I got the bug bad and I'm looking for some advice!

[krazykarpet]

OK, here's the story. A few days ago we were out on the lake on the pontoon boat and one of my sledding buddys pulls up on a 2001 GTX. After some small talk and arm twisting he got me on the seat. Now I've been snowmobilng for at least 30 years and could never seem to find anything I enjoyed as much as sledding. Well I just changed my mind this thing was a blast, had me giggling like a teenage kid. I had both the kids on it and they were loving it and had to pry my wife off it so my buddy to get back to his day. Anyway as soon as i got home I started surfing craigslist looking for a seadoo. The problem is I have no idea whats good whats bad. I don't want to tie up a lot of money, I would like to have one to tow behind the pontoon boat to go and play on when I get the urge. I want something that can haul the kids on a tube if I want to. The gtx seems to be a good fit. Is there good/bad years of these I see 1997/1998 in my price range. Any suggestions would be great. I'm very mechanically inclined. I actually work part time at a friends sled shop in his busy times during the fall and winter so I know sleds pretty well. I do know that I don't want a four stroke. There woudn't be any in my price range anyway. I don't want to spend anymore then 2000-3000.

 

[AdamXP800]

I have a 97 GTX. I love it. It's got enough power with the 787 to horse around on. Yet the wife loves it because it an awesome cruiser. You can pick a nice one up with trailer from 1600-2200. That would be my choice. The 951 motor is a sensitive one and it has a way shorter life span. Stick with a carbd ski regardless 787 or 951

 

[Crofoot50]

I have a 97 GTX. I love it. It's got enough power with the 787 to horse around on. Yet the wife loves it because it an awesome cruiser. You can pick a nice one up with trailer from 1600-2200. That would be my choice. The 951 motor is a sensitive one and it has a way shorter life span. Stick with a carbd ski regardless 787 or 951

He is in Canada prob more expensive up there.

 

[krazykarpet]

I'm looking at a 1997 GSX on craigslist in maine. They are asking 1500 obo with a trailer. How many hours are too many. What size engine does this seadoo have? I'D like to get a 951 carb so which years and models should I be looking for.

 

[Matt Braley]

A normal 97 GSX (red and white) will have the 787. There was a mid-year model in 97 called the 97.5 GSX and you should stay away from it. The 97.5 were the first available 951 machines but they released it too soon and had bad reliability problems.

 

[Bills86e]

water in engine

Towing a ski can be done, but ALWAYS you have to pincher the water supply line from the jet-pump to engine. Read up on maintaining, always ride before ya buy.! You could put an in-line Ball valve to close that line when towing.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

Towing a ski can be done, but ALWAYS you have to pincher the water supply line from the jet-pump to engine. Read up on maintaining, always ride before ya buy.! You could put an in-line Ball valve to close that line when towing.

ditto, was about to post this..

this link might help ed-u-ma-kate your a bit on the different models, engines.

http://www.seadoosource.com/seadoomodelreference.html

 

[krazykarpet]

Thanks a million guys. The seadoo I'm looking at is the red and white 787 carb. It has 90 hours on it and the owners says it has been serviced on a regular basis. The only thing that has been done to it is a new battery and solinoid. i will check compression forsure but on average how many hours do you get on a engine before it needs to be refreshed?

 

[nitr0genics]

if looked after and maintained properly ~200 hours before the engine will let go and need a rebuild also check see if the fuel lines have been replaced or have the stock grey tempo lines

 

[Ryan331]

if looked after and maintained properly ~200 hours before the engine will let go and need a rebuild also check see if the fuel lines have been replaced or have the stock grey tempo lines

I've had a 787 go over 400 hours before starting to drop off in compression.. It's the 951s that need to be rebuilt every ~200ish hours

 

[bell99man]

The GSX is a 2 seater if that matters and that is a great price for Canada. They are more agile than the GTX and but have the same motor. Check your local laws about towing behind a PWC. You might need the 3rd seat if your laws require a spotter.

 

[Mekanix]

The GSX is a 2 seater if that matters and that is a great price for Canada. They are more agile than the GTX and but have the same motor. Check your local laws about towing behind a PWC. You might need the 3rd seat if your laws require a spotter.

Law's here say you are REQUIRED one driver, one spotter and enough room for any passengers skiing or tubing. So the GTX is your Legal ski for 3 people and it will be more stable holding people steady on the back.

The GSX however is a two seater that is "tippy" with two people and really tricky with 3 people. Depends on the weight though.

GSX is more fun though if you like spins and dumping the passengers :willy_nilly: :biggrinjester:

Both are capable of towing but one is legally allowed.

Oh and the GTX has reverse, GSX doesn't!

I would:
Check: Compression. Even stick a boroscope in there if you have one available.
Check: Fuel lines for old grey lines.
Check: the water separator/fuel filter
Inquire on what oil was used in it. (hopefully not TCW3)
Pick one and stick with it, Don't mix brands.
If you want to use Bombardier XPS mineral or synthetic, That's ok since Bombardier say the two do mix.

If the owner says they really don't know much about ski's, Be Cautious!

Check the impeller and wear ring for wear and damage.
Look for cracks in the hull.
Check: charging system output. 13.5 DC just off idle and no AC. (signs of a good or bad regulator)
Check: if electrical grey box has been opened.

DOWNLOAD the manual and go through it to see what your getting into so you know what components are where.

Learn as much as you can first before buying.

Generally From what I've seen on the east coast your price range is 1800- 4000$ for a 96-2000 GSX, XP or GTX.
There are a few in New Brunswick near moncton on kijiji in that price range but you usually pay for the level of maintenance and condition.

 

[krazykarpet]

The GSX I'm looking at is in Portland Maine. That is only about a 4 hour drive for me and 1/2 the price of anything I can find in New Brunswick. I bought my pontoon boat in New Hampshire and brought it back. There is some red tape to go through but once you have done it a few times it isn't too bad. Thanks for all the input and I will be sure to have a close look at all the thing you guys say to have a look at. I will let you know. I'm just getting off shift this morning and may do a road trip in the next day or two.

 

[dustindu4]

It's the 951s that need to be rebuilt every ~200ish hours

Then explain why mine has almost 300 hours and still running strong at 60+ mph? The guy I got it from never maintained it properly

I'm in NH, about 1.5 hours from Portland and tons of people come down from Canada to buy powersports toys. In fact I'm thinking of using my family's car dealer license to buy used sea doos at a powersports dealer auction in CT and flip em to cannucks

 

[Crofoot50]

Then explain why mine has almost 300 hours and still running strong at 60+ mph? The guy I got it from never maintained it properly

I'm in NH, about 1.5 hours from Portland and tons of people come down from Canada to buy powersports toys. In fact I'm thinking of using my family's car dealer license to buy used sea doos at a powersports dealer auction in CT and flip em to cannucks

There is an exception to every rule , good for you ! my best friend has a 99 GTX and the 951 motor blew up twice (70hrs) and it was extremely well maintained it's been at the dealership for seven weeks now he still doesn't have it back, 951s are extremely unreliable . Good Idea on the auction thing.

 

[Ryan331]

Then explain why mine has almost 300 hours and still running strong at 60+ mph? The guy I got it from never maintained it properly

Nice! I hope mine lasts that long, I'm at 120 hours right now, compression is 136/135 as of the start of this season

 

[dustindu4]

Just keep riding it like you stole it and change the filters every year and you'll do good

 

[krazykarpet]

Well the GSX was junk. Good engine wise but the hull was patched in several places, the seat was dry rotted. the plastic was faded and cracked. Not worth what the guy was asking. So it was a wasted trip for me.