Jeff Smith

We just purchased a 2004 Speedster 200 in December with twin Rotax 155 hp 4-tec motors with 180 hours. I am a member of the Sea-Doo Speedster group on FB. Members there are telling me that the exhaust valves are faulty in those motors and they can break and can cause major damage to those motors. One member tells me not to operate it another hour until the valves are changed. This made me panic after paying big bucks for this boat. I researched this topic on the internet and saw very few postings about this issue. I called the dealer that I purchased it from and their service dept. tech said that he had heard of this issue. The issue being that these valves become corroded when exposed to salt water and can prematurely break and drop into the cylinder. Our boat has never seen salt water since the only other owner kept this boat moored in fresh water next to the dealer that preformed all the services since new. The tech said not to worry about it, and when it comes time for a rebuild, to have the valves replaced with the upgraded valves at that time. I am still concerned. Has anyone here had an issue with the exhaust valves being operated solely in fresh water. Has anyone even heard of this issue?

Hello,

  Just joined today. I have been a boat owner since 1982, starting with a '82 Bayliner 20' Capri Volvo Penta I/O 4 banger open bow. Sold it and bought 2 1996 Yamaha Wave Blasters. Met my wife Lynn, sold the skis :wallbash:since we loved to camp on the river and a big hassle to carry camping equipment on 2 skis. Bought a 1988 Bayliner 17' Capri cuddy with a 90 hp Force, what a joke. Moved up to a 1990 Bayliner Capri open bow with a 150 hp Force, another POS. Done with Bayliners! Looked at Yamaha jet boats, ho hum and overpriced.Always wanted a Sea Doo jet boat, so we ended up buying a 2001 Challenger 1800 with a blown Mercury240hp efi for 4k in 2012, rebuilt the motor, kept it for 2 years and had a blast with this boat and sold it this winter to buy our current Sea Doo, 2004 Speedster 200 310 hp 2nd edition with tower, perfect condition with 179 hours. Bought from a dealer for 13k. Only took it for a test drive so far, waiting for the summer months, can't wait! Tower folds down and stores in our tandem 3 car garage perfectly! Will always own Sea Doo from now on

   We like to camp in the Columbia River Gorge on the Oregon side near Roster Rock state park almost every weekend of the summer months.