Sea Doo 150 Speedster Questions

[basstender10.6]

Hello,
I am looking to purchase a 2007 Sea Doo 150 Speedster from a marina near me. It has the 215hp supercharged engine, with only 57 hours on it. It is a one owner boat that was garage kept and looks brand new. It does not have the wakeboard tower or bimini top, but it has a trailer. Since it is the 2007 model, I assume it has the ceramic bearings in the supercharger unless they were changed. Assuming that it still has the ceramic bearings, for negotiating, how much would that cost me to have fixed at a sea doo dealer? Also, what is a good price on this boat? It is in excellent condition and is for sale by a reputable dealer, but those ceramic bearings concern me and should also affect the price.

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Sea Doo 150 Speedster Questions

A dealer will charge about 1500 I think, maybe more. There are guys that do it for about 800. If you pulled it yourself and mailed it off it might be even cheaper.

Seadoo recommends changing them at 100 hours but there are horror stories online of them going out before that. I saw a pair of RXPs with ceramic that the original owner said had never been rebuilt with 480 and 550 hours on them. WOW.

Price on the boat - Price is very regional and I don't see your location, from Canada to Florida can be half price. Maybe $10kish. I'd stick pretty close to NADA on that one. There's one near me (same hours, same year) that has been for sale for a loooong time at a dealer for $12k.

 

[Andre900]

Re: Sea Doo 150 Speedster Questions

Yes, I just bought an '04 Sportster 155hp non-SC off Craigs List in FL for $4000. It runs well, but seats need reupholstering. I've read up on replacing the washers in the SC and it would be more of a job than I could handle, but it seems reasonably straightforward for a shop, though I'm not clear on the price, but several hundred dollars anyway. There are plenty of web sites discussing the job. My non-SC Sportster flys and is fast enough for what I want. I wasn't specifically looking for a SC, but if it had one I wouldn't mind (but I'd be a little bit concerned about the possible extra maintenance).

The prices for these Speedsters & Sportsters seem to be all over the board here in FL. In Oct. '13, a month prior to buying the Sportster, I bought a '96 Speedster twin 80HP rotax of CL for $2000. It ran well my first few times out, but then a wear ring went out on one pump. I sold it the next day for $2200, and decided I wanted something newer; then picked up the '04 Sporster for $4000.

It sounds like the one you're looking at is in very good condition. I've seen the same thing recently on CL in FL for about $12,000. It looks like dealers have higher prices and negotiate less. These jet boats do seem to lose their value fast. For what it's worth, NADA lists the '07 Speedster 215hp at $8400 - $9500 including trailer. (2007 Sea-Doo/BRP SPORT BOAT Series 150 SPEEDSTER 215(*) Standard Equipment, Boat Value, Boat Price & Craft Specs | NADAguides). $12K sounds a bit high, but $10K might be a decent deal if it's in very good condition. Will you get to take it out on a water test?

 

[basstender10.6]

Re: Sea Doo 150 Speedster Questions

Thanks for the info.. The dealer that is selling it is a MarineMax, and they are asking 10,700 (came down from 12,700 2 months ago). I am located on NJ (this is a freshwater boat). I am really concerned about those ceramic bearings. I called the marina and the salesman had no clue if they were changed out for metal so I am going to assume its a no. The maintence on this thing is what is holding me back from buying it.

 

[Andre900]

Re: Sea Doo 150 Speedster Questions

$10,700 sounds like a good price and I'd be very tempted to put in a firm offer at, say, $10K after a successful water trial (but I guess that'll be hard to do in NJ in Dec.). If they reject your offer, walk away and tell 'em to call if they change their mind. And remember, you'll have sales tax on top of that (6% in FL) plus any "dealer fees." It's only got 57 hours so it's hardly used. I've read that if you're not out jumping waves and letting that supercharger wind out, then there's not really much of a problem w/ the ceramic washers. At 57 hours, I'd be certain that the ceramic washers haven't been changed out. I've read that SeaDoo eventually changed out the ceramic washers for steel but not clear whether that was '07 or '08, so you might not even have an issue. If it's a consignment sale, then there might be more flexibility on price.

 

[smclear]

Re: Sea Doo 150 Speedster Questions

I have that same boat. It definitely came with the ceramic clutch washers. If you're mechanically inclined, it's pretty easy to remove the supercharger. You can then send it out and have the washers changed out for ~200.00 +/-. I had mine changed when I first got my boat. The guy is reasonable, extremely knowledgeable, and has done thousands of them. PM me if you want the details.

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Sea Doo 150 Speedster Questions

I've read that SeaDoo eventually changed out the ceramic washers for steel but not clear whether that was '07 or '08

It was both, HA! Does seadoo do anything that isn't confusion, try to figure out the speedster/sportster/challenger lines of boats in the late 90s.

I saw somewhere on the web where someone had posted the Hull # of when they changed over to steel, sorry don't know where it was off hand but if you looked hard enough you could find it. If it were me I'd drive that low hour boat until about 80 or 90 hours and then have it rebuilt with steel washers.

As far as maintenance holding you back..... it's a toy, and as a resort owner said to me once when he was swiping my credit card for a boat gas fill "you gotta pay to play!" To be frank it's a supercharged jet boat so there is going to be a lot of maintenance. About the only thing worse for maintenance would be a TWIN supercharged jet boat. But man they are a blast to drive. With that said, the 4tec non SC motors are regarded as a highly reliable motor.

 

[basstender10.6]

Re: Sea Doo 150 Speedster Questions

I realize every boat has its share of maintenance. I was not really looking for a jet boat, but this one is local and seems to be in excellent condition and a good price. I have been looking for a 17-19' center console, which will probably have less maintenance than a jet boat, which is why I am holding back from jumping at this speedster....

 

[Andre900]

Re: Sea Doo 150 Speedster Questions

basstender10.6, right, I went through the same decision - 16' CC or SeaDoo jet boat. I've had CCs and older jet skis before and enjoyed them all. But once I got a ride on the jet boat, I was hooked! Nonetheless, I'm still looking for a decent used 16 CC 75HP+ (for no more than $4K) to go w/ my '04 SeaDoo Sportster and '96 Yamaha Waveraider.

 

[timmyboy76]

Re: Sea Doo 150 Speedster Questions

i wouldnt worry too much about steel vs ceramic, since were talking jetboat. They (sc) do however need preventative maintenance on keeping the "slip" correct.

The problem with ceramics are known in the skis themselves. The problem is when ski becomes airborne, and driver not letting off throttle. The sc spools to some ungodly amount of rpms, them impacting when coming in contact with water. This, inturn explodes the washers, seding them into the oil pump....

 

[Andre900]

Re: Sea Doo 150 Speedster Questions

bastender, did you get the Speedster? Here's an '06 215hp sc Speedster in Tampa now listed at $9200 down from $10,500 a month ago. If I didn't recently buy my '04 Sportster I would have been very, very interested/

SeaDoo Sportster 215hp 2006

 

[Pale Rider]

Re: Sea Doo 150 Speedster Questions

i wouldnt worry too much about steel vs ceramic, since were talking jetboat. They (sc) do however need preventative maintenance on keeping the "slip" correct.

The problem with ceramics are known in the skis themselves. The problem is when ski becomes airborne, and driver not letting off throttle. The sc spools to some ungodly amount of rpms, them impacting when coming in contact with water. This, inturn explodes the washers, seding them into the oil pump....

that`s correct right there. I believe the change over year for the boat was in 2008 for steels. and then there was some controversy of the quality of the clutch washers. but boats do not unhook and rehook like the ski`s.

I am a disintegrated clutch survivor, and it was a Rotax HD clutch kit (back in 05) the engine was removed, cleaned out properly, new cover and 2 oil pumps and gaskets and back up and running until sold much later.

as stated above, if you can remove the SC, have a "well known" with knowledge and tools of the SC perform the bearing and shaft/seals install... most stealerships do not set the slip correctly.