What seadoo handles rough water the best? So many models....

[Dr Honda]

I think the last gallon I bought was that TCW-3 stuff
I think the gallon before that was the good stuff as I paid 22 bucks for it and only 12 for this stuff in a blue container at walmart. I hope 1 gallon wont hurt my motor.

If I was you... I would be draining the oil, and cleaning the system before you loose an engine. Mixing oil types and brands (2-stroke) can do bad things.

It may pass just fine... but you may also find that you turned the oil into Jello. When that happes, the oil can't flow, and you loose the engine.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

Does anyone know the 0-30mph time of a 1996 seadoo XP? I was wanting to compare the acceleration to the new 4 strokes.

bone stock ?
most new 4 strokes especially the performance ones, will toast you, end of story they are FAST !
not sure if i've ever timed 0-30, never saw the point, 30 is pretty slow
but maybe somebody got bored one afternoon and put a clock on their buddies ....

mine, which is a little juiced, (water injection, F/A, Spec1, prop, nozzles) can run neck & neck and is usually ahead of most (even performance) 4 strokes off the line if I catch quickly, and if I keep the "race" very short, i'm the faster ski, once they get past that point, i'm done, they'll run me down easily, assuming they have a 65-70mph ski of course, couple that with the fact that I have no desire to run WOT for a long distance, its not healthy for the engine.

I love a short race against a ski that cost 5X what mine is worth... they think they're so badazz and that I don't stand a chance, then all of a sudden they're looking at me pulling away from them 3 seconds later and they're wondering what the hell just happened. By the time they catch their stride, i'm already off the throttle since my point has been proven

a few weeks ago I was riding with a rxp, good looking ski and we were cruising along around 25 and then he superman-ed and gunned it, started to pull away, so I jammed the throttle and was about 10 feet behind him, well about 10 seconds go by and he sits up and looks over his left shoulder behind him to see how far back I am, and I was like "i'm right here buddy, about 10 feet behind you on your right ! " lol

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

so that's what's inside them... ewwww!

I will be changing the filter in my 02 GTX when I replace the lines as well...

 

[Seadoobuddy]

I'm glad I replaced my oil filter last August, wish I cracked it open to see what's inside.

It's funny that most people will change their cars oil filter with every or every other oil change but with these skis you just keep adding oil to the tank and forget about the filter............until you lose an engine.
Then you blame it on the oil pump instead.
DENIAL that it's your own fault for lack of maintenance!!

 

[Strizzo]

Dr. Honda: is there an easy way to tell if the oil already in the tank, say from a previous owner, is API-TC, or TCW-3? I know TCW-3 is a bluish- green color, and smokes a little blue, but does the seadoo oil look/smoke the same?

 

[cowsgonemadd3]

Dr Honda, I did not mix oils I actually self mix the oil. The guy I bought this one from said the pump had went out or he didn't trust it or something so I mix. No jello oil for me

Even the walmart brands of API-TC oil is like 30 bucks a gallon. Thats pretty steep but I guess its the cost of owning one of these things.

 

[Dr Honda]

I'm glad I replaced my oil filter last August, wish I cracked it open to see what's inside.

It's funny that most people will change their cars oil filter with every or every other oil change but with these skis you just keep adding oil to the tank and forget about the filter............until you lose an engine.
Then you blame it on the oil pump instead.
DENIAL that it's your own fault for lack of maintenance!!

Exactly... now you're getting it !! :thumbsup:

Dr. Honda: is there an easy way to tell if the oil already in the tank, say from a previous owner, is API-TC, or TCW-3? I know TCW-3 is a bluish- green color, and smokes a little blue, but does the seadoo oil look/smoke the same?

Nope... sorry.

The color of the oil has almost nothing to do with the "Type" of oil. Most of the time, it's just a die they put in it.

Dr Honda, I did not mix oils I actually self mix the oil. The guy I bought this one from said the pump had went out or he didn't trust it or something so I mix. No jello oil for me

Even the walmart brands of API-TC oil is like 30 bucks a gallon. Thats pretty steep but I guess its the cost of owning one of these things.

OK.... that's fine. It should pass without an issue.

BUT... how are your rotary valve gears getting oil? Do you still have the oil tank installed, and hooked to the center of the engine case? It may sound basic, but I've seen more than one engine give up because people go to pre-mix, and don't realize that the RV gears need the oil.



Finally... to the original poster... I'm very sorry it got off subject.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

Dr Honda, I did not mix oils I actually self mix the oil. The guy I bought this one from said the pump had went out or he didn't trust it or something so I mix. No jello oil for me

Even the walmart brands of API-TC oil is like 30 bucks a gallon. Thats pretty steep but I guess its the cost of owning one of these things.

spend the money !

I got tired of driving to wally world and waiting in the checkout, and went the mail order route.. so much more convenient and now I have no worries of running out.

 

[cowsgonemadd3]

BUT... how are your rotary valve gears getting oil? Do you still have the oil tank installed, and hooked to the center of the engine case? It may sound basic, but I've seen more than one engine give up because people go to pre-mix, and don't realize that the RV gears need the oil.

Hold on...I need more details on this. The tank is still in the seadoo but its basically empty. One of the lines is not hooked up, the bottom drain line. What are these RV gears? I feel stupid but I had no idea these things were so complex. Here I thought I was going good with it.

 

[Dr Honda]

Hold on...I need more details on this. The tank is still in the seadoo but its basically empty. One of the lines is not hooked up, the bottom drain line. What are these RV gears? I feel stupid but I had no idea these things were so complex. Here I thought I was going good with it.

And this is why I asked.


OK. The oil tank in your ski has 3 hoses on it.

1) From the bottom, fed the injection system. Since you are pre-mix, it should be plugged off.

2) Also from the bottom... is the feed to the Rotary Valve (RV) gears. It is connected below the intake manifold

3) From the top of the tank... is the vent for the RV gears.


The RV gears don't get lube from the fuel. They get lube from that tank. If there is no oil in that tank... or if the hoses have been disconnected ... the gears are running dry, and they wont' last long.

IF... the center seals (RV seals) are good... the oil will last forever in that tank. If the seals are bad... the oil may get consumed slowly. So... make sure the hoses are good, and put a quart of API-TC oil in it... AND check the level once in a while.


With all that said... this is one reason why I normally don't recommend removing the oil injection. You still have to leave the tank in the hull, hooked up, and have oil in it. Also... since the Mikuni pump is so reliable... it will save you money in oil. (The system will go as high as 70:1, and keeps it from smoking at idle)

 

[cowsgonemadd3]

Just the hose that loops from the bottom of the tank to the top of the tank under the storage box area is unhooked and sealed. The other 2 hoses go to the motor and there is oil in the tank.

My next question is, how can I tell if the oil motor still works so I can hook the oiler back up? If I have nothing to worry about with using the built in oiler then I want to hook it back up so I dont have to mix oil anymore.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

And this is why I asked.


OK. The oil tank in your ski has 3 hoses on it.

1) From the bottom, fed the injection system. Since you are pre-mix, it should be plugged off.

2) Also from the bottom... is the feed to the Rotary Valve (RV) gears. It is connected below the intake manifold

3) From the top of the tank... is the vent for the RV gears.


The RV gears don't get lube from the fuel. They get lube from that tank. If there is no oil in that tank... or if the hoses have been disconnected ... the gears are running dry, and they wont' last long.

IF... the center seals (RV seals) are good... the oil will last forever in that tank. If the seals are bad... the oil may get consumed slowly. So... make sure the hoses are good, and put a quart of API-TC oil in it... AND check the level once in a while.


With all that said... this is one reason why I normally don't recommend removing the oil injection. You still have to leave the tank in the hull, hooked up, and have oil in it. Also... since the Mikuni pump is so reliable... it will save you money in oil. (The system will go as high as 70:1, and keeps it from smoking at idle)

API-TC oil is also a Requirement for the RV ? (yes i'm running api) but again, i've seen people run all kinds of stuff thru the RV loop (I run a loop vs keeping the tank in myself, actually we've looped every ski we've premixed), now i'm curious. and just to skip ahead, yes, my loop has a fill valve (flush T usually) and yes I check my levels pretty much every ride, it only takes 2 seconds and it almost never needs topping off)

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

I think the real question here is how well do YOU handle rough water.... all the sea-doos seem to handle it fine, you just get a bit more beat up on the smaller / lighter ones ...

OCEAN running is about the only time I think I'd want one of the new ones... rivers and lakes, I'll play with my XP

 

[Spimothy Leary]

I think the real question here is how well do YOU handle rough water.... all the sea-doos seem to handle it fine, you just get a bit more beat up on the smaller / lighter ones ...

OCEAN running is about the only time I think I'd want one of the new ones... rivers and lakes, I'll play with my XP

agree, its all about the rider, but I love my xp for river/lake riding, and the ocean is fine, just beats you up... big time.
only downside is fuel economy, but there's always a 4 stroke that can carry gas for me

 

[Carguy89]

I just became a preferred Amsoil customer myself.

And as for long ocean trips - as someone who has a 3 seat 2 stroke, and 3 seat 4 stroke I have to say it's not even a comparison. 4 stroke rides like a caddy due to all the extra weight. And gets world's better fuel economy at a 30-40 mph cruise.

 

[Dr Honda]

API-TC oil is also a Requirement for the RV ?

Welllllll........................ Technically.... no. to be honest, a light GL4 gear lube would be better. BUT, if your center seals leak... it will kill the engine.

So... With that said... it's safest to run an API-TC oil, and it's a moot point if the seals are good, since you won't be burning it anyway.


Looping it not safe. If your center seals give up... you will suck that oil out before you realize it. Also... when most people "Loop" the hoses, they sit in the bottom of the hull. They need to be up, so the RV gear cavity will stay filled.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

I didn't think it was an absolute necessity, but I was curious when I saw it in print.

I've been looping for quite some time, all of the x4's in my group premix and loop, same with my challenger as well.

 

[tiger]

The 96 sea doo GSX. They last forever on fuel... I plan to up the fuel tank on the SPX to 12 gallons and look for additional fuel containers to store inside. May do the same trip by the end of this year or the beginning of next.

I am getting ideas together for a run from Ft Lauderdale Florida to Bimini Island in the Bahamas and maybe to another Island beyond that. Just looking to take a vacation trip that is out of the ordinary and amazing.

I have a 1996 seadoo XP but its rough when it comes to water thats choppy and it tips over easy.

I am looking for a seadoo model that is around 1998-2003 or so that will be smooth on choppy ocean water. I just mean somewhat smooth, I expect bumps.

I have saw people take 2 seaters across the ocean but maybe a 3 seater would be nicer if you rode just 2 people on it.

I plan to buy them used in the craigslist, make sure they are running good, take them on the trip and then sell them when I get back home.

I thought the RTX series was the smooth riding one. Just needs to go 30+MPH for me to be happy. I figure they get better mileage if they are not wide open so if it goes 50+mph and I only drive 30+mph it will be fine.

I am looking at late models and not these new 4 strokes. I can not afford them. Maybe a late model 4 stroke is a must? No 2 strokes in salt water?

 

[ltdyfz99]

The 96 sea doo GSX. They last forever on fuel... I plan to up the fuel tank on the SPX to 12 gallons and look for additional fuel containers to store inside. May do the same trip by the end of this year or the beginning of next.

Nothing is better then a XP/XPL in rough water. GSX does have good fuel range but has a funny ride to it in ruff water in my opinion, XP/XPL cut through chop.

 

[tiger]

I owned a GSX and own the XPL. I agree the XPL is awesome in the chop but the ability to cut through for long distance in the ocean is worrisome. Better to stay on top. Visibility becomes limited and you never know what the ocean will throw at you. I've endurance raced for years on sea doos, from New Jersey to Virginia. Slight mods on the 785 gsx would equal 785 XPL performance and better it in the rough water(not chop). If you didn't fall off on the 1000cc XPL in the races you were guarantee to beat every boat back in the day. The 1000cc GSX failed to compare. Even my 785 GSX would pass it after being lapped by a 1000cc XPL. The XPL is a fun close shore racer but would never chance it going across.
The 785 GSX is a rock solid wave hitting watercraft. A little more nibble then a 3 seater and equally as stable. When I moved to landlocked GA I had to trade it in for an XPL cause the lakes were to boring to ride the 785 GSX.
Had a UMI racing steering system with the shock and Renthal handlebars. R&D intake grate works but don't buy their exhaust for the ocean. The jets would clog 5 miles out.

Nothing is better then a XP/XPL in rough water. GSX does have good fuel range but has a funny ride to it in ruff water in my opinion, XP/XPL cut through chop.

 

[ltdyfz99]

I always rode a X4 type ski, and GSX funny I am actually mad at myself for not getting a XP/XPL from the start. Everything possible that you can get buy these machines to make them faster/better I have and would not even waste my time with another model unless with get into the 4tec models.

You are correct that the GSX was a good race boat, back in the day Group-K gave that ski a lot of praise. I just rather look at a XPL then a GSX maybe, again also its about the rider.

 

[LouDoo]

While I'm not a particular fan of this ski, for open ocean riding, especially the kind of miles that you are talking about I would recommend a GTX, and for reliability I would also recommend a 787 carbed model. While this is not a particularly exciting ski, it is a cruiser and I feel that this would be the best ski for this purpose. Also it has storage room for extra gasoline, tools, clothes, etc. You won't get much storage in an XP or GSX.

Lou

 

[tiger]

Thinking on the lines of survival not to win a race. When the ocean gets wicked I'd rather be on a X4. Can't be the 94 xp or under though. That hull gets tossed around like a bad apple.

 

[ltdyfz99]

Thinking on the lines of survival not to win a race. When the ocean gets wicked I'd rather be on a X4. Can't be the 94 xp or under though. That hull gets tossed around like a bad apple.

those X4 hulls are too much fun. I only ride in the ocean, in the Atlantic by where the bay oceans up to the Atlantic in fact what a blast but you do get beat up, the GTX is a great ocean ski.

 

[tiger]

You'd get and extra 2 miles on the GSX with a full tank of gas. Unsure of the risk, but I don't believe the coast guard approves of carry on gas containers. Wouldn't mind if someone else was riding a GTX across in the group but I'd be on the GSX.

While I'm not a particular fan of this ski, for open ocean riding, especially the kind of miles that you are talking about I would recommend a GTX, and for reliability I would also recommend a 787 carbed model. While this is not a particularly exciting ski, it is a cruiser and I feel that this would be the best ski for this purpose. Also it has storage room for extra gasoline, tools, clothes, etc. You won't get much storage in an XP or GSX.

Lou