I'm looking at getting some jetskis possibily. What brand does everyone like? Also how hard is it to maintain these things? I'm looking at getting used because I don't have a ton of money to spend on them. Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated.

 

I like the Bombardier GTX - supercharged. Very nice, and IMHO used is the way to go. Many times people buy these thinking they will put them to full use, and many times end up selling them, for one reason or another. If you do your homework you can get some great deals. Depreciation on these things is pretty bad, research well, don't be hasty (buy in Winter), and you probably won't regret your decision.

 

Good Advice, keep it commin'!

 

They don't like the 2- strokes on the river here(Bullhead City,AZ.)Not into to jet skies,but are they starting to put 4-strokes in them nowadays?

 

Jetskis.....never has there been such fun device that breeds such hatred and anger amongst the non-jetskiing public. Rent 'em so when you get tired of running around in circles in front of people out for a quiet picnic, or when you nearly get killed by someone in a boat or other jetski, you won't be stuck.

Just my biased opinion. I rented one in San Diego and I think they are so much fun it just PMO that the owners of these things have created such a swell of hatred towards them by those who don't use them.

 

AMEN brother.....in 1998 i got a 98 Yamaha Waverunner GP1200R and it was AWESOME....freakin power for days and FAST!!! it would run 71 mph on the glass bone stock....but alas i grew tired of it and then what was every saturday and sunday afternoon became every saturday....then every other weekend.....then whenever i had time....to lending it to friends just to clear up space in the garage so i could work on projects.....i ended up selling it off to my buddy for nothing but taking over payments....it was a good ski and all but it sucked after awhile...i learned to jump it and 360 it mid air then land and slick plane it etc....it just got old...just like these motorcycles they are becoming a pain in the **** and are soon to recome a new engine for my project stang oh well best of luck to ya man

 

Skidoos are fun on water.

 

i love my stand ups. i bought 2 1983 js550 and the trailer on ebay for $600. used them ALOT the first year but got really busy now i ride them like once a month unless i go on vacation. if you have the chance to ride a stand up befor you buy your sit downs do it cause they are a challenge which makes it fun unless you cant do it at all, then it just sucks

 

I can't stand jet skis. Nothing irritates me more when I'm out fishing. Back-and- forth, round-and-round-, woohoo.
Yes I have drove one (I broke it), and I wasn't impressed. Remined me of a snowmobile with no brakes.
Just my 2 cents

 

I half expected to get run off the site..... But I like the "snowmobile with no brakes". Yea--off the throttle means no steering....hhhmmmm. Makes it hard to slow down and turn away from trouble.


Anyway, on the subject of how much they are hated....my know-it-all brother wrote a letter to a Seattle area newspaper and they printed it. I think when they print something, they see a glimmer of a widespread opinion, perhaps--or they just printed it for the nut factor. Anyway, his letter suggested mounting a .30-'06 on a post and charging 25 cents a shot to shoot at jetskis.....

Really, I like riding them but at least on my scooter I can take on some trails and go someplace.....

 

I guess my opinion is as good as the next guy's, and I have many of them...

I say get a ski boat. It serves a party platform, swim dock, and can carry more people (women). Plus, I think waterskiing and wake boarding is more fun than jetskiing.

 

Damn guys, as a PWC enthusiast, I'd say you guys are being a bit harsh.

First off, let me say I too HATE IT when Im fishing and someone is buzzing around on one of those things...when the lake is big enough where they can go somehwere else; which is the proper etiquitte.

BUT, that aside, they are great machines. I look at mine like a motorcyle on water. I can load up a six pack (of Dr.Pepper), a GPS, and a lunch, and go cruising and exploring for an afternoon.
Then, if I get hot, I can take a dip off of it, or better yet, find a place off to myself and do some twisties and soak myself.

Its just like off roading, or firearms, or anything else, people like 'em, people hate them, but when executed in the proper fashion, are wonderful hobbies.

Oh, and also, I dont know about some of you guys, but I find it hard to get bored with something that weighs 500 lbs that happens to have 150 hp.

Ok, done with that rant.....next.....

Acerockola77-

The most relevant thing you need to mention is what you want in a PWC; speed and agility, smooth ride and stability, wave jumping ability? Which attributes do you want, and in what order?

Here's some food for thought:

Yamahas: (Fast Model is GPR1300 165 hp) Great all-around skis, somewhat doggy from a dig-but not bad. Top speed is 62mph.
***A Yamaha in STOCK form is not the most reliable ski, there are a few mods that need to be done for the Yam's to be considered 100%

Kawasaki: (Fast model is Ultra 150 145 hp) The Kawis are very reliable. The Ultra 150 has been one of the fastest skis since its introduction in '99. Runs 62 mph. Very playful, just not exactly the most stable ski, and they are known for being a little "darty" at speed.

Polaris: (Fast Model is MSX 150 150 hp) They get their power from a very small twin (750 cc) and turbo it. Was a very hyped machine, but are sluggish out of the hole and very "peaky" engines. Polaris has an avoidance factor right now. Older notable Polari are the Pro 785, sl1050 and the SLXH. The faster Polari approach 60mph.

Sea Doo: (fast model is RXP 215hp) This is a four stroke here. Its 1494cc, fuel injected, with a four valve head, supercharged, and intercooled. It it the fastest factory PWC ever produced. Has a top speed near 70 mph. Acceleration on these is also sick- 0 to 60 in the 4.25 second range.
The only drawback to the newer 4-stroke design is weight. The engine is big and heavy and the hull need to be bigger, which makes it heavier. Great for speed, acceleration, good handling, and great cruiser for a 2 seater, just not the most playful.....

The Sea Doo XP DI is my pick IF: You want something for 1-up riding to play on, jump waves, and do some serious playing. The 950 series motors are very reliable, and the XP DI gets INCREDIBLE fuel economy. Not good for more than 1 rider though.

Thats a quick summary of the newer 2 seaters. If you want to give me more info, like your pricerange, and your wants, I may be able to better direct you.


My number 1 piece of advice...watch out for BS in the PWC world, speeds are VERY inflated. For example, some quick facts:

First stock PWC to run 60 mph- 1997 Sea Doo GSX Limited did like 60.2
Of the fastest skis on the market today, the top 3 consist of the
Yamaha GPR1300
Kawasaki Ultra 150
both do within tenths of a mph of eachother.....62.something

other than that, the new for 2004 model Sea Doo RXP runs in the 68 mph range.

To get higher speeds, for instance, 70 mph on a Yamaha GPR1300 take about 2 THOUSAND dollars in aftermarket parts.

DONT go by Dream-o-meter speeds, use radar or GPS.


So beware. Back when I bought my first PWC, all the dealers told me their ski ran "70 mph". Boy were they full of it. The record speed at the time on ANY pwc was 74 mph, and they were claiming 70...stock.

So yeah, heads' up.

 

I purchased a Waverunner III. Only topped at 45 in stock trim. I added an extended ride plate and upgraded the impeller for about $500. Topped out at 61 MPH. Was the best fun I ever had. Most stock units are probably faster than that these days but who needs speed? Your gonna have more fun pulling a tube or wake board than anything else. Just be safe. There are those out there that have no regard for your personal safety.
Maintenance in minumal as long as you rinse with clean water and winterize the engine before putting it in storage for the off season.

 

PWC can be great fun - if used wisely.
Unfortunately there are a lot of folks giving them a bad name. But you have to keep in mind that it is only a select few - - think of it this way, saying that all PWC riders are bad and annoying is like saying everyone who drinks beer is an alcoholic. It is simply not true.
Anyway, if you are looking at getting one and getting into the sport, you have to decide what ride style you like (stand-up or sit-down), your riding ability and your budget. Reliability wise, the Sea-Doo's with the Rotax motors are about the best - but hey, what else would you expect from a company that invented PWC back in 1968 and then again in 1988.
IF buying used, be sure to check the hull for damage and ask if the machine has ever been sunk - if it has, it may need motor work and such.
Best of luck in your search and do let us know how you make out.
Cheers,

 

i think its seadoo but they are coming out with a jetski that u can change the way u set on it from, motorcross styel (set on it like a motorcyle), tthe stand up style, and go kart , the gokart style wil have th seat set real low on the boat so u can not flip the thing over

ill try to shoot yall alink