Guidance Please - LS2000

[kuwona]

Thanks tdonoughue. He had me at "this is me starting my engines cold." I guess I was hoping to save $190 bucks with the secret post that explains how to make the cheap kits work as well as Mikuni. It looks like I am actually saving $60 and having to repeat 6 rebuilds instead.

How often should I expect to rebuild the carbs?

 

[the MfM]

Maybe every 3-5 years for the carbs if you use good fuel filters and treat the fuel.

 

[Beachbummer]

I had a two stroke twin engine seadoo for 14 years (a sea-doo I admit, but their 717 engine which is very reliable) Fuel Injection is like going from a Fan to Central Air. If you are not yet set on it and are willing to look around, an early boat with MR-1 will be more expensive to fix when it breaks, but I suspect will be more reliable and will have Fuel Injection and no carbs. and they rarely ever break.

I fully admit lack the magic touch. It took about 90 minutes to remove and replace the SINGLE carb in my 717 and I would be so mad when my rebuild was not perfect and I'd have to try again, I ended up tossing the carbs to the bin and buying new ones for $200 from Mikuni every 3-5 years. I smile EVERY time my fuel injected boat starts, warm or cold and does not exhibit the many carb issues I tended to deal with quite frequently on my SeaDoo. (I also had a few nightmare years when Ethanol was added to fuel supply. What a pain. I ended up adding 2 spin on fuel filter water separators IN LINE to collect all the debris. That helped a lot. Fuel Lines were new and recent, so that wasn't it, although a known issue for those boats)

I'm sure with some maintenance you make this boat awesome and reliable but there is some additional work those carbs bring that fuel injection could help avoid. Many enjoy the two stroke benefits of lower weight and cheaper rebuilds available. If it's for you, don't let me dissuade you, but if you are not certain, also consider your newer fuel injected options.

 

[kuwona]

What are some examples of boats with fuel injection in the 19-21 foot range? I do admit to getting a little obsessed with these Yamaha 1200 engines since looking around on this forum... It is hard to tell how much my imagination (easy to work on, save money on purchase, great when working well) is in the driver's seat. I'm open minded though. I'm looking at ls2000 number 4 (needs at least one engine rebuilt) this weekend, and plan to check out two sea-doos in the same neighborhood (1997 Sportster - which is too small but looks like it's in fantastic condition and comes with a floating boat lift/1999 Challenger 1800 which also looks to be very well taken care of). What year did Injection make it's way to the market?

Wife says budget is ~10K. I would love to hear from members here if anyone wanted to voice opinions of actual for sale ads/posts online. That way I could look at an ad and see how you guys think about values.

 

[Beachbummer]

Yamaha Sr 230 boats for sale

10 new and used Yamaha Sr 230 boats for sale at smartmarineguide.com

www.smartmarineguide.com

I'm a fan of the 230, not sure when the mr1 joined the smaller boats

 

[the MfM]

I wouldn’t be afraid of a seadoo with a 718/787 engine or of course the 4tecs. But I’d say stay from any seadoo with the mercury sportjets. The pump side is very hard and expensive to get parts. And mercury dealers don’t won’t to support/work on them.

The LS/LX Yamaha boats became the ar210 (same hull with a swim step and tower) in around 2004-5 and was the last model available with two strokes

 

[kuwona]

Thanks. I feel like 23 might be a bit big for us. Any opinions about a 99 challenger vs ls2000?

 

[kuwona]

And what about this? Log into Facebook

 

[84rzv500r]

As a 5+ year LS2000/AR210 owner... I understand the budget but 10K will need to be very wisely spent... 5 years ago that would have been fine... its gonna be hard to find a 17-19' flats boat and a good 90Hp outboard for 10K these days... I have a 15K budget on my LS2000/AR210 repower and Im doing ALL my own work... sure I might have been able to find an AR230 HO with MR-1's for 15K but most boats that vintage would need another 3-5K min... I have modified my boat incrementally to fit my daily operational needs... davit storage, 4KW radar, lighting, trim tab, BBQ Grille, reconfigured bow seats, new cockpit seats that actually swivel, have bolsters and have been raised 6" so your not sitting on the floor.... the 1200 two strokes are tough motors and simple to work on however they have a high maintenance to operational hour cost, my experience is that stators last about 2 years with a high electrical load and the engines are good for 200-400 hours between rebuilds... thats ok for a recreational boat but using a boat every day the rebuilding of topends or swapping longblocks gets old in a hurry... thats why I chose to repower with MR-1's for now and when SVHO's drop below 10K each I'll consider that in say 1500 hours which will be another 5 years.. remember the average depth of the water I run in is 4ft and I spend a lot of time on plane in 18-24" of water...

 

[OCMD]

Great boat, had an LS for years. Was so happy when i sold it and no longer had the old 2 stroke issues. Just alot of annoying maintenance things to keep 'em running. As for primer pumps you def need em, or do what I did, dump an ounce of gas straight into the carbs at the start of the day and you are good to go. Carry on board spark plugs and fuel filters so you can change em out as needed! And if you navigate to the 'other" yamaha site,

Yamaha Jet Boaters • View forum - General Discussion (Yamaha Jetboat Related)

yamahajetboaters.com

you will find an overabundance of 2 stroke information as that site is much older than this one, and was the only site available back in the early 2000s when all we had were the 2 strokes. I was overjoyed when I got my SX230. For 9 years now, it is turn the key and go. That's it, other than the routine oi changes and plug changes. Much easier than that PITA 2 stroke LS! BUt I do miss that rocket!

 

[kuwona]

Very thankful for all your advice all. Heading out to look at those three boats tomorrow. It seems like four strokes are noticeably more expensive... But maybe not in the long run?

 

[Beachbummer]

Two strokes are cheaper because they are simpler and older. There is a premium the market is willing to pay for the added reliability of the fuel injection. I don't think the cost difference catches up. A 1998 or 1999 seadoo sportster with single carb per engine will be cheap, will need some carb love, but will provide similar fun to a more expensive boat. The cost doesn't "catch up". It does cost less. It's just the possible maintenance and down time that makes the market pay more for the other options. Rambling now. In short, You don't make up the cost, 2 strokes are really cheaper. For all factors mentioned, people are willing to pay more for 4 stroked. But cheaper, they are not. Either on the short or long run.

 

[the MfM]

Very thankful for all your advice all. Heading out to look at those three boats tomorrow. It seems like four strokes are noticeably more expensive... But maybe not in the long run?

The various Yamaha four stroke jet boat models have some specific known issues…oil coolers, timing chains, ecu moisture etc... Same with seadoo (superchargers).

They may be more reliable. But when they do break they are more expensive to fix.

in the end they are all boats. You’ll spend more then you thought. If you’re looking at older boats the previous owners and how well they were cared for is as important as model/brand.

 

[Beachbummer]

Look m mm mkmkmmkmkmim

Sorry, phone decided to post on its own

 

[the MfM]

Look m mm mkmkmmkmkmim

+1

 

[kuwona]

Okay all. I looked at 4 LS2000s and 2 Sea-Doos. I'm going with one of the Yamahas. I plan to pick it up tomorrow. Advantages include: 2 running engines, upholstery almost all replaced, second lowest price. The boat will need some attention, but I'm betting it will float as is!...

 

[kuwona]

 

[kuwona]

My biggest concern is the area around the aft drain plug. Any thoughts? I am hoping I can sand it and add some fiberglass or resin with cabosil.

 

[Beachbummer]

Please double check that trailer axle, looks pretty rusted. They are not expensive but I cannot stress enough how much easier it is too replace before it breaks, as it will save you tons in towing and frustration. Give that trailer some love to make/keep it road worthy and safe.

 

[kuwona]

Beachbummer, I will check out the trailer and make sure it's safe. I already have a spare hub in case I need it.

Now I'm anticipating what I will need to do to get ready for water...

Should I do the carbs pre-emptively?
Are there recommended spark plugs and fuel filters?
Are the generic bimini tops good enough or do I need OEM?
I will plan to get the cleanout plugs sorted as preventative maintenance. I see $27 kits on amazon. Anyone use those?
What type of oil should I be using?
Regular gas with Sta-Bil? Ethonol free gas?

I bet all this is covered somewhere else...