4 replies to this topic

[Marius]

Hello All,

After a lot of research, I'm considering buying a 2004 or 2003 Utopia 185.

I would prefer to buy one from a SEADOO dealer but I have not found an easy way to check availability on used boats at dealers throughout the country. I don't mind having to transport one to North East Wisconsin, where I live.

I found a 2004 Utopia with 10 hours of use down in Florida for sale on consignment. I was thinking of having a local (to the boat) SEADOO dealer inspect it before I make an offer. It looks like new in pictures.

Does anyone have any idea or suggestions on why this would not be a good idea? For instance, should I worry about if boat was used in saltwater? Would the dealer be able to tell if there are corrosion problems due to this?

Thank you,
Marius

[rookie101]

If you can get the boat inspected you should be ok. Make sure to ask the dealer to have a good look for any signs of corrosion, and they should be able to give you their thoughts on whether or not the stated hours seem right.

No matter where you buy the boat, be it local or distant all you can do is have it inspected and go from there. With this boat you may want to have it inspected at a Mercury dealer rather than a Sea-Doo dealer, as it will be running a Mercury Sport Jet as an engine. Sea-Doo only ran these motors for a few years (Mercury still makes them), and their dealers don't always know much about them.



Aaron

[Marius]

Thanks for the suggestions, they make a lot of sense and are much appreciated.

I would still love to find a way to search for a Utopia 185 at Seadoo dealers in the nearby states.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

Marius

[capsnumber1]

Hello All,

After a lot of research, I'm considering buying a 2004 or 2003 Utopia 185.

I would prefer to buy one from a SEADOO dealer but I have not found an easy way to check availability on used boats at dealers throughout the country. I don't mind having to transport one to North East Wisconsin, where I live.

I found a 2004 Utopia with 10 hours of use down in Florida for sale on consignment. I was thinking of having a local (to the boat) SEADOO dealer inspect it before I make an offer. It looks like new in pictures.

Does anyone have any idea or suggestions on why this would not be a good idea? For instance, should I worry about if boat was used in saltwater? Would the dealer be able to tell if there are corrosion problems due to this?

Thank you,
Marius

Thanks for the suggestions, they make a lot of sense and are much appreciated.

I would still love to find a way to search for a Utopia 185 at Seadoo dealers in the nearby states.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

Marius

Marius,

I made the mistake of buying a boat without test driving it on my first set of jetskis. It is a mistake I will NEVER make again. They ran and sounded great out of water, but as soon as they were put in...a whole different story. Spent a couple thousand taking them to different dealers until they were finally fixed.

Even though having a Doo dealer inspect it is a good idea, I would still be extremely wary of the situation - unless they take it out on a water test as well.

As for searching...there is no real easy way to do it. Most dealers list their inventory...both new and used....on sites like boattrader.com (and other popular sites). I live in VA and the leader in Sea-Doo jet boat sales in the country happens to be a dealer in Richmond VA. I have bought my second pair of jetskis from him, my jetboat from someone who bought it from him, and have all my service done by him. He told me that 90% of his business is Internet driven....he list all his boats on sites such as boatrader.com

[Craig]

Marius,

I spent a month scouring boattrader.com, Ebay and boats.com before I found my new leftover 2007 Utopia 205. I called dealers all over the South East US(I live in FLA and my search radius limit was 600 miles). I found one dealer in NC(Smith Powersports) who is one of the larger Seadoo dealers in the country. Seadoo sends them boats from other dealers that have gone defuct and heavily subsidize these boats. You might want to call Fred At Smith and see what they can get for you.

Craig

Thanks for the suggestions, they make a lot of sense and are much appreciated.

I would still love to find a way to search for a Utopia 185 at Seadoo dealers in the nearby states.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

Marius