well, you could find a seat on ebay for not too much. i have a 98 xp and those model ski's take on water no matter what it seems, the bilge is a good thing to have. get the stock one and it is controlled by the MPEM and pumps 500 GPH and should keep you aflote. i love mine and just make sure you keep your engine dry, the airbox design on those makes it more apt to water so when your done skiin, when you get home run her on the hose(hookup on the back by impeller) for a minute to fluch her the run her dry for about 30 to 45 sec to dry your cylinders. some times i'll toss some de-fog in my cylinders to be safe if it will be sitting for a little while. dont be scared, just take care of it. get an oil change done by a seadoo mech(only by someone who knows the right way to do an oil change) and run SDXP oil. i suggest synthetic but you can do mineral if you like, just never mix the 2, and only use SeaDoo XPS oil. check your VTS to make sure the boot on the back is in good cond. and the VTS motor/module doesnt have moisture in it. if it does disconnect it, and if the boot is going bad get a new one($20). give her some new plugs gapped at .0022" and she should treat you right. just dont beat her up too bad, and have fun