My first post!! Im looking at a 96 sportster need some advice

[boggs]

Hello all!!! I'm new to this site and have a few questions. I would like to get a jet boat for me and my family to enjoy this summer. I have a 6 year old and 1 year old, and of course my wife. We are looking at a 96 sportster its in good shape with newer interior and includes a cover. They want $2500 for it and wont budge any lower. Is this a decent deal or should i move on? Any help would be great. I do relize that the boat will be under powered and a little small

 

[howie099]

Not a bad price. It wont be a rocket, but thats about how much you would pay for a 3 seater PWC with trailer and all of you can fit it now. I would say moving up to 18' boat around the same years is about double the price or so.

 

[ocod]

Hello all!!! I'm new to this site and have a few questions. I would like to get a jet boat for me and my family to enjoy this summer. I have a 6 year old and 1 year old, and of course my wife. We are looking at a 96 sportster its in good shape with newer interior and includes a cover. They want $2500 for it and wont budge any lower. Is this a decent deal or should i move on? Any help would be great. I do relize that the boat will be under powered and a little small

Not a bad price. It wont be a rocket, but thats about how much you would pay for a 3 seater PWC with trailer and all of you can fit it now. I would say moving up to 18' boat around the same years is about double the price or so.

Hello and welcome.

x2 on 18' vs 14' only b/c your not accounting for stuff to take on boat and/or other family/friends. Your limit is 4.
Also, since you are aware if it being unpowered that is another reason. Add weight of occupants, gas, stuff you bought(limited storage) choppy water and enjoy the smooth ride

Best option is a 5 passenger Speedster. Look at post #4 RFoster130

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?47817-boat-pics

I have 4 in my family and nice to take their cousins with us to sandbar.


Or


find yourself a nice pair of jetskis. A also have a 3 seater and 2 seater when I don't want to take boat.

 

[seadoosnipe]

I'm always happy to see someone coming in and wanting to learn about the Seadoo Jet boat, and whether its a good purchase for you and your family.

I see you've had some good comments, but I'd like to play the devils advocate and bring up some things you may not have thought about. I own a 1997 Challenger, with the 787cc motor. It's not under-powered and is a really nice boat. But, to keep it nice, it requires a lot of maintenance, on a regular basis. The worse part is finding parts for it. The boats of this era are obsolete. Finding parts are not impossible, but believe me, not easy to find either. If you can find them, they are priced pretty high. If your MPEM blows, you'll pretty much be in trouble, since its no longer available through normal parts channels. You might be able to find them from a site that has "pulled" parts; like Seadoosource.

I'm not hear to say your making a bad deal, because the price is really good (I paid over 4K for mine). But, just want you to see past the beauty of the boat, and idea of having fun, and realize that even if it's in good condition, doesn't mean it's going to stay that way. I can promise, within the first year you own it, you'll have work that will be required. The more you use it, the more work will have to go into it.

I love my Challenger, but I have almost a complete duplicate in parts. I bought a 96 model that had sunk, just so I'd have a supply of replacement parts. If it weren't for that, my boat would be sitting in the yard.

If you decide you want this boat, make sure you come to the forum as often as you can, and read up on taking care of them. Ask questions to understand how things work and ways to "McGyver" around potential problems.. Good luck!!!!

 

[boggs]

Is there anything special i need to look for on the boat that may be bad or need attention asap? I actually do have a 3 seater polaris ski, It was a hand full for the first few years, but is much better now that i have fix all the bugs on it. That why im looking at the 4 person boat since I cant put all of us on the ski.

 

[seadoosnipe]

Everything mechanical. There is no way to predict what component part is worn. What will cause you problems. Could be shift, throttle or choke cable, pump bearings, thru hull seals or carbs for example.

I'd def do a compression test. If you get readings around a hundred or less, motor is close to rebuild. If you get a bad reading between cylinders, like one reading 130 PSI, the other reading a difference of more than 7 PSI, then you have a problem.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Hi boggs,
Welcome to the forum.

Listen to these people, they are the experts here. You have a family of 4...what happens if the kids friends or some one from your extended family is invited to go.

BTW - Where are you in Michigan? YES, go Blue, Green (sorry), Tigers, Lions, Wings and Pistons too.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

the motor itself is not an issue, very common and easy to repair replace if needed,
the electronics are the key, if they work, your golden. (until they stop working)
bottom line with any boat, is have a repair budget, and a good trustworthy mechanic that fair for things you can't fix yourself.
check compression, and make sure all electronics work,
ps.. awesome post snipe
i think its a great boat and you'll enjoy it

 

[boggs]

Well looks like i may be changing my mind on the boat....................again. We are going to look at a 2004 sportster LE DI on wednesday. Looks like it is still a 2 stroke. Are these "newer" boats any better then the 96 i have been looking at? The one thing i did notice is the extra seat for spoting. Seadoo buddy im from Southgate, Not very far from you. Its nice to see someone is near me that knows a few things about these jet boats

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Ask him why it's for sale. I've heard that the DI have problems and hard to work on....very touchy.
I'm sure others can detest to that and explain better than I.

 

[howie099]

951's had there own issues they didn't make the DI's long since the 4-stokes started to take over. The 650's-800's where the real common 2-stokes nice power, reliability, and cost. The 580's just didn't have a lot of power. The other 2-stokes besides the 951 are much easier to work on. The only main advtange of the newer boat is getting some electrical parts and that. Heck if you are going to 2004 model should just look for a 4-stoke but the cost will be higher. Think of it like this the newer the boat the more it needs to go to dealer for service just like your car more electrical and maitance that you can't do that easy with out special tools. All comes down to your budget and what you can do yourself.

 

[boggs]

Well it looks like im back to the 96 sportster, Im hoping to pick it up next saturday. But im still a little unsure about the electic stuff. If electric problems do happen is there a way to get them fixed?

 

[Spimothy Leary]

Well it looks like im back to the 96 sportster, Im hoping to pick it up next saturday. But im still a little unsure about the electic stuff. If electric problems do happen is there a way to get them fixed?

of course ! its not impossible to fix electronics don't let yourself be concerned with that, if your looking for a boat with no chance of breaking down you'll never buy a boat ! but its worth it.

everything can be fixed, everything, nothing is a lost cause, nothing !

the key,,
Is everything working now... , that's a hella good start

repair budget,
convince yourself now, that 500 or 1K isn't going to pizz u off, if you don't spend it on mechanical stuff, you'll spend it on fuel

the lucky ones spend it on fuel.. but whatever you spend on the boat should also have at LEAST another thousand set aside, either physically or at least mentally, for maintenance, repair, and or fuel. If you spend 1,000 on fuel in the next 12 months that means you put about 800-1200 miles on the water and you prolly had a good god dam time doing it. I'm a very active boater, i think i spent just a tad under 3K on boat fuel alone last year, this year i'm off to a slower start, on pace for about 1500. give me a couple long weekends and that budget is back on pace for 3K again

mechanic, if your not the guy, time to find one that you can trust, now , its time to ask around, if he looks like he has your best interest's in mind, tip him, buy him beer, bring him weed, pet his friggen dog, whatever it takes to make him think your a good guy.

patience, don't let a little setback after purchase discourage you

edumacation, download the owners manual and start reading

accessories, what extra's will you need, life jackets, safety crap, tools, trailer, hitch, fishing crap, coolers, hats, yada yada

practice doing stuff like backing the boat into the driveway, back yard, garage if your not familiar with towing stuff, start searching out local ramps, passes, fee's etc etc.

find a boating buddy ... pick some brains, the more info you have the better.