Model Advice

[SabrToothSqrl]

Ok, I didn't think I wrote anything that unusual. I'll take it as a fluke.

Back to the original question.

I think I posted something along the lines of: a 90 HP 3 seater would be under powered, most people here regard the 787, carb, as a good combination of a reliable, easily serviceable ski.

The 787 packs 110 HP
The 951 packs 130 HP

the 787 uses a rotary valve intake, while the 951 uses reed valves.

The 787 offers more room around it to work.

Both engines have fairly good parts support, and several companies that rebuild them with warranties.

Of the choices you proposed, I'd avoid 2 and 3...

The electronics associated with these engines are expensive to diagnose and repair.

Carbs are where it's at for old school skis.

Find a 787 GTX. GREAT ski.

 

[AdamXP800]

1997 Seadoo GTX! My favorite 3 seated on the market!! Good power, looks great, and very reliable

 

[TSmith]

Thanks, that's exactly what I've been looking for lately. They are a bit hard to find in good condition I think, but I had been limiting myself to 2000 models and newer, I guess because I was scared of anything older. I have seen some of the '97-'98 variety advertised locally, so maybe I'll pay a little more attention to those next time around.

Really appreciate the advice.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

My desire would be one of the skis should be able to carry 3 persons and powerful enough to lift a skier with two riders aboard.

 

[kicker]

My post was deleted/lost as well. Anyway here is the Model/Year/Engine size chart again.

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

 

[TSmith]

Sweet! That's a very handy little reference tool.

 

[Coastiejoe]

No idea why posts vanished. It seems to be mentioned only in his specific post. Strange,,,


Repairing and selling iPads, iPhones and Mini iPads.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

yes the 97/98 GTX gets you a great hull. the 99 added the 951 (actually the 98 did, but don't buy that one). which tacks on 20 HP.

and yes if you race a 951 and 787 GTX, the 951 will beat it, but not by as much as you'd expect.

however, winning is winning

I'm partial to my 951s, but long as you TEST IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT. you should be fine.

 

[TSmith]

Looking at a 99 GTX RFI today. Guy says mechanic told him needs CDI and battery. Says ran great last year. Selling for $1,000 with trailer. Is this worth taking a chance on for that little?

 

[jammin777]

that will depend on the condition of the rest of the ski and hopefully the guy is being honest as you never know, the famous needs a battery or a starter. at least do a compression test and do a good visual inspection throughout including pump impeller. a compression test will give you an idea of the health of the engine. should be 150 psi both plugs out wires on grounding post wide open throttle. if needed, take your own battery.
if you go look at it notice what year the reg stickers are. if he say it ran great last year but hasn't been registered last year chances are he's not being honest.

 

[kicker]

Looking at a 99 GTX RFI today. Guy says mechanic told him needs CDI and battery. Says ran great last year. Selling for $1,000 with trailer. Is this worth taking a chance on for that little?

As jammin said a compression test is paramount. Even though the CDI is toast be sure the MPEM powers up. The gauges should power up and you should hear the fuel pump kick in. If this does not happen chances are your in for a mpem, which on the rfi's are a bit pricey. You will not be able to crank the engine over to do a compression check if it is bad.


If the MPEM and compression is good and you like the ski, (all other things check out ok) I think you will do good with it.

Here is a good thread on what to look for. http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?134-Buying-a-Used-Ski-s-Tips

 

[TSmith]

Thanks again guys. Really good advice. I decided to pass on this one, as I really am not looking for a project, and something just didn't feel right. As they say, if it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.

And the search goes on......

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

Don't buy a project as a first ski... you will hate it and waste money.

Buy something you know works.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

I'm also not sure what your budget is, but the Spark is a very new, very economical ski, that very much comes with a warranty...


http://www.sea-doo.com/watercraft/sea-doo-spark.html

 

[TSmith]

I have considered the Spark. However, since I'm looking primarily at 3 seater models, by the time you go to the 3 up with the 90 hp engine it takes the price above what we are willing to do at this point. I'm also not a big fan of paying the depreciation on toys, nor would I consider myself an early adopter. The Spark looks great however, and could enter back into consideration if I can't find what I'm looking for. Our budget is between $5 and 6K for two machines, or about $3500-4000 for one if I find a newer model that is worth considering.

 

[kicker]

With a budget like that there is no reason you cant get a couple of good runners that wont cause too much grief. Keep reading and asking questions, the more you know going in the better your chances of latching onto a couple of dependable good running skis.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Looking at a 99 GTX RFI today. Guy says mechanic told him needs CDI and battery. Says ran great last year. Selling for $1,000 with trailer. Is this worth taking a chance on for that little?

By CDI, he probably means MPEM. You can jump the starter solenoid to do a compression test if it won't crank using the start button, and try to see if the gauges all work by pressing the start button.

There could be all matter of things wrong with an RFI or DI, they're more complicated than a carbed ski. Always water test if possible but whatever you do buy, at least make sure to test cylinder compression regardless if it runs or not, otherwise you may quickly discover a reman'd engine on your WTB list and even so there are no guarantees.

 

[TSmith]

OK Guys, been a while as I've been looking with not much luck. It's getting warmer here and I'm getting a bit anxious to find the right ski. I'm going tomorrow or Friday to look at, and water test what the Owner says is a 2003 GTX RFI. From what I can tell there was no GTX RFI in 2003, only the GTX DI and the new 4 stroke GTX's. From looking at the only picture he posted I think its a 2002 GTX RFI, as it's blue and white with a blue belly. Not a big deal to me to be one model year off, but what I'm more concerned about is that he says it got a new engine last year. I'm asking to speak with the mechanic who did the replacement. Anything else other than the usual list of questions/what to look for? He's asking $3,500, which seems high to me. NADA and KBB both say value is more like $2,800. Any thoughts?

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[kicker]

For that kind of money you need to water test the ski, there no way to find all problems sitting on the trailer, dunk it in the water and mash the throttle, it will expose any issues that there might be. For me this is a deal breaker, I dont mind taking a chance on a 500 or $1000 ski but not a 3500 ski. He is asking top dollar so it should be in top shape. If it has been rebuilt, ask for the receipt and if there is any warranty left.

Does it come with a trailer?

 

[Coastiejoe]

I didn't re-read all the posts. But,,, If you are spending good money you need to do a compression and a test ride. BAD BAD things happen when you "trust" the sellers word. Very expensive mistake in many cases.

 

[Levinz11]

Good motor, 3 seats, asking too much though. http://bham.craigslist.org/boa/4345728812.html

3 seats, fast, 4 stroke, highish hours http://bham.craigslist.org/boa/4413044692.html

Looks clean http://bham.craigslist.org/boa/4437443421.html

2 skis and double trailer. My 95 XP is a blast http://bham.craigslist.org/boa/4423310992.html sell the blown ski for a couple hundred

 

[TSmith]

Thanks again guys. I am going to do a boat test either today or tomorrow. I don't have the equipment to do a compression test, but I did ask the owner if I could speak with the mechanic who replaced the engine last year. He gave me his number and I spoke with him today. He indicated that he replaced the entire engine with a rebuilt SBT motor in January of last year, so the warranty expired several months ago. He told me everything else checked out on the ski and that he had done the service on it each year for the past 3-4 years. If all goes well I will offer no more than NADA value and see what he says. With new motor and if it's clean and water test goes well I might be willing to go a little higher, but as you guys say, that's a lot of money to take a chance on.

 

[TSmith]

Good motor, 3 seats, asking too much though. http://bham.craigslist.org/boa/4345728812.html

3 seats, fast, 4 stroke, highish hours http://bham.craigslist.org/boa/4413044692.html

Looks clean http://bham.craigslist.org/boa/4437443421.html

2 skis and double trailer. My 95 XP is a blast http://bham.craigslist.org/boa/4423310992.html sell the blown ski for a couple hundred

Thanks, I've seen all of those. I'm talking to the third one about going and taking a look, but notice the registration sticker is from 2011. When I spoke with the guy he didn't seem to know much about the ski, so I assume he recently purchased and is trying to flip.

The second one on the list caught my eye as well, because it's on my lake, but I don't think I want the potential problems of a supercharger in my first ski.

 

[CReynoldsMIZ]

Thanks again guys. I am going to do a boat test either today or tomorrow. I don't have the equipment to do a compression test, but I did ask the owner if I could speak with the mechanic who replaced the engine last year. He gave me his number and I spoke with him today. He indicated that he replaced the entire engine with a rebuilt SBT motor in January of last year, so the warranty expired several months ago. He told me everything else checked out on the ski and that he had done the service on it each year for the past 3-4 years. If all goes well I will offer no more than NADA value and see what he says. With new motor and if it's clean and water test goes well I might be willing to go a little higher, but as you guys say, that's a lot of money to take a chance on.

If you don't have the equipment to do a compression test your time in the Powersports world will be either very short lived or very expensive

 

[TSmith]

If you don't have the equipment to do a compression test your time in the Powersports world will be either very short lived or very expensive

Sorry, just have never had the need before now. I assume buying a compression guage is like buying any other tool, cheap ones are just that and a good one will not only do the job better, but will last a lot longer. For that reason I have not invested in one as yet, but it sounds like I need to do so quickly.....