SEA-DOO Speedster 155?

rscott22 · Criminal Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 55 City: Waynesboro

I am about to purchase an 05 155hp single engine speedster. I wanted to hear your guys opinion on this boat? I cant afford much but these boats seem simple small and cheaper to up keep. I was wondering if anyone has rode behind of these before and how much wake do they actually kick up?

Ryan,

smokinheels10 · Outlaw Joined: 10 Apr 2010 Posts: 100

Though I have never been behind a jetboat, I have heard that they do not put out a good wake for wakeboarding. I think most people in the forum would say the same thing.

FlyZone CR · Posted: May 25, 2010 7:57 am Post subject:

Do a search for sea doo and you'll find out they're not quite popular amongst wakeboarders. A friend has one so I get to ride behind one occasionaly. I absolutely hate the thing and I don't bother to bring my wakeboard out, just skate a bit.

rscott22 · Criminal Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 55 City: Waynesboro

WOW ok great thanks for the input guys. Now i am not sure what the heck I am oing to do. I want a boat but i dont have the money to buy even the cheapest wake boat an AXIS....

jjaszkow · Posted: May 25, 2010 9:42 am Post subject:

There are a number of better options in the used market depending on your price range.

If I would going to primarily be using the boat to wakeboard, a jet boat would be my least likely choice.

b33nine · Soul Rider Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 311 City: Salem-ish

If you let us know what your budget is I'm sure we could give you some good options. Don't have to buy new to get a great wakeboard boat.

ridininmd · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 1231

they're junk.

smokinheels10 · Outlaw Joined: 10 Apr 2010 Posts: 100

As others have said, depending on your budget you can get a great boat with low hours for a good price. You just have to look around. A lot of people on this forum have experience when it comes to finding boats within certain price ranges. Tells us what your price range is and I'm sure people will chime in with recommendations.

rscott22 · Criminal Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 55 City: Waynesboro

I am trying to stay under 15k.... i know not much but that is all i can fford right now. Let me know guys if you know of nay boats that are good in that price range.

faceplant920 · Outlaw Joined: 07 Apr 2010 Posts: 178 City: Brookhaven

You may want to check out the sticky at the top of this forum. Good starting point.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

rscott22, for $15k look for a '95 and newer Sport Nautique or Super Sport. Or a MasterCraft Prostar 205. Unless you happen to find a steal those are going to be your best wakeboard boats in that price range.

Those boats are the hulls that todays wakeboard boats are based on. The Super Sport became the Super Air then the 210, and is one of the classic hulls in the industry. The 205 became the early X-stars. Put some ballast in those boats and they will throw a wake that will rival the most expensive wakeboard boat on the market. They also handle and hold speed very well.

If you're into wakeboarding these boats will do a much better job than a jetboat or even an i/o.

For instance:
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1996-Mastercraft-Pro-Star-205-96694682

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

$15K gives you a decent amount of options, especially considering the current situation. I agree on checking out the sticky about Budget Wakeboats. I would go for something a little older in good shape that is an inboard if you want to get serious about wakeboarding.

FlyZone CR · Posted: May 25, 2010 4:21 pm Post subject:

Sanger v210 is another option you might be able to find for that money.

rscott22 · Criminal Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 55 City: Waynesboro

Hey guys thanks for the suggestions! I was wondering though a boat with 350 hours on it like that mastercraft that WAKEBRAD posted how reliable is it? I was wondering what kid of matieence am I looking to get into here?

882001 · Posted: May 26, 2010 4:43 am Post subject:

you can get a great wake for way under 15k

dirtysparks · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 2428

350 hours is nothing. It will be as reliable as you want it to be, depending on the condition you receive it in - that's where you need to do your homework. As long as you keep proper maintenance you'll get way more than 350 hours out of a boat.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

rscott22, For a boat that's 14 years old it's hit and miss. If properly maintained 350 hours is nothing. These wakeboats were built off great engine platforms and are far more reliable than their MerCruiser counterparts found in i/os or jet boat engines. But if the boat was abused and not maintained properly it can add up.

Just make sure you do a good inspection on it. Boats of this year don't have wood stringers so you don't need to worry about floor rot. Make sure it hasn't been used regularly in salt water, this significantly lowers the life of the boat. Make sure it starts up fast and accelerates quickly with no hesitation, feel for unusual vibrations while under speed. Then just look at the overall cleanliness of the boat. Is the carpet in good shape, the vinyl, the exterior. Generally if these things are well kept then the mechanics were well kept as well. These items are going to get some wear in 14 years but you should be able to tell whether they were taken care of. Resale is also another factor. These boats aren't going to depreciate much where a new jetboat or i/o will take a bath in 4 to 5 years.

And yes, if you can find a Sanger v210 jump on that.

But there is generally more risk buying an older boat. You need to evaluate how important wakeboarding is to your boating experience. If you want to progress and get better, this decision is a no brainer.

rscott22 · Criminal Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 55 City: Waynesboro

WAKERAD - Thanks for all the great info! The people on the forum are much more open and helpful then any other forum I have ever seen before. I just found out today that my job will be relocationg from Pennsylvania to Florida in Port Saint Lucie... Excited to get some warm weather but I also heard that Port lucie is a retirement area.... and on top of that I dont know anyone that lives in florida so hopefully I can meet some people here on the forum and meet up. Anyways what is the average cost for a new Sanger? With this new job relocation means alot more moeny in the bank for me so I may be able to step up to the plate and buy new if I get the right deal on one at least.

Ryan,

EDIT: I also just found out that Ski Rixen is only 1 hour from Port Saint Lucie so that may also help with finding a way to get plenty of board time.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

rscott22, sweet man! Florida seems like a great place to live. I'd wait till you get down there to buy a boat. There should be wakeboard boats aplenty. If you're thinking about bumping up your price-range it opens the whole discussion. The Sanger V210 is one of the nicest newest boats for $15k but the more you're willing to spend the more the options open up.

rscott22 · Criminal Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 55 City: Waynesboro

yes, I plan on bumping up that price now! If I can I would prefer to buy new especially since I will most likely be in salt water now unfortunatley. What is the cheapes NEW wake boat that out there? I know I have heard that the AXIS A22 is probably the best bang for your buck but is it the cheapest?

Also Brad I dont own any of my own equipment yet no vest board boats line nothing.... I have been borrowing this whole time. But I will make another thread for that discussing what I should do there cause I have no clue what to do in that department either lol im still very new to wakeboarding.
Cool

Ryan,

jjaszkow · Posted: May 26, 2010 10:08 am Post subject:

rscott22, nice! I'd echo Wakebrad's statement about shopping once you get to Florida.

I don't think that you'd go wrong choosing the Axis. After a lot of shopping, that's the boat we decided to get. Incidentally, it was also less expensive than the other boats we were considering (although we could have gone used and gotten into the same price point).

That said, my reccomendation would be to determine your price range, and then test drive (and ride behind) the boats in that range to see what would be the best fit for you. If you are buying new, you will probably have to ask the dealerships what the estimated out the door purchase price for a particular boat is, since prices can vary some from the MSRP listed on the hang tag, and options also have some bearing on pricing. If you are buying used, Wakebrad's advice about the boat condition is very important.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

rscott22, haha the equipment discussion is a long one. LOTS of choices. You do need your own board, bindings, and vest. The rope usually comes with the boat but if you're riding behind a boat that doesn't have a wakeboard rope/handle I would buy my own.

Bullet lines used to be the first place to go because they were good quality and cheap, but I think they've raised their prices. I always check ebay because I have a hard time paying $100 for a handle and rope.

For a vest I recommend a Coast Guard Approved (CGA) vest, and it's a matter of price and comfort from there.

dirtysparks · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 2428

Go grab a helium vest while they're still on sale, 30-40 bucks for a 150 dollar vest is a no brainer.

http://www.stearnsflotation.com/Mens-Wake-Vests-C34.aspx

rscott22 · Criminal Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 55 City: Waynesboro

Wakebrad - I was wondering about the whole (CGA) thing with vests? Does it matter if it is (CGA) approved or not? I really like the pull over type vests that O'neill makes but I wasnt sure if they are legal to use out on a boast or at cable park.

Ryan,

dirtysparks · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 2428

Here's a cga pullover for dirt cheap.

http://www.stearnsflotation.com/Paisley-Wake-Vest-P1759C34.aspx

If you go non cga and you get knocked out, you may sink and drown. They don't have enough buoyancy to keep you afloat if your lungs have no air in them.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

Also they won't let you on the cable with a non-approved vest. That paisley looks like a damn good deal.

rscott22 · Criminal Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 55 City: Waynesboro

So all are COMP vests non CGA approved? or just the vests that clearly state that they are non CGA approved? Here is the vest I was going to get I can get it for half this price through my buddys company http://www.the-house.com/wklfca04bs10zz-liquidforce-wakeboard-vests.html

dirtysparks · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 2428

Comp vests generally mean non-cga, I've never seen a cga vest referred to as a comp cga. You can tell because cga vests require 2 buckles, the vest you linked has none.

Non cga vests will not be marked 'non-cga'.

rscott22 · Criminal Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 55 City: Waynesboro

FlyZone CR · Posted: May 26, 2010 1:35 pm Post subject:

Congrats on not buying that big jetski! And the vest. Wakeboarder.com just saved you 15K and a bit Wink

brichter14 · Addict Joined: 27 Apr 2008 Posts: 705

Yeah always ask us before you buy anything.