Sportster 2001 or 1997 reliability?

[Stevego]

Hi Guys, newbie here!

Looking at a 1997 and a 2001 Sportster, POWER aside which one is more reliable and easy / cheaper to maintain? I have never owned a boat and do not need excessive power to pull a ski etc so power is not my main focus. Reliability, fuel economy and ease of repair is. I am mechanically inclined so would prefer to repair myself if I can.

Details of boats Im looking at:

1997 with 717 85hp carb engine, seller states meticulous maintenance every year. Turbine is new. Low hours of use (not sure how many however) Price $5000 CDN. (may be able to negotiate price a bit)

2001 with 947 130hp carb engine, seller is 3rd owner. Control module and fuel pump replaced 2 years ago. 72 hours use only (maybe not true hours?) Price $6000 CDN. (already negotiated down from $7000)

I plan to do Compression test before purchasing and looking at turbine / wear ring. Anything else I sould pay attention to? Which one is better buy?

Thanks!

 

[Dr Honda]

Since you are looking at +10 year old boats... reliability will be unknown. Even the best maintained boat will start to have issues. I have 96, and it's fun, and very reliable, but I did a full rebuild a couple yeas ago. So, mechanically, it's a new boat. (sort of)


My first question to you would be... can you do your own work if it breaks down? And my second question is... if it breaks down... are you willing to spend $$$$ on it?


The newer boat with more HP is going to be fun. But, it's a fuel injected engine. It helps with reliability, and makes it user freindly... but If you get a fuel related problem... it could get very expensive to fix. I normally tell people who work on their own stuff to stay away from the injected 2 strokes.


The "control module and fuel pump" probably cost the owner Over $1000 if it was a dealer service.


When you have carbs... sometimes you could fix a fuel isse for an hour of your time. (with no $$$ out of pocket)


Honestly... once a boat gets to be 5 years or older... it's just a personal choice of what you want, and if you expect to throw a few $$$ at it once in a while, you won't get mad. But if you are hopping to buy an older boat and not put any money into it... then you will always be frustrated.

 

[Dr Honda]

One last thing... compression wear ring, impeller, and general condition of the boat can tell you a lot about the owner, and it's a direct reflection on how the boat may run. But to be sure... TAKE IT ON A TEST RIDE !!!!!

We see this all the time here. People buy a boat that looks good, and "Started right up on the trailer"... but as soon as it hit the water... it will run like CR@P.

 

[seadooya]

The newer boat with more HP is going to be fun. But, it's a fuel injected engine. .


.

the 951 modle, is carbed.

I think, being first boat, and no offense applied, but the 97 is way easier to work on, if need be. Parts will be readily available for motor and pump assy, along with misc. parts.

 

[RFoster130]

With those 2 options and only $1000 difference, I would vote for the 01.

 

[Dr Honda]

the 951 modle, is carbed.

I think, being first boat, and no offense applied, but the 97 is way easier to work on, if need be. Parts will be readily available for motor and pump assy, along with misc. parts.

My Bad....


I thought the 01 would be an "LE" and have a Di engine.


If it has carbs.... buy the '01

 

[Stevego]

The 01 is an LE but not a DI. The DI only came out in 2003 as far as I know. I purposely avoided the DI and 4tec after reading the horror stories.

I have no issues making repairs or spending a reasonable amount of money to maintain it. Just wanted to know which one was a better choice reliability wise. I assume either the 1997 or 2001 have similar control modules etc. so the major difference would be the engine right? Is the 947 as reliable as the 717 seems to be?

 

[Stevego]

By the way anyone have a link to a how to for Compression test on this boat?

 

[Stevego]

Checked out 2001 last night. Very clean for a 2001, only 70.5 hrs use and seems real time as no major scrapes or sighns of abuse. Engine running well. Compression checked at 135 and 130 respectively (note engine was not fully warmed up as we ran it in driveway with hose attached)

Test drive later today on lake will determine the final outcome, so far so good! Thanks for your input guys!

Steve

 

[Stevego]

All went well with test ride. Only thing not functioning is the fuel gauge. Any ideas or known issues wth them and associated repair / replacement costs? I will finalise the deal tomorow so any cost info would help me negotiate.

 

[Dr Honda]

The fuel gauge thing is pretty common. There can be 3 problems:

1) the float is made out of foam, and it sank

2) the magnets on the float fell off.

3) the fuse on the sender poped.


If the price is right... buy the boat. Then, go on eBay, and buy a blow molded float. Remove the sender from the tank, and replace the float. While the sender is out, check the fuse... then reassemble. It can be done in 30 min or less. (the new float is around $20 shipped)


Post up some pics of the boat when you pick it up. :cheers:

 

[Stevego]

Thanks guys, here is the ad (in french), you can see pics there.
http://www.lespac.com/d-vehicules-marins-pincourt-monteregie-sea-doo-sportster-le-LPCaZZ21451675

 

[RFoster130]

Looks like it is in good shape.

 

[WetFeet]

The 01 is an LE but not a DI. The DI only came out in 2003 as far as I know. I purposely avoided the DI and 4tec after reading the horror stories.

I have no issues making repairs or spending a reasonable amount of money to maintain it. Just wanted to know which one was a better choice reliability wise. I assume either the 1997 or 2001 have similar control modules etc. so the major difference would be the engine right? Is the 947 as reliable as the 717 seems to be?

Stevego, hope you have a great time with your new boat. I just like to know, being new this fourm. Where did you read the horrer stories on the 4-tec. I own a 2003 4-tec for 5 years now and have only had little things go bad. Thanks.

 

[Stevego]

I was looking at getting one. Once I talked with the owner he told me his boat spent 8 weeks at the dealer last year. Had to go to 2 dealerships as they could not find the problem. $2400 of repairs later it was fixed. Changed Control Module, then all the gauges did not work and had to be changed. Seems to have been electrical gremlin of some kind (not engine related) radio was still not working. May be isolated case as it seems the 4tec is much more reliable than the DI.

 

[WetFeet]

I was looking at getting one. Once I talked with the owner he told me his boat spent 8 weeks at the dealer last year. Had to go to 2 dealerships as they could not find the problem. $2400 of repairs later it was fixed. Changed Control Module, then all the gauges did not work and had to be changed. Seems to have been electrical gremlin of some kind (not engine related) radio was still not working. May be isolated case as it seems the 4tec is much more reliable than the DI.

Thanks. I had a small problem with gauges, just to find out wires got loose. My rpm gauge has been out, but don't need it to run. Engine is easy to keep up and boat runs great.