Ron K

I mentioned I bought a Speedster 160. (2001) it's practioally show room condiion. A couple questions.

1. It seems to have the (sounds like common) gas gauge problem. Says empty and it's not. I'll get it filled before I put it in my lake and will see how it read then.

2. Is there way to check "hours" on the motor? Has to be low - but curious.


I installed the bimini I ordered from Overtones. I had read the specs (width of the boat and ordered one someonoe said was to big. (90") and really it worked out perfectly. I mounted it on the outside of the rails and REALLY like how it mounts, lays flat, aluminum doesn't bind or bend. It was really easy to put together and installed. (alone 1 person). I taped it in place for some prelim testing and viewing how it looks. Got in and to see how the head room felt etc. Then drilled (scarey) and mounted.

I then spent the afternoon detailing it. (q-tips) to get into the nooks and crannys to really clean out the hard to access spaces like in front of the two storage areas in front of heml and passenger.
Replaced a couple blown fuses (12v port and radio) and all looks great except fuel gauge says empty.

If the fuel gauge is broken - or has problems as I've heard many times on here, does that mean the oil warning won't work either?

Also I think I read use regular octaine fuel?
And is it really a good idea to use that Quicksilver (40.00 a gallon) synth oil? The original owner said he always used it. The stickers on it say to use it. (but don't they always want you to use their stuff).
But seems I should continue with the same stuff?

Took it for a water test before picking it up - it was ok - but not much fun ono <40 degree water on a 45 degree day at speed... the wind was like a knife.

One last question. "winterize for next year" - I've always owned jetski's (for the past... 20+ years)
and every winter my winterizing consisted of "running it out of the water for 20 seconds" to BLOW out any water. (leaving it sit all winter.) nothing else done. I'm in Michigan - HARD FREEZES - below 0 f.
And never a problem with any of my (well Kawa jetskis). Can the same be done with this boat? Take it out - sart it - put it in gear and glow it out for 8-10 seconds?

Or must it have more done? This it the Merc 250 m2
I'll post some pics next nice sunny day - cold has returned, so I may not put it in the lake until end of next week = (

I have a EZ dock setup and EX port 3 for my Kamasaki 1100.

I was hoping to add to it to get my Speedster 160 up and out of the water. But OUCH these things are expensive and the new EX port 4 is extra high!

I see others in ebay - wheely dock? and others that are much cheaper (not near as good?)
Anyone experience the wheely docks or have any other options?

Is this a bad model to get? I see it's no longer made, and I imagine due to overlap of models. 15 ft and 16ft seem unwise - so they have a 15 and a 20 ft now?

I put 500 down on this boat (it looks mint) they're selling because they said they havent' used it.
(once last year - twice the year before). Looks new and has a new cover (old one was sun faded with little rip. Typical as it was on their lift all summer. Stored winters indoors. (in garage).

Anything to look for or watch out for? though looked new, I said - I just can't buy without hearing it run, trying it (as it's winterized here in Michigan) we can't start it (would be unwinterized) and can't put it in the lake due to ice. So I said I'd pay the balance when the ice melts around the end of March and we can test run it.

(So any warnings?) I can tell he's a guy that takes care of stuff - (he had a new looking jeep with all the extras) put away for winter, covered and up on blocks. (don't people buy jeeps to drive in teh winter) anyway - I liked seeing that. Seemed to take good care of his toys.

paying 9500. which I think is over book but about 1k, but he said he knows it's like new and wouldn't budge any more. Excited to get it! THAW BABY THAW!

Hi - I have have jet ski's for years, but this is my first jet boat. So it's a totally different animal to me. Hoping to learn some tips, n tricks. Care and feeding.

I found a 2001 Speedster 160. Has Merc 240. I was torn on what to get. the local seadoo dealer said not to get this due to the Merc? (they don't work on them). but we have several merc repair shops around? Anyway - was mint except for one scratch in the dark (navy? or is it black) glass... I'll need to touch up (any good / easy way to do this? else it looked great. They used it once last year and twice the year before. Much much before that. He didn't know hours (is there a hours counter on it? )

I gave 500 down, and will pickup and pay balance when the ice thaws off the lake so I can see it power up and run. Paid 9500.00 which is a bit high, but I didn't mind for something in like new condition.

We'll use it a little on Lake Michigan... but primarily at home, we live on a small (about 75 acre) lake. VERY SHALLOW. At times - 10-12 inches - then under that - several feet of silt. (soft.... no rocks) the 1100 wave runner has been fine the past 6 years on it. Any thing to worry about on the boat that I don't know about? I had wished it had a closed cooling system. Is the intake at the jet pump? and is the cooling line at least ( hopefully bigger ) than a 3 Kawasaki 1100? We just want to pleasure boat with it and some skiing and boarding - or and tubing.

Ron in Grand Rapids, MI