Age of Seadoo Speedsters

[blacktiger]

I have a 1997 Seadoo Speedster Bombardier - Twin Rotax -

I would like to know if , the fact that the boat is now 12 years old, but was rarely used when we bought it 3 years ago, and hasnt been used since, and we having minor trouble as you can see with my other posts,
Do seadoos tend to last a long time - reliable etc ?

I see many posts on this and other forums, mostly of boats before 2000 . ..
Do they last , or do they drop and dismally fail ? ? ?
Are the older ones more original and solid , or not ?

Thanks again for your time you Guru legends of the PWC world !

x

 

[kustomkarl]

There are a lot of older seadoo's kicking around. The new ones are a bit more advanced, but as long as parts are available, you will see them floating around. The older 2 stroke models are easy to do it your self repairs, but the new technology of the 4-tec 4 stroke is progress marching on.

Karl

 

[RFoster130]

I have a 98 that still runs and looks like it was new. The previous owner did a great job maintaining it. He used it a couple of times a year, so I got it at 89 hours. The using it routinely a few times a year and maintaining it kept it running good. Gas was circulated through it and then it was maintained at the end of every season.

On the other hand, I have seen people on here who have boats with very low hours and things are having problems from the boat sitting for years.

So you either find boats with a ton of hours where things are finally wearing out, or you find a boat with very low hours and things are gummed up from sitting too much. Find a boat that falls in between these 2 and you got yourself a good find.

Like Karl said though, as long as parts are around, they are easy to repair yourself.

 

[tresvatos1]

99 Speedster

I have a 99 speedster and it's engine and drive train are great .. just the old owner left it out and let the paint fade, but I think I have that fixed with tons of polish and elbow grease..just requires little maintenance here and there, but nothing the forum can't walk you thru.. this forum is a lifesaver…

 

[roneagan@cfl.rr.com]

I too have a 98, I love my sportster.. I have almost no problems to date.. The boat runs great.. People still come up to look at when I'm out with it.. Like the guys said they are pretty easy to maintain, and lots of parts still around..

 

[suprajake]

I'm a classic example of why NOT to let the boat sit. Mine sat for 3 or 4 years, and was only used twice in that time. When I bought it 2 monts ago, it still had 4 year old gas, if that tells you the lack of maintenance or otherwise use. I'm paying for it now.

 

[johnhibbs]

2001 Challenger 240EFI Mercury

After 400 or 500 hours I would recommend putting in new head gasket o-rings. I replaced mine and I'm glad I didn't waite until something really bad happened. Only took the weekend. They weren't going to last much longer. Didn't have to take the engine out of the boat. Not very had to do.