6 replies to this topic

[kenmo]

Obviously new here...really wanted to get everyone's opinion on how they like their jet boats. I presently have an 18' Kona with a 175hp Merc on it. Although not totally unhappy with my boat, I'm looking to upgrade to something newer. I've never ridden in one yet, just talked with a few people at the lake and tried to read up as much as possible. I'm looking at both the Speedster (17') and the X20. I'd like to either pick one up brand new or slightly used. Here's what I have to ask you guys:

1. Reliability: I've seen some mixed opinions on the reliability of not only these boats, but Seadoos jetskis as well. I'm in TX, so mine will be used nearly all year round (minus a few months in the "winter"). How much maintanence have you had to put in your boat, and how well does Seadoo honor their warantees?

2. Fun factor: These Doo's look like a blast!! I think you'll give me a thumbs up in this category. What can you do with these boats that a prop driven can't do? Do they still have characteristics of prop driven boats?

3. Jet drive: I've tried to read as much as possible about jet boats. From what I've gathered, they're quick outta the hole, but not as efficient on the top end. Does it really put you back in your seat from a stop? Keep you planted until you top out??

4. Fuel Economy: I spoke with three individuals that own Doos, and they both complained about how much fuel they go through. I burn 12 gallons per day at the lake...that's with about 4 waterskiing runs, 6 tubing runs, a short cruise, and a few races What do you guys burn and how hard are you on the boat?

5. Trailering: What are you guys pulling these with? I have a Jeep Wrangler, and my Kona is a pretty good load on it...one reason why I'm looking more towards the Speedster 17'.

Sorry for the long winded post, but I would feel a lot better about buying one of these if I had some more opinions on them. PLEASE give me good and bad comments!!!!!!!

THANKS GUYS!!

[tiggerman]

Well, since you are new, welcome to the board!
If you are looking for convincing, I'm not the one to do it. I have a Speedster, as well as 2 outboards at my disposal, and they all have their own purpose. I will try to answer objectively and fairly.
1. Reliability: I am not the original owner of my 1997 Speedster, but the boat has been totally reliable for the year that I have owned it. The engines perform just as they should, and it has never let me down. With the age of mine now, it could let go tomorrow, but I don't see that happening. My maintenance has been minimal, except for the experiments and mods I have done. Gas, oil, and a little TLC is all I have had to doo. I can't speak for warranty because mine had none when I got it. Read some of the other posts here about warranty performance from Seadoo.
2. Fun factor: Definately THE MOST FUN I have ever had on any boat, period. Try to take your Kona and doo a complete 360 spin at WOT, or any speed for that matter. Jump in my Speedster and let me show you ....these machines handle much differently than a normal boat. More difficult to steer at idle, more responsive at speed. The hull design makes them very agile, and gives them the ability to break loose in a turn, giving you the 360.
3. The jetdrive is a totally different animal than a prop. They make the boat very quick out of the hole, but top speed is variable. Different impeller designs and pitch makes the holeshot/ top end vary. A difference in a degree or two can make a huge difference in a better top end and less holeshot, or vice versa. You will be planted firmly in your seat until you have planed out, which comes quickly when your pump/s are operating at peak efficiency.
4. Fuel efficiency:.... yeah right. Props have the advantage here IMHO. Our 19' Wellcraft gets much better "fuel mileage" than the Seadoo, and there is only 20 HP difference here. It's not uncommon for me to use a tank and a 1/2 in a day, playing hard, cruising, tubing, kneeboarding, etc... It all depends on how much you play hard and go WOT. Remember, GPH, not MPH.
5. Trailering: 2000 Nissan Xterra is my tow vehicle. Keep in mind my Doo is a 14.5 footer, with a dry weight of 1280 pounds. It would have no difficulty pulling the larger Speedster you are talking about, but it would be close to its limit.

I really don't hear more/less problems in either the prop driven boats compared to the jet drives. They ALL have moving parts, and are in a marine environment-which make them prone to failures. We just replaced the lower unit on the Wellcraft (150 Johnson), which was FAR more expensive than repairing a Rotax powered jetdrive. The Merc would be closer in cost of repairs to the outboard, in my opinion.
If I had to buy another today, I would go with one of the larger Seadoos- either the Challenger or the Utopia, mainly for the roominess. I have even given the Yamaha a thought. Sugar Sands? Maybe.... Check out ALL your options....

[kvoman]

Fun factor: Jet boats can do everything a person on a jet ski can do: spin 180 degree, sharp turns, skid, slide, etc. It can also do submarine maneuvers, if you are brave enough to try and not worry too much about damages to the reverse gates.

Fuel Economy: can only speak for my '96 Speedster with 2-85 HP Rotax engines and a 27 gallon tank. I don't pull anything so the consumption is pretty easy, about half a tank for a day of mostly wide open throttle cruising. I think when you're pulling, towing, etc. it burns up more gas - just as with other boats.

Trailering: I pull my '96 Speedster (14') with my Honda Odyssey.

I think the X20 will give you better wakes than the Speedster. If you're comparing the Speedster to the X20, the Speedster 200 is more comparable in size to the X20, the Speedster 160 is much smaller.

[kenmo]

Thanks for the opinions guys...well stated. I'm glad to see that the maintenance factor isn't that bad.

tiggerman- I couldn't even imagine doing anything close to a 360 in my Kona...one of the reasons I want to get rid of it...the handling sucks...only fun when going in a straight line!!

Here's another question for you guys with the smaller boats...how is it in the chop? My Kona will knock the fillings out bouncing around.

Once again, thanks and keep 'em comin

[tiggerman]

Here's another question for you guys with the smaller boats...how is it in the chop? My Kona will knock the fillings out bouncing around.

Ditto...... The shorter boats don't doo as well- simply not enough trim.

[kvoman]

In my 14' Speester, if I go faster than 30MPH, then it just skip over the waves, barely noticeable, stable, but if I go slower than 30 then it's rocky and bouncy. All my boating is in lakes and the only waves are ones generated by other boats.

Have neen able to do 360 in my boat, guess I'm not going fast enough or wip it sharp enough.

Same with Tiggerman on the reliability issue. I bought it used about 2 months ago, and no trouble to speak of. Although I do have some smoke at start up after 2-3 weeks of storage that goes away after a few minutes of running the engines. Some have mentioned that it could be from a slow oil leak into the engines from the oil reservoir through some kind of seal (rotary valve?). To burn off the oil, I run the engines (connected with water hoses) at home as warm up prior to pulling it to the lake - that works pretty good for me.

Also, the Bombardier rotax synthetic oil is very expensive ($40/gal) unless you buy an alternative/comparable oil for the engines.

SAFETY: Major point for us - The biggest concern for us with young children, no props to worry about.

Animals Safety: If you really want to look at it from a different angle, it doesn't have any props so it could never endanger any marine mamals (especially if you live in Florida and drive it in the Everglades - manates getting cut by propellers)!!!

[TX-Doo]

Fuel Economy? Who cares when you having fun. I went to Possum Kingdom a few weeks ago and logged 46 miles (GPS) on 18 gallons. That's about 2.5 MPG and that was at about 3/4 throttle most of the time and not towing anything. As far as handling goes, they are very responsive. One thing to remember with a jet drive is to turn sharp you have to be on the throttles. Example: If you are going fast and pull the throttles to idle it will not turn, just like a PWC. BUY ONE, THEY ARE A BLAST.