looking at speedster choices

[ocod]

I was wondering if this was a good deal?

95 speedster 85 hp w/redone seats and fresh single 85hp engine for ~$3,500

Theres another one that has twin 85hp for ~$3250.

I seen the twin is good for 55+? and the single 40+.

It would 2 adults(rare occassion 3) and a 4 and 2 year old
(2 year old will be held)

I'm concerned about the low power of single vs twin but then there is the cost of twin in repairs or maintenance. Im pretty good on taking things apart and a know 2 strokes are easy to fix and parts aren't as $$ as 4 stroke.
Then the drive is another story which I need to read up more on.

Then theres is a fixer(twin) not running for 1500 bucks. 2k in new motors is still a good deal. would need to see whats it takes for a swap if its a diy??

any thoughts apprecitiated.

 

[RFoster130]

There is no way I would put 5 people in a single engine 85hp boat. I dont know what the coast guard approval is on those, but I think it only has 4 seats anyway. My speedster will seat 5 or 850 lbs, so I am guessing those are lower. 3 adults in one of those is probably pushing it to its limits.

 

[ocod]

^the max 4 person it would be me/wife/4 and 2 yo.
The fitth would be rare occassion in the front ejection seat :willy_nilly:.
the 2yo has to be held but yes it would be at capicty w/3 adults and would be hard on single engine.

 

[eric67]

seadoo choices, what i got.

Hope this will help. I just bought one of those blown engine 1997 Seadoo challengers' as a flip. I paid 1,500 for it. The engine was already removed, not the best way to go, let me tell you. I'm in the engine for $800 from a local SBT dealer. My budget is $2500-3000. Although i get a rebuilt engine when i'm done, i should have bought a running boat. My boat is a single engine. I'm new at this but, one engine, one problem seems best to me. The sticker on the side of the boat is 4 people or 650lbs. It has 4 actual seats and a spot at the front to sit, i guess it doesn't qualify as a seat. When i got i saw 5 seats, later i noticed the weight and passenger rating.

 

[ocod]

Thanks eric.
I feel sorry for your pain. You always think its going to be easy :banghead:

I totally get the one engine one problem and thats why I'm leaning toward the single even though the twin is less..but the power issue will bother me??

The 3 seater in the back is prefect b/c wife will hold small one and 4yo goes in the middle.
I'm only taking extra adult on occassion(my mother) out w/us so she can watch her grandkids :grouphug:

 

[1320INC]

Its gonna be personal preference. I owned a 96 twin engine speedster and it is a THREE person boat, period. Its dangerous IMO to have anyone in that front seat. Also the twin will hit high 40's, no way it will go 55mph. My 99 twin 110 gps'ed at 52mph fully loaded.

I think everyone in those boats needs to be able to hold on. Your wife holding a child is probably not a great idea. These boats can do things that people don't believe until you drive one. They are great fun but can turn dangerous pretty quick, especially with small children who aren't strong enough to hold themselves down. Just my opinion though.

 

[RFoster130]

Its gonna be personal preference. I owned a 96 twin engine speedster and it is a THREE person boat, period. Its dangerous IMO to have anyone in that front seat. Also the twin will hit high 40's, no way it will go 55mph. My 99 twin 110 gps'ed at 52mph fully loaded.

I think everyone in those boats needs to be able to hold on. Your wife holding a child is probably not a great idea. These boats can do things that people don't believe until you drive one. They are great fun but can turn dangerous pretty quick, especially with small children who aren't strong enough to hold themselves down. Just my opinion though.

I totally agree here. Holding a 2 yr old is kinda crazy.

 

[ocod]

^^i can see your point in regards to safety :agree:

I've had 24 ft I/O boat before and wife and I itching to be at the sandbar or islands on inter coastal again with the kids now..

I by all means will not be doing FT 360 turns or racing down wakes inorder to get air

I like the safety of no prop and like the ease to 2 stroke engines on repair and maintenance. Plus 3 grand for a boat isn't bad either.

Went to go see 97 speedster for $3250 and steering cable appeared not to be working? How much would a new cable and how hard is install?
He said he would get steering fixed and he removed the oil injection system to premix??

 

[1320INC]

Have fun premixing 20-30 gallons of gas. I would keep looking. I bought my 99 for not much more than what you are talking. It pretty much has everything my 96 needed(four REAL seats and a front seat that is fairly secure, two cowls,bigger engines,more room,battery cut off switch,power outlets, stereo,auxillary lights inside the boat, reserve fuel, bigger fuel tank.) I loved my 96 but had no idea what I was giving up until I got the 99. I would wait and keep looking. You are going to be unhappy with a 3 seater. I had my wife, and my 6 year old son at the time. The cooler slides around and smashes your toes, your wife can't hang onto your kid and hold the cooler. The wake jumping just happens quite unintentionally.(I was in a fishing tourney sunday am and in a hurry to get back to the weigh in and accidentally hit a wake I didnt even see and got major air,my buddy put his hand right thru my styrofoam cooler lid that was full of catfish and river water and it was everywhere,:toetap05: it just happens) Those boats are very short. Not trying to rain on your parade, just don't want you to buy something you will be unhappy with.atriot: I would look for a 2 in front 2 behind seating arrangement. :biggrinjester:

 

[ocod]

^kinda points that way doesn't it.
I even told my wife we should save a little more bc it is small.
Once you add cooler and otherntoys and stuff there is no way it going to be in their original location after dome pounding the waves and being thrown around. No fun what so ever then :toetap05:

We have a 1800 97 sportster with twin 110 for $4500. it's the model with
capt seat with 2 person bench beside it.
boat needs:
1. new steering wheel. Missing center cap.
2. Arm rest looks like it's been chewed. Need new vinyl and foam.
3. Front spotter seat on left side needs U cushion that surrounds one for butt.

Not sure how easy to remove armrest if diy to take to get wraped. Otherwise it's not to bad I think?

 

[Tyler]

I have a 95 speedster with twin 85hp and let me say it is a blast, most fun boat ive ever been in. On my gps my boat will top out at 53 mph (I swear this to be true) no wind no current 1/2+ gas, me and the gf. I also hae been in a single 85 sportster and it was ok. So if your ok with its (ok) then single it is but if you want to have big fun and lots of go then its the 95 speedster with the twin 85s trust me. I also have a 98 speedster and i do love it and it is a better boat in almost every way other than top speed and agility.

 

[ocod]

^congrats on it. I was reading threads and saw you were b/w that and the challenger.
Speedster looks nice :drool5:

 

[parrothd]

I have a 95 speedster with twin 85hp and let me say it is a blast, most fun boat ive ever been in. On my gps my boat will top out at 53 mph (I swear this to be true) no wind no current 1/2+ gas, me and the gf. I also hae been in a single 85 sportster and it was ok. So if your ok with its (ok) then single it is but if you want to have big fun and lots of go then its the 95 speedster with the twin 85s trust me. I also have a 98 speedster and i do love it and it is a better boat in almost every way other than top speed and agility.

I agree, my 95 speedster twin was scary fast, at least 50mph, the you hit a small wave and the thing flew out of the water tossing everything that wasn't holding on or nailed down out. They're really a 3 person boat, in a pinch I'd have the forth person sit on the floor, but never in the front seat...