Snowmobile guy buying a 96 seadoo speedster..any advice is appreciated

[Godfrey90sf]

Hey all, im an avid snowmobiler and a die-hard skidoo rider...i recently rode a friends jet ski and was instantly hooked though i wanted something that my wife could ride as well...i just found a 96 seadoo speedster for 2,500 located near me. The guy says one engine and one jet pump was replaced and has about 10 hours on it. I liked this boat because it has the versability of a jet ski and can also be used as a boat. I thought the price was fairly reasonable as well. I realize that it has two engine almost the same size as my snowmobile and will eat up twice as much gas..just wondering how these boats handle..i would like to tow my kids on tubes and skis and still have fun just cruising around. The guy is willing to meet me on a lake to test drive it and look it over. Any advice on what i should look for besides the obviously compression test etc would be greatly appreciated as i do not have any experience with watercraft...except when i race my snowmobile on the water...which is great fun i might add.

 

[Godfrey90sf]

Ive also read that most people upgrade to aftermarket impellers. Any recommendations on those?

 

[Dr Honda]

The little boats are a good time. You can throw them around like a big jetski... and they are a great way to scare the piss out of your buddies, jumping waves.

They will tow a skier, tube or, whatever just fine. (If they are running well)

A compression test is important. Also, ask what kind of oil he is using. Seadoo engines ONLY like API-TC oils. (same as your Ski-Doo) The boat should be able to accelerate, and get up on a plane with only using one engine. (If you test that, keep the other engine idling or you will fill it with water) And finally... if one engine was just rebuilt... expect to be doing the second one in the very near future.

 

[Godfrey90sf]

..

He said he converted it over to premix because the oil pumps went out, says hes using citgo premix oil...ehh. Are these boats easy to tip over?

 

[Dr Honda]

Seadoo oil pumps NEVER fail. Every single time when I hear someone say that the "Oil Pump Failed"... what they mean to say is.... "I'm an idiot, and never serviced the oil system. So, after 14 years, the filter was plugged up, and the hoses cracked, and I killed my engines."

Now... the second thing is... Seadoo uses a rotary valve, and it needs to be lubed by the 2-stroke oil in the tank. So, a question to the owner is.. "Did you leave the oil tank in the hull, and hooked to the rotary valve gears?"

Every year, we see it here. People convert to pre-mix, and don't keep the gears lubed, and want to know why the engine won't run. (After they roasted the gears)

As far oil... it will support the power of a 720 engine... but it's not the recommended oil. If you are thinking about buying the boat... get a compression reading. If the engines are fresh... 145 to 150 psi is what you want to see. I would also think about putting the oil injection back on. (It will burn less oil, and make less smoke)


As far as your question.... it's dam near impossible to roll one of the 14.5' seadoo boats. You can crank the wheel at full throttle, and it will just slide and spin. (good time)

 

[Godfrey90sf]

Dr Honda, I greatly appreciate your comments! This is exactly the type of info I was looking for. I think I will have the guy bring the boat to the local seadoo dealer to give the boat look over...I figure if it costs me $100 it could save me $1,000s in the future. He seems like a nice guy...but I bought a truck this past winter and have been pouring money into that ever since. $2,500 seems a bit low for the boat...every other boat I have seen like this, even the same year are at least 1k or more higher. If its just the oil pumps I wonder how much it would cost be to have these cleaned or repaired? I would feel more comfortable using the factory oil injection with the recommended oil.

 

[Dr Honda]

To buy new pumps is expensive, but you can get some 720 pumps from ebay, and just check them out before installing them.

As I said before... the pumps never fail, so buying a used pump doesn't scare me. BUT... you can spin them with a drill, and verify the output. (It's a test in the service manual)

 

[Godfrey90sf]

Okay thanks again for the reply. I just spoke with him and he stated that just one of the pumps is bad and the other one is good, which he kept. I'm going to call a local powersports place today and see if I can get the boat in. Would it be a good idea to do both a dealer look over and a lake test? He seems pretty patient with all my questions and demands so I don't think he would mind or do you think just a dealer look over is sufficient?

 

[Dr Honda]

I don't trust mechanics... so I don't always recommend taking to a dealer.

A water test will tell you a bunch about the boat. You need to be out, running for about 15 min or longer. That will tell you if there is any overheating issues, or cavitation issues. Also... shut the boat off, and let it sit for a minute or two. (in the water) It should restart, easy, and quickly, without any issues. If you have to crack the throttle to restart... that is acceptable.

After you do that... check the compression yourself. Buying an inexpensive gauge is OK, and it's good to have around if you own a 2-stroke. To check it....


1) Remove both spark plugs.
2) Ground the spark plug wires
3) Install the gauge
4) Hold the throttle open
5) Crank for a few revolutions, and watch for peak pressure. (150 is perfect, and less than 130, it's time for a rebuild)
6) Repeat on the second engine.

 

[Godfrey90sf]

I just got off the phone with the local seadoo dealer, going to have them do an inspection on the boat which will run about $50, they are going to check compression and everything else, then the owner and I are going to the lake for a test run. Updates later!

 

[Dr Honda]

Cool. Let us know if you get it. :thumbsup:

 

[the floor guy]

question Dr Honda said to lake test it then do compression test, maybe im wrong but i was always under impression u should do the test when motor is cold, am i wrong? does it matter?

 

[Godfrey90sf]

Good question I'm heading off to the dealer now, appt is in 30 minutes, meeting the guy there...then going to ask to take a lake test and should be able to make a decision from that tonight...will update as soon as I know. Also, is the price right? I don't think anyone answered that.

 

[the floor guy]

i have never had one but from what i see them listed for thats great price, id be concerned about oil he uses, ask the dealer what they think

 

[Dr Honda]

question Dr Honda said to lake test it then do compression test, maybe im wrong but i was always under impression u should do the test when motor is cold, am i wrong? does it matter?

I never said to do it with the engine hot. I just meant that it needs to be done. (Before, after... whatever)

 

[Godfrey90sf]

Well just got back...a few things need to be replaced but nothing that needs it asap..if i bought it i would want it converted back to oil injection and not premix...dealer said the oil pumps are 250 each and he said the left impeller has some dings in it but nothing major, id also like to replace that, after labor he quoted me 1,500 for those three things installed....anyone know if i'd be better off buying used parts instead of brand new oem?

 

[Godfrey90sf]

..

As for the engine, both tested between 145-150. A few small leaks but nothing major the guy said. Cosmetically its a bit aged but to be expected i guess. Just trying to decide what to do now.

 

[Godfrey90sf]

Anyone know about how many labor hours a dealer will charge me to replace the top end of one of the engines if I have the parts? Also on this 1995 speedster the fuel gauge and left tach gauge doesn't work...I heard this is common but does anyone know the common problems for them not to work? I will be taking my child on the boat and would hate to be stranded without fuel.

 

[Dr Honda]

Some dealers won't do a top end since the labor price may exceed the cost to just swap a rebuilt engine. You will have to contact your local dealer, and ask.

The common issue with the fuel, is that the float sinks. Buy a new style float, and replace it.

The tach... well... it's probably just bad.

I would look for some used parts (pump, and tach) and just install them yourself. You can save a TON of $$$.

 

[Godfrey90sf]

Hey guys, just as an update, i picked up a 97 speedster yesterday. Loving the boat so far, glad i went with the 97 as it has the extra rear facing seat. Getting it out on the water today...