38 replies to this topic

[tiggerman]

Just my personal preference..... My boat had some pretty heavy oxidation when I got it- I did the large areas with a polisher, but found I needed to "rub" some areas by hand to get a good shine (and keep the compound off upholstery, out of cracks, off decals). This is the product I use:
http://products3.3m....ler/output_html
A little goes a long way.

BTW, a Pontiac Bonneville WILL tow a Speedster!!

[cAn'T sWim]

Just my personal preference..... My boat had some pretty heavy oxidation when I got it- I did the large areas with a polisher, but found I needed to "rub" some areas by hand to get a good shine (and keep the compound off upholstery, out of cracks, off decals). This is the product I use:
http://products3.3m....ler/output_html
A little goes a long way.

BTW, a Pontiac Bonneville WILL tow a Speedster!!

Perfect.....sounds like this is good stuff!

How are the shocks in your Bonneville? I originally planned on towing mine with a Jetta but opted for a 4runner instead.

[FLKeysBound]

I went to the dealer today and got cold feet..... I am going back tomorrow...... All my FL friends say to get a different type of boat.... that the water is 65 here in the winter and too cold to jump in and pull out the nasty seaweed.... they say it sucks gas.... about 12 - 24 gallon an hour... Is this true?

The wax products sounds like what I need... Perfect... Thanks!!!

I plan to use my Dad's SUV to tow the boat..... I have a thing for sports cars....so I don't have anything that will handle the speedster....

Guess I am a little spoiled.... I have a guy who details the cars, a gardener and a pool guy..... I work like a dog and have NO time for those details.... I need a maid but don't want to turn my keys over to a stranger.....

I haven't been able to sleep since Friday......Since I have never owned a boat, I am wondering if this is the right type to own in South Florida... I think it would be PERFECT for a lake.... the salt water is horrible down here....

[Bob86ZZ4]

How 'bout this for a tow rig:

[Bob86ZZ4]

You need to go to my web site to see what the car looks like now. The previous owner did all that crap to it so I fixed it. I think it kind of went with the boat in the gold rendition tho.

http://www.corvettef...et/c5/bob86zz4/

[smorgan]

You need to go to my web site to see what the car looks like now. The previous owner did all that crap to it so I fixed it. I think it kind of went with the boat in the gold rendition tho.

http://www.corvettef...et/c5/bob86zz4/

Much nicer now....

[smorgan]

http://www.corvettef...et/c5/bob86zz4/
Much nicer now....
Im on the overkill side... A F350 diesel. Lots of suspension mods & motor mods... It was dynoed @ 702 ft lb tq @ the rear wheels when I was at a diesel shootout. Stock was rated @ 525 ft lb @ the flywheel ( I didnt dyno it stock ) Here it is tugging my 03 Jayco 312fks trailer, it weights in at 9400 lbs.
Sean I had to post a link... I wasnt sure how to get the pic up

http://community.web.../76177939EAqmhw

[tiggerman]

Just my personal preference..... My boat had some pretty heavy oxidation when I got it- I did the large areas with a polisher, but found I needed  to "rub" some areas by hand to get a good shine (and keep the compound off upholstery, out of cracks, off decals).  This is the product I use:
http://products3.3m....ler/output_html
A little goes a long way.

BTW, a Pontiac Bonneville WILL tow a Speedster!! 

Perfect.....sounds like this is good stuff!

How are the shocks in your Bonneville? I originally planned on towing mine with a Jetta but opted for a 4runner instead.

The Bonneville has new struts on the rear, and pulls nicely! We just bought a Nissan Xterra, and will use it now.

[tiggerman]

How 'bout this for a tow rig:

I had to look in the back and make sure you didn't have my Doo, dOOd.
They are identical!

[cAn'T sWim]

I went to the dealer today and got cold feet..... I am going back tomorrow......  All my FL friends say to get a different type of boat.... that the water is 65 here in the winter and too cold to jump in and pull out the nasty seaweed....  they say it sucks gas.... about 12  - 24 gallon an hour... Is this true?

The wax products sounds like what I need... Perfect... Thanks!!!

I plan to use my Dad's SUV to tow the boat.....  I have a thing for sports cars....so I don't have anything that will handle the speedster....

Guess I am a little spoiled.... I have a guy who details the cars, a gardener and a pool guy.....  I work like a dog and have NO time for those details....  I need a maid but don't want to turn my keys over to a stranger.....

I haven't been able to sleep since Friday......Since I have never owned a boat,  I am wondering if this is the right type to own in South Florida...  I think it would be PERFECT for a lake....  the salt water is horrible down here....

Well so much for living in a Warm climate...eh. Although it may not be warm here all year round, I can go swimming, water skiing etc... in our nice warm lakes.

What do your friends do with their boats, just drive around?? I would go down to the Marina and talk to other DOO owners, both Boats and Jetskis. See if they agree or what they do to deal with Seaweed...which must be some pretty think crap if its clogging up the intakes! I have driven my boat in one of the weediest lakes around (Lake Erie/Long Point Bay) and I have yet to jump in the water to clear out the intake!! This was something that happened on the older Seadoos (Boats and Jetskis) and I have to be honest and say I don't hear much about this anymore on the newer models. Anyone else have any opinions??

I am not sure you are getting the right advice/opinions from the proper persons. Need to talk to the Users..... HERE!! Who knows, maybe there is a epidemic Monster Seaweed problem in FL.

PS....that Vette WAS hilarious....was the original owner from Buffalo...HA! Looks good now! How much does the Sportster weigh?

[tiggerman]

Monster seaweed....LOL! WE use our pumps in the off season to make salad!!
About the only monster weed here is KUDZU......
"Don't buy a boat.... it could get wet then you will have all sorts of problems with it."

[FLKeysBound]

I really appreciate everyone's help...... I have had a pretty tough year...my mom passed away recently. My mom and dad were married for 51 years... My father is a bit lost.... so we bought the place down in the keys.... I have never owned a boat and know nothing about them....I love fast cars...so I opted for the jet boat.... My father will go along with anything at this point.... So, I found a great deal on the boat.....I hadn't done any research...that is why I was asking for help! I have them holding the boat until next Monday. I am going to the boat show in West Palm Beach on Saturday and going to one in Marathon on Sunday... I am trying to do my homework.....I LOVE THE BOAT.... I am attempting to avoid the line.... I TOLD YOU SO.... I did speak to someone who owns 4 boats..one a sea doo. He told me the seaweed is a huge problem in the keys... he carries a mask and snorkel.... When we took the boat for a test spin.... everything filled up with seaweed.... The guy who was trying to sell me the boat jammed it in reverse a couple times and thankfully everything cleared out....

[cAn'T sWim]

I really appreciate everyone's help......  I have had a pretty tough year...my mom passed away recently.  My mom and dad were married for 51 years...  My father is a bit lost....  so we bought the place down in the keys....  I have never owned a boat and know nothing about them....I love fast cars...so I opted for the jet boat....  My father will go along with anything at this point....  So, I found a great deal on the boat.....I hadn't done any research...that is why I was asking for help!  I have them holding the boat until next Monday.  I am going to the boat show in West Palm Beach on Saturday and going to one in Marathon on Sunday...  I am trying to do my homework.....I LOVE THE BOAT....  I am attempting to avoid the line.... I TOLD YOU SO....  I did speak to someone who owns 4 boats..one a sea doo. He told me the seaweed is a huge problem in the keys... he carries a mask and snorkel....  When we took the boat for a test spin.... everything filled up with seaweed....  The guy who was trying to sell me the boat jammed it in reverse a couple times and thankfully everything cleared out....

I did not want to come across as critizing but I also didn't want to see you make a decision based on a couple of people's comments. Good thing you are doing your homework....and you should... especially if you have never owned a boat before. There are many other things you need to question and ask yourself prior to buying a boat such as this....one of which is what type of surrondings it will be driven in etc etc..... I am not sure if buying a boat because of a need for speed is the right thing to do considering you have never owned one and I am assuming not drive one that much either. If honesty is what you want, then I think things are getting answered/questioned to where you need them to be and that is why these sites exist. I am glad to see someone use the resources available such as you have done.

PS....going from Reverse to forward or still to full throttle is actually recommended for clearing the grate. This was called the "Hydro-surge" weedless system by Sea-doo. Maybe that is what you need by the sounds of it.

Good Luck!

[OrigianlJR]

Hey, i'm in a very similar situtaton but a little farther north toward central FL. I'm new to the boating world and i'm trying to do my research to minimize any mistake i might make. Right now the leading candidate is a new 1999 speedster s/k. It is very weather beaten, but it's never been off the trailer or had gas in it. The biggest issues i would have is doing something with the seats. Has anyone ever had them recovered? Other than just buying new, are there any options? FLkeysbound, please let me know how you make out with you're decision and also let me know if you pass on the boat down there, i might be interested in that one. The dealer up this way said $10,250 for the one he's got, but i'm gonna go try to bring it down, a lot.

[FLKeysBound]

Not sure the old boats sitting around never used are such a good deal....I met someone who bought one of the old unused boats.... He is back with repairs every other day.... guess it is hard on them sitting out in the sun.... They starter went out and the had to cut the wires to replace and rewire........ They had the whole boat torn up.... Doesn't look good... think I would rather be cruising on a boat then having everthing fixed because they sat on the lot for 4 - 5 years going to waste..

[tiggerman]

Have you decided on a boat yet?

[AndyfromCT]

Just to pass on some info. I purchased my 2000 Speedster last fall for $9500. (A real good price around here) The previous owner had it docked at a marina slip though out the season. It would then be put on the trailer for the winter storage. He had a custom cover made and had the bimini top partialy up to prevent water from soaking through the cover (previous problem on another jet boat).
When I bought it the rear engine hatch was slightly faided where the cover didn't cover. I tried a few different cleaner polishs but still haven't gotten it back to a dark black, thought it is shiney It wasn't used much - a friend of mine has his boat at that same marina so that I know. I did take it out almost every weekend that I could before the season came to an end. Everything was fine with it.
As for the problems with weeds I found out the hard way and I had to jump in and clear it once(still warm).
On my last run of the season the river was full of floating stuff( twigs, weed clumps) and I managed to stay clear of them for most of my trip, but did clog it when I was way up river. The water was pretty cold and there was no way that I going in I ended up used my emergency paddle's hook end and reached under the rear and cleared enought out of the grate to return. I was getting a bit worried for a little while. It's just the matter of watching where your going
Personally for that price it seems like a deal. The only thing I wish my 00 had is the Smart craft hookup, but that's just so that I could add those cool guages.
Summer's coming

Andy

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[tiggerman]

You could probably do a dealer inquiry on SeaDoo's website and call around to various sport boat dealers and ask about new old inventory.