4 replies to this topic

[thejudge]

Hi,
New to the forum. It's a great place for reading up on the boats.
I have decided that I want one, and am ready to buy.
I'm in ireland and there arn't many 2nd hand Doos about but I've found two for about the same money.
2001 Sportster 130hp
and
1998 Speedster 220hp
The Speedster's €1,000 more than the sportster.
Question is which to go for?
Will the sportster have enough power to pull someone on ski's with 3 passengers onboard ? Dealer says yes.. If so I think it will be plenty fast for me.
As it's my 1st boat I like the idea of it only being 14ft. easier to move.
Or
Should I go the extra €s for the speedster?
Is sportster 4 stroke more reliable?
Sorry so many questions but I need to be sure.

DJ

[SuperCharged]

If you can, go with the 4stroke!! Its much more reliable, quiet, smoot, fuel economic...you wont regret it! + Its more poweful than a 2001 sportster! 951cc compare to 1500cc
4TEC can go over 1500 hours and Rotax 2 stroke wont exceed 500 hours....

[LandLord]

Hi,
New to the forum. It's a great place for reading up on the boats.
I have decided that I want one, and am ready to buy.
I'm in ireland and there arn't many 2nd hand Doos about but I've found two for about the same money.
2001 Sportster 130hp
and
1998 Speedster 220hp
The Speedster's €1,000 more than the sportster.
Question is which to go for?
Will the sportster have enough power to pull someone on ski's with 3 passengers onboard ? Dealer says yes.. If so I think it will be plenty fast for me.
As it's my 1st boat I like the idea of it only being 14ft. easier to move.
Or
Should I go the extra €s for the speedster?
Is sportster 4 stroke more reliable?
Sorry so many questions but I need to be sure.

DJ

This is a no brainer. Go for the newer boat. Buy new if you can. A 1998 [8] year old boat is risky.

The Sportster has less HP but also has alot less weight.

The speeds and acceleration of each boat will be comparable; depending on the passenger load.

4 strokes & 2 strokes each have their own pros and cons.

Yes 2 strokes are louder; but they are also dependable and accelerate quicker.

It is harder for skiers to get up using a jet-boat. A prop boat has a stronger initial bite during take-off that is needed to pull someones bulk out of the water while skiing.

JHL

[thumper]

It is harder for skiers to get up using a jet-boat. A prop boat has a stronger initial bite during take-off that is needed to pull someones bulk out of the water while skiing.

completely disagree with that statement - some proped boats are more torquey on start than jet boats - i have a 215 sportster and you cannot physically hang on to the rope on some starts, its that quick - it takes two or three goes to get the throttlle right for a deep water start but it always does it - i have had propped boats and they can really drag(inboards generally), outboards are fine as they have bags of torque - but for me its a jet baot or a mastercraft and i cant afford a mastercraft!
with my sportster i am up skiing on a mono deep water start in under 2 seconds, my searay had a 496 ho mag and that used to take me about 4-5 secs if i was lucky. and i weigh 200lbs.

[thejudge]

Thanks for the replies.
I will go for the sportster I think,as you quite rightly pointed out better off with younger boat, especially if they are pretty comparable in speed ect..
The sportster also has Dealer 90 day warranty which helps alot in a 2nd hand purchase.
Thanks again.

DJ