2003 SR230: Deal or No Deal?

[Holy Smokes]

Background: new to the jet boat world, but have been around boats for over 25 years. Mostly stern drives at Lake of the Ozarks. Searching for a second boat to putz around pulling kids on tubes & such.


What's your thoughts on this find?
.....Listing deleted by dealer......


Story I've received so far....
Was a dealer trade out of TX, now in OK.
Std. MR-1 engines with only 100 hours (will need proof!)
Compression readings on their check-in sheet are inconsistent. Shows 185 in one place and 170 in another.
Gel and vinyl look to be in good shape
Appears to have CJS already.
Std. MFI trailer

I've read all through the "MR-1 known issues & what to look for" threads.

IF it all works out, I'd look to add a tower and Seadeck.

THANKS for the feedback!

 

[Beachbummer]

Looks pretty

 

[BlkGS]

That's a heck of a deal IMO, low hours and CHEAP. Definitely a wintertime deal.

 

[Holy Smokes]

Would this model year have only a single Fwd Neutral Reverse shifter and not the typical individual shifter for port & stbd?

 

[zipper]

Would this model year have only a single Fwd Neutral Reverse shifter and not the typical individual shifter for port & stbd?

Yes.

 

[Holy Smokes]

Does the single shifter have any negative affect on low speed steering control?

 

[zipper]

Does the single shifter have any negative affect on low speed steering control?

No personal experience with that binnacle control system. What I can say is that you will not be able to "split the throttles", one bucket forward, the other reverse, which makes the boat easier to handle around a dock with the ability to "pivot" the boat, with the right wind/current conditions.

 

[Beachbummer]

I had a different boat with the same shifter. It allows easier low rpm speed control, (you can set your RPMs to 2,3,4 or 5K exactly or anything in between with ease) but no throttle splitting. I had it on a SeaDoo jet boat that was so so maneuverable that I never felt I needed the extra lever.

The Yamaha shifter in later models allow this split but its internals are clunky and unrefined, I would not let this throttle mechanism detract from the boat otherwise.

 

[zipper]

I had a different boat with the same shifter. It allows easier low rpm speed control, (you can set your RPMs to 2,3,4 or 5K exactly or anything in between with ease) but no throttle splitting. I had it on a SeaDoo jet boat that was so so maneuverable that I never felt I needed the extra lever.

The Yamaha shifter in later models allow this split but its internals are clunky and unrefined, I would not let this throttle mechanism detract from the boat otherwise.

I have always had the impression that SeaDoo (bucket design) allowed better handling than Yamaha around the docks. And that binnacle may produce different results in a Yamaha.

 

[OCMD]

Decent price an low hours if confirmed...might be a steal. Of course, if you bring in 10K cash (with 500 extra to go to 10.5) I bet you get it. And if you get 5 years out of it before you are bored, you are ahead of the game. But never pay asking price. I bet thay have 5500 in it and that is it.

 

[Beachbummer]

Overtons40

I have always had the impression that SeaDoo (bucket design) allowed better handling than Yamaha around the docks. And that binnacle may produce different results in a Yamaha.

I replaced mine (Sx230) with a binacle very similar to this one, but with 2 controls for FNR. The throttle control is 50X better than stock Yamaha for my year.

If I had to pick between the two oems I would pick this one from 2003 over the later one.


The throttle control only occurs from 45 to 80 degrees on the newer binacle, while the one on the SR230 controls throttle through the whole range. You do lose the split function.

This is how mine works on the inside...clunky. The throttle only moves when that big plate goes up and down and does nothing from -45 to 45 degrees (That's where it operates the reverse gate)

 

[4x15mph]

That’s a no brainer and looks very clean. Test the engines yourself for compression and look at the plugs and oil. Otherwise, plan on some $$ for repairs given the year. Also know that some parts may not be available any longer but who cares.... $11k and you will sell it for that much in 3 years. Looks like the sale is pending so post back when you trailer it home. You will want to check the trailer also since that can add a couple $K if you need that rebuilt/replaced

 

[zipper]

I replaced mine (Sx230) with a binacle very similar to this one, but with 2 controls for FNR. The throttle control is 50X better than stock Yamaha for my year.

If I had to pick between the two oems I would pick this one from 2003 over the later one.


The throttle control only occurs from 45 to 80 degrees on the newer binacle, while the one on the SR230 controls throttle through the whole range. You do lose the split function.

This is how mine works on the inside...clunky. The throttle only moves when that big plate goes up and down and does nothing from -45 to 45 degrees (That's where it operates the reverse gate)

I am familiar with the Gaffrig 4-handle binnacles/controls and how much better the response is. We have not had any issues with travel other than handle positions to sync engines. I like the option of splitting throttles if I need occasionally and would like a set of Gaffrigs but $1200 is a big upgrade.

 

[Beachbummer]

I hear you, i got mine used on eBay. There are always used sets for about 500

 

[itsdgm]

Wow, that a beautiful boat for its vintage. looks like it was well taken care of.

 

[Holy Smokes]

Well, turns out it WAS a deal (at least I hope, anyway) and I joined the jet boat world! Purchased and hauled it home yesterday. Only blemishes I found include a couple surface gouges on the keel, some nicks in the graphics and the engine hatch sound deadening material is shot. Other than that, the boat is amazingly clean! Obviously was stored right. Not a single nick in the vinyl, snap-in carpet looks good and all the storage compartments look like they've never been used. Plugs pulled right out. It ran out decent (9600rpm WOT), and could likely benefit from some general maintenance items like oil change and spark plugs. The combined F/N/R shifter seems to work fine; we'll see what docking is like later this spring.

Verified hours at only 100 & 99. CJS steering. Full OEM cover and MFI trailer in great shape with recently replaced tires.

All in all, for a boat that's 17 years old, it's in great shape and it should last several more years.

Let the aftermarket shopping begin!....... First big item on the list: a tower. I'll peruse the threads for the best option.

 

[Weeb]

Congrats

 

[Dean P]

Pictures???

 

[Holy Smokes]

Random order....

 

[Dean P]

@Holy Smokes Looks better than my 2017. Sweat...Good luck with her.