I'm new to the site and semi new to jet boats so I have a few questions for you guys and don't know where else to post them. I'm looking at buying a '76 Sleekcraft 25ft Daycruiser with a 454 and the American Turbine kit for it's orginal jacuzzi pump. First off what do you guys think this boat is worth? It's in good shape other than the minor pinhole exhaust leaks(original log style). Is there anything I need to look out for? And what's it going to cost me to replace the exhaust, without spending $1800 on new headers? The motor has some mild work (.030 over with new hypereutectic pistons, ground and balanced crank, rv cam, shaved heads, valve job, edlebrock intake manifold and double pumper carb) What will that get this heavy beast up to speed wise? 50? Also speaking of heavy how much did these boats weigh?

Thanks for all the help guys. This is a great site and I look forward to being a part off it, I guess I'm off to keep searching through your old threads for more answers

I maybe way off base here but I dont think I have ever seen a 25ft jet boat before.  To me, that seems awfully large for one.

Joe

Well it's not for speed, guys who had them were more concerned about their childrens safety and going through shallow water. I'm not worried about either, speed is nice but I don't need it. Been there done that. Besides in CO it's illegal to go above 40mph. Period. This is for messing around skiing etc, I like the idea of having a cabin.

Sorry about all of the typos but when I post on here I cant see what I am writing.

JoeThe only specific question you posed was about the potential speed of the boat.  As far as safety goes, you can get injured just as fast by a jet boaat as you can a prop boat if the driver isnt paying attention and droves over anyone in the sater.  To m, it  seems like your buying a Ca Cadillac and trying to drive it with a 4 cylinder engine.  The biggest jet boat I have been in was a stock  454 23 footer and it was very slow.

Joe

I like the looks of the sleeks. Jacketed exausts are pricey. Fwiw, I froze a set of logs one easter weekend, at the lake. Cracked em reallllll good. They heli arched up just fine.

Dunno how comparable my boat is but it was in the Boat Trader for 10K for over a year b4 I called on it.  He ended up letting it go for 6K.   It was totally turnkey (except for trailer wiring) and has been trouble free for 2 years now.  The carpet and upholstery looked almost new as the previous owner ran a marine detailing service in LHC.  Honestly the only drawback to the boat was that it was Oldsmobile powered so changing to BBC or BBF will be $$$ and more complicated.  New logs are spendy.  You have a Chevy and used logs are easy and affordable BUT they are also often old and may not have a lot of life left in them.  Sleek built good boats but honestly the Executive probably didn't work out quite the way that they had envisioned.  Can't help ya on weight but my trailer brakes don't work and it still stops pretty good behind my Dodge (how's the new truck Tommy?).

Here is the boat in question.















What do you guys think?

Maybe i missed it , but why don't you tell us what they want for it $$

That will help...... Its a fukin tank

I just wanted to hear what you guys had to say before I devulged price, and yeah it's a beast. But it will ride pretty nice and the cabin looks like it will come in very handy.......

Dunno how comparable my boat is but it was in the Boat Trader for 10K for over a year b4 I called on it.  He ended up letting it go for 6K.   It was totally turnkey (except for trailer wiring) and has been trouble free for 2 years now.  The carpet and upholstery looked almost new as the previous owner ran a marine detailing service in LHC.  Honestly the only drawback to the boat was that it was Oldsmobile powered so changing to BBC or BBF will be $$$ and more complicated.  New logs are spendy.  You have a Chevy and used logs are easy and affordable BUT they are also often old and may not have a lot of life left in them.  Sleek built good boats but honestly the Executive probably didn't work out quite the way that they had envisioned.  Can't help ya on weight but my trailer brakes don't work and it still stops pretty good behind my Dodge (how's the new truck Tommy?).

I thought the 25' was called an ambassador? And why do you think they didn't turn out as envisioned?

Grew up with a 78 28' Hawaian Daycruiser 454 Berk, and it would do 55 with all our gear and 3 adults. Our record from Long Beach to Catalina in fair seas was just under 30 minutes.

So $2500 is an average price for a boat of this size?

s..sss....salt water?!!  Eeewwww!!

salt water isn't that bad, you just gotta take some time and clean afterwards. hell there are $250k offshore boats in it, why cant my $5k jet boat do it