heres the link, i think im going to try to get this after i get my transportation worked out

http://www.ride3d.com/en-US/

this is the coolest thing ive ever seen

 

Well, as an avid boater and fisherman, lemme make a request.
Go ahead, buy one, enjoy. But...please.... Get a boater's safety course under your belt before you even put it in the water. Here in NY, that is now MANDATORY anyway (which I like). And have respect for the other boaters on the water.

I've seen MANY complete jerks out there, that think they own the water. Several of them have had fishing lures bounced off their hulls or bodies. Show me no respect, get none.
If you dart in and out of other boat traffic, fly by boats that are at anchor, and otherwise act like a putz, expect to be treated like a lake flea.

On the other hand, I've met some really good folks that just enjoy running them. It's all a matter of how responsible and respectful you are.
I've even had fun racing several of them down the river. There's a time and place for that. (I do enjoy surprising some of them at times)..

Anyway, it's not the sport, or the machine that defines it, it's the operator.

Get one, get a fast one, and enjoy!

 

BigGreen - Thanks, that's what I was looking for, great info. So you would reccomend a newer model? What am I looking on the price range on those?

 

I totally agree. A TRUE PWC enthusiast would never do such things.


Acerockola77- As far as the newer model 2 seaters I mentioned above, you're looking at $8-$9K. Except for the Sea Doo RXP, its Around $10,300, but its a 4 stroke, and pretty far ahead of the curve.

Buying new is good because you get the warranty, and you can make sure your machine gets maintained and broken in properly. I always buy new.

However- PWC do not hold their value very well, so you can potentially get a great machine very reasonable. The main drawback to used is sometimes they can be VERY, VERY abused, not maintained, and have problems you might not find on a test ride.
But, there are always the ones you might find that still have a showroom shine, look like new in the engine compartment as well, and the owner has all maintenance records. These can be a safe bet.

If you look used, there are a few that stand out. The Kawasaki Ultra 150, like I said before, has been one of the faster machines on the market for 5 years now. It does have high speed handling issues, though. But the triple Kawi is a very dependable setup.

The Yamahas (1200 and 1300) can also be dependable, but they need about 4 mods to be up to par.

I mentioned a couple older Polari in my post above.

Sea Doo has a few good older models as well... the '96-'99 GSX was good, but stay away from early GSX Limiteds ('97.5). The RX, which replaced the GSX Limited is also a good ski; the 2000 Millenium Addition looks really cool. Also the plain GS was very reliable, but NOT a muscle craft, just a cruiser.

To give you and Idea, you should be able to get a '98-'99 GSX limited for around $3500-$4000, the newer hull design (but still same engine) RX that replaced it....say the 2000 for about $4500-$5500.
Both of them are 60mph skis, heck, 2003 was the last model year for the RX, and it won PWI's "Musclecraft of the Year" shootout.
On top of that, the 950 series Rotax that powered the 2003 RX is the same motor Sea Doo has used since '97 in the GSX Limited.
So you could get a 6 year old ski for about $3000 that has the same motor that won the Shootout last year.

DO NOT get the '99-'03 RX confused with the new model RXP Sea Doo i mentioned above, they are 2 totally different beasts.

Hope I didnt confuse you, lemme know if you have any other ?'s

 

Oh, and like I said before, if you are looking for a good single person ski, the Sea Doo XP DI is VERY VERY hard to beat.

They are rated for 2 people, but you wouldnt like trying it.


Also, the Sea Doo 3D was mentioned above. It changes into 3 different riding platforms....standup, moto (just has skinny motorcycle-type seat) and cart (has a go-cart style seat)

It is powered by the 800 series 110hp Rotax.....just fyi

 

I'm old school Sea Doo X-4 hull.

I have a 97 Sea Doo SPX 110 HP light weight and quick as heck. Great boat for jumping waves and wakes. High compression head, Beach House sponsons, carbs
re-jetted with fly flame arrestors, 3 degree trim tabs. Solo riders only.

I also have a 93 Yamaha Waverunner 111. It will run about 40mph with a strong tail wind. It's a cruiser and has been trouble free since 93. Slow boat but you can really slide it across the water sideways or backwards due to the flat hull and no sponsons. It's the loaner ski for my buddies to ride.

As far as reliability/maintenance go Yamaha.

 

Yeah - the Sea-Doo 3D rocks - I got to see one last week - it is SOOO cool - it has to be the coolest thing from Bombardier since the REV Ski-doo came out. http://www.ride3d.com/en-CA/

 

The X-4's are Legendary, thats for sure.

Yamahas arent up to snuff out of the box (the 1200's and 1300's).
They need about 4 upgrades, that Yamaha should be doing, but arent, to be considered reliable, or at least as reliable as Rotax or Kawasaki.

I dunno about that 3D, Id like to check one out for myself.
I do think the 215 hp RXP is definatley a cool thing.

 

You have given me exactly what I was looking for, you sure know your PWCs! I think I'm going to be looking at a GSX or RX, I've ridden on a early model GSX a few times, that was what convinced me I needed one. I like them because I want a 2 seater and the price sounds pretty decent used.

So when I'm looking at them what should I look out for?
Also how many hours is too many on these?

Thanks for all the info!

 

OK, well, like I said, Stay away from the '97 GSX Limited. Its considered a '97.5
It has the same graphics as a '97 GSX, but the hull is grey.

Also stay awat from anything RFI (Rotax Fuel Injection). The DI, however is VERY desireable, if you plan to keep it stock. If you plan to modify the engine, stay with carbs. Stock though, the throttle response, easy starting, and awesome fuel economy is very nice to have with the DI.

All years of the GSX have the same engine, the 800 Series Rotax. 110hp, they really run good for their power output. Top speed should be in the 56 mph area.

The GSX Limited and the RX of all years will have the same motor as well, the 950. These are 130 hp, which again, is conservative, and propels these skis enough to be at the top of the list as recent as 2003. Here you're looking at speeds between 60 and 62, with a holeshot second to nothing but highly modded tripples and the '04 RXP.

So, if you want to keep it stock or do non-engine mods, go DI. If you plan to do engine mods go with carbs, but stay away from the RFI.


As far as hours, 50 is nothing, 100 is so-so, 150 is getting up there, and 200 is getting iffy.

There are machines out there that go 400 hours with no problems. Then there are the ones out there where the owner doesnt maintain them, runs them hard, burns crappy gas, etc. and these are the ones that look and run like poo at like 75 hours.

So like I said before, you find one well kept, in good shape, that has been obviously cared for, you should be fine.


Hope this helps...BTW, I can direct you to sources to verify my info, should someone contest any info Ive provided.

 

A guy at work has one. He recently scratched up the bottom on some rocks. His insurance paid to get it fixed........$3200. I would rather buy a metal lathe.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=31266

This is a good example of a few things.....

1) a good, low hour ski
2) this is the 2000 Millenium Edition I said before that I thought looks pretty cool
3) if you read the description, a fine specimen of the inflated speeds that I warned you about.

Im not trying to be overly critical, but if a person bought this thinking "65+" meaning 65-67, they might be a little disappointed with the 60-62 they will actually see. Its still fast, but in the aftermarket, speed can cost upwards of a few hundred bucks per mph, so 7 mph can be kind of big....

....again, just fyi

 

jetskis are cool. However I am a kayak entuaist myself and a lot of them people that ride those are dangersous and stupid. They have killed canoers and kayakers before by being stupid. You get more excersie with kayaking it really works your upper arms if you your not built up very much. You get more enjoyment from kayking. I go on weekend trips in my kayak all over. You have to know currents, naviagation, be able to travel for days by yourself without freaking out. All that naviation and exploring in a kayak is very satisfying and lasts foreverer if you like it. I reccomend kaying to anyone out there whos intersted in watersports. America needs all the healthy hobbys it can get were getting heavier and heavier.

 

Are you calling me FAT ... cuz I am

 

Ive done both. If you do closed course, endurance, or even ride hard on a good machine, a PWC is more of a workout, especially on the rest of the body.

Matter of opinion, my friend. Ill always prefer something with an engine strapped to it. Call me fat and lazy if you want, but thats just how I am.