Buying my first boat (Seadoo)

[rogue308]

Just wondering what the general consensus was on Seadoo boats. We've all heard about their jet skis but I haven't heard much about the boats. Annual maintenence costs, what to look out for etc would also be great info.

More specifically it's a 2005 Seadoo Sportster. 120 hours. I don't want to make a big purchase before a deployment but it's such a good deal and 215 HP in a 1,500 lb package sounds like too much fun. It being jet propelled worries me a little. I know nothing about it so all work being done will have to be at the dealership.

It's being purchased from a friend for $2,000 and a 1911 in trade. I value the 1911 at $1500. I just looked online and saw the same boat for $9,900 so I'm thinking this is a smoking deal. Just looking for a little experience to chime in with some tips....

 

[Switchblade]

Re: Buying my first boat (Seadoo)

A few great friends of mine who have owned boats all say the same thing,"The best days of owning a boat were the day we bought it, and the day we sold it"
My 'adopted' parents, Charles and Pinky Carus(I was their son Carlos's best friend, RIP Brother and was 'Big Brother' to him for three years+) have, and have owned a Valiant Yaht, The Aolus for years. It requires about $5000 a year maintaining schedules for tune ups, sail repairs, hull repairs and pest removal. This boat makes sailing journeys for the Hawaii Bishop Museum to many small Pacific islands for research trips. Carlos taught me everything I know about sailing, and between the pair of us, we went out of the harbor under sail, and pulled up to the dry dock under sail because we could not get the diesel to start the day the boat had to go to the dry dock. The dry dock crew saifd they had never seen anyone, much less a boat that required a four man crew, come in under sail with only two crewing it.
That boat always had stuff that needed cleaning, polishing, and overall maintenance since it had seen such heavy use.
You buy a boat expecting fun, then the day comes where you actually need to do the required maintenance and all of a sudden it's not much fun anymore. Me, I'll crew a yaht any day, but own my own boat...only on the day I can get a 60' Scarab that will run from Nor-Cal to Hawaii on a tank of fuel because that means I will be able to pay someone else to clean, polish, and maintain the sucker!

 

[shibby575]

Re: Buying my first boat (Seadoo)

Shoot, just buy it , then resell it, and get a few weapons of your choice.

 

[Keyser Söze]

Re: Buying my first boat (Seadoo)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rogue308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
It's being purchased from a friend for $2,000 and a 1911 in trade. I value the 1911 at $1500. I just looked online and saw the same boat for $9,900 so <span style="font-weight: bold">I'm thinking this is a smoking deal.</span> Just looking for a little experience to chime in with some tips.... </div></div>

Tell us again in a few years how smoking of a deal it was after you've dumped tens of thousands into it.

Don't forget what boat stands for.

 

[rogue308]

Re: Buying my first boat (Seadoo)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Keyser Söze</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rogue308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
It's being purchased from a friend for $2,000 and a 1911 in trade. I value the 1911 at $1500. I just looked online and saw the same boat for $9,900 so <span style="font-weight: bold">I'm thinking this is a smoking deal.</span> Just looking for a little experience to chime in with some tips.... </div></div>

Don't forget <span style="font-weight: bold">what boat stands for</span>.

</div></div>

I keep hearing this.....

 

[maxpower220]

Re: Buying my first boat (Seadoo)

6 years and only 120 hours. It should have about double that for "normal" use. You MUST take it to lake and test drive it. Make sure that everything works. Used boats can be fine or they can be someone elses problem. Your test drive should be at least 25 mins.

 

[oldgrayone]

Re: Buying my first boat (Seadoo)

The best part of being a new boat owner is you will get to meet new people. I bet within a year you will have at least 2 new broke ass boatless friends willing to go boating with you and drink your beer.

 

[rogue308]

Re: Buying my first boat (Seadoo)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: maxpower220</div><div class="ubbcode-body">6 years and only 120 hours. It should have about double that for "normal" use. You MUST take it to lake and test drive it. Make sure that everything works. Used boats can be fine or they can be someone elses problem. Your test drive should be at least 25 mins. </div></div>

Since it's a friend he's letting me have it for the weekend.

 

[socalsheepdog]

Re: Buying my first boat (Seadoo)

BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand.

I have a jet boat that needs about three BOATS worth of interior work.

Boating is a social event. To some, it's worth every penny. To others it isn't. Good luck.

 

[noahmercy]

Re: Buying my first boat (Seadoo)

Look out for a lack of maintenance. I was a marine mechanic for several years and the number one thing that cost folks big bucks was a lack of regular preventive maintenance. A water pump is expensive when you replace it every two years (like you're supposed to), but you should see the bill when you wait to have it done until your hot horn is sounding...especially if the boat is used in salt water. Was the engine properly "winterized" prior to sitting for extended lengths of time? Has the lower unit been serviced?

Also, empty the fuel/water separator filter into a clear container. Is there any water? Rust? Sediment? That can give you a clue to the condition of the fuel tank. Does the gas smell like varnish? Fuel system problems caused by bad gas can cost quite a bit to repair. A lot of the boats I worked on were low-hour machines...sitting for extended periods without being properly prepared (fogging oil in crankcase, carbs drained, tank emptied, etc.) is one of the worst things for an engine.

How do the battery and terminals look? Steering and throttle cable look good? No cracks in the jackets?

What grade of fuel did your friend run? What brand and grade of oil did he use? Was the engine flushed well after every trip?

If you accept that you should have your boat serviced every year, you will need to run premium fuel and oil for the best performance and longevity, and any repairs are going to make you waddle for a while, you should be okay.

 

[socalsheepdog]

Re: Buying my first boat (Seadoo)

Don't forget, you have to be on the gas when you turn a jet boat.

 

[Blueclawz]

Re: Buying my first boat (Seadoo)

Having owned a few of the SeaDoo/Bombardier (challenger/speedster) jet boats and I can offer this advice.
If it has the rotax engine with the carbon bushing for the driveshaft - RUN AWAY! They are not only messy but they tend to go out and cost a significant amont to have replaced. Begin the search for a reputable dealer in your area....and be prepared that should anything requiring a dealer occur you will be without the boat for at minimum 3 weeks. I know i sound jaded and for good reason - I bought a speedster brand new and bombardier basically left me when it came to the warranty- my local dealer actually dropped them after I pushed the matter legally.
The newer Mercruiser boats are nice...but like anything else they are pricey. Jet boats have a limited market..if your in a contained area with little debris and shallow with no real wave action..you will have a grreat time. If its a rogh water area you and your passengers will not enjoy having the shit kicked out of you bouncing around. They also sit low in the water so if you plan to drag people around skiing, boarding or tubing you will need a tower/cage/frame - which adds weight and wind resistance.
In sort - if its your first boat, you have no mechanical aptitude and do not know anything about boating...its probably the most safe and logical choice. Be safe.

*Forgot to add the fact if you plan to stop at the gas station and fill it with the "cheap 87 octane/ethanol shit" then be prepared to replace every fuel line, and rebuild/clean the engine out every weekend. This new gas initiative is causing major issue with trailer boats...do some research.