seadooforum. I appreciate your advice and really admire how you like to help people. You rock! :cheers:

Craig

:agree::cheers:

 

[rookie101]

I'm not doing anything different than anyone else on the boards..... That's what makes this place so great, is how helpful everyone is. As a matter of fact the only thing different about me is I don't know anything about the Rotax motors.....:rofl:

 

[boeing747arowair]

+1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:agree:

 

[rdradu]

Frustrations

Hi all, just found out from the dealer that the 07 Challenger was getting it's pre-loading inspection in the US and they found a hole in the hull so we have cancelled that deal.

I am now back to looking for the 2003 Utopia again and I have a couple of questions. The owner sent me a picture of the hull on this as it had a gouge (see attached pic). In your opinions, how serious is this? Lastly (for now anyhow ), this boat only has 65 hours on it - could having too few hours on the engine be detrimental to it's function?

 

[rookie101]

Although it's probably not serious, if it were mine I would get it repaired. They can fix something like that so that the hull will look brand new. My brothers Bryant had a bunch of scratches in the hull from shipping that they fixed under warranty, and for lack of a better word it's perfect. There is now way you would be able to tell anything was ever done.

Call around to a few boat dealers in your area and see who they recommend for Gel Coat repair, and then forward them the picture to get an idea on cost. Use that price as a bargaining chip.

As for the low hours on the engine as long as it was serviced regularly and fogged when it sat for long periods of time it should be fine.

Aaron:cheers:

 

[rdradu]

Finally!!

Well, after finding out tha the 205 had a deal pending, I came across a sweet 2001 Utopia 185 for sale in the Shuswap and, after driving out for the long weekend and giving her a good look over and a quick test run, I am very happy to say that I am the proud owner of this boat!:hurray::hurray::hurray:
She has just over 100 hours on her and looks like she came off the showroom floor. The previous owner bought her new and stored her in his garage when not in use and generally pampered the crap outof her. I am very excited to get her home and just now have to wait until the stupid ice is off Gull
Now to order the Poppy's cover and Hawkeye depth gauge! Will also look into a bow cover for those chilly AB evenings.

 

[rookie101]

Where are the pictures?????

Post up some pictures of the new family member.

You didn't mention what it has for an engine, is it the 210 or the 240? I know my buddy that has a cabin on Wizard Lake said that the ice is off.......... I know if I had a new toy where I'd be heading.

As far as the bow cover goes, it is worth it's weight in gold for cool days. I was even using mine out on Little Bow yesterday. The wife probably wouldn't even get in the boat with out it.:rofl: Also on the way out yesterday I hit irresponsible speeds a couple times when passing traffic, and my Poppy cover never moved at all (also handy to have a built in gas flap). Call around to local upholstery shops for a bow cover, I had mine made here in town at a place called SewWut and they did a great job.

Aaron:cheers:



Oh......... and welcome to the club

 

[Craigmri]

Slow down there little fella ;-)

Aaron,

Trailering your boat at 140? Saweeeeeeeeet! LOL...I know thats Kilometers/hour. Still sounds impressive :rofl: Actually, thats like 87 MPH.....Thats still haulin butt with a trailer.

Craig

Post up some pictures of the new family member.

You didn't mention what it has for an engine, is it the 210 or the 240? I know my buddy that has a cabin on Wizard Lake said that the ice is off.......... I know if I had a new toy where I'd be heading.

As far as the bow cover goes, it is worth it's weight in gold for cool days. I was even using mine out on Little Bow yesterday. The wife probably wouldn't even get in the boat with out it.:rofl: Also on the way out yesterday I hit 140 a couple times when passing traffic, and my Poppy cover never moved at all (also handy to have a built in gas flap). Call around to local upholstery shops for a bow cover, I had mine made here in town at a place called SewWut and they did a great job.

Aaron:cheers:



Oh......... and welcome to the club

 

[rookie101]

Aaron,

Trailering your boat at 140? Saweeeeeeeeet! LOL...I know thats Kilometers/hour. Still sounds impressive :rofl: Actually, thats like 87 MPH.....Thats still haulin butt with a trailer.

Craig

Definitely don't recommend that speed :redface: but every once in a while when the highway is empty and there is a semi in your way, if you're going to pass make it quick. Up here in Canada the lake may be frozen if you take too long getting there.:rofl:

But in all seriousness it really is too fast with a trailer.:angelsad:

Aaron:cheers:

 

[Craigmri]

LOL! Hurry honey, get in the car quick! The lake just thawed and we gotta high tail it to the lake before it freezes again!!!!:ack:


Craig

 

[rdradu]

Aaron, what are you pulling yours with?

We got our new Utopia on Sunday night with no problems - other than a stupid 80 km/hr head wind all the way up QE II - and she is one sweet machine. We bought her off the original owners and she only has 101.4 hours and looks like she is new. The old owners had a kept a detailed logbook and they took her right from the lake into his garage.
I need to put a depth finder and a bow cover on her and, as she was alway in a garage, I will also get a Poppy's cover for her. Other than that, we just need the stupid snow to stop so that we can take her out for a first rip :hurray:

The previous owner was pretty adamant that we only use the Mercury Optimax DFI oil (which he gave us a half jug of) - any thoughts?

Aaron, she has the 200HP - wish it was the 240 but, for a first boat, I am sure that we will be just fine - she sure snapped us back in our seats on Saturday when we went out on the Shuswap

 

[rookie101]

Nice Boat.....

Nice boat, it looks almost as shiny as mine:rofl:

Mine also goes from the lake to the garage. It has never slept outside since I've owned it. That 200DFI has plenty of power............I should know, it's the same engine I have. Specs on my boat are 44.6mph on gps with three two hundred pound adults and half a tank of fuel. I also managed to pull my three hundred pound brother up on a wake-board with no problem.

As for oil I use the Quicksilver Premium TC-W3 which is recommended in the manual.

For a tow rig I use a GMC Canyon crew cab Z71 and it handles the little Utopia no problem.


Congrats on the boat

Aaron:cheers:

 

[boeing747arowair]

coongrats!

 

[rdradu]

Thanks Boeing747!

Aaron, do you have a wake tower? I was told by a dealer that you can't wake board using the eye at the back of the boat as the angle is wrong. Was I mislead? Could the dealer perhaps been trying to sell me a wake tower (heh)?

 

[rookie101]

No tower on my boat. You do not need one to wakeboard, you just can't get the air you can with a tower. For 90% of us a tower is just a waste of money. They do look cool though.

Aaron:cheers:

 

[rdradu]

Updated my profile picture for your viewing pleasure :lols:

 

[JT-27]

Aaron, what are you pulling yours with?

We got our new Utopia on Sunday night with no problems - other than a stupid 80 km/hr head wind all the way up QE II - and she is one sweet machine. We bought her off the original owners and she only has 101.4 hours and looks like she is new. The old owners had a kept a detailed logbook and they took her right from the lake into his garage.
I need to put a depth finder and a bow cover on her and, as she was alway in a garage, I will also get a Poppy's cover for her. Other than that, we just need the stupid snow to stop so that we can take her out for a first rip :hurray:

The previous owner was pretty adamant that we only use the Mercury Optimax DFI oil (which he gave us a half jug of) - any thoughts?

Aaron, she has the 200HP - wish it was the 240 but, for a first boat, I am sure that we will be just fine - she sure snapped us back in our seats on Saturday when we went out on the Shuswap

This is awesome, how do you know the boat only has 101.4 hours? Is this based just on the log book? I'm curious as to how many my boat has and just wondering if it's easy to find, or if I just have to have the dealer hook it up to the computer to find out???

 

[Dr Honda]

TJ-27

First... don't dig up a thread that has been dead for 6 months.

Second... start a new thread if you have a question that doesn't have anything to do with the topic. (it's called hijacking, and it's frowned upon)

Third... So you don't think I'm a total Jack-off....

the only way to find out is to take it to a dealer, and have them read out the ECU.