I have been offered a 1997 xp sea-doo from a guy in MI. He says in mint condition for a ski 9 years old. Only 76 hours and says well maintained. BUT VTS is not working? Any advice would be great....3k is the price and has titled trailer....? $$$ for repairing the VTS and can the ski be ridden in lakes without using VTS?

Thats too much money for a seadoo that old, regardless of condition. When I sold my seadoo (96 gtx i think) it was in beautiful condition, $1k. $3k is way too much, especially if the vts needs work. <BR> <BR>-Steve <BR> <BR> <BR>PS: My first boat cost less than $3k and it was <b>WAY</b> more fun than the seadoo ever was, just food for thought... <BR>

way too much...I sold my sea doo XP (97) for 3500 3 years ago

Older ski's with few hours are ticking time bombs. What happens on the two cycle motors is the lubrication sits in the bottom of the engine for a long time and the top end sits up exposed to the elements. Usually the rings rust against the piston sleves, and eventually you loose compression and have to rebuild the top end (at least). If you could get that ski for around $1000-$1500 then it would be worth it, because you will be rebuilding the engine probably within 100 hrs of use.

As stated above... I think it is too much money for an old two-stroke.

We sold our 99 Polaris in 2004 for only 3k...WAY too much money especially since the newer skis probably have twice the HP and a heck of a lot better fuel efficieny then that thing!

To answer your second question, you don't need the VTS to be working to ride on the lakes. You can set it half way and just leave it there. <BR> <BR>There is a great forum sea doo site at <a href="http://www.sea-doo.net" target="_blank">www.sea-doo.net</a> (or com)

xps are kinda expesive as they are one of sea doos sportier skis. but i wouldn't get a xp with broken vts maybe 3k if he fixes the vts. what motor does the 97 have?

You would definitely want the vts fixed, especially if it is in the up position because that boat wont stay down in the water, even with all the weight in the bow.