New (Used Utopia) First time out?

[matt2939]

Hey guys, I just got a 2001 Seadoo Utopia 185. I was definitely on the fence about getting a jet boat because everyone around me said to just get an outboard. But I came across this deal and had to get it ...

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...broker&&hosturl=middlesound&&ywo=middlesound&

Paid $4500 so I felt like I couldn't pass on this deal. Well I have never had a boat before so any advice for taking the boat out for the first time? Should I get seatow? Also I know its the offseason, but should I wait until the summer to get the boat cleaned up, buffed and stuff?

 

[jswope]

Congrats on what looks like a great catch. I'm not real familiar with Utopias but it looks nice in the pics. Since you live in N.C. I'm not sure what's holding you back. Since you just bought it I doubt it's been winterized. If you have weather with sustained freezing temp.s you should probably consider getting it winterized. But if your lows aren't extreme and it's stored inside and you have some nice days through the winter, I'd be letting that boat stretch it's legs.
As for towing insur., again I'm not familiar with SeaTow, we don't have it around here, but if you don't plan to venture miles off shore, BoatUS has pretty good rates on their tow insur.

 

[rookie101]

Looks like a nice clean boat and sounds like a great deal. As for getting it cleaned up now or in the spring, I would think more about where the boat will be stored until then, rather than the timing. If it's indoors then by all means clean it up now, but if it will be sitting outside under a tarp just wait until spring.
For maintenance, be sure to have the drive oil's changed (both stator and gear oil) and be sure to winterize it before it sits for the long winter months.

Aaron:cheers: