[GeneralLee]

Hey guys new to this forum and loving it so far...

Been going out to Parker for approx 4 years now with the ol' lady and her family. Her ol' man owns a Sanger and her older brother owns a Jet boat with a 460 Ford. Always loved watching the Jet boats rumbling up and down the river and finally 2 weeks ago decided to purchase my own.

After looking at a dozen Sleekcrafts and Tahitis I ran into a 73 Bandito, yes Ban-friggin-dito. Just liked the was this boat looked with a little wing in the back. Came with a 455 Olds and a Berk Jet with a place diverter (jetohhhvator hehe). This is my first boat ever and allthough I wrenched on old school muscle for the past 6 years, Jet boats are a different kinda animal but nevertheless still love it. Got a long ways to go and learn so for future posts and my own sake take it easy on me and my noob questions guys.

Here's my question: anyone on here know anything about Bandito Jet boats? How common, any good, quality etc... any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thx in advance.

[Brad @ SCJB]

Welcome to the site....post up some pictures of your boat...im interested to see it.

I did some extensive searching and didnt find anything related to that name, other then Mouser (a guy who peddles a lot of used boats/parts) selling a bandito flatty v-drive awhile back.

The company name isnt even showing up in the MIC (Manufacturers Identification Code database) which is maintained by the USCG

sounds like a cool boat and youre happy with it....and thats all that matters 

[GeneralLee]

Thank you.

I will post some pics asap. When I took it down to the river last weekend people were checking it out cause supposedly nobody showed up with a boat like mine before not sure if that's a good thing or bad thing when it comes down to beats hehe. Old school muscle, it would be a great thing. I did some research on google and the only thing that comes up under Bandito boats that I have found was diving boats and cruisers.

The boat was registered and titled at the dmv as a 73 Bandito but then again wtf does the dmv know. As long as you pay them the fee you could register it as a 44 Schwinn hahaha.

[Brad @ SCJB]

does it have any numbers stamped on the back of the boat?

if so, what are the first 3 letters?

[crewchief22]

Welcome to SCJB 

[Brendella Pickle]

Don't worry too much about not finding info on the net about your's I have had mine a year, constantly searching and only found one piece of info. Glad to have you here! Now let's see those pics!

[IRRebel]

Welcome! Sounds like a fun boat. Can't wait to see it. I never heard of em either, but I'm not an expert. 

Ray

[GeneralLee]

Yep the numbers are there...I'm currently driving back from vegas I'll get the letters the min I get home and I'll also post the pics.

Thx for all the "welcomes" guys. What's the closest location to take out my boat for a testrun after tweaking on it. I live in Bellflower. The boat has a 455 as mention above, .030 over, 292 cam Bassett Ots no baffles. Don't wanna get hassled by the water police hehe.

[Factory502]

Hey General-
We were parked next to you on the beach on Sat in the ORange and Yellow Challeger w/ the olds in it- You gotta good looking deal- it's got some unique lines- when are you guys heading out again??

[GeneralLee]

Yeah I remember, what's happening man? How was the drive back hehehe?

We were going to go this weekend again but when I got home on Monday I noticed some water in my oil, I got the milkshake bother. I'm hoping its just condensation from the PO not running it and keeping it outside or its my intake mani gasket I'm just hoping its not my head gasket not to mention when I left the beach my f/r cable snapped so I got some wrenching and testing to do. I'll get her running by next weekend. You gonna be up there?

[Brad @ SCJB]

Yeah I remember, what's happening man? How was the drive back hehehe?

We were going to go this weekend again but when I got home on Monday I noticed some water in my oil, I got the milkshake bother. I'm hoping its just condensation from the PO not running it and keeping it outside or its my intake mani gasket I'm just hoping its not my head gasket not to mention when I left the beach my f/r cable snapped so I got some wrenching and testing to do. I'll get her running by next weekend. You gonna be up there?

sounds like your boat is breaking you in good right off the bat  welcome to the world of jet boats. wrench wrench wrench....

[GeneralLee]

Oh yeah many jet boat owners have warned me but I just wouldn't listen haha. I don't mind the wrenching a bit, I love it. Nothing better then a warm afternoon in SoCal and 12 pack of Sam Adams and taking crap apart haha.

I was very satisfied with the first testrun until I ran out of gas lol. Typical jetboats and their fuel sending units.

[GeneralLee]

welcome to the site, they have answers to everything on here! hit me up if you ever want to go boating locally
chris

As a matter of fact I'm taking her out for a test run this weekend. Let me know when and where and I'll be there.

[CHROMEY]

WELCOME TO THE HY-JINKS!

[GeneralLee]

Yep I'm running a valve between my tanks too but I haven't figured it out yet. Its connected to 3 splits, one for the right, one for the left and one I'm assuming to shut the fuel off completely. I'm gonna have to have that fuel gauge working. I don't like running out of gas doing 50mphs on the water and be left without steering hehehe.

Thx for all the "welcome" guys, this forum is great so far. I know I promised pictures but I was busy today after work finishing up my oil change and picking up my valve covers and my tunnel ram from the powdercoating shop. Came out great, I just hope now that I don't have a blown head gasket and it was just condensation.

[GeneralLee]

Sorry hehe, will post pics today for sure. I've been busy with mmy TR the last couple of days but now its all buttoned up.

[GeneralLee]

The Pics

[Brad @ SCJB]

i can see theres numbers on the transom....whats the first 3 letters?

[GlassCutter]

That sure doesn't look like the Bellflower I know in the background.    You do have the makings of a real nice ride there, good luck.

[GeneralLee]

nice float! finally!
haha

Thank you sir, she's just giving me a lot of problems now and I'm not very happy with her.

[GeneralLee]

That sure doesn't look like the Bellflower I know in the background.    You do have the makings of a real nice ride there, good luck.

Thank you and no it isn't in Bellflower. Those were taken the day I picked her up in Colton hehehe.

[GeneralLee]

i can see theres numbers on the transom....whats the first 3 letters?

BND

[IRRebel]

I'm diggin it! looks like a good solid boat there! Should handle rough stuff real well too! 

Ray

[TrailerHo]

From the Coast Guard Database..

"'BND' WAS BANDITO BOATS, ORANGE, CA; OOB 7/77UPDATE PER CG-5093"
--OOB meaning "Out of Business"

Now if you put BND into search field, comes up with some company out of Florida in the early 90's.  That comment was at the bottom.     Nice boat BTW..  

[Brad @ SCJB]

From the Coast Guard Database..

"'BND' WAS BANDITO BOATS, ORANGE, CA; OOB 7/77UPDATE PER CG-5093"
--OOB meaning "Out of Business"

Now if you put BND into search field, comes up with some company out of Florida in the early 90's.  That comment was at the bottom.     Nice boat BTW..  

youre right.... http://www.uscgboating.org/recalls/mic_detail.aspx?id=BND

interesting to see how 2 companies ended up with the same code. explains why i couldnt find the company as 'bandito' in there.

nice boat!