300/440/550 new to ski`s trying to identify

[screwball]

alright guysi think ill get it if everything checks out but i think it needs an impeller and id like to get something inexpensive, but an upgrade from stock, what do you guys reccommend?

 

[grezzmky]

alright guysi think ill get it if everything checks out but i think it needs an impeller and id like to get something inexpensive, but an upgrade from stock, what do you guys reccommend?

How do you know?

 

[screwball]

he said that when he ran it it was slow, but revving high.

 

[SJBrit]

Could be an impeller - but it might only be minor damage. A small ding can cause cavitation which would give those symptoms (plus vibration). You can send a prop to someone like Impros and get it back as good as new.

 

[screwball]

cool thanks!

James

 

[SJBrit]

BTW, a very small piece of debris caught in the pump can also cause cavitation. You might get lucky and find a twig caught in there or something.

 

[OL JS Rider]

Once you get it see what it really is. 550 or 440 then base your minor mods on that. You can get a lot of minor things for cheap. ride plate 30 to 60$. As for the impeller you will need to know if it is a 440 or js550 or550sx pump. Atleast I think there is a diff between 550sx and js550.

 

[Maxumflux]

alright guysi think ill get it if everything checks out but i think it needs an impeller and id like to get something inexpensive, but an upgrade from stock, what do you guys reccommend?

its stock. looks clean. offer him 250. if it has rear exhaust its an sx wich is a good thing.
550's are alot of fun and alot of people say that the 650 is a better boat, i think the 550 is lighter and more nimble but its all about prefference...

my flight instructer told me, learn on the smallest lightest thing you can, then as become an accomplished pilot move on to the heavier planes, it will only get easier. ITS TRUE!!!

i paid 27 dollars to have my 550 head milled. you can also take off the flywheel cover and advance the timing for free. another good thing to do would be to take off the fly wheel cover once you get it and make sure some dumbass didn't fill the thing with oil... :twak:

 

[chasingdaylight]

SJBrit and ol js rider are giving you good advice.. there are some mods you can do to increase performace but keep the $$ mimimal.. The gains will not be great..
learn to ride it.. it will be good to learn on.
Once you get on a more powerfull you might not ever get back on it..

 

[BurlMays9]

Get it and just learn on it, theres nothing that feels like the JS hull and its a lil harder to ride than any hull so youll be on the fast track for learning how to ride a standup. I learned on a 440 with a westcoast pipe and it started to get boring at WOT runs after 5 or 6 rides, its fun but it lacks in power after you feel comfortable on it.

i bought 2 650s on a trailer for $750 and im gonna resell all my stuff in the summer, make a profit and get at least a 750sx or an Sxipro

 

[screwball]

thanks guys but the deal didnt work out he wanted at LEAST $600 for it and was not negotiable. so i just politely said no and walked away

 

[OL JS Rider]

Good call! IF you want a cheap fun ski try to find a 550 any year doesnt matter. IF it runs dont pay over 350 for it. especially this time of year. They are worth more but remmember you will most likely have to do repairs. Crank seals, carb kit, battery, common things. So if it simply runs doesnt tipically mean good.There are exceptions but thats my opinion!

 

[screwball]

i just found 2 550`s for sale in ct and i think that they may be a good deal one is pretty modded, but needs a few things and the other is close to stock but has all the things that the modded one needs, both for $500, i think that if i get them, i would fix one and ride it, then take the other one and make it a drop deck, then transfer the good stuff to the dropdeck and sell the other one to get some of my $500 back.

 

[OL JS Rider]

Two skis for 500 doesnt sound too bad! I have never ridden a flat deck. I guess I am used to the sides. I find that they are nice for subs. foot straps on a flat deck would be great tho. also foot holds. Ride em then make up your mind!

 

[StandUpSteve]

The terms "440" and "performance" are not generally used in the same sentence unless the term "lack of" is also thrown in.... ;-)

Seriously, I wouldn't spend anything much on this ski - use it to learn on, use it as a test bed for hacking if you want, but know that with its lack of power, even adding 20% more won't get you far (except farther away from having enough money to upgrade).

Actually the 440 ski is the one to have for the conversion to a bigger engine, which he seems to keep mentioning. Sounds like you should get a cheap 440, and a cheap 750sx, and do a engine swap. A 750 440 setup correct is like having a perfect running FX-1

 

[StandUpSteve]

Good call! IF you want a cheap fun ski try to find a 550 any year doesnt matter. IF it runs dont pay over 350 for it. especially this time of year. They are worth more but remmember you will most likely have to do repairs. Crank seals, carb kit, battery, common things. So if it simply runs doesnt tipically mean good.There are exceptions but thats my opinion!

Try to stay above year 1986 and above-exhaust is much improved in these years.