Hey y'all! I'm new to forum, and I'm interested in taking on some project PWCs. The last time I owned any Seadoo 2-strokes was 20 years ago- long before I knew anything about the motors. Over the past decade, I've learned a lot, but most of my experience has been with Yamahas and Kawasakis. I've sent feelers out in my community asking for unwanted PWCs, and two people have responded with their Seadoos.
Are there any particular Seadoo models that I should avoid? Too underpowered to be fun? Too complicated to keep running?
How finicky are the Seadoo DESS keys? Is there any way that I could accidentally wipe the keys that would require me to have to go to a dealer to get them reflashed? I'm asking because on Yamahas, I can just disconnect the wires that go to a faulty dashboard and ski will still run fine. I'm hoping that's the case with Seadoos, but I don't know.
Thanks!
96' and up is when the DESS key anti theft system was introduced. Models to avoid? that depends what your mechanical skill level comfort zone is and your riding preference. I'd say the most challenging to maintain and expense wise is the 951 DI skis and the 787 RFI skis. Bigger the motor the higher strung it is, with that said the 951 is the hp king (130) when it comes to Seadoo 2 strokes, next would be the 787, both are RAVE skis, which require a better full synthetic oil to run. The early model 587 and 647 which are lower hp tend to be indestructible, you can run a mineral oil and they are fairly tame to ride and easy to maintain. Many people feel the 720 is right in the middle, about 85 hp and was available in almost all the hulls offered, from the small X4 hull to the largest 3 seater.
My preference was to get a carb model, they can be finicky to get dialed in but are fairly reliable since you don't have the advancement of RFI or DI systems to maintain. I settled for a carb 787 which is 110 hp and is fairly reliable, forgiving and light on the bank account if it blows up or something.
Larger displacement, most expensive to maintain and less reliable, lower displacement less expensive to maintain and more reliable.
Hulls: SP, SPI, SPX and pre 96' XP smallest hull and lightest, one adult person, tippy at slow speeds.
GS, GSI, GSX, and GSXL mid sized hull, one adult and light child, handles moderate chop well.
97' XP, 98' XPL and up, fast and fun ski, one adult and light child, slices through moderate chop well.
GTS, GTI and GTX, largest hull, advertised as a 3 seater, but comfortable for 2 adults, handles rough chop well, great for cruising and pulling tubes.
HX, unique, narrow and low ski, one person, unstable but very fun ski.
RX, Large 2 person ski, but slightly shorter than a 3 seater hull, fills the gap between the GS series and the GTI, GTX series and provides reverse, neutral bucket.
3D model, sit or stand, not common to find, one of the last Seadoo 2 strokes.
LRV, big ass ski, advertised to carry 4 people, wide, almost like a boat, storage and ability to pull skiers.
Highly desirable models, 95' XP 800, 96' XP, RXX (unique and very limited), and GTI, GTX large hull skis.
