Help Buying a PWC

[Bulbash]

I found a 2001 Sea-Doo XP 951CC in a fairly good condition with 99hrs. The only problem the seller tells me that he will not give me a test drive even with cash in the hand. He can only start it on the hose... Is there anyway to test it other than a testdrive? Or should I stay away?

 

[matt167]

Re: Help Buying a PWC

Don't walk, RUN

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Help Buying a PWC

Don't walk, RUN

+1 ^^^. Running it on the hose only means nothing. You really need to run it under a full load during a water test. Too many things to hide w/ just running it on a hose. Good luck !!!

 

[Bulbash]

Re: Help Buying a PWC

Is that normal to test drive pwc's? I know you must test drive boats before you buy... What about pwc's?

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Help Buying a PWC

Yes, its normal to take a test ride, especially on a 12 yr old ski. Does it accept throttle w/o hesitation. Any bad cavitation when taking off. Does the speed match the rpm known for that particular brand of ski. After riding for 20 min. or so, is the inside of the hull still bone dry. Things of that nature. Check your PM's. Good luck !!!

 

[jafo9]

Re: Help Buying a PWC

agreed. run away. an old ski running on a hose means nothing. a new(ish) ski, may be ok just running on the hose before purchase. there is likely a major problem that he is trying to hide.

 

[jbetzelb]

Re: Help Buying a PWC

Always good to know if it floats. What everyone else said. You have to run it and you have to run it enough to get it all good and warm at various speeds.

 

[dannyual767]

Re: Help Buying a PWC

Hopefully you've run away from this deal. You can't tell if a PWC engine runs right unless it's under load. In other words, in the water.

There are engine problems that will immediately show up in the water even though the engine runs great on the trailer with garden hose cooling. I'd suspect that the seller is hiding something.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Help Buying a PWC

The 951 was a problematic engine. THAT would be a deal breaker for me.