Seadoo jet boats- anyone had any experience?
#1
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Just far enough from sunny Liverpool
Posts: 6,963
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Seadoo jet boats- anyone had any experience?
We spend quite a lot of time down in Anglesey, and have always fancied one of the Seadoo jet boats- either a Challenger or a Speedster.
They now seem cheap enough second hand to experiment with but I know bugger all about them. Are they suitable for fair weather sea use, and what should I look out for?
Thanks,
Simon
They now seem cheap enough second hand to experiment with but I know bugger all about them. Are they suitable for fair weather sea use, and what should I look out for?
Thanks,
Simon
#3
Scooby Regular
I've been interested in those too - so will look at the replies with interest.
What prices are they now?
I would guess that the same rules apply as apply to 2nd hand JetSkis?
What prices are they now?
I would guess that the same rules apply as apply to 2nd hand JetSkis?
#4
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Just far enough from sunny Liverpool
Posts: 6,963
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm guessing that will be the case Pete. I've seen a couple of Speedsters for around £2800, and a challenger at £3500; if the usual rule of thumb applies though you probs get what you pay for- they do seem extremely cheap.
#5
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: wonderin the streets..
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Extremly cheap and extremly dangerous....and STILL unregulated
People get killed REGULARLY in accidents involving these things. So id say at least get some training and dont drink and drive ....!
To the rest of the waterborne community these things are a menace.
People get killed REGULARLY in accidents involving these things. So id say at least get some training and dont drink and drive ....!
To the rest of the waterborne community these things are a menace.
#6
Scooby Regular
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Batley W. Yorkshire -> San Diego CA
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My parents had a small jet boat in Florida for a bit. It was very small and a blast to throw around, however, it would frequently get clogged with seaweed and the only way to remove the seaweed was to blast the throttle into reverse to push out the weeds from the jets or physically go under and drag out the weeds by hand. The boat was plagued with issues and topped out around 35mph along with being gutless for being able to pull for waterskiing. They are also quite loud with a somewhat annoying buzz (only the small boats).
If you want something small to toss around I say get a jetski.
If you want something small to toss around I say get a jetski.
#7
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Just far enough from sunny Liverpool
Posts: 6,963
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
jet boat, not jetski, although I appreciate the principle is similar.
Trending Topics
#9
I've got a Speedster Had it for a few years, had a Sportster before that & a jet ski before that.
Up to about 2000 they were running twin jet ski engines, then for a few years they had Mercury engines then due to cost & emissions issues, they went back to Ski engines. IMHO the Mercury engines are way better, bigger & more reliable. 2 engines = twice the hassle, twice the servicing & (nearly) twice the fuel...
A bit like a car - you're looking for a documented main dealer history showing regular servicing & winterising every autumn. Batteries can be short lived if you forget to charge it over winter. Trailer bearings every 2-3 years.
Ideally you want one that's only been used in fresh water, but if it's got a good history, chances are it's been looked after and flushed through properly if it's been in the sea.
Budget for some extras too - Insurance, club or launch fees, bouyancy aids, skis, wakeboards, ropes, inflatables, wetsuits - it adds up very quickly !
Up to about 2000 they were running twin jet ski engines, then for a few years they had Mercury engines then due to cost & emissions issues, they went back to Ski engines. IMHO the Mercury engines are way better, bigger & more reliable. 2 engines = twice the hassle, twice the servicing & (nearly) twice the fuel...
A bit like a car - you're looking for a documented main dealer history showing regular servicing & winterising every autumn. Batteries can be short lived if you forget to charge it over winter. Trailer bearings every 2-3 years.
Ideally you want one that's only been used in fresh water, but if it's got a good history, chances are it's been looked after and flushed through properly if it's been in the sea.
Budget for some extras too - Insurance, club or launch fees, bouyancy aids, skis, wakeboards, ropes, inflatables, wetsuits - it adds up very quickly !
#11
Brutal things - we tried a couple before settling for a boat. Dunno the make or engine, but 4 up 80 knots across Lough Neagh on a calm day felt like being strapped to the wheel of a Scoob on a track day... pure class, but wifey and kids couldn't appreciate it
#12
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: South East London or Kent?!?!?!?
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What alistair said. Same as buying a scoob - the seller should talk about flushing it through if it has had sea use.
Regular servicing a must.
I had Kawasaki and Yamaha jet ski's (or personal watercraft for the PC folks) for a few years without any trouble, just looked after them.
Cracking fun just go careful, plenty of idiots out there.
Regular servicing a must.
I had Kawasaki and Yamaha jet ski's (or personal watercraft for the PC folks) for a few years without any trouble, just looked after them.
Cracking fun just go careful, plenty of idiots out there.
#13
I have used a Seadoo one some years ago that had twin 85 BHP engines fitted.
It handled much better than a normal out board engined boat but if abused you could spin it very easily.
I thought the fuel consumption wasnt that bad compared to my 115 BHP Mercury outboard motor.
It comes down to what you intend to use it for, for pleasure boating they are fun and easy to use and fix but dont go crossing the channel in one.
If the intention is to take the family to a nice beach set a barbie up and then do some Ski-ing behind the boat for fun then yes get one. As already mentioned full service history is essential you can tell if its been abused and not flushed after every salt water use common sense will tell you to walk away.
It handled much better than a normal out board engined boat but if abused you could spin it very easily.
I thought the fuel consumption wasnt that bad compared to my 115 BHP Mercury outboard motor.
It comes down to what you intend to use it for, for pleasure boating they are fun and easy to use and fix but dont go crossing the channel in one.
If the intention is to take the family to a nice beach set a barbie up and then do some Ski-ing behind the boat for fun then yes get one. As already mentioned full service history is essential you can tell if its been abused and not flushed after every salt water use common sense will tell you to walk away.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mattybr5@MB Developments
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
28
28 December 2015 11:07 PM
Mattybr5@MB Developments
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
12
18 November 2015 07:03 AM