Crestliner Fishhawk 1750 and Seadoo PWC questions

[gspman]

Hi folks,
I'm thinking of buying a new boat and a used PWC so I'm seeking advice on both.

The boat I want is a Crestliner Fish Hawk 1750 with a 115 4-stroke (haven't decided on brand yet) hanging off it. Likes or dislikes about the Fish Hawk? Things to watch out for? Of the 115 4-strokes (Yamaha, Suzuki, Johnson, Evinrude) which is considered the top engine for performance and reliability or are they all pretty close? How slow can you troll with a 115? I'm guessing I'll need drift sock(s) to slow it way down for spinners. I'll use a bow mount if I have to go slower.

Also would you get a trailer with brakes for a boat this size. I drive a 1999 Suburban if that matters.

I'm also looking at a used 1995 Seadoo GTX personal watercraft. It has a 85 hp motor. I don't know how many hours it has on it. Usually I see these things getting rode pretty hard so I'm a little nervous about buying a used one but there's no way I'm paying for a new one. How many hours is too many hours for one of these things? Likes/dislikes? What to watch out for especially in a "pre-owned" one? Will the motor eventually lose some of it's power? can you pull an adult skier with one this old.

Lot's of questions, no doubt some dumb, but any info you can provide is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
gspman

[This message has been edited by gspman (edited 06-01-2004).]

[sledhead]

I've seen quite a few gtx's and things to look for are broken motor mounts and pipe mounts. I've repaired 3 with broken pipe bolts and had to replace the exhaust manifold and first section of pipe. Is there moisture inside the hull. and the most important THE IMPELLER. Look up the back of the jet with a flash light. Does it have goughes in it. If so it's bent and needs replacing allong with a wear ring. Look for hull damage. has it been run on shore hard or not. See if the spark plugs are rusty, it's a good way to tell if its been taken care of. No I don't think it'll pull an adult skier.

[Schwanny]

I have the same rig you are talking about. The motor is a Yamaha 115 4-stroke. I put a trolling plate on it which gets me down to .5 to .8 mph. It works real well. The trolling plate I put on it is spring loaded. No cables or anything to worry about. I would consider the Yamaha, but that is my personal opinion. As far as pulling it, the suburban should be just fine. I just pulled mine up with my dodge caravan without a problem. In fact I pulled it to Canada with the same vehicle more than once.