opinion needed on supercharged jetski

[FL_Boater]

I have been looking to purchase a seadoo ski however I have zero experience with the superchargers. I would like to hear from people who have owned them...
What I'm looking at is an 04 or 05 model
Do they have any common issues I should look for?
Or should I stay away from them all together?

Thanks

 

[djredman99]

The superchargers in the pre-'08 models used ceramic washers that commonly broke apart while running. This often led to them dropping pieces in the engine and causing big money damage.

If you get a supercharged ski that is earlier than an '08 model, you have to replace the washers. Once you do this you are good to go. Also, supercharges need rebuilt every 100 hrs and the kit to do so ytourself costs about $300. Add more for labor if you are going to have a shop do it.

If you need to accelerate fast and get to the 70 mph mark, then you will want a supercharged sea-doo. If you can live with lower speeds and slower acceleration, then you can eliminate the maintenance costs of the supercharger and most likely an extended engine life by buying the 130 HP or 155 HP models of the 4-tec.

Its a general rule that speed = more money, not just upfront costs, but for the life of the machine.

 

[greggebhardt]

There is still that great "pull" from a supercharger. I think the maint is well worth it!

 

[red2blue]

SC'd skis and NA skis are two different animals....like comparing cheetas to....house cats.

Buying a used sc'd ski....unless you can ride it...see that you get to around 8K rpm....trust the previous owner...inspect the motor lifting rings for lack of use marks...wouldn't do it. If you can check all that...and everything is as it should be...and the price was right?....I 'd take it hands down over a NA ski...maintenance costs are well worth the performance.

JMHO.

 

[crisso]

Mate.I have a gtx ltd 98 model.It goes like a cat shot in the arse.It will stay with most things up to about 2008.It is 'Slightly hotted up"It does not have the ultimate top end speed,but is still pretty quick.It starts every time I pull it out,Is great fun.Don't think all the H.P. is going to be used all the time.
My point is that hp is good,but don't get caught up in all the hype of MAX HP is max fun.It aint.More power.More looking after.Just be careful.
Most seadoos are very fast anyway