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    SeaDoo Gas Milage & Maintenance

    Thanks so much for answering my questions on backing up a jet boat. Now I need to know 1. If there are any maintenance differences between a SeeDoo (Rotax?) and a typical v6 i/o. 2. How are the SeaDoos on gas usage? (For general water ski & tubing use) again, compared to, say, a v6 i/o...
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    Jet Boats in Reverse?

    I have heard that jet boats don't back up well. Yet, they're still made (Sea Doo). I often dock in a narrow marina with small slips, so as I'm shopping for a boat, this could be a problem. Anybody have any first-hand knowledge (or even second-hand) about this? Dave
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    Volvo Engine Designations

    Does anyone have a link (or maybe can create a "sticky" ) for what the Volvo Penta Engine letters signify? i.e 4.3GL If someone takes a photo of their engine and posts it in their CL ad, and they aren't mechanical enough to know if they have a carb, F/I or whatever, I'd like to be able to...
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    Ford & Volvo?

    I just saw a CL ad for a '96 Four Winns with a Ford 5.0 and Volvo outdrive. Is that possible? And if so, is the Ford power a reason to avoid buying it? Dave
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    Stiff Steering

    I test-drove a 20' boat today. Loved it. It has a 150hp Evinrude outboard. But steering the thing required great effort - I practically had to wrestle the wheel to initiate any kind of turn. It didn't fight me, and there was no vibration. I heard no scraping. It just felt like a...
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    Striper good for Watersports?

    I've posted this question on the Owner Groups forum and got no response, so I thought I'd post it here. I'm looking at -well, I'm thinking about driving 60 miles to look at - a 2001 Seaswirl Striper 1851 with a 150hp outboard, Dual Console, as a family boat for water skiing, tubing, etc...
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    Striper 1851 - Good for Watersports?

    I'm looking at a 2001 Seaswirl Striper with a 150hp outboard, Dual Console, as a family boat for water skiing, tubing, etc. Would this boat be a good choice for this? (I really want an outboard, and they are few and far between in Northern California, except on Stripers!) Dave
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    Rank these for me?

    I've been looking for a 18'-19' bowrider for family watersports, 1998 or newer, preferably newer. I'm wanting an outboard, but they are very rare out here. I'll probably have to settle for a v6 i/o. I've been checking 4 Craigslist areas most every day for 4 months. In central-northern...
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    What happened to NADA Boat info???

    Anybody know what happened to NADA (the Kelly Blue Book company)? Starting yesterday, I could no longer access any of their websites! Dave
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    Reinell copies other boats?

    I was at (one of our few remaining) boat dealers the other day looking at a used Reinell. The salesman said that what Reinell does is finds boats that ride/perform well, then makes a mold of that hull and builds a Reinell based on the other company's design. He told me that the one I was...
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    Need recommendations

    I've finally given away my 15'tri hull and am in the market for an 18'-19' bowrider. I need recommendations for a tow vehicle. If I'm lucky enough to find a late model used bowrider with an Outboard, it will weigh 1900lbs, + trailer + gear. (3500#?) An i/o will be closer to 2600# + trailer +...
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    Outboard design

    I've been looking at pictures of the various (new) outboard bowriders. One of the things I like about the older O/B's is that you get more interior room than in an i/o, with their 4' sundecks, which are, of course, engine covers. But most of the new O/B boats seem to waste a similar amount of...
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    Ready to Buy

    My daughter in law is taking my old tri hull home with her this week - now I can buy when I see the right boat! I've read not to buy from Bass Pro Shops. As there aren't many boat dealers left in Northern California, I may need to buy at the BPS in Manteca, CA. I've heard they have a service...
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    Who's still making Outboard Boats?

    I've checked a few likely websites, but haven't found any manufacturers of outboard bowriders in the 18-20' category. Anybody know who's still making them? Dave
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    Buying a used ski boat...

    I'm giving my 15' trihull to my newly married son and buying a late-model 18 footer, probably with an outboard. I found one with a 90hp Merc, the NADA weight is only 1675lbs. That should be plenty for waterskiing, but as my younger son gets bigger and brings a few friends - let's say 900 lbs of...
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    Looking at a Tahoe Q4

    I've been looking for an 18'-19' family boat with an outboard. (Upgrading from an old 15' trihull.) Found a 2005 Tracker Tahoe Q4 with a 90hp merc. Price is good for the vintage. I'm going to see it next weekend and, if the weather's reasonable, take it out on a lake. I know general things...
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    Boat dimensions

    I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I see these abbreviations, terms and acronyms all the time and I really don't know what they are. Deadrise LOA Displacement hull; semi-displacement hull I know what a v-hull is, and a deep v, but what exactly is a "semi-v"? chines And there's a word for the...
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    Do all Tri Hulls have a Rough Ride?

    We've outgrown our 15' trihull. I wouldn't mind an 18-19 footer, but the women in my life say the tri hull rides way too rough in moderate chop and want me to get a v hull instead. Is a rough ride inherent to the tri hull design? Or is it just mine? Dave
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    Mazda Rotary Engine?

    I heard the other day that the Mazda rotary engines can achieve 13,000 RPM, (with rev limiter removed) due to their not having reciprocating pistons. Seems like a perfect boat motor. Has anyone ever heard of someone trying it?
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    Torque or HP?

    I was wondering why many boats use a 3.0L GM engine that puts out 135hp, when a typical Japanese engine half the size will match the HP? Same with a 4.3v6 vs. a Japanese 2.5L v6. The only thing my little mind can come up with is torque, but is that an important factor in a sport boat? (16'-21')...
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