Going To Look at Sea Doo Sportster This Weekend, Any insider Tips..?

[Jethro]

Hi there, I am new here, and this is my first post. I've owned and operated propped boats nearly my entire life (44 now). I've never owned any type of jet propelled craft, but have driven a number of Sea Doo wave runners.

This weekend, the wife and I are going to look at a 2004 Sea Doo Sportster boat, with a 130 rotax motor, we are serious buyers. It's a brokered boat deal, and I've only seen pictures so far. It looks VERY clean. NADA is $5230, I offered $4900 pending a thorough look and water test. The offer was accepted.

The boat will be used by my late teen children. I realize it's not the fastest or most powerful option, but I think it will be perfect for my kids to scoot around the lake and have some fun, of course I plan I hijacking it for some fun too.

I really don't know what to look for when I examine the boat, or when I test drive it. I've scoured the internet looking for consistent problems with them, but have really not found much. I was hoping that the experts here could fill me in with some good info, so I don't go into this possible purchase blind.

Thanks a bunch...!

 

[RFoster130]

Being that it is non supercharged, there arent a lot of specific problems with that boat. Just take it out and get it up to full temperature and run it good. Test all buttons and functions. Make sure everything works. A compression test of the engine is a good idea. If it all looks good, then you should bein good shape.

 

[Jethro]

Thanks RFoster...! I planned on doing both things you mentioned, where should compression be..? Is there a computer hookup to look for error codes as well, seems I read somewhere that there was, I was going to have that looked at as well for error codes.

What kind of speeds should I be looking at for top end at what RPM..?

 

[budsyboo]

My top end is around 45 mph and I have a 2005 130 rotax.Your compression ideally should by 150 I am at 135 hope this helps.

 

[Lightningtruck]

I have this exact boat - 2004 Sportster LE DI (130hp).

If at all possible, do a compression test on it, new was 150psi. Under 135psi and it's top end rebuild time what I'm told. If you can have a dealer pull up the diagnostics (or have someone nearby with a CanDooPro unit), look for codes, and also look for the hours on it. Obviously lower is better on hours.

Data point for you: Mine is going to be for sale here in the next few days for $5500 OBO, but will come with a bunch of extras, including a good factory cover, and most noteably 5 gallons of BRP XPS-II oil (not cheap!). And mine has had the wear ring replaced already on the jet drive and is only at 73 hours. Super clean everywhere, on a galvanized trailer. If the one you look at is in good shape, that sounds like a fair price.

Oh, by the way, with just me on it, I have hit 54-55mph on perfect flat water at 7000rpm. Me, the wife, and two small boys (60 and 80#) tops at about 52mph. It seems to like to cruise at about 35mph and 5700rpm with all of us in it. Note this is with a new wear ring and the jet pump seems to be hooked up real good. Some wear might slow it down a tad.

Good luck!
Kevin

 

[Jethro]

All good tips, thank you.

I will keep your boat in mind Lightningtruck, thanks for the heads up.

Excuse my ignorance here. I keep hearing and reading about the "wear ring". What the heck is it..? Is this something I can check with the naked eye..? What am I looking for when I do locate it..?

 

[Stevego]

It is the ring around the prop that wears out. If there is an ecxcessive gap the boat wil cavitate and take a long time to plane.

 

[Jethro]

Awesome, thanks...What would be considered an excessive gap..? I have absolutely no experience with this, so any gap small or big is gonna mean absolutely nothing to me, unless I have a general idea of what it's supposed to be.

 

[Stevego]

I dont recall the exact acceptable amount but anything more than thickness of a credit card is too much. Search forum for info.

 

[Lightningtruck]

Yeah, what he said. Basically when the wear ring is, ummmm, worn, it will cavitate a bunch and not jump on plane very fast. Eventually it needs replaced on every jet boat. But it's not a hugely difficult thing if you have some basic mechanical knowledge. There are tons of write-ups on it if you search.

Have fun with that thing.

Kevin

 

[Jethro]

I appreciate the info. I found out I can hold off looking at the boat this weekend. It's a broker deal, he informed me that I can choose the facility of my choice to have the boat thoroughly inspected on the current owners dime. So monday, it will be on it's way to a Sea Doo dealer in the area, who is going to give it a complete mechanical, structural and cosmetic inspection, which includes an on the water workout and then email me the full report. If there are issues, I can back out of the deal, or renegotiate a new price, I don't even have to secure anything with a deposit. Sounds like a sweet deal to me...! Keepin my fingers crossed that all is good.