Advice

[Mazda2010]

HI im new here and i just ( finally ) made my mind about which kind of boat i want and need advice to what check before closing the deal Im looking at a 1998 Seedster twin 787 engine. The hull look great and seat are not bad but on mechanic side i dont know what to check the guys start both engine outside of water and compression is good they are all around 150 but what else should i be carefull with


Thanks in advance

Hope to be part of Seadoo family for long time if evertyhing goes well ill be a proud owner by friday :bigear:

 

[Dr Honda]

Running a seadoo engine out of the water doesnt' mean anything. I know it's getting cold... but before you buy... take it on the water for a test ride. From there common sense is your friend.

Both engines should start in the water, and idle. The boat should come up on a plane easy, and should top out in the low 50's.

There shouldn't be any strange noises, or smells.

Since they are 2-strokes... they may smoke while the engines are cold... but it should clear up after a couple minutes of running.

The engines should restart easy in the water after running full throttle for a few minutes.

AND... the #1 thing on my list.... ASK HIM WHAT OIL HE IS BURNING !!!!! If he is using a TCW-3 oil... don't buy the boat. If he is using an approved API-TC oil... then you should be fine.

 

[Mazda2010]

Thank very much but if i really cant take it on water but im able to get a mechanic to do a compression test and check all component for me do you think i should still buy it and also the guy told me he was running it on synthetic oil so is that a good thing

thanks

 

[Dr Honda]

Thank very much but if i really cant take it on water but im able to get a mechanic to do a compression test and check all component for me do you think i should still buy it

Only if you are buying it cheap. Just because it has good compression, and starts on the trailer... that doesn't mean that there aren't other gremlins hiding.

If you buy it without a test ride... then don't get mad when you have to throw $$$ at it to rebuild both pumps, drive lines, fix the clogged cooling system, and have the engines an pipes welded up because of all the pinhole leaks from internal rot.

OK... that's a little harsh... but true.

I only buy a water craft (boat) "Fixer-uper" without a test ride, and at the appropriate price for a fixer-uper. (even if it looks perfect)

If the owner won't put it on the water for you... that is a warning that he's hiding something.

... and also the guy told me he was running it on synthetic oil so is that a good thing

thanks

That doesn't mean anything either. If it's synth TC-w3 outboard oil... RUN AWAY.

Seadoo is very specific with it's oil requirements. it must be API-TC oil.

There are a bunch of threads on this board about it. DO a search, and you will have enough reading to keep you busy for a long time.

 

[dsw222]

Thank very much but if i really cant take it on water but im able to get a mechanic to do a compression test and check all component for me do you think i should still buy it and also the guy told me he was running it on synthetic oil so is that a good thing

thanks

you really should take it on water. if the guy won't let you, then he might be hiding something

i bought my first challenger without test driving it... it had perfect compression and fired right up. when i got it home and took it out, it wasn't running well because one wear ring was chewed up and the other side's impeller was bent. i ended up spending over $500 on new parts

insist on test driving it

 

[Mazda2010]

OK thanks very much again for tips before buying ive talk with the guy again is willing to le tme test drive it but i really dont have the time and we have come to a perfect price im paying 4000 $ for 1998 speedster with new trailer also come with life jacket and tube and bimini top so i think its a pretty good deal the guy just got divorce and hes back at his parent house at 50 yr old so he need money to get back on his own so thats why im having this deal

so even if i have to put a 1000$ on it next summer i think its still a good deal dont you

If you were at my place would you do the deal at that price

Thanks

 

[dsw222]

well the NADA value of it is between 3500 and 3900 including a trailer so 4000 isn't extremely high... i don't think its a bad price if it runs in the water well.

to answer "if you were at my place, would you do the deal at that price"... No, definitely not without driving it. i learned my lesson and won't make another stupid mistake.

did you check the condition of the impellers, wear rings, etc?

 

[Mazda2010]

I getting the boat inside the shop at 5 o clock to check mechanic i ll keep you post after

 

[Mazda2010]

also im from new brunswick in canada and in quebec they alll go for around 8 000 $ even up to 10 000 $ some place

 

[dsw222]

also im from new brunswick in canada and in quebec they alll go for around 8 000 $ even up to 10 000 $ some place

$10,000? Is that what they actually are going for, or is that what people are LISTING them for (and not selling)?

 

[Mazda2010]

lol
asking price is around that but they all go around 8000$ ive check many place

 

[Mazda2010]

Done deal

Well ive purchase the boat we inspect everything and everything is ok and also i found a mechanic to inspect the boat who work in bombardier boat shop and told me the boat is perfect

 

[WAJetboating]

Well ive purchase the boat we inspect everything and everything is ok and also i found a mechanic to inspect the boat who work in bombardier boat shop and told me the boat is perfect

willing to le tme test drive it but i really dont have the time

Any bets on whether we hear from this guy again next Spring when that boat hits the water?

 

[Mazda2010]

well i the price ive got it for the market even if i need to put some money on it. its still be a good deal because around here they go for 8000$ and more so i still willing to put another 4000 $ on it if not well il be really happy with my purchase

 

[dsw222]

Any bets on whether we hear from this guy again next Spring when that boat hits the water?

:rofl:

what should i do before i buy it?
drive it
no, what should i do before i buy it?
drive it
no, what should i do before i buy it?
drive it
no, i bought it

 

[WAJetboating]

i still willing to put another 4000 $ on it if not well il be really happy with my purchase

He's on the record, folks. He'll be happy to spend an unexpected $4000.

Despite the temptation, let's all be really gentle with him next Spring, OK?

 

[Mazda2010]

lol i hope you ll all be gentle with me they told me seadoo forum is the best hahahah i think it will be a long winter waiting to see if i made a good decision:troll::troll:

 

[Mazda2010]

:rofl:

what should i do before i buy it?
drive it
no, what should i do before i buy it?
drive it
no, what should i do before i buy it?
drive it
no, i bought it

well at leat you made the same thing for your first boat LOL just kidding

 

[dsw222]

well at leat you made the same thing for your first boat LOL just kidding

thats exactly why i'm trying to help others not make the same mistake

but honestly i'm still happy with mine. i paid 4700 and thought it was in perfect shape.... then i put 500 into the jet pumps, 300 into the carbs, 600 into a top end rebuild, and either another 600 for a top rebuild this spring or 1200 for a whole engine rebuild. plus i need to get some new exhaust valves and a few other things (i think i filed mine down too much).

so i'm looking at 7k-7.5k that i will have put into this thing.... it better last me a longggg time

 

[WAJetboating]

lol i hope you ll all be gentle with me they told me seadoo forum is the best hahahah i think it will be a long winter waiting to see if i made a good decision

Don't misunderstand, we all hope it works out great. It's just odd that you'd come here for advice, and get basically the same advice from multiple people, and then ignore everyone.

We'll be here in the Spring if you need us again!