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Newbie to PWCs

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jamesbern

jamesbern

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What's up! With some help from my friend, I just purchased my first jet ski.

Always wanted one and figured what the hell! Got my boat license last weekend and just picked up a '96 XP. Compression was very good at 148/150 PSI, Jet pump oil recently changed, exhaust valves cleaned, new battery, and some other maintainence stuff was done by a local seadoo guy. Decals in good shape. It rips to life almost right away! Only thing not working is the gas gauge and the beep when first plugging in the key. I just picked up black/pink hydro turf to put on. Overall the condition is pretty good. There are maybe 4 or 5 small chips in the bottom about a quarter size, but nothing major. Everything looks good and i'm very much looking forward to getting it on the water, but i'm also a bit nervous not knowing what to expect. Hoping for a good first time out.

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Hello and welcome. That's a popular ski around these parts. You should have test driven it first before ridding it. Looks good.

Double check fuel lines, as the first thing people will tell you here it's change then if it has tempo lines. This is a must!

Put in a new fuel filter and see how she goes.

Gl have fun and be safe. Go easy on it to get use to how they run before just ripping around.
 
All fuel lines have been replaced already with clear lines. The inside of the hull is actually very, very clean! My buddies friend is a well known Sea-doo guy around here(on Greenhulk) and has a business working on them. The previous owner that I bought this from brought the ski to him and had him go through it back in January. When we realized he worked on it we asked him and he said it runs great and to jump on it. He said he went through it and it would be a great ski.

Hoping to get it in the water next weekend.

EDIT: What was definitely done to the ski: all new fuel lines, carbs cleaned, exhaust valves cleaned, new spark plugs, changed jet pump fluid...all in January '12. Then he bought a new battery in March. Previous owner decided he wanted a diesel truck and that is why he sold it.
 
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looks good, those skis are wicked fun, get ready for some stiff / sore muscles!
I'm parting out a '96 XP, so if you need anything check my eBay posts or ask! (I don't have the fuel sender, that would most likely fix your gauge)
 
SabrToothSqrl said:
looks good, those skis are wicked fun, get ready for some stiff / sore muscles!
I'm parting out a '96 XP, so if you need anything check my eBay posts or ask! (I don't have the fuel sender, that would most likely fix your gauge)
Click to expand...

Do you have The top Counsel piece???
 
jamesbern said:
What's up! With some help from my friend, I just purchased my first jet ski.

Always wanted one and figured what the hell! Got my boat license last weekend and just picked up a '96 XP. Compression was very good at 148/150 PSI, Jet pump oil recently changed, exhaust valves cleaned, new battery, and some other maintainence stuff was done by a local seadoo guy. Decals in good shape. It rips to life almost right away! Only thing not working is the gas gauge and the beep when first plugging in the key. I just picked up black/pink hydro turf to put on. Overall the condition is pretty good. There are maybe 4 or 5 small chips in the bottom about a quarter size, but nothing major. Everything looks good and i'm very much looking forward to getting it on the water, but i'm also a bit nervous not knowing what to expect. Hoping for a good first time out.

Click to expand...

Mine me asking what you paid and where you live??? I just bought one as well.

Thanks
 
Fuel: Chances are... the float sank. the old floats are a known issue.

Buzzer: another known issue. They die. You can get a replacement from RadioShack for $9.
 
I have the OEM buzzer, I can test w/a 9v or something maybe?

I don't know what the "top Counsel piece" is can you describe it? or get a part number?

google "brp parts" which is the official sea-doo parts web site (can't order, just get #s)

I see '96 XPs from $1k running to $2k good shape, to $4k the seller is high. (not as in price, just freaking high)
 
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007Doo said:
Mine me asking what you paid and where you live??? I just bought one as well.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I got the ski/trailer for $1,600 locally. He was asking $1,900. After looking online for a couple weeks this seemed to be the best deal i could find for a good running ski. I just found another '96 XP, no paperwork, but bunch of parts and trailer for $300. Hoping to pick it up if its not already sold to keep for spares.

Some were priced absolutely insanely high or low, but needed an unknown amount of work. I actually ended up getting another, newer Karavan trailer for $250 because the one in the photo didn't have paperwork and I didn't want to bring it for an inspection at DMV. My buddy is taking it.
 
Prepare for crazy fun ! And swore muscle well worth the money I just picked up mine 2 weeks ago and it's a blast ! Good luck with it
 
Just picked up a 96 XP as well, congrats! Any thoughts on tackling the grime on the steering column? I'm trying everything and slowly making it look better but not perfect.
 
Villeneuve27 said:
Just picked up a 96 XP as well, congrats! Any thoughts on tackling the grime on the steering column? I'm trying everything and slowly making it look better but not perfect.
Click to expand...

I thought about it and said F it. As long as it runs well I can give a crap about the seat cover and steering column cover. I can always recover them or change it out later. I'd rather make sure it runs well first before doing anything not needed.
 
Seadoobuddy said:
For the black stuff Dr. recommends Zippo Lighter fluid
Click to expand...

I have some of that. I'll give it a shot. I'm stoked though. Just got my hitch mounted to my Legacy and pulled the new trailer home. Now I have to swap the ski over, install turf, and i'm ready to get out there for my first time! Thinking about picking up a GoPro Hero2.
 
Last night I removed the old foot mats and started getting it ready for Hydro Turf. I removed/drilled/pushed down all the old rivets and cleaned the base with acetone. After that I mixed up some marine epoxy to cover the holes so no water could seep in. The epoxy has setup over night. After work, I start installing the mats. I'm going to warm the mats and base with a hair dryer and start sticking them down.

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It isn't as nice as it really looks in the photo. A bit dull, but I bet with work it would really shine afterwards.

One question: Under the "deck" where the mats go if you look in the hull there is styrofoam, but there is something else which looks like a long plastic bag filled with something that is rock hard. It runs almost the length of the foot area. What is that? If my description sucks I can try and get a photo when I get home. I'm just wondering cause i'm starting to think I may have poked that with the drill bit accidentally in a spot or two.
 
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it's another type of styrofoam, it displaces water so your ski is 'unsinkable' if it 100% floods with water, it will still bob about 6" out of the water, and not go to the bottom.
 
El Toro 33809 said:
Looking great. Post pics when the HydroTurf is down. Also show us the clean engine compartment.
Click to expand...

Will do. I hope to get it all down tonight. The engine compartment is pretty damn clean. I was very suprised.

SabrToothSqrl said:
it's another type of styrofoam, it displaces water so your ski is 'unsinkable' if it 100% floods with water, it will still bob about 6" out of the water, and not go to the bottom.
Click to expand...

Thank you. Good to know.
 
No damage, just hurt pride. these ski's are quite tough.

Installed a new electric bilge pump on 02 XP. went to test on water by opening rear lid and allowing SOME water in hull.

Wave came a long and decided to put A LOT of water in the hull. engine was off, ski sank to handle bars. used my other ski to tow to shore (under a 1/2 mile), then put on the trailer, sank trailer, then used winch to get it up, then pulled drain plugs, rear lid. tapped starter to see if water in engine. didn't move much, pulled plugs and used starter / rag to remove water. ran engine on land for a bit until it would almost idle w/out throttle. went for a 20 min run on the water, engine / ski were fine. my pride... not as much.

and yes, the RULE500 works fine. but it won't unsink a ski in any timely fashion.
 
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So the update. Hydro-Turf is on...looks sweet! Now I just need to replace the VTS boot and I then need to water test it when I get a chance.

Some one wanted hull shots? It looks to be in good shape, but it is my first ski so what do I know :)


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And here is the turf!

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