10 replies to this topic

[sweet88gt]

Hello,
I plan on purchasing a 2007 Speedster 200 with the twin supercharged engines. I have done some research but wanted some feedback about servicing and reliability. I have owned jet skis in the past and am familair with the costs of repairs. How do Seadoo jet ski engines hold up in boats?? I have mainly been a Yamaha guy but have no intrest in their selection of boats. Steer me in the right direction. Thanks.

[stevenh]

Hello,
    I plan on purchasing a 2007 Speedster 200 with the twin supercharged engines. I have done some research but wanted some feedback about servicing and reliability. I have owned jet skis in the past and am familair with the costs of repairs. How do Seadoo jet ski engines hold up in boats?? I have mainly been a Yamaha guy but have no intrest in their selection of boats. Steer me in the right direction. Thanks.

The 4-tec engines in the S200 have turned out to be very reliable engines overall. I have had two boats with the 155HP versions and other than an initial problem on my '03 Sportser that involved a manufacturing problem, they have worked flawlessly for me. I have had an S200 since early '05 and have had good luck so far. I have heard of folks having problems with the super-chargers due to a bearing failure, but that's about the only issue I have heard of on the sea-doo forums I frequent. I change my own oil and filters, and it's not too bad. Winterization is also not bad, everything is fairly easy to get at. I decided to stick with the 310HP version to save a bit on gas and to have one less mechanical thing to worry about (super-charger/inter-cooler). I boat in salt water about half the time and don't like the idea of pumping sea water through the inter-cooler. Even with 310HP I find the S200 has more than enough power for me.

Steve

[sweet88gt]

Thanks, I am going to the dealer this weekend to try to work out a deal. I have seen the boats but never taken a ride and the dealer that is local will not provide a test run. How is the ride for a family?? I have 2 boys ages 5 and 7. I worry about the classic bouncing ride.
I aslo was told (by the dealer) that the cooling is closed loop. Just so I am understanding that would mean no salt water in the engine or intercooler. The only flushing would be in the exhaust?? I will have to get the details from the dealer but wanted some heads up before I go.
I live in Fl and was looking at the prices for these boats. What is a good price for a speedster 200 with the 430 Hp in your area?? Thanks

[stevenh]

Thanks, I am going to the dealer this weekend to try to work out a deal. I have seen the boats but never taken a ride and the dealer that is local will not provide a test run. How is the ride for a family?? I have 2 boys ages 5 and 7. I worry about the classic bouncing ride.
I aslo was told (by the dealer) that the cooling is closed loop. Just so I am understanding that would mean no salt water in the engine or intercooler. The only flushing would be in the exhaust?? I will have to get the details from the dealer but wanted some heads up before I go.
I live in Fl and was looking at the prices for these boats. What is a good price for a speedster 200 with the 430 Hp in your area?? Thanks

I am not sure on prices, it's been a while since I looked. With the supercharged 4-tec engines there is a closed loop cooling system for most of the engine. It uses anti-freeze and there are two radiators located on the bottom of the hull in cut-out locations near the rear. All the boats use fresh water to cool the exhaust and the super-charged versions use fresh water to cool the inter-cooler, so you would get salt in the inter-cooler, but if you flush it out after use, I don't think that would be a big deal. My boat was about 26,500 out the door in '05 with a galvanized trailer and moring cover. At the time, the 430 was not available so I am not sure what the extra cost would be.

I have to admit that the ride is not as good as I would have liked. In most cases it is fine, and it handles chop very well, but at some speeds you will find the boat porposing and the only way to get it to stop is to change speed or direction (just a bit). The boat handles passengers well. I have had 5 adults and 2 kids on board and it does fine. I am 230 and my son is 220 (I can't tell you what my wife weighs ). With three of us in the boat it is really no different then when I am alone, the boat handles very well with a full load. If you put one of the kids in the front it will help the ride if you are porposing. It pulls tubes and skiiers (one and two skiis) with ease.

Overall I am very happy with the boat as a family fun craft.

I would buy it again.

Steve

[sweet88gt]

Thanks for the input. I have a deal put together and will put a deposit on the boat on Fri. I am still planning on the purchase of the 430 hp version but am considering the 310 hp also. I dont want to pay an arm and a leg for the boat. The difference in price is almost $5000. I have always went with more than you need attitude.
How hard is it to install a bimini top on these boats?The dealer is expensive for their tops and install and I figured I could tackle this in the driveway to save alittle coin. Anything special I should consider to add to the boat that has been helpful to you in the past??

[stevenh]

Thanks for the input. I have a deal put together and will put a deposit on the boat on Fri. I am still planning on the purchase of the 430 hp version but am considering the 310 hp also. I dont want to pay an arm and a leg for the boat. The difference in price is almost $5000. I have always went with more than you need attitude.
How hard is it to install a bimini top on these boats?The dealer is expensive for their tops and install and I figured I could tackle this in the driveway to save alittle coin. Anything special I should consider to add to the boat that has been helpful to you in the past??

I had the bimini put on when I purchased it (negotiated as part of the deal). It looks like it would be really easy to install on your own, but I did not do it...

The only thing I have added to the boat other than the bimini was a rear-view mirror. Other than that it has been fine stock. I mounted a ski mirror on the grab bar in front of the main console. It works well and makes pulling skiiers/tubes easier. You will probably want a mooring cover to keep it dry if you are storing it on the water or outside for long periods of time. I don't use mine much since I purchased a large storage garage for it (14x24 heavy vinil tent).

Steve

[sweet88gt]

Well, I have the deal done. It did include the bimini top installed, cover and a few other things. I will pick it up next Sat. I plan on taking it right from the dealer to the water.
The dealer told me that the oil changes can be a pain. He also said the change interval was 50hrs. This seems like alot of time between oil changes.
Now the wait is going to kill me.

[stevenh]

Well, I have the deal done. It did include the bimini top installed, cover and a few other things. I will pick it up next Sat. I plan on taking it right from the dealer to the water.
The dealer told me that the oil changes can be a pain. He also said the change interval was 50hrs. This seems like alot of time between oil changes.
Now the wait is going to kill me.

The first time, chaning the oil was indeed a pain! I had to purchase a set of torx sockets for one thing. I picked up one for the filter, and then ended up having to get another for the injector bar (winterization). Now that I know how, it will probably take me an couple of hours. You need to buy a pump to pull the oil out of the engine through the dipstick tube, but other than that, it's pretty straight forward. I don't use my boat as much as I would like to, so I only change the oil once a year. It came out pretty clean last year after a full season (I don't have an hour meter installed).

Contrats on the new boat. I am sure you will love it. I have had 3 sea-doo boats in the last 8 years and the S200 is by far my favorate. I am starting my third season on it now. I have only been able to get out once this year (how sick is that). We have had bad luck with weekend weather here. I hope to be out on the harbor here in Portsmouth NH later today.

Steve

[sweet88gt]

I live about 5 min from a ramp and within 15 to 20 min to at least 5 places I can put in here in Fl. I will probably use the boat quite a bit. I also will be taking it to a freshwater lake about 3 times a year in N Fl. Thanks for all the information. Next week I will know how much I like it.

[sweet88gt]

Well, just finished cleaning the boat and I can say for the first outing it was fun. Even with the break in this boat is fast and fun. The bimini top was the best option that I could have asked for.

[stevenh]

Well, just finished cleaning the boat and I can say for the first outing it was fun. Even with the break in this boat is fast and fun. The bimini top was the best option that I could have asked for.

Glad to hear you got the boat and got it in the water. I was out in Portsmouth Harbor with mine yesterday. Had her wide open for quite a bit of the time (nice flat water).

Have a great 4th.

Steve