Seadoo Islandia - What do I need to know?

[eavega]

Hey all!

So I am pondering upgrading from my Stingray 176 Bowrider. Combing different ad sites, a Seadoo Islandia has come up at an attractive price. Its a 22' deck boat. I haven't called the seller yet or seen the boat, so I don't know a thing about condition. According to the spec sheet, its powered by a 240 HP Mercury M2 EFI Jet Drive. Now, I've owned boats with paddles, outboards, and I/O's. I know absolutely nothing about jet drive boats, and I was hoping that current or past owners could enlighten me about them. Specifically I wanted to know:

1. Are jet drive boats reliable?
2. Are they good/adequate/passable for water sports (wakeboard, skiing, tubing, kneeboard)?
3. How is the idle speed/docking maneuverability on boats with jet drives?
4. Are they motors and drives something that the average shade tree mechanic can work on?
5. Are they hard to source parts for?
6. What is the fuel consumption based on a similar-sized outboard or I/O?
7. Any other caveats or gotchas that you can think of that I should check prior to trying to purchase this boat?

Any insight you all could offer me would be greatly appreciated. Our main use for the boat is cruising and water sports, and we do usually beach at some point during the day at the lake. Our goal is to have a bigger boat with more capacity so we can bring a few more friends along.

thanks

-E

 

[H20Rat]

1) Yes, extremely reliable. Fewer moving parts, no transmission or gears that engage/disengage. (the engine/drivetrain is always in forwards)
2) adequate. Not much wake, and they can throw up a spray for tubing so you might need a longer rope.
3) EXTREMELY good. They take some practice, but once you have it down, you can easily outmaneuver any other boat. I can turn in my own length, and slide the boat straight sideways, all with a single jet.
4) The engine in that is no different than a merc outboard, in fact, it is identical. Average things like replacing a starter isn't hard. More complex things might require a trip to a dealer, but again, no different than a comparable outboard.
5) no... see above
6) Its thirsty... The newer yamaha and rotax 4 stroke powered jets are comparable or better than an outboard/I-O, but a 240hp 2 stroke is going to enjoy a nice long sip from the gas tank. (http://www.boattest.com/boats/boat_video.aspx?ID=130)
7) standard stuff for buying any boat apply. Condition, condition, and condition!


I'm the biggest proponent of jet boats, but I'll also be the first to admit they have their time and place. If you don't have a need for the benefits of a jet drive (shallow water being #1), a typical I/O is often a better choice. If nothing else, the cost to replace an engine is MUCH, MUCH less for both an I/O as well as outboard.

 

[H20Rat]

**double post**

 

[Brian 26]

That motor has known issues with the oil pump failing, they had plastic parts I believe. As far as trips to the dealer, I don't have any experience there but they are kind of a bastard step child, mercury motor in a seadoo boat, where do you take it?? You might want to call some local dealers.

 

[nlain]

You might try out this place, http://www.seadooforum.com/ , they know Sea Doo, good people there and will tell you straight up what is what. I have a couple of jet skis, they are fun to drive and ride. The control is good, never shut off engine if you want to control where it goes, my skis both have a reverse, a gate that comes down to redirect the water from the jet. If I run a lot of wot, they suck fuel, if I slow down to a mid range I can ride a long time on a little fuel.

 

[thumpar]

Jets are less efficient than a prop so you need more power to get the same speeds which then uses more fuel. A jet will have better acceleration but if there is a big load like towing than the prop will get better "traction". For parts it seems like a Volvo vs Mercruiser. You can get parts for Volvo but I can go a mile or so up the road and get Mercruiser parts and supplies even on a Saturday or Sunday.

 

[OrangeTJ]

I can't speak to the Seadoo boats, but I do have a Yamaha SX210 and am very happy with it. Jet drive, at least on the Yamaha, is very low maintenance. Very simple drive system. There just isn't much to them - no transmission, no trim pump or actuators, no power steering pump, no raw water impeller, no bellows, no gimbal. Takes a bit of adjusting to learn low speed handling, but they are very maneuverable (mine is a twin engine). Ours works perfectly fine for recreeational watersports of all sorts, including wake surfing. It certainly isn't equivalent to a dedicated tow boat in that arena but more than serviceable for family fun at the end of a rope. Wakesurfing is huge fun and is something you can do behind a jet but no an I/O (at least not safely).

I wouldn't get one if a lot of your boating involves surface vegetation or debris, though. Having to clear pumps of junk can put a damper on the fun. That's not an issue where we boat.

I won't claim they are the "be all end all" of boats but they can be great for the recreational/family boater. Like I said, we love ours. If you're considering the SeaDoo, at least take a look at the Yamahas just to have something to directly cross shop. Also note that Chaparral has released a line of jet driven boats, though they're literally brand new so not on the used market.

 

[H20Rat]

Jets are less efficient than a prop so you need more power to get the same speeds which then uses more fuel. A jet will have better acceleration but if there is a big load like towing than the prop will get better "traction".

Most of the newer jets (yamaha/rotax) are the same or better in some cases than a similar I/O, so the efficiency differences are pretty much gone. The nice part about towing with a jet is that the engine rpm isn't coupled to the speed. If you have a skier pull out hard, it will slow the boat down, much like a prop boat, but the engine rpm's don't change. The boat will go back to the speed it was automatically.

 

[Brian 26]

You might try out this place, http://www.seadooforum.com/ , they know Sea Doo, good people there and will tell you straight up what is what. ....

I'm on there as well, there is a guy on there named Dr Honda, who knows everything there is to know about those boats. I'd definetly research his threads.