Bought a 97 GTI for the wife!

[wreckless]

With me getting back to the sport with my XP I think I could use it more if I got the wife and kids involved. I found a good condition GTI locally with no trailer for $1400. I went and test drove it and it ran great. Already has new fuel and oil lines and looked clean. I did notice that they beached it a lot. I kind of checked the bottom but obviously not well enough. How horrible is this hull? I assume it can be fixed? Should I not use it until it's fixed? Thanks for any help.

 

[donkey]

nice ski! for the record,EVERY one of my skis are worse on the bottom than that!
but,check it for soft spots,,but it really doesnt look bad from what i can see

 

[XP 787]

I wouldn't worry about it, mine looks similar

 

[wreckless]

I have heard of hulls water logging because of exposed fiberglass. Is that not really true?

 

[MC87SS]

Nice find, hope the wife and kids enjoy it. Sure is easier to go play when you can make it a family outing. The memories will last a lifetime. Here is my daughter and my grand daughter on the old 95 a couple years ago. She still talks about that day.

Oh and about your question.
Personally i would just brush on a couple good coats of exterior oil base paint to seal it. If it holds up for the rest of the season then leave it alone, if it starts coming off then you have all winter to fix it right.

 

[lamajama]

Assuming it's 100% dry right now, I'd put a light layer of fiberglass over it, sand it, paint it and enjoy.

 

[96spxpos]

You know, I never really liked that ski at first, always thought it was a bit Polaris-y in the front, but the more I look at them, the more I like them.. What motor is in that?


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[racerxxx]

Run it. My 96 is just like that. There is so much resin in that, I would find it hard to believe that it would water log. It's just sanded thru the gel from beaching it.

 

[lamajama]

it's got a 717.

 

[wreckless]

And I am super impressed with the 717 too!

 

[lamajama]

They usually are bulletproof. The 97 is a really nice machine. I like the colours, reliability and
Fuel consumption.

 

[96spxpos]

I have the 717 in both of my skis and they are damn reliable . Had the hull filled with water to the plugs 3 times on the spx, and here we are 4 years later with compression still in the 140's..

Will that ski hit 40mph with the weight of that hull?

 

[Kwik_uk]

I have the 717 in both of my skis and they are damn reliable . Had the hull filled with water to the plugs 3 times on the spx, and here we are 4 years later with compression still in the 140's..

Will that ski hit 40mph with the weight of that hull?

Mine did, and that was before the rebuild. It doesn't feel as heavy as it looks.


Nice buy, your wife is a lucky lady

I wouldn't worry about the rash on the bottom - I see this often on boats (main hobby). Unless you're paper thin, which from these photos I doubt, you're fine. You're only at risk of osmosis when it's rougher than this, and that's only if it's left in the water for much longer periods.

I'd do a proper gelcoat repair during the winter. Shouldn't take long if you prep well, and are prepared for a good bit of wetsanding. Provided there are no gouges, or anything to be filled (A thin layer of bodge or bondo it's called in the US? will take up any pin holes.) I spray flowcoat on in cases like this, just add a little styrene to thin it out.

 

[wreckless]

Thanks all. I almost hit 50 on it while the test drive and it jumps out of the water pretty well for its size. Never knew the 717 was this strong and I ride a 951.

 

[Coastiejoe]

For the money, that ski looks fantastic,,,

As for the hull, I would repair it with some glass, sand and paint it. It may not be absorbing water at this time, but it is easy enough to add some protection. And we all know,, protection is a good thing....

If you plan on beaching it as well, buy one of the Keel Protectors and install it. This will all but eliminate the wearing of the hull..

 

[96spxpos]

keel protector...interesting..I assume its like a rubbery-plastic V shaped piece that runs along the bottom. not sure why I don't see them often.

Does that ski have a tach and info center?

 

[Coastiejoe]

keel protector...interesting..I assume its like a rubbery-plastic V shaped piece that runs along the bottom. not sure why I don't see them often.?

Here is a picture from a Google search of images.

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[96spxpos]

Nice! that's exactly what I pictured, but in black..Im guessing the adhesive is durable considering the constant drag on the underside of the hull.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Nice! that's exactly what I pictured, but in black..Im guessing the adhesive is durable considering the constant drag on the underside of the hull.

I have seen many manufactures of this. I can not suggest one over another. I did have a 27 Foot Searay and I had a Stainless Steel version of this. It was SEVERAL hundred dollars, but U liked having it as it did get some dings and dents. Which means the hull would have gotten nailed...

 

[wreckless]

So if I pull these little pieces of grip tape off, is it just smooth fiber glass underneath?

 

[Mickirig1]

I just towed a 95 like that in from the middle of the lake Sunday. His battery cable broke. Why is everyone always Dissing the 717? Now that I have BOTH of my 2000 GTI's running strong. They will do 50 + indicated on the water. Tows tubes and boats. Her Ski is going to start and run every-time, enjoy!

 

[Seadoorider52]

Great score and super clean! Aside from some little issues I love my 717. I am looking for a three place to do some towing just like yours! We need more pics

 

[96spxpos]

One of my 2 717's has been thru the ringer but I TAKE CARE of it, and it STILL has great compression.. Ye olde faithful


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[lamajama]

Here is a picture from a Google search of images.

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I used Keelguard's when I had my 97 GTX (same hull as your's) and 98 GSX. They worked great. Little pricey but IMO totally worth it to save that bottom of the
hull as where I ride they pretty much have to be beached. No issues whatsoever on application or performance. I really wish they had them for the hull design I have on my 4 tec's
as I'd buy them in a heartbeat.

 

[benjilafouine]

717 is supposed to go 50 mph (on paper) but I am wondering it this is with a 200 pound person on it or a bird's feather...

Benji.