New guy. Questions about a 2004 Sportster LE DI

[ksimpson]

Hello, recently I have been looking at a 2004 Sportster LE DI. The dealer wants $5700 for it and it has 97 hours. The price also includes the trailer and the top for the boat. Im wondering if this is a good deal and if this boat is a good purchase or if this year has any problems. The boat is in just about mint condition and runs good. We took it out for a drive yesterday. Any advice or help would be great. Thanks!

 

[Dr Honda]

I always tell people to stay away from the Di engines. They run great, and use less fuel than most of the 2-strokes, but when they have problems, they are hard to diagnose, and it will get expensive fast. My advice is... if you want a small seadoo boat... find one of the other years with carbs.

 

[ksimpson]

I found a 97 sportster for 3,000. It has a re built engine with only 45 hours. It seems from doing research that this is a good year. Any suggestions or things i should ask the guy? This one is from a private party, not a dealer.

 

[boggs]

Hey Ksimpson, I just recently looked at 3 different "LE DI" boats. All 3 had their motors replaced within a year. That really helped me choose not to go with a 951.

 

[ksimpson]

I really don't know anything about boats. I'm as green as they come, Lol. I'm big into Wakeboarding and kneeboarding on my buddys boats/skis, but i'm guessing the 951 is the model of the LE DI engines, and yeah everywhere I read people say nothing but bad things about there engines. Thanks for the advice. So it seems the older seadoo sportster models is the way to go. The 97 i found is in mint condition. It has brand new seats and he said it runs and drives great. Im going to take it for a test drive this saturday and I hope it works out its a clean boat. Anymore advice is great! Thanks everyone for there input!

 

[Dr Honda]

97 sportster is a good boat. Since it has a fresh engine, it should still get into the low 40's, and it can pull a tube. The boat in my avitar is a 96 Sportster.

There really isnt' much to ask... other than what kind of oil he's using. Seadoo needs a Good API-TC oil to say alive. Regular "Outboard" TC-w3 oil is not good.

If you are thinking of buying it... take it out for a ride. It can run perfect on the trailer, but hardly run once it hits the water.

The boat should start, stop, and restart without issues. It should get going from a dead stop, with minimal cavitation. If you have to give it half throttle, and then ease up to get to full speed... it's going to need a little work.

As Boggs pointed out... the 951 Seadoo engine isn't know for it's life. Honestly... the 720 is probably the most reliable engine Rotax/SeaDoo put out.