Ok I thought I would start a new thread and let you guys know about my recent purchase.
I finally found a 2008 Speedster with the 215 SC engine for $8500 dollars on Craig's List. Looking at NADA and sales on Ebay the boats were selling somewhere around 10K so thought this was a good deal. Owner kept boat is in great shape mechanically with service history of past 149hrs from the local Sea Doo Dealer. Cosmetically, the interior is in great shape with the exception of the jump seat has a hole punched in it. His kids who used the boat must have had a big learning curve as the boat exterior gel coat has some amazing dock rash in about 5 places that cost me $700 to get professionally fixed. However, as I said the good thing is the owner was a stickler at maintaining the boat as engine and engine compartment is super clean. The boat also has a bimini top that looks like it had never been used. All gauges/radio/switches/blowers/bilge pump/lights work Took the boat out for a sea trial and ran great 7900 RPM about 55 MPH GPS. Since that time I have put another 3 hrs on the boat with no issues. The owner gave me his maint records which show routine oil changes and yearly use over the last 5 years of about 30 -35 hrs annually. He had the sc rebuilt by the local sea doo dealer at 100 hours so I am assuming that I don't need to do another rebuild till 200 hrs. I still have my 1997 Speedster that I have had for 10 years and couple of observations between the two boats:
1. 2008 speedster 4 Tec 215 is quiet compared to the 2 stroke 717's on the 1997 and no smoke.
2. gas consumption on the 2008 is better and don’t have to buy oil for injection
3. Handling close but think new jet pump gives the 2008 an edge especially maneuvering around the dock…slow speed
reverse
4. Ride pretty much the same but maybe 2008 more spray than 1997 and 1997 feels planted in the water better and 2008 more skittish and not as solid planted in the water.
5. Acceleration edge to the 2008 but very close based on seat of the pants
6. Top speed 2008 but again close
7. Radio and speakers awful close to junk rating
8. Comfort seats/driver position goes to 1997 hands down. 2008 seats too thin and too close to steering wheel for driver
9. 1997 I could do everything maint, replace wear ring, impeller, pump fluid, simple to work on. The 2008 looks much more complex with fuel injection, supercharger, etc that requires special tools and software to do maint.. may have to find a good tech to help here.
Appreciate all your advice from last year when I was considering the swap and my deal fell through. This year I almost didn’t buy the boat hearing Sea Doo our of jet boat business but felt like it was a good deal at $8500 and could resale if not what I wanted as they will continue to hold value. Again, thanks for of the great advice here. Hope I get as good a service as I have out of my old speedster and keep up the great work.
I finally found a 2008 Speedster with the 215 SC engine for $8500 dollars on Craig's List. Looking at NADA and sales on Ebay the boats were selling somewhere around 10K so thought this was a good deal. Owner kept boat is in great shape mechanically with service history of past 149hrs from the local Sea Doo Dealer. Cosmetically, the interior is in great shape with the exception of the jump seat has a hole punched in it. His kids who used the boat must have had a big learning curve as the boat exterior gel coat has some amazing dock rash in about 5 places that cost me $700 to get professionally fixed. However, as I said the good thing is the owner was a stickler at maintaining the boat as engine and engine compartment is super clean. The boat also has a bimini top that looks like it had never been used. All gauges/radio/switches/blowers/bilge pump/lights work Took the boat out for a sea trial and ran great 7900 RPM about 55 MPH GPS. Since that time I have put another 3 hrs on the boat with no issues. The owner gave me his maint records which show routine oil changes and yearly use over the last 5 years of about 30 -35 hrs annually. He had the sc rebuilt by the local sea doo dealer at 100 hours so I am assuming that I don't need to do another rebuild till 200 hrs. I still have my 1997 Speedster that I have had for 10 years and couple of observations between the two boats:
1. 2008 speedster 4 Tec 215 is quiet compared to the 2 stroke 717's on the 1997 and no smoke.
2. gas consumption on the 2008 is better and don’t have to buy oil for injection
3. Handling close but think new jet pump gives the 2008 an edge especially maneuvering around the dock…slow speed
reverse
4. Ride pretty much the same but maybe 2008 more spray than 1997 and 1997 feels planted in the water better and 2008 more skittish and not as solid planted in the water.
5. Acceleration edge to the 2008 but very close based on seat of the pants
6. Top speed 2008 but again close
7. Radio and speakers awful close to junk rating
8. Comfort seats/driver position goes to 1997 hands down. 2008 seats too thin and too close to steering wheel for driver
9. 1997 I could do everything maint, replace wear ring, impeller, pump fluid, simple to work on. The 2008 looks much more complex with fuel injection, supercharger, etc that requires special tools and software to do maint.. may have to find a good tech to help here.
Appreciate all your advice from last year when I was considering the swap and my deal fell through. This year I almost didn’t buy the boat hearing Sea Doo our of jet boat business but felt like it was a good deal at $8500 and could resale if not what I wanted as they will continue to hold value. Again, thanks for of the great advice here. Hope I get as good a service as I have out of my old speedster and keep up the great work.
Paid a few thousand more than you, but everything is more expensive in the Bombardier "motherland" ! It was also in almost mint shape, with 100h, and the dealer inspection passed with flying colours! After I visited some other Sea-doos with rotted out hulls and pretty banged up I figured I wanted this clean one and did not bargain to the ends of the earth! Previous owner seemed very friendly and honest, and even came out with me on my first trip (and show off his new boat no doubt) to show me the ropes and waters, and make sure everything went well.
