New to Forum - Buying a 1998 Sportster LX - Thoughts? Test drive & ski tomorrow.

[pmm009]

Some DIY maintenance that will help the performance of the engine if you are up for it! Its maybe a couple hundred dollars and a few hours of elbow grease. 

1 - Change the spark plugs (easy)

2 - Clean the flame arrestor (easy) 

3 - Change the fuel filters, probably 2 in your boat (medium difficulty)

4 - Replace the cap and rotor (medium difficulty)

5 - Replace the spark plug wires (easy)

I did those on my '99 SS LXI and its gave it new life! 

[Woodski]

What transmission is in the boat (Velvet Drive, PCM, ZF Hurth)?  Reason for asking, rebuild parts availability if ever needed and as noted, why was trans fluid low.  (as a reference, my trans never needs topping up, routine maintenance changes yes, added no).  Can be as basic as a leaky seal which is no big deal.  Velvet drive parts are available, PCM 40 is out of production and no parts available, ZF Hurth parts available.  There should be a label on the trans giving the info.

Pull to the right, typical of a DD ski boat and a certain amount is desirable for optimum handling in the slalom course.  LH rotation prop (Malibu) will want a right pull for easy driving in the slalom course, and holding a nice straight path for free skiing.  Malibu's have an adjustable tab on the rudder, if not the process was to grind on the trailing edge to get the desired amount of right pull.

I would think a Sporty would have the same bow dipping characteristics as a Gen 1 LXI.  Having pulled slalom and footing exclusively for several years, the rollers on returning for a dropped tricker surprised me the other day!

Good luck on your purchase.  Consider yourself really lucky to get and do an extended test drive at your home lake, a very rare offering.  If you don't buy it, the owner will appreciate it returning cleaner than it left.

Edited August 26, 2022 by Woodski

[drh]

Another option in MN if it's still available...listed under another category on Ski it agian: https://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?endless=summer&topic=Search&category=Boat_ShowSki&postid=63028

I know it doesn't help make your decision on the Sportster any easier, but in case you don't feel good about it other options will come up.

[hondaf17]

You guys are awesome.  Here's the update:

Called my trusted mechanic on way to lake and dropped it off with him upon arrival. Described the situation.   He spent an hour looking it over then dropped it in the lake.  He discovered a small transmission fluid leak (kinda good news)!  He did a bush fix but needs a new fitting.  No slipping or transmission problems since it got transmission fluid.  My mechanic blessed the motor.  Said it runs great.  Just keep an eye on fluid and see if any other leaks, but he doesn't think so.  The acceleration prop is garbage. Vibrates the boat too much.  My mechanic took it off and replaced with top speed prop.  Said don't drive it with the bad prop.  But good news is he thinks the engine is good.   He also wants to put in a new Impeller just to be proactive.   Boat ran great for the couple hours we were on it today.  I skied.  Great.  Got my uncle up too and he hasn't skied in 3 years.  I always ask my toddler what his favorite part of the day is.  He said, "watching you ski".  Cool.  

 

Called an upholstery guy and he said $4-5k for all new upholstery.  

 

But given prop is garbage and I have $200 of mechanic time and there is a transmission leak I'm hoping the seller will be reasonable...I'm thinking of asking for a $1,000 price reduction. I'd like more for the upholstery but I don't want to press too much.  

But hot damn...its fun to drive!!!  And ski!!

[hondaf17]

So can anyone suggest where to look for parts?  The Malibu parts site only goes back to 2002.

 

I'd like to get a new swim platform.  Also need a new ball thing that's on top of the throttle, current one is stripped.  And a new acceleration prop. 

 

Thanks!

Edited August 28, 2022 by hondaf17

[SpencerK1992]

@hondaf17  You won't be able to find an OEM swim platform, probably will have to rebuild one yourself or find someone who can do it. I think there might be a guy on the Facebook group "vintage ski boats"

The shifting knob can be easily replaced, just google ski boat shift knob and you will have tons of options.

A good prop for the sportster is the acme 515. 

[Bozboat]

Bakes

Ski Dim

Marine Hardware

Ski Boat Parts Online Ron Tanis

Wakemakers

Big Air

 

 

Edited August 28, 2022 by Bozboat

[hondaf17]

Thanks guys. 

Spoke with seller today and gave him all the updates about my mechanic's recommendations, the transmission leak, unusable prop, etc.  Seller was reasonable and we agreed to $1,000 off the price so this boat is mine for $16k.  Ran absolutely great all weekend and like I said above my local mechanic gave it his blessing. 

I cleaned it all up and gave it a wax job and it looks great.  Here's some pics!

https://www.amazon.com/photos/shared/c-XEG7C3T-ynqb-PLr-vsA.s9Xsi0S7o4MawzE5ErDK94

[Doug69]

Welcome to the Sportster tribe - you will love your new purchase.

I couldn't see the number of tracking fins - I recommend adding the 3rd fin.

Also, add 'sound proofing' to the engine box, your ears will thank you.

Optional - check out Marine Torq stainless steel exhaust manifolds ... I found power increased and better fuel economy.

Enjoy

 

[hondaf17]

7 hours ago, Doug69 said:

Welcome to the Sportster tribe - you will love your new purchase.

I couldn't see the number of tracking fins - I recommend adding the 3rd fin.

Also, add 'sound proofing' to the engine box, your ears will thank you.

Optional - check out Marine Torq stainless steel exhaust manifolds ... I found power increased and better fuel economy.

Enjoy

 

Thanks.  It has 2 fins.   I'll look into adding the 3rd.  Another annoying thing is there are no pop up cleats.  But that's obviously not a deal breaker.  

[tvano]

congrats; i've always liked the profile on the sportster

i did not review the two pages of the thread, he said sheepishly , and i don't remember if you ski the course.

i'd recommend: run the rig, as is, until you are convinced it needs a third fin.  open water tugs will pull it off course but who cares?

if it turns out that you care, then add that fin.

welcome to the crew

[drh]

On 8/28/2022 at 7:36 AM, hondaf17 said:

So can anyone suggest where to look for parts?  The Malibu parts site only goes back to 2002.

 

I'd like to get a new swim platform.  Also need a new ball thing that's on top of the throttle, current one is stripped.  And a new acceleration prop. 

 

Thanks!

Here's a platform that might work. Probably best to check dimensions but they apparently bought it for a Sportster.

https://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?endless=summer&topic=Search&category=Parts_Boat&postid=51202

[DUKENO1]

Sweet boat!  Welcome to the Crew.  Nice looking boat ...need some on water pics!  I love how those look in the water...like a sports car.

[jjackkrash]

Tracking fins need to be perfectly aligned or weird things can happen; if you are going to add a fin make sure somebody who knows what they are doing does the install.  I would not add a fin unless you have a real problem you are trying to solve and not just hoping for a marginal performance improvement.  

[Woodski]

Other suppliers to add to the list:  Great Lakes Skipper, Michigan Motorz (hopefully not needed), iboats, wholesale marine, overtons, barts (last 2 for ski gear)

Is the platform teak or fiberglass?  If teak find a larger one and cut it down to size as an option.  If you are handy, it is an easy DIY project.

[hondaf17]

I do not ski the course.  Never have, no plans to.  Just open water.  I've skied behind the boat 3 times now and no issues.  I've pulled only one skier though but I don't think tracking is a problem.  I'm not nearly good enough where 2 fins will be an issue.

 

Edited August 29, 2022 by hondaf17

[tvano]

that platform pic hosted on amazon is asking for credentials.

[hondaf17]

28 minutes ago, tvano said:

that platform pic hosted on amazon is asking for credentials.

Hmm.  Try this one:

 

https://www.amazon.com/photos/shared/yJQC-vlfQU2VRILsIt170A.j54G6ATYsGYHQRTpVpupsT

[tvano]

"you are no longer signed in..to continue, you will need to sign in again"

maybe another tmc-er can give your links a go to see if i'm just too old for this crap.

[footndale]

[footndale]

1 hour ago, tvano said:

"you are no longer signed in..to continue, you will need to sign in again"

maybe another tmc-er can give your links a go to see if i'm just too old for this crap.

Interesting. I'm signed out of Amazon and I can see it.

 

[tvano]

@footndalethanks for backing me up.

[SpencerK1992]

Great looking sportster, I love mine, congrats! And never say never to skiing a slalom course- its the most addicting part of water skiing!

 

[tvano]

4 hours ago, SpencerK1992 said:

Great looking sportster, I love mine, congrats! And never say never to skiing a slalom course- its the most addicting part of water skiing!

 

It's a sickness

[Rednucleus]

2 hours ago, tvano said:

It's a sickness

And there is no known cure - the more you try it, the more you need it.