8 replies to this topic

[billys]

I am looking at a first boat and am seriously thinking about a Speedster 150. The primary use will be for recreational skiing. Everything I have read makes me think this would be a great boat for us. The size and price/performance ratio is apealing. (My wife wants a small boat) I'm looking at a clean, 2003 with low hours (155HP motor) and also thinking about a new one (though I'd like to save the dough). How easy is this boat to take care of? Any known recurring issues that would be likely to crop up especially in the older model? I want to spend my time with this boat on the water, not tinkering, not worrying about getting it to a dealer/mechanic etc.... Any other negatives at all? Thanks for any insight/advice.

[oary77]

Personally I think the speedster is a good first boat. I love mine..also a 155 hp. I'm not sure of the reliability of the older models though. I have had mine for a year and a few days now and so far no major problems. I use mine all the time for skiing and wakeboarding. Haven't yet used it for any tubing though. I think they should be reliable enough if properly taken care of and maintained.

[billys]

Thanks for the info. Are you finding the 155 to be plenty of power for skiing, even with a few bodies in the boat? I had a dealer tell me in no uncertain terms that I had to go with the 215HP motor in order to use the boat routinely for skiing.

Thanks again.

Personally I think the speedster is a good first boat. I love mine..also a 155 hp. I'm not sure of the reliability of the older models though. I have had mine for a year and a few days now and so far no major problems. I use mine all the time for skiing and wakeboarding. Haven't yet used it for any tubing though. I think they should be reliable enough if properly taken care of and maintained.

[oary77]

I haven't had a problem yet with pulling a skier with a boatful of people. Remember though, It only has 4 seats. so 1 on the skis and 3 in the boat. Mine will still pull a skier 30+ mph with a couple of people in it. The conservation police were on the lake all day yesterday pulling everyone over checking capacities and lifevests. So I left mine tied up.. It is all current and legal just didn't want to go through the hassle of being stopped. plus in Illinois a DUI on a boat is the same as a DUI in a car. LOL, Gotta boat resposibly!

[billys]

Thanks. Curious if you have been able to pull up a slalom skier with 3 in the boat? Or just someone on two skis? I know the slalom start requires a lot more torque out of the gate, and am curious if the 155 can handle it. I am not looking to break any speed records or anything; just fun recreational skiing without feeling like I am overloading the motor.

Thanks!

I haven't had a problem yet with pulling a skier with a boatful of people. Remember though, It only has 4 seats. so 1 on the skis and 3 in the boat. Mine will still pull a skier 30+ mph with a couple of people in it. The conservation police were on the lake all day yesterday pulling everyone over checking capacities and lifevests. So I left mine tied up.. It is all current and legal just didn't want to go through the hassle of being stopped. plus in Illinois a DUI on a boat is the same as a DUI in a car. LOL, Gotta boat resposibly!

[oary77]

Slalom skier no problem! thats all my friends ski with. Overall its a good motor and good on gas. If your going to buy new however I say go with the scic. only a few mph differance and now the 2008 are more reliable with the different washers in the superchrger instead of the junk ceramic ones in the 2007 and earlier models. Don't get me wrong the 155 is fine for me and all I need. But if your planning on modding it go with the scic version.

[keviseeb]

Slalom skier no problem! thats all my friends ski with. Overall its a good motor and good on gas. If your going to buy new however I say go with the scic. only a few mph differance and now the 2008 are more reliable with the different washers in the superchrger instead of the junk ceramic ones in the 2007 and earlier models. Don't get me wrong the 155 is fine for me and all I need. But if your planning on modding it go with the scic version.

I hate to keep beating a dead horse but the 2008 sport boats have the same supercharger with ceramic washers as they had since 2006 when the new washer design came out. The only engines with the titanium coated steel washers are the 215 and 255 HP engines in the personal watercraft, NO 2008 sport boats with superchargers have titanium coated steel washers. So if you are basing a buying decision on that then you might want to wait until the 2009 boats come out because they most likely will have the titanium coated steel washers. I do know that any replacement clutch package kits we order are automatically shipped with titanium coated steel washers. From a sales standpoint we sell 5 SCIC models for every one 155 HP model. Whether you should buy what everyone else does is up to you but it is a fact worth considering when it comes time to resell.

Kevin Seeber
Kingsland Marine

[oary77]

Thanks for the correction Kevin.

[Frayed Knot]

I am looking at a first boat and am seriously thinking about a Speedster 150. The primary use will be for recreational skiing. Everything I have read makes me think this would be a great boat for us. The size and price/performance ratio is apealing. (My wife wants a small boat) I'm looking at a clean, 2003 with low hours (155HP motor) and also thinking about a new one (though I'd like to save the dough). How easy is this boat to take care of? Any known recurring issues that would be likely to crop up especially in the older model? I want to spend my time with this boat on the water, not tinkering, not worrying about getting it to a dealer/mechanic etc.... Any other negatives at all? Thanks for any insight/advice.

I love my speedster 150 2007. I purchased the extended warr. and was glad I did (see other postings on buying a new boat). BRP are good with warr. work and fairly quick at repairing things also.