Guidance Please - LS2000

[kuwona]

First post.

I needed shopping support!

I live on a small lake in Central NC. I would like something to tow my kids around on, but have never had a boat (well except ones you paddle or sail or inflate). I just looked at an LS2000 after reading some great info on this forum. Owner claims one engine was recently replaced. Oil pump disabled (runs premixed). Has priming bulbs. Clean out plugs stuck. Some tears in fabric, but not falling off seats. I'll attach pictures. Owner believes battery was stolen last night (?). Of course I would plan to test the boat prior to making an offer. I would love to hear thoughts on what if anything might be a reasonable offer.

This is the first boat I have looked at. I can say that the actual quality (of the LS200 in general) seems quite nice. I can say the idea of a two cycle engine sounds like a good compromise to me. If I can save some money by fixing or maintaining a fairly simple engine (or two), might be worth it. Not worried about a little smoke or gas thirst. Or is that masochistic? If there are other similar boats out there for sale that you would recommend, I would love to hear about them.

 

[kuwona]

Some more pics....

 

[kuwona]

And the rest...

 

[84rzv500r]

It depends on what you want and how much you spend in it... many parts are NLA for these boats and the used parts can be reasonable or Pricey depending... it will need a bit of work to make it reliable enough to pull the kids around based on the general condition of the boat. the boat has spent a fair bit of time sitting in the water and has a lot of sun damage.. My boat has been a salt water boat all its life and has none of the corrosion that has...

 

[Julian]

Depends on the price.

 

[tdonoughue]

Looks like the upholstery is in pretty rough shape (read: needs replacing). Also, looks like some beaching damage to the hull on the bottom at midline. Couldn't see one of the bunk boards--is it missing (or just the angle)? Obviously the trailer's been hit, needs a new light (even if you just leave the fender). Trailer tires look new, and looks like there was some work done and new U bolts below on the suspension. Don't know this engine, so can't comment too much on that.

As they noted above, it will depend on price and how much you want to put into it in sweat equity. I would definitely shop around, tho. Probably several options out there that had better care.

 

[HangOutdoors]

@kuwona I guess it all comes down to your budget and how much time and effort you want to put into restoring and fixing a boat. If you want my opinion, and this is your first boat, and you have a budget or can handle a loan with lower payments. I would probably get something that needs a lot less work. Sounds like you have a family and you need to ask yourself if you want to put a ton of time into restoring and fixing the boat or be on the water with the family. A newer 19' Yamaha could be a good option, if you can swing the payment. I see them popping up here and there. Some are reasonably priced and others are not. They are holding value well. Just a thought.

 

[the MfM]

Pre-mix and primer bulbs on Yamaha two stroke boats are a sign that the owner doesn’t understand how to maintain their boat. Which is probably why they had to replace an engine.

Plan to rebuild the carbs ASAP or you’ll likely be replacing more engines.

Overall, they are great boats for the right price and person. You have to be able and willing to do work on them yourself. When properly maintained they are very reliable. No computers to fail!


Not sure why the gas cap is off in the pics?
Also check the scupper.

 

[kuwona]

Thanks all. I have now looked at 3 LS2000s. I'm starting to get a sense of them. So far all have had stuck cleanout plugs. Is that a big deal? It sounds like there are a lot of ways to get them unstuck.

It seems to me the aft most part of the hull near the drain plug is a common collision point. A few small cracks at least on the ones I've seen.

Upholstery seems to be a pretty important variable. I'm guessing complete upholstery would be about 2k. I'm also guessing same price for an engine rebuild?

theMfM, I was surprised to hear bulbs and premix are a bad sign. I feel like several posters on here have recommended that. Are the priming bulbs alone a bad idea? I assumed they would save some wear on the starter motors.

Nobody has suggested a price range for these boats. I see them for between 5 and 15 or so.

If I have to replace an engine, it looks like getting one for $1200 and then swapping everything from my donor is the sensible way to go?

You guys are very helpful.

 

[the MfM]

Bulbs aren’t bad by themselves. But the boat shouldn’t need them. People usually put them in for hard starting. Which is usually because carb racks have been neglected. (The fuel pumps are part of the carbs)

So the primer bulbs are treating a symptom (hard starts) but by failing to rebuild the carbs regularly leads to engine rebuilds.

If you find one with the oil pumps you do need to check the oil lines carefully.

 

[kuwona]

Okay thanks. Are the carb rebuilds complicated? 6 carbs sounds like a lot. How does a neglected carb lead to a seized engine? Is it because a two cycle has oil in the gas... Which wouldn't make it into the cylinder if the carb is messed up?

 

[the MfM]

This is my boat. When I bought it it took twenty minutes of pumping the primer bulbs to start it. After rebuilding the carbs it’s pretty simple

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[the MfM]

Okay thanks. Are the carb rebuilds complicated? 6 carbs sounds like a lot. How does a neglected carb lead to a seized engine? Is it because a two cycle has oil in the gas... Which wouldn't make it into the cylinder if the carb is messed up?

Not complicated but it’s probably $500 in parts to do both engines. And a bit tedious.

The carbs gum up and get clogged. Or the diaphragms get old and brittle and stop pumping fuel. Which leads to a lean seizure.

If you are running pre mix a clogged carb means no oil to the cylinder. With the oil injection in place the cylinder will still be getting at least and hopefully prevent a seized engine.

The oil injection system has a bad reputation because of the oil lines gettin brittle and failing . The oil pumps are very reliable. And they are variable . Which means less smoke.

 

[Julian]

I'd look for an old 230 (2003 or 2004) .... no windshield sucks in the rain. But they are super fun when working well

 

[kuwona]

Are these the carb kits. Looks like 60 bucks worth would do a boat?

 

[kuwona]

2 Set Carburetor Rebuild Kit For YAMAHA GP1200 AR210 LS210 LS2000 EXCITER GP760 | eBay

LS210 2003-2004. LS2000 1999-2002. AR210 2003-2005. GP1200 1997-1999. EXCITER 1996-1997. EXCITER SE / 270 1998-1999. Includes: Qty. 2 Complete Carburetor Rebuild Kits.

www.ebay.com

 

[the MfM]

OEM mikuni super bn carb kits are ~$50 each and you need six. (Three for each engine) Along with two or three gaskets for each engine for the intake and carb racks etc. Add in some miscellaneous supplies/ gasket dressing and cleaning chemicals and you’ll be pushing $500.

you can try the cheap china carb kits but…they never work well.

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[kuwona]

Due diligence given the price difference: have folks on the form actually tried the cheap kits and had problems?

 

[the MfM]

Forums - Greenhulk Personal Watercraft Performance Forums

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greenhulk.net

 

[tdonoughue]

(I would trust @the MfM with my 2-stroke any day. If I had one.)

(oh, wait. that probably sounded bad... nevermind)

Seriously, the man is probably our 2-stroke pro.