If you've ever spent a Saturday morning tinkering with a 97 seadoo sp, you know exactly why these little yellow bees are still buzzing around the lake today. There's something undeniably nostalgic about that specific shade of Seadoo yellow and the smell of two-stroke exhaust hanging in the morning air. While modern personal watercraft (PWC) are basically floating SUVs with touchscreens and cruise control, the '97 SP is a different beast entirely. It's small, it's loud, and it's arguably more fun than anything you can buy on a showroom floor today.
Why the 720 Rotax Engine Still Rules
Under the seat of the 97 seadoo sp, you'll find the heart of the machine: the 717cc Rotax engine, though everyone in the community just calls it the 720. If you ask any old-school mechanic what the most reliable engine Seadoo ever made was, nine times out of ten, they're going to point to this one. It's a twin-cylinder, single-carburetor setup that just works.
It doesn't have the complexity of the fuel-injected models or the head-gasket headaches of some of the later four-strokes. It's a simple, honest engine. Because it only has one carb, it's a lot easier to tune than the dual-carb SPX models. You don't have to worry about syncing them perfectly; you just dial in that one Mikuni and you're good to go. For a beginner or someone who doesn't want to spend their whole weekend with a wrench in their hand, the simplicity of the SP is its biggest selling point.
The "BMX Bike" of the Water
Riding a 97 seadoo sp feels a lot more like riding a BMX bike than a boat. Since it's built on the smaller hull, it's incredibly "flickable." You aren't just sitting there holding the throttle; you're using your body weight to toss the thing into turns. If you lean hard enough, you can get the nose to hunt or spin the back end out in a 180-degree spray of water.
Modern skis are so heavy and stable that they almost feel like they're on rails. That's great if you want to cruise for sixty miles, but if you want to play around in the wakes or see how tight of a circle you can carve, the SP wins every time. You're going to get wet, though. There's no "dry ride" on an old SP. Every little chop and every splash comes right over the bow, but that's kind of the point, isn't it?
The Infamous Grey Fuel Lines
If you just bought a 97 seadoo sp and it's bogging down or refusing to start, I can almost guarantee I know what the problem is. Those "Tempo" grey fuel lines that Seadoo used back in the late 90s are the absolute bane of every owner's existence. Over time, the ethanol in modern gasoline eats away at the inside of the lines, creating a weird green goo that clogs up the internal filters in your carburetor.
It's a rite of passage for every owner. You've got to rip those old lines out and replace them with standard black automotive fuel lines. While you're at it, you'll probably need to pull the carb and give it a deep clean. It sounds like a chore—and it kind of is—but once you do it, the ski will run like a top for another decade. If you ignore this, you risk leaning out the engine and melting a piston, and nobody wants that kind of repair bill.
Keeping the Hull and Pump in Shape
The hull of the 97 seadoo sp is pretty tough, but it's still fiberglass and gelcoat that's over twenty-five years old. You'll often see these skis with "dock rash" or some fading from sitting out in the sun. A good buff and wax can usually bring that yellow back to life, making it look almost new.
One thing you really need to check is the wear ring inside the jet pump. If you notice the engine revving high but the ski isn't really moving—kind of like a slipping clutch in a car—it's probably the wear ring. It's a plastic sacrificial sleeve that sits around the impeller. If you suck up some rocks or sand, it gets chewed up. Replacing it is a bit of a project, but it's one of those things that restores the "punch" and acceleration the SP is known for.
Is It Worth Buying One Today?
You might be wondering if it's worth dropping a couple of thousand dollars on a 97 seadoo sp when you could just finance something new. Personally, I think they're one of the best values in the powersports world right now. You can usually find them for a fraction of the cost of a new Spark or Trixx, and honestly, they have a lot more soul.
Parts are everywhere, too. Since Seadoo used the 720 engine in so many different models (like the GS and the Speedster boats), you can find gaskets, pistons, and cables at almost any PWC shop or online. You aren't going to be stranded because a proprietary computer chip failed; you can fix almost anything on this ski with a basic set of metric sockets and some patience.
Maintenance Tips for New Owners
If you've just joined the 97 seadoo sp club, there are a few things you should do right away to make sure you don't end up being towed back to the ramp.
- Check the Oil Injection: A lot of people bypass the oil pump and switch to "pre-mix" (mixing the oil directly with the gas). The old pumps are actually pretty reliable, but the small 3/32" oil lines can get brittle and crack. If they crack, the engine doesn't get oil, and it's game over. Replace those tiny lines immediately.
- Battery Health: These old two-strokes need a good, strong crank to fire up. Don't cheap out on a battery. A weak battery can also stress the starter, which is a pain to replace because it's tucked way down at the bottom of the engine bay.
- Spark Plugs: Always carry a spare set of NGK BR8ES plugs in the front bin. Two-strokes can be finicky, and if you're idling too long or your oil mix is a bit rich, you might foul a plug. Changing them takes thirty seconds and can save your day.
The Community Factor
One of the best things about owning a 97 seadoo sp is the community. There are forums and Facebook groups dedicated specifically to these older "two-smokers." If you run into a weird electrical issue or can't figure out why your VTS isn't working (though the SP was the base model and often didn't have trim), someone online has definitely dealt with it before.
There's a shared respect among people who keep these vintage machines running. When you pull up to the gas dock on a mint condition SP, you'll get more questions and "I used to have one of those!" comments than the guy on the $20,000 supercharged 300hp ski. It's a conversation starter.
Final Thoughts on the 97 SP
At the end of the day, the 97 seadoo sp isn't about being the fastest person on the lake. It's not about having the most storage or the best speakers. It's about that raw, mechanical connection to the water. It's about the vibration through the footwells and the way the nose dips when you let off the gas.
It's a survivor from an era where things were built to be worked on by the person who owned them. If you're willing to get your hands a little greasy and you don't mind a bit of a bouncy ride, the SP is probably the most fun you can have on the water for the money. Just remember to keep an eye on those fuel lines, use good quality API-TC oil, and always, always check your drain plugs before you back the trailer into the water. Happy riding!