Wildpiguk

Hi guys

First trip out in Schnickety Too (Seadoo Speedster with 240 M2 Efi Mercury unit)

Well finally got this boat in the Water on Sunday (if you want to see where go to Google Maps and look for OXWICH, South Wales, UK) water was like bath water and the sun shone (most of the time!)

The launch beach is a really long flat shelver - Launch within 3 hours of High Tide - you have 100 yards of tidal beach - leave it a bit later and you are half a mile out!

Got everything together - VHF radio (channel 16 ready to go) Collie dog on the seat - all I had to do was run the blowers and turn the key - and with a wet bassundo warble from the exhausts - it started first time!

Found out that it runs prow high up until about 19 miles/hr and then sits happily up on the plane. Just mooched for a while until we were over by three cliffs and there was no one else around. Acceleration with the modified impeller (done by a specialist shop in Poole) was absolutely astonishing. In no time it was registering 35, 45, 55 and definitely not maxxed out.

We ran around for an hour or two - broke out some drinks to celebrate - you know the drill.

In that time we had started and stopped the engine a number of times. Pulled some skis, the inflatable and just had fun.

We stopped anchored up and retired to the beach for something to eat - left the boat for maybe 30-40 mins.
Got back in started first stroke of the key.

Played around some more and then went back to Oxwich to pick up some friends who just happened to show up.

Another hour hooning and then stop for a pub meal.

We left the 'doo moored up (had to go out a few times and pull her in closer as the tide rose)

Here's the thing.

After about 90 mins went to start her up - nothing. Could NOT get her to start again. After getting towed in we looked over every fuse - tried a battery pack - but no - nothing - sounded like she was turning over fine - but not fuelling.

So called it a day.

Washed her off and took her home.

Did some phone calls the next day and some research on the www.

Could this have been Vapor Lock?

Anyone else had this experience? If so is there anything that you can do to eradicate it?

Thanks!

Hi Guys,

How good are Bombardier at providing spares where you are?

In the UK it seems to be pretty slow to poor.
Apparently if parts aren't in the UK then they are in Belgium and if not there then in the US.
BUT it seems even in the US there are hard to find parts.
The impeller housing for my 2001 Speedster and several cables were nowhere in Europe and were 3 weeks wait from the US.
Spare Seat cushions didn't exist anywhere (made my own).
There was only ONE spare seat cover (just the seat - not the backrest) in the whole of Europe and that would have cost $225.00
(Get your own made - better quality vinyl - cushioned for $45)

And finally the service centre (recommended by Bombardier) have had to jury-rig an external Stainless Steering bolt because otherwise the boat would be out of the water for another 3-4 weeks while they waited?

I have a Triumph Trophy 1200 motorcyle from 1992 - not too many around - I have never had to wait more than 4 days for any spares order - and thats after a total rebuild last summer.

I don't regret buying the boat - although I could have been better prepared - but I would like to use it this year sometime.

Ah well.

The 2001 Speedster I bought has had it's skirts lifted and the sight is, well, not pretty to say the least.
It's been garaged for 2 years prior to my purchase.

In the advert it was sold as Excellent condition except for the seat stitching.

The motor head of the 240Efi M2 Mercruiser is fine - excellent even (should be for 50 hours use only!.)
The Hull is sound as a pound (pre-credit crisis pounds of course)

But - Impeller housing and impeller are rock damaged - running at only 60% efficiency.
Needs the Wear ring/impeller housing replacing. The impeller needs reconditioning and rebalancing.
In the UK the impeller housing is £600 plus the VAT - well over $1000 US the impeller costs £100 to recondition.

The blower is defunct as is the bilge pump. Both need replacing.
All the cables are corroded well beyond safety limits

All the fastenings/bolts are seized and required judicious amounts of heat and torque to undo.

Most of the electrics are shot - cabling needs replacing - fuses etc etc

There is a very long list - upshot a bill approaching £3000 or $4800 US


So - would I buy one again that is out of the water?

Well - the question is - unless you already know your Seadoo Speedster how would you know any different in the Water?

I wouldn't know if the impeller is running at 60% or 100% - I'd have no reference point.
The guy showing me the boat wouldn't need to use the Blower if he had the housing open to show me the engine - the engine would start - I wouldn't think of asking.
Same with the Bilge pump - unless he did something extreme I wouldn't expect it to come on for a trial run.

Cables? Well without ripping the boat apart - how would you check their condition?


Leads to my conclusion. I would probably only buy a boat again where there was a track history of maintenance and a respected workshop that I could go and talk to.

This should not be an impulse purchase for the inexperienced.

Well - Lesson Learnt.


Addendum.

I really can't believe that there is not a separate Wear Ring - and that the housing IS the wear ring!
How can Bombardier be using Cables that corrode? I have built seagoing hovercraft and finding maintenance free cabling and wiring looms is not hard with today's modern materials.

Hi All,

Does anyone have any experience of draining 30 Gallons of 2 year old gas from their Speedster?

Before you ask - I didn't put it in there - it came with the boat. I would like to drain it before it goes for it's service.

I just need to know what to do.

Thankyou.

Marcus

Hi Forum Guys!

I am brand new here - just picked up my 2000/2001 240 Mercruiser M2 Speedster yesterday.

(by the way does anyone know EXACTLY how to tell what year the boat is?)

Not touched the water yet and the boat has been laid up for 2 years with no use.

So I've booked it in for a Service at the nearest SeaDoo service centre.
My Questions if anyone would be so kind are around what to mention to the service Dudes to check as the boat has been laid up for so long.

I read somewhere to be concerned about the Hydrosurge on this engine/hull combo - any thoughts or experiences?

I want to buy some Hydroturf for it - but not sure which to order I think it's the SD12 but until I am sure of the boats year seems silly to order. Has anyone got Hydroturf on their Speedster - and if so what did you go for texture and colour wise? (The s'doo is blue white - I think red would look awesome - but apparently fades.)

The seats look a little sad - and I lost seat cushions towing it (the guy who sold it to me didn't mention/know that they were comletely detached from the base - any idea where to get replacements (international please) and whether anyone does a range of covers?

I also want to give it a really good clean - so what products do you recommend to clean and polish?

Finally - what Oil do you recommend with this motor?

Phewww

Sorry thats a lot

Take care and thanks