Need advice on buying a 2005 SX230

[K2escape]

So I test drove a 2005 SX230 today for a great price but performance was nothing like I read it should be. First time driving a jet boat at all but I have read a lot on here.
Issue 1 The boat wouldn’t do more than 26 mph and was pretty slow getting on plane. I have read that it should be on plane almost immediately and hit high 40s. Also max RPM was around 8000. This is NOT the HO version but I thought it should be 10k
Owner told me they just had the impeller housings replaced and had me talk to the mechanic about it. He told me that 8000 rpm is the max. Can anyone confirm which it is?
From some of my research I suspect a possible seal issue but the RPMs concern me too.

Issue 2 the shifters are very hard to move. Supposedly they have been replaced on the last year or two but the boat hasn’t been used much. Could they just need lubricating?

The rest of the boat has typical wear issues you would expect for a 15 year old boat and if I get the price right and drive issues corrected I’m tempted. I’m also tempted to say screw it and spend twice as much for a 2008 or 2009.....

Any help or suggestions would be great.

 

[zipper]

@Cambo You had one of these.
Here is info I could find here and on the web. Any idea what the engine stickers indicate for displacement and output?

https://jetboaters.net/threads/mr1-question.21250/

https://jetboaters.net/threads/what...ides-20hp.13021/[HASH=153]#post[/HASH]-226884

 

[PaulyB]

Neither motor would do over 8,000 RPM? It sounds like plugs may need to be replaced or on of the coilpacks may not be fully connected. I still believe the MR1 non-ho should turn to 10,000 RPMs. I would say something is definitely off with it. Where are you located?

 

[K2escape]

Correct, they were both topping out around 8000. Supposedly it was just serviced. I am in Orlando. Boat is near west palm beach. Owner offered it to me for 8k but I’m uncomfortable unless I have a good idea that the fix is not “replace a motor” or something else catastrophic.

 

[Paulie]

Here's a link to a review of a non ho sx230

Yamaha SX230 — No Wrong Turns: Performance Test - boats.com

It would seem that Yamaha's new SX230 can do no wrong.

www.boats.com

I replaced all my cables and rebuilt my pump housings 2 years ago. Those cables should be silky smooth if just replaced last year, even if it's been sitting. I agree with plug replacement as a good place to start with regards to RPM and power deficiency but it could also be related to the pumps supposedly having been replaced/rebuilt. If someone did not do that correctly, then that could also contribute to the loss of thrust and low rpm. If it were me, and the rest of the boat was in good shape, I would have the plugs replaced and perform a compression check before purchasing, if possible.

 

[Wisefam22]

They should be around 10200rpm is where my non HO tops out

 

[Zonie]

Keep looking. There are lots of these out there.

 

[Paulie]

can you share the listing? Maybe we can take a look at the condition from some pictures.

 

[AZ Native]

So I test drove a 2005 SX230 today for a great price but performance was nothing like I read it should be. First time driving a jet boat at all but I have read a lot on here.
Issue 1 The boat wouldn’t do more than 26 mph and was pretty slow getting on plane. I have read that it should be on plane almost immediately and hit high 40s. Also max RPM was around 8000. This is NOT the HO version but I thought it should be 10k
Owner told me they just had the impeller housings replaced and had me talk to the mechanic about it. He told me that 8000 rpm is the max. Can anyone confirm which it is?
From some of my research I suspect a possible seal issue but the RPMs concern me too.

I had a 2005 non-HO until early last year. If you're not at sea level and it's not an HO your not going to ever see the advertised RPM and speeds. Elevation matters a lot with these older engines (and the new ones). It should do better than 8,000 RPM, but I doubt you will ever see 10k out of a none HO. At 2,500 to 4,000 feet elevation I was lucky to see 9,000 RPM and 35 MPH. Yes you can open up the intake, change the plugs and do some minor things, to improve performance, but these engines are what they are. Not all that strong at anything but sea level.

 

[BlkGS]

At 8k. I think thats a fair price for that boat, even with the issues. As the others said, the rpms is likely old plugs and gas. Did you do a compression test?

IMO it depends on budget. If you can afford the newer boat, go for it and you wont regret it. If not, thats a great price for a boat. You will have a hard time finding so ething that size for that price. Keep in mind, a newer boat once you price im the work it will need is going to cost you 3x what this does.