BUYING SEADOO TOMORROW! ADVICE?

[muskokamarc]

Hi Everyone,

I am planning on buying a 2005 SeaDoo GTX Supercharged, 215hp, (125hrs) tomorrow for around $7000 (Canadian dollars), and was wondering if there is any way to tell if the supercharger has been replaced, by looking at it? I've called the Marina but they switched over systems and cant find the paper work that he claims to have had the work done at...

He is letting me take it for a spin on the lake, but is there absolutely anything i should look for that you guys could provide me instructions on how to do?

Much appreciated!!

 

[Greg]

Check the clamps holding it in. Factory are crimped. When was the sc last serviced?

 

[mikidymac]

Even at Canadian dollars that sounds like too much for an 05’. You might as well assume it needs a supercharger if they can’t verify it’s been done.

 

[muskokamarc]

Check the clamps holding it in. Factory are crimped. When was the sc last serviced?

Ok, so I should look for an uncrimped supercharger? And he says at 105 hours the SC was serviced.

 

[muskokamarc]

Even at Canadian dollars that sounds like too much for an 05’. You might as well assume it needs a supercharger if they can’t verify it’s been done.

I'm going to start off at $6000 and hopefully get closer to $6500 with him. I agree, I will budge him on that as well if he cannot find the SC papers.

Comes with the trailer and cover too, if you weren't including that.

 

[lamajama]

If it can't be proven the SC was serviced then you pretty much have to do it to be sure. If YOU send in the SC via this forum's SC rebuild service you're looking at about $650 CDN. If you take it in in Canada you're close to the $1000 mark. If you don't believe me (I'm in BC) check with your local BRP dealer. And it's worth piece of mind to have it done professionally (I believe it's only $75 US for the labour). The CDN parts prices are outrageous vs the US prices even factoring in the exchange (in most cases).

You can also look and see if the annoying torx bolts (3) for the SC have been replaced with a hex bolt as well. That would or should indicate that at least the SC was off at some point. If you do take it off yourself and it's the OEM torx bolts do yourself a favor and replace them with hex bolts. It's be MUCH easier in the future to take it off then. I believe they are M6 x 35 hex bolts that replace the torx.

 

[muskokamarc]

If it can't be proven the SC was serviced then you pretty much have to do it to be sure. If YOU send in the SC via this forum's SC rebuild service you're looking at about $650 CDN. If you take it in in Canada you're close to the $1000 mark. If you don't believe me (I'm in BC) check with your local BRP dealer. And it's worth piece of mind to have it done professionally (I believe it's only $75 US for the labour). The CDN parts prices are outrageous vs the US prices even factoring in the exchange (in most cases).

You can also look and see if the annoying torx bolts (3) for the SC have been replaced with a hex bolt as well. That would or should indicate that at least the SC was off at some point. If you do take it off yourself and it's the OEM torx bolts do yourself a favor and replace them with hex bolts. It's be MUCH easier in the future to take it off then. I believe they are M6 x 35 hex bolts that replace the torx.

Thanks Lamajama. I will definitely consider going through the US and the forum on here to replace it. Seems like the best route. Do you mind point out where the Torx bolts are and what they look like?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Greg]

Check out our video starring @JoeZ

 

[muskokamarc]

Check out our video starring @JoeZ

Is this what the inside of a 2005 GTX supercharged will look like as well?

Thanks alot for your help guys.

 

[Greg]

Is this what the inside of a 2005 GTX supercharged will look like as well?

Thanks alot for your help guys.

It will be similar.

 

[muskokamarc]

It will be similar.

Very disappointing.... The seller is not able to produce the paperwork for the supercharger, doesn't seem interested in letting me inspect it to see if it's been changed either! Also, the marina he said he had it serviced at, said he has no service records there... He was the one who walked away from the sale, and that's that! Thanks for your help however, this may come in handy for another machine I will be looking at.

 

[mikidymac]

With a seller like that you dodged a bullet. That’s the kind of ski that ends up costing an arm and a leg. He did you a favor.

 

[muskokamarc]

With a seller like that you dodged a bullet. That’s the kind of ski that ends up costing an arm and a leg. He did you a favor.

I agree. Thanks Mikidy.

I think I'm going to look into a Spark, but probably the higher output engine. They're low cost and seem to be fun. I just think the bigger machines cut through those big waves a bit easier on the lake and feel a bit more stable.

Do you have any experience with a spark?

 

[Greg]

With a seller like that you dodged a bullet. That’s the kind of ski that ends up costing an arm and a leg. He did you a favor.

I agree. Thanks Mikidy.

I think I'm going to look into a Spark, but probably the higher output engine. They're low cost and seem to be fun. I just think the bigger machines cut through those big waves a bit easier on the lake and feel a bit more stable.

Do you have any experience with a spark?

Do the 60 and tune it up. The 60 and 90 are the same engine. Different tune.

 

[muskokamarc]

Do the 60 and tune it up. The 60 and 90 are the same engine. Different tune.

Interesting! How much is a tune up like that? Can it be done on any year Spark or should I aim for a newer model? Also, any major differences you could point of for the changes from 2014 spark to 2018?

 

[muskokamarc]

Do the 60 and tune it up. The 60 and 90 are the same engine. Different tune.

Another one I was going to take a look at tomorrow is below. Interestingly, I found the exact same seadoo posted by two different places and different prices... Seems a bit odd. The HIN says it's from Quebec if I'm not mistaken. Seems a little fishy to me... Thoughts?

2008 Sea Doo RXP 255HP

Used 2008 BOMBARDIER RXP X 255 For Sale | Barrie ON

 

[mikidymac]

Looks like a dealership so might give them a call.

The spark is fun but not as good if you have big rough lakes.
Although I will only own the two strokes so what do I know?

 

[muskokamarc]

Typically a scam when you see ads like that.

The spark is fun but not as good if you have big rough lakes.
Although I will only own the two strokes so what do I know?

So odd, you can see the company's logo in the ad on craigslist and then it's also for sale on the company's website. I wonder if the craigslist ad is fake and the St. Onge advertisement is real. I'm going to pass by the company and check it out.

 

[greenhornet2]

I have 2 sparks, they are a ton of fun. Big water it would get annoying bouncing around but I spend most of my day within the same 1/4 mile doing tricks donuts tail slides wheelies. I would get a 16 or newer they have the updated crank driveshaft design I think. I would also suggest IBR and getting the extended VTS, it costs $200 and I just installed it on my second ski in about 45 minutes. I have a 2 up and a 3 up for towing a tube. 2 up is easier to spin but you can still do it with the 3up just needs a little more body English. Long fast rides you would want a different ski if the water is rough, they will beat you up bouncing on top of the water, though the VTS helps if you trim down it helps go through the wave instead of over the wave.

 

[muskokamarc]

I have 2 sparks, they are a ton of fun. Big water it would get annoying bouncing around but I spend most of my day within the same 1/4 mile doing tricks donuts tail slides wheelies. I would get a 16 or newer they have the updated crank driveshaft design I think. I would also suggest IBR and getting the extended VTS, it costs $200 and I just installed it on my second ski in about 45 minutes. I have a 2 up and a 3 up for towing a tube. 2 up is easier to spin but you can still do it with the 3up just needs a little more body English. Long fast rides you would want a different ski if the water is rough, they will beat you up bouncing on top of the water, though the VTS helps if you trim down it helps go through the wave instead of over the wave.

Hey there,

Appreciate your opinion. I actually did end up going with a bigger ski (2007 SeaDoo Wake Edition 215). I really want to be able to cruise at high speeds and tow people with tubes/skiis. My lake can get a bit choppy so i think it's a better fit for it. The spark would probably be more fun to do tricks with however, as you suggest. I don't think I'll do too much of that though, I have a craving for speed lol.

Marc

 

[greenhornet2]

better choice for sure if you have a need for speed.

 

[muskokamarc]

Check the clamps holding it in. Factory are crimped. When was the sc last serviced?

Hey there, is it possible that they could put crimped clamps on a rebuild? One marina near me said they put crimped ones back on.

 

[Greg]

Hey there, is it possible that they could put crimped clamps on a rebuild? One marina near me said they put crimped ones back on.

You could.. most people swap them out though. They are a pain.

 

[benjilafouine]

Last time I saw a new Spark it was being towed... The wake 2007 is kind of nice. I swapped my ride with one of them last year with a friend and it was a good experience.

Benji.

 

[muskokamarc]

You could.. most people swap them out though. They are a pain.

Hey, Sorry to bother you again... But just want your professional opinion.

There is another 2007 GTX 215 with 160 hours, that hasn't had a supercharger rebuild, but the marina will be replacing the SC with the sale. If it hasn't blown up yet and destroyed the engine, is there any cause for concern?