RESTO 2001 GTX: 'The Keeper'

[dgoodwin10]

As with most others on this forum with a 2 stroke Seadoo problem, when a good deal comes down the 'ol interwebs you've gotta buy it. My first 'Doo was a '97 GTX that I repainted to look like the 2000 GTX and I even added (most of) the trim from the later model ski to pull off the conversion. Build thread: http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?66483-Restoring-a-1997-GTX-quot-The-Hostage-quot

I have always wanted another GTX, but never have found the right deal on one...until a few weeks ago. While trolling Craigslist between classes I decided to deviate from my usual 'seadoo' and typed in 'jet ski'. What I found was a 2001 GTX with a carb'd 951 from an estate sale being sold for parts close to home. All the guy knew was that it had been hooked up to a charger wrong and had sat ever since, so I offered him $450 sight unseen and he took it. I figured at that price I can afford to do a lot to the ski. I was coming home for Labor Day, so I swung by on my way and grabbed it. Here is what I brought home:

Save for some sun damage, it's in really good shape. The hull is in really good shape and the engine compartment is untouched. Before I headed to the lake I pulled the plugs and spun the motor over by hand and it couldn't be smoother.

Since I have too many projects in the garage as is, I stuck it in a friends barn and headed to the lake. This will be a long time in the making since I'm at school and have quite a few other projects ahead of this one, but since I plan to keep this one it will be fixed up right. The plan is pretty straight forward: replace the seat cover, buff the hull and restore the finish and do whatever is necessary to make it reliable mechanically. So stay tuned as I dive into this ski!

 

[Spimothy Leary]

I might have enough remnant blue vinyl for the seat cover that i'd let go cheap cheap, I think I paid $10 for it...
I'd have to measure... (assuming you're not planning on a $120 option) just thought i'd throw it out there, and i think the blue would be a pretty close match.

 

[motox25]

I have that exact ski, absolutely love it. Despite the quirks I love my 951, hits 60+ on smooth water without a problem.

 

[dgoodwin10]

I might have enough remnant blue vinyl for the seat cover that i'd let go cheap cheap, I think I paid $10 for it...
I'd have to measure... (assuming you're not planning on a $120 option) just thought i'd throw it out there, and i think the blue would be a pretty close match.

I may hit you up on that later on when I figure out what I want to do on the seats. Thanks for the heads up!

I have that exact ski, absolutely love it. Despite the quirks I love my 951, hits 60+ on smooth water without a problem.

Great to hear! I have really enjoyed my 787 GTX and am really excited about a more powerful ski.

This ski does present a few issues though. I have a bill of sale to make this legit, however the serial tag was broken off and I have yet to find that number anywhere else on the ski. Are the serials stored in the MPEM or am I dreaming that? Getting this beast registered will be the first major issue to deal with.

 

[1of500]

Under the fuel tank there is a hin tag

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[dgoodwin10]

I set a deadline this year to begin pre- season maintenance (relatively speaking) March 1st. Basically, this meant stop working on my land toys to get ready for the summer. The 01 GTX briefly came out of hiding this weekend in order to get the garage organized and ready to wrench. I'll be diving into this one soon. Stay tuned to see what surprises are in store!

Yes, putting fenders back on my trailer is on the list to do as well.

 

[dgoodwin10]

This junk is back in the garage!

The 2 in this picture are set to go to the water for Labor Day. It's FINALLY time to break the seal on this ski and see what I really got myself into.

 

[Craig.Z.]

If the 01 GTX doesn't work out, let me know if you are parting out. Need a rub rail and corner bumper.

 

[dgoodwin10]

If the 01 GTX doesn't work out, let me know if you are parting out. Need a rub rail and corner bumper.

I'll keep that in mind.

The motor turned over smooth, but I wanted to see what the cylinders looked like, so off came the RAVEs. Which had to literally be pried out.

And the PTO piston

It's hard to see, but the ring is rusty... which means this motor has seen water and will probably need a rebuild. This leaves me with a decision to make- assuming this ski needs a computer and a motor, I'll have to drop some serious coin. Maybe it'll get a 787 after all....

 

[dgoodwin10]

After spending entirely too long getting the exhaust out (thanks 951 bolt placement) and finding water in the bottom end:

This ski is definitely getting a 787. The plan is to use an RFI exhaust to solve the outlet being on the wrong side and use all 787 electronics. I know the larger pump will be a performance issue, so I hope I can use a different prop to help combat that. Before I called it a night, I decided to give myself some motivation via some 787 cases I had:

 

[dgoodwin10]

While I'm gathering parts for the motor, I figured I would work on cosmetics. I got the decals pulled off 1 side, mats pulled and I hit it with the pressure washer.

It's cleaner than it was.

 

[dgoodwin10]

I checked an RFI ski today and the hose IDs are the same, so the 951 waterbox is saying for now.

I finished gutting the hull, ran to the parts store for the miracle degreaser known as Super Clean and ended up with this:

 

[racerxxx]

I've seen guys use a piece of aluminum and cantiveler the front mount over when doing a 787 to 951 conversion vs. glassing in a mount. I can't remember if the 951 mount is shorter in the front than a 787 and that is how they are getting away with it. I've never personally seen it, just on the interwebs.

 

[dgoodwin10]

I've seen guys use a piece of aluminum and cantiveler the front mount over when doing a 787 to 951 conversion vs. glassing in a mount. I can't remember if the 951 mount is shorter in the front than a 787 and that is how they are getting away with it. I've never personally seen it, just on the interwebs.

That's actually along the lines of what I'm going to try. IMO it's the same result for much less effort.

 

[dgoodwin10]

Slight update... Well, really a question.

I found a used 787 that was pulled from a running ski 6-7 years ago and never reinstalled. The seller is asking $200 for the motor, which I think is worth it even if it's trashed. Assuming the motor passes a compression and pressure test, is there anything else I need to consider since it has been sitting for so long?

 

[WhiskeyD]

Slight update... Well, really a question.

I found a used 787 that was pulled from a running ski 6-7 years ago and never reinstalled. The seller is asking $200 for the motor, which I think is worth it even if it's trashed. Assuming the motor passes a compression and pressure test, is there anything else I need to consider since it has been sitting for so long?

I would tear it down and check out all the bearings. They would be my biggest concern. Make sure they all spin smooth and noise free. Replace all gaskets and you should be good to go.

 

[Matt Braley]

Fire that thing up and pin it to win it. I wake them up all the time.

 

[dgoodwin10]

Fire that thing up and pin it to win it. I wake them up all the time.

Drive it like a rental. That's what I wanted to hear!

 

[dgoodwin10]

Well, unfortunately that motor ended up being a salty turd but the price was worth it to have a clean set of cases to rebuild. I'm back to my original plan of a (mostly) OEM rebuild on this unit early next year. Stay tuned.

 

[Minnetonka4me]

$200 just to get some cases? I got cases for half that price in mint condition.

 

[dgoodwin10]

$200 just to get some cases? I got cases for half that price in mint condition.

It's got a bore-able top end, clean head and carbs as well, all of which I needed. I guess it was a mediocre deal.

Truth be told, I was in a hurry and probably didn't pay as much attention as I normally do. Another reminder that being in a hurry never ends well...

 

[Minnetonka4me]

Ok gotcha you made it sound like all that was really salvageable were the cases. Yup I've made some shitty decisions being in a hurry too.