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1997 seadoo xp stress cracks?
- Thread starter Mitchell72
- Start date
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Mitchell72
New Member
I bought the ski for $500 with trailer and its runs well has good compression all it needs is a wear ring and I'm new to skis so I'm curious about those scratches or cracks?
DavesNotHereMan
Active Member
Those look like cracks, man. Do you know how deep they go? Are they all over the ski, or just in one spot? Can you get a dental probe into a crack or does it just catch your fingernail? You can find a not-so-obvious spot and go at it with some sandpaper. I would start with 400 wet and see what it does. If the cracks do not come out, then it probably goes through the gelcoat and more substantial repairs will be necessary.
Let us know what you find.
Let us know what you find.
Mitchell72
New Member
They only catch my finger nails not wide at all. Also those pictures that's just the one spot it's at the rest of the hull is in great shape
Mitchell72
New Member
That's the ski I plan on get it painted over the winter and get the motor rebuilt.
SabrToothSqrl
Well-Known Member
Fiberglass can flex. Gelcoat doesn't. Cracks like that result. Usually from an impact.
Mitchell72
New Member
So is it a cheap fix?
DavesNotHereMan
Active Member
^+1.
I agree with SabrToothSqrl. Those look like impact cracks, so I bet they are not just in the surface, but go all the way to the layup.
Regardless of what finish you use, you will need to grind that gelcoat off so no evidence of the cracks show up or they will "witness" through the new finish, paint or gelcoat. I went down to 120 grit on a repair I recently made. Then re-gelcoat. Blending the color will be an issue because of the sun fade on your current ski. You will need to go to an edge, mine is still not right. After the gelcoat hardens, you will need to go through a wet sanding series, compounding, Polish and wax.
If you are going to paint the ski, I assume you will use something like Awlgrip or Interlux. There are a bunch of options and you will need to follow their instructions for preparation.
Or, find a repair shop that will do it.
Mitchell72
New Member
All the way to the Layup? I'm sorry for not knowing I'm new to skis but have had plenty of 2 stroke atvs and bikes I've rebuilt.
DavesNotHereMan
Active Member
Until no evidence of those cracks show up. If they are from impact, I would guess they would go all the way through the gelcoat.
Sand an area (not too obvious) and see.
Sand an area (not too obvious) and see.
Those are definitely from an impact but it is not separating from the fiberglass under it. On an older ski in my opinion it is not worth the cost to repair and they will not cause any future issues. Just clean it up and run it. I would consider them cosmetic.
Mitchell72
New Member
Well I plan on getting the ski panted as I got it for a project, black and red theme and I'll worry about the cracks when the body work comes in as I'll run it this summer and worry about it over the winter. Thanks guys! Was worried it was a lot worse but it sounds like it ain't that bad.
Mitchell72
New Member
The motor runs but my thing is the oil injectors would it be best to block off the oil and mix the gas myself or leave it. The reason I ask is because I had a Polaris 2 stroke and the pump went bad and fried the top end
SabrToothSqrl
Well-Known Member
The pump will be fine, if anything, replace the filter and lines if you are bored. Most sea doo "oil pump" failures are from people mixing oil types, causing a chemical reaction that gels (hardens) the oil, clogging the system and destroying the engine... So... Don't do that. 
Mitchell72
New Member
I'm gonna be ordering a seat cover for the xp, how's the black tip seat covers hold up?
Make sure you replace the little oil lines from the pump to the intake. They are known to break and kill engines. 3/32" tygon hose can be bought at any mower shop.
The Blacktip products are ok for the money but you are getting what you pay for. The best covers are JetTrim then probably M-Line but they also cost more too. IF you are going to sell it then Blacktip, if you are keeping it JetTrim.
The Blacktip products are ok for the money but you are getting what you pay for. The best covers are JetTrim then probably M-Line but they also cost more too. IF you are going to sell it then Blacktip, if you are keeping it JetTrim.
Mitchell72
New Member
I ordered some hydro turf mats for it also, I'll look into those seat covers
Strizzo
Well-Known Member
This right here, someone tagged it in the side, cracking the gelcoat. There is a good instruction on repairing gelcoat spider cracks in the service manual. Basically you widen the cracks with a v shaped scraper so the new gel can stick and then skim it with fresh gel. If you're going to paint it you can just fill with marine epoxy, sand and paint. Keep in mind "custom" paint tends to hurt value if you're looking to re sell.
Mitchell72
New Member
Okay another question I think it's the vts? Do most people remove this or keep it?
Most keep it and it is nice to have on that hull. THey go bad because either the outer boot goes bad at the back of the ski or the seal on the inside lid and water gets in. They are very common to fail. Your best bet at getting a good used one is Minnetonka4me, AKA, Nick.
Mitchell72
New Member
Well I started cracking stuff open today and it looks like somebody has cut the wires for the vts........ So would it be best to order stuff to put it back on or keep it off?
Mitchell72
New Member
Well I heard the vts is a ticking time bomb so is there away to avoid this?
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