Figured I'd take the time to document this one fairly thoroughly since I doubt I'll come across another 95 XP800 any time soon. Though I'm pretty happy with my 96 XP & SPX, I've been actively searching for an XP800 for the last 4-5 years without any luck. There's just something about that hump seat and yellow single gauge hood...
As luck would have it, I'm scrolling through Marketplace late one night and come across a listing for an old boat trailer that had been converted into a three-place PWC trailer. In the very corner of the picture, I see the unmistakable yellow hull and pink bottom. I sent the guy a message asking about the ski, figuring I'd get no where. Low and behold he responded, saying he didn't know anything about the ski and didn't have plans to sell it, but would for the right offer. Long story short, after a four hour road trip, I'm the proud new owner of my dream ski.
The good news: it's a 95, has a clean title, is 100% complete, has a set of R&D 3 degree trim tabs, an R&D ride plate extension, R&D intake grate, and it's got a 787x motor. The cylinders look flawless, the tank has been replaced under recall, and there's no oil in the hull. The bad news: it's sat outside, uncovered for at least the last 10 years. The hump seat is there, but the foam is powder and I don't think there will be any saving it. The bar pad is gone, the rear grab handle is intact but it's pretty weathered and there are a few splits in the rubber. Someone also drilled a 1" hole just below the grab handle for a bilge pump outlet, and there's a decent gash above the port side rub rail. It still has the Tempo fuel lines, and the carbs don't look like they've ever been touched (there's still paint over all of the phillips head screws on the carbs). All that said, the inside of the hook looks flawless other than the janky bilge pump wiring.
As luck would have it, I'm scrolling through Marketplace late one night and come across a listing for an old boat trailer that had been converted into a three-place PWC trailer. In the very corner of the picture, I see the unmistakable yellow hull and pink bottom. I sent the guy a message asking about the ski, figuring I'd get no where. Low and behold he responded, saying he didn't know anything about the ski and didn't have plans to sell it, but would for the right offer. Long story short, after a four hour road trip, I'm the proud new owner of my dream ski.
The good news: it's a 95, has a clean title, is 100% complete, has a set of R&D 3 degree trim tabs, an R&D ride plate extension, R&D intake grate, and it's got a 787x motor. The cylinders look flawless, the tank has been replaced under recall, and there's no oil in the hull. The bad news: it's sat outside, uncovered for at least the last 10 years. The hump seat is there, but the foam is powder and I don't think there will be any saving it. The bar pad is gone, the rear grab handle is intact but it's pretty weathered and there are a few splits in the rubber. Someone also drilled a 1" hole just below the grab handle for a bilge pump outlet, and there's a decent gash above the port side rub rail. It still has the Tempo fuel lines, and the carbs don't look like they've ever been touched (there's still paint over all of the phillips head screws on the carbs). All that said, the inside of the hook looks flawless other than the janky bilge pump wiring.
It's a jet ski.
I said it would never be perfect a few posts above but I know myself and whenever I get started on the repair, I’ll end up doing whatever is needed to make it look as flawless as possible. I’ll probably end up going the Marine-Tex route and trying to build it up as seamlessly as possible. If all else fails, a few strategically placed stickers will have to do lol
Just from this ole boy's perspective.
