Newbie needs advice before buying

[Jean-Paul]

Hello guys... i would like to buy a used sea doo jet ski. I have found a reasonable offer for a 2003 GTX supercharged with 185bhp. What are the things I need to be careful before buying a used jet ski. this particular boat has 225 hours.
In how many hours more or less do I need a new engine?

1)is this jet ski reliable ?
2)what are the most common issues ?
3) will I be able to pull two guys with skis behind and also carry one guy on board with me ?
4) is this boat a keeper ?

the more info you can give the better, because tomorow I am going to see it. thank you all in advance

 

[dlowings]

Hello guys... i would like to buy a used sea doo jet ski. I have found a reasonable offer for a 2003 GTX supercharged with 185bhp. What are the things I need to be careful before buying a used jet ski. this particular boat has 225 hours.
In how many hours more or less do I need a new engine?

1)is this jet ski reliable ?
2)what are the most common issues ?
3) will I be able to pull two guys with skis behind and also carry one guy on board with me ?
4) is this boat a keeper ?

the more info you can give the better, because tomorow I am going to see it. thank you all in advance

A lot of what your asking depends on how well the ski was cared for. Are there service records ? Did this ski only have 1 past owner that can tell you where the ski was serviced ?

1)is this jet ski reliable ? A: Yes it can be under the right conditions.

2)what are the most common issues ? A: It has a supercharger Look close at this part of the service record to see that it was maintained.

3) will I be able to pull two guys with skis behind and also carry one guy on board with me ? A: It is a 3 person ski, It may be able to pull one guy and one person to spot plus driver. I think any more then that and you may have law issues.

4) is this boat a keeper ? A: Can be if it is taken care of...

IMHO

 

[hitman782]

I am going to agree on most of this with Dlowings here. The Supercharger needs to have maintenance around every 100 hours. One thing to check/ask if it was used in Salt water or fresh water, as well as what you are going to use it in.

As far as the towing multiple people, it is generally local laws that need to be looked into. Rule of thumb is that you pull what you can carry. That being said, if you are pulling a Tube with 2 people and you have a spotter, most water law enforcement wont harass you unless you are being reckless. I hope it works out for you, if its in good condition with a good service history, i think will enjoy it

 

[Jean-Paul]

the ski is as new as far as the looks is concerned. Regarding the laws is no a problem here. I am worried rgarding hte power of this jet ski and whether it will be able to pull a guy with ski/wakeboard plus driver plus spotter.

Moreover, the compresor was rebuild and I know the shop it selled it to the previous guy. The jet ski was used only in salt water ad I will also be using it only in saltwater unfortunately. The jet ski was given to the guy I am buying it from with one year guarantee from the shop with many new mecanical new things such as throtle links and steering links as well as the rebuilded compressor. A n wear ring was also fitted.The guarantee is still on until late April. Today i am going to check it in a shop. is there something in particular I need to check ? If the service is done once per year in a shop will the jet ski be reliable if driven in a logical manner ? I am not interestd in seeing the 60 miles, but only interested in towing ski/wakeboard/tubes etc.

finally, as a model is the gtx a well proven jet ski as far as handling reliability etc concerned ? i have heard that is is better that it doesn't have an intercooler. also is there a retrofit option for compressor in this machine ? thx a lot guys. i apreciate all your help

 

[MooF]

3) will I be able to pull two guys with skis behind and also carry one guy on board with me ?

I think the wording of your question causes some confusion. "Pull two guys, ie. have one person in tow and the other aboard as spotter" as opposed to "plus one" - for a total of three including the driver - correct?

Most laws require you to have enough legal room aboard your vessel in the event all must board. And you must have a spotter at all times w/ in tow. In other words, no PWC should legally tow more than one person unless its a 4seater ;-)

So I think you've already had that question answered. As for the 'power' to do so, I can tow someone tubing or boarding w/ spotter on my GTX 155hp non-s/c. I've never tried pulling someone greater than 150lbs on skis, but at 185hp you should be fine for most situations.

Enjoy.

 

[seadoosnipe]

Not exactly....

I think the wording of your question causes some confusion. "Pull two guys, ie. have one person in tow and the other aboard as spotter" as opposed to "plus one" - for a total of three including the driver - correct?

Most laws require you to have enough legal room aboard your vessel in the event all must board. And you must have a spotter at all times w/ in tow. In other words, no PWC should legally tow more than one person unless its a 4seater ;-)

So I think you've already had that question answered. As for the 'power' to do so, I can tow someone tubing or boarding w/ spotter on my GTX 155hp non-s/c. I've never tried pulling someone greater than 150lbs on skis, but at 185hp you should be fine for most situations.

Enjoy.

Thats not entirely true. The laws for towing and spotting vary from state to state, country to country.

Here in the state of Alabama, it's illegal to use a spotter while pulling someone. You must use mirrors only. They have to be fixed to the side of the hull, not the steering. They must measure a minimum of 2"X5" for a total of 10 square inches of visibility. So, for me, I tow two people behind my GTX.

Yes, your ski would tow 2 people, on a tube anyway. To tow two people on wake board, they have to be experienced. Reason is, if they aren't capable of getting up, they could drag the pump down keeping the engine from being able to build any torque.

Towing behind a ski is a bit different than a boat. There isn't nearly as much weight to hold the ski in line, as is a boat. If both boarders go out to one side, they could possibility pull the ski out to the side.

My GTX has the 787 and I've topped out at 60 mph (peak on the info) but usually run around 25 to 35 when towing. So, that leaves me plenty of throttle. Yours is the 4-TEC... much more powerful, so I'm sure you should have no problem...........:cheers:

 

[Jean-Paul]

hopefull I won't be having problem with power then... great....

 

[MooF]

u're right Snipe. I did say 'most', but I should have said it varies and didn't know by how much. The OP is in Greece, so Jean-Paul would have to check their local laws.

 

[seadoosnipe]

And you must have a spotter at all times w/ in tow. In other words, no PWC should legally tow more than one person unless its a 4seater ;-)

Yeah, I noticed that. But, it seemed you made the statement about "most" referring to boarding. But, it's so easy to read something into a thread or take something away while reading, to cause the post to not make sense or sound contradictory. I know I've done it.......simple to do.

But, my statement was really about the law of having no spotter. I was shocked when I found out I didn't need a spotter, or for that matter, couldn't have one. The GTX is set up with foot holds on the back. I'd feel safer if someone was there, behind me, looking on. But it's illegal for you to even ride the ski backward.

I tow two or sometimes, three people on my tube, less than 150lbs also.:cheers: