New owner of '04 Sportster and have some ?s

[cstraub]

First let me say nice forum and seems to be some very knowledgeable people about these water toys.

I just bought an '04 Sportster with 31hours on it. I have not seen the boat as my father happened to be located about 50 miles from the boat so he was my eyes. The boat still has the grease pencil inventory number on it from the dealership. It is the 4 Tech engine with the optional Wakeboard tower.

My question to the forum is if and what are the quarks to these boats? Second I am going to put in a sling lift to store the boat at my dock. Anyone else doing this or has anyone done this and had any negatives?

Chris

 

[timmyboy76]

welcome to the sight, and congrats on boat.
if store'n/rip'n it in salt water, just general maintenance with "silicone' spray, helps repel the salts, BUT, only thing i can question, and I possible, out in left field, with this one, IS...stor'n it on a sling lift, I interpret that as, the 2-straps hold'n ur up. Dend's on weather on EXPOSURE to sun, i'd be leary about the "eye-hoop" ends of straps weathering/fading to the point, boat outways its strength-hold. If these ends are covered, dont see it bee'n a problem, though....again, congrats on da boat, man.

 

[cstraub]

We are on a small resevoir in NE TN part of the TVA lake chain. I have 2 covered slips on my dock. These are overhead decks/observation platforms that cover the slips. Underneath I have metal sheeting that keeps the water off of the boats. The sling lift I am looking at is rated for 4000lbs and comes with weighted 4" wide straps. She would sit on this lift from May to September every year covered, then put inside for winter storage.

 

[timmyboy76]

AWESOME....lift would be perfect.
Well, if we dont here from ya,(be a good thing, nuth'n rong w/ boat), have fun rip'n ur up..

 

[cnpalmer]

I just bought an 03 Sportster myself. Not the 4TEC model though, mine is the 135HP LE one. It does look like fun and I too am learning all about the boat myself now.

 

[cstraub]

If anybody is on north bound I-75 between Ocala and around 20 miles north of the FL/GA line and you see a seat for a Sportster. . .well pick it up and I will send you a $50 reward....other then that the boat is safe. Will get it out this week.