97 Speedster?

[gpraceman]

I started looking for a boat recently and came across the Sea-Doo's. They look like really fun boats. I found a '97 Speedster that is for sale and was wondering if it would be a good first boat? Looking for the family to do some water sports and a bit of fishing. Father-in-law's old boat is not quite dependable enough for the water sports anymore.

The Speedster has twin 85hp Rotax engines, which are supposedly in good shape. Seats 4, but has a bow seat as well. Newer trailer. It will fit in my garage, which is important. Unfortunately, it does not have a boat cover, bimini cover or spare tire for the trailer. They want $5500, but the NADA guide lists a value of about $2500, so the asking price seems quite high even if the boat is in tip top shape.

Are parts hard to find for these? Is it easy enough to get and install a bimini cover?

I also found a 15ft '97 Bayliner Jazz jet boat for sale for a bit less than the '97 Speedster. It has a single 175 hp Mercury engine and comes with a boat cover and spare tire for the trailer. I know this is a Sea-Doo forum, but I am wondering if this might be a bit better of a deal? Mercury parts easier to find than Rotax? Easier to maintain one engine as opposed to two?

 

[Dr Honda]

1) They want too much for the Speedster. The going price would be closer to $3500 to $4500 depending on the condition, and extras. (wake board, life jackets, etc) Also, ask if the engines have ever been rebuilt. If they haven't, you will probably be needing new engines soon.


2) stay away from the Jazz. That inboard Merc jet drive is VERY expensive to work on when there are problems. Also... they are slow for the HP they are rated for. My single engine SeaDoo (85hp) will completely out run a 120 HP jazz. The Rotax engines spin 7000 RPM, and the Merc is only good for 5500. Shure... they make more HP, but the lower RPM's don't allow them to make the velocity for good top speed.

The Speedster will run around 55 mph, and the 175 Jazz will only be 50 mph. (or lower)


I wish I could tell you to buy one or the other... but I would personally walk away from both.


FYI... mechanical parts are still available for both boats.

 

[RFoster130]

wow, $5500? they need to put the pipe down. I would keep on looking.

 

[cli55er]

yeah keep looking, i only paid 2000 for mine. while it floats and runs....it does need some work. just assume that any boat that old will need work. so for 5500 i would pass.

 

[gpraceman]

Thanks for the confirmation on the price being too high. The NADA Guide reflects that as well. They may be asking that, but I only want to pay no more than fair market value. Of course, they might want $5,500, but might be willing to take much less.

Engines have been overhauled at some point and full compression is reported on both. Unknown hours. Supposedly, the boat doesn't have a meter.

They are offering a few extras (a couple towable tubes, ski ropes, anchor rope, paddles and 4 life jackets), but there is no bimini cover, which I would want. My family already has our own life jackets that we use with my father-in-law's boat. The boat itself doesn't seem to have any upgrades.

I haven't seen the boat in person, just some photos and details from the ad and some email answers from the seller to some questions that I had.

I just started the boat search, so I can keep on looking. Is there maybe a better boat to be on the lookout for a first boat? It has got to fit into my garage (no more than 20ft long on the trailer) and be able to pull some relatively heavy skiers. I prefer that it seat from 5-6 people, be no more than 10 years old and have a bimini cover. Would rather not spend over $5K.

 

[Dr Honda]

Thanks for the confirmation on the price being too high. The NADA Guide reflects that as well. They may be asking that, but I only want to pay no more than fair market value. Of course, they might want $5,500, but might be willing to take much less.

You are right... the honest going price... if it's very clean would be $4500. No more. As the weather get's cold, the price will come down. Nada and KBB isn't a very good source for the price of these boats.

Engines have been overhauled at some point and full compression is reported on both. Unknown hours. Supposedly, the boat doesn't have a meter.

Ask when they were done. And yes, the boat does have an hour meter... but a dealer has to read it out with their computer. If you are getting read to buy the boat... you can take it to a SeaDoo dealer for verification. Although... on a 13 year old boat, it's a moot point. The thing could have 20 hr's on it, but if it's been neglected, everything may need rebuilt. OR... it could have 1000 Hr's on it, and be fully rebuilt, and ready to run.

If you want it... take it for a test ride. For $4500, everything should work perfectly.

They are offering a few extras (a couple towable tubes, ski ropes, anchor rope, paddles and 4 life jackets), but there is no bimini cover, which I would want. My family already has our own life jackets that we use with my father-in-law's boat. The boat itself doesn't seem to have any upgrades.

I haven't seen the boat in person, just some photos and details from the ad and some email answers from the seller to some questions that I had..

Extras are good if they are what you want... and they are in good shape. When I bought my boat, the guy said it had an anchor, 5 life jackets, and dock ropes. Well... it did, but the anchor was a rusted mess, the ropes were fray, and the life jackets were sun faded and mildew covered.

OK... I got my boat dirt cheap because it was a project... but all the "Extras" in the deal got thrown out.

But, if they are good... and you just don't need them... they can be sold.

I just started the boat search, so I can keep on looking. Is there maybe a better boat to be on the lookout for a first boat? It has got to fit into my garage (no more than 20ft long on the trailer) and be able to pull some relatively heavy skiers. I prefer that it seat from 5-6 people, be no more than 10 years old and have a bimini cover. Would rather not spend over $5K.

You keep talking about a Bimini cover. do you mean a Bimini top? (for shade) If you are... I paid $120 shipped for the one in my avatar from an ebay store.

 

[gpraceman]

Ask when they were done. And yes, the boat does have an hour meter... but a dealer has to read it out with their computer. If you are getting read to buy the boat... you can take it to a SeaDoo dealer for verification.

That is good to know on the hour meter. There is actually a SeaDoo dealer quite close by to me. I would definitely pay to do a pre-purchase inspection before buying any boat.

If you want it... take it for a test ride. For $4500, everything should work perfectly.

The seller does report that the "left motor has a minor flat spot between 2-3k rpm but when it hits 4k - 7k rpm (power band) it takes off which is expected on some 2-stroke motors", so it doesn't run perfectly. Not sure how much of an issue that is or not.

You keep talking about a Bimini cover. do you mean a Bimini top? (for shade) If you are... I paid $120 shipped for the one in my avatar from an ebay store.

Sorry, excuse a noob for poor terminology. I do mean a bimini top. We don't want to get fried while out boating or fishing. Being a mile above sea level, the sun is more intense here and some of my family is pretty fair skinned. Was that $120 just the canvas, or did it include the frame and mounts?

 

[dsw222]

look into the Challenger 1800 if you would like to seat 5-6 people

this website shows the general layout of the boat.... http://www.capturedambiance.com/seadoo/

i just bought one in may as my first jetboat... i absolutely love it

 

[gpraceman]

look into the Challenger 1800 if you would like to seat 5-6 people

this website shows the general layout of the boat.... http://www.capturedambiance.com/seadoo/

i just bought one in may as my first jetboat... i absolutely love it

Nice boat. Will that fit into a 20ft deep garage?

 

[dsw222]

ah i forgot about the 20 ft garage requirement

the boat itself is 18 feet long. so add in the extra length of the trailer's front end..... if it would fit, then it would be a very tight squeeze

i dont think it would, but i guess it would depend on the trailer. i saw some people mention a "folding tongue" that can be put on? i'm not sure what that is though... i'd imagine it means the front part of the trailer folds up to save space...

 

[gpraceman]

ah i forgot about the 20 ft garage requirement

the boat itself is 18 feet long. so add in the extra length of the trailer's front end..... if it would fit, then it would be a very tight squeeze

i dont think it would, but i guess it would depend on the trailer. i saw some people mention a "folding tongue" that can be put on? i'm not sure what that is though... i'd imagine it means the front part of the trailer folds up to save space...

I have seen some new boats with the folding tongue trailers. That is pretty nifty, but not sure how long that feature has been around. I have a feeling that the boats in my price range (up to $5K) probably don't have trailers that have that feature. Some of the newer 18ft boats that I have seen will fit in my garage, if they have that folding tongue (just pull a pin and the front part of the tongue folds to the side of the trailer). I might be able to put the trailer in at a bit of an angle to squeeze a few more inches in, but there is only so much garage room that I can sacrifice for this toy.

How long is your boat, on the trailer?

 

[RFoster130]

It wont fit straight in. If you have a 2 car garage you might get it in and turn it slightly to one side and make it work. My garage is 20' and my 16.5' speedster sits at 21' on the trailer. I put it in and turn it slightly. The swing away tongue would probably work.

The swing away tongue is basically a hinge. You cut the tongue of the trailer off and bolt the hinge in there. When you want to store the trailer, that 3 feet of tongue that is in front of the boat folds back out of the way making the trailer shorter. When you wanna tow it, you fold it out and put a pin in. They can be bolted or welded on.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?r=view&i=76682

 

[gpraceman]

The swing away tongue is basically a hinge. You cut the tongue of the trailer off and bolt the hinge in there. When you want to store the trailer, that 3 feet of tongue that is in front of the boat folds back out of the way making the trailer shorter. When you wanna tow it, you fold it out and put a pin in. They can be bolted or welded on.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?r=view&i=76682

That retrofit hinge might be a very good option for me. That opens up the boat possibilities a bit.

 

[Phildoo]

Wow. The price differences from here in Florida and up north is huge. You can't touch a jet boat here for less than 4k in crap shape. A 98 speedster like mine is a minimum of 6k if you can even find one. There are 2 listed on craigslist for 8k and 8500!!

 

[RFoster130]

You could fit anything 18 ft and under with that. I haven't found anyone local with a 20 ft speedster yet, but I want to find one that I can test fit to see if it fits in my garage.

 

[RFoster130]

Yeah the price on these things varies a lot. It is worth it to make the drive. I found mine in PA for 6200 last year with 85 hours on it and looking brand new. I would sell it now with all the mods for $8500.