Re: Does Anyone On Here Own A 1996 Yamaha Wave Raider 700??
This is a pretty old thread. But, yes, I ride a '96 Yamaha WaveRaider 700 and it's been a blast. I bought it in '11 off Craigs List for $850. It ran very well during a lengthy sea trial, but shortly after I bought it the motor would bog down and it wouldn't crack 20 MPH. I had a carb job done and it's run great ever since. I was clocked at 44 MPH top speed by a new SeaDoo running along side me. I ride this ski twice a month year-round on the Intracoastal in FL, and haven't had to do anything to it other than the carb job in three years. Starts right up every time and never left me stranded.
There is no hour meter. It is an oil-injected two-stroke. There is no crankcase oil to change in a 2-stroke. It's been very reliable to me and well worth the $850 (+ $300 carb job).
I'd like to second ABOVE comment, raise a Glass to Yamaha and update the thread to 2018!
Yup, This IS a pretty old thread but, the ski is even older. Hence, the need for old Skis, Knowledge, People and Threads!
But, yes, I ride a '96 Yamaha WaveRaider 700 (701 single carb) and it's NOT A WAVE BLASTER but, IS a blast.
I bought in '09 off Craigslist too for only $650 So, No need for sea trial but, after a while the RUN position runs outta Gas after less than an hour (No Fix Yet).
No carb problems it's run great ever since. GPS 53 MPH top speed. I ride this ski about twice a Year Intracoastal in WA and had to do nothing to it other than a crack in the front (I bought it with), New Battery in 2014, Gas? I drain the tank plus suck the dirt/water out every year, Oil +WD40 everything +kill it with Oil, Run in a Lake after salt water and Wash Both +Trailer. Starts right up every time and never left me stranded (Never put spark plugs in but, has 155# of compression both cylinders even) .
I recommend the 700 over the 1100 (plus 200 pounds and everything else to date) for Reliability, weight and extremely good fuel economy! No, I am not green and
I don't really care about buying a bunch of fuel but, I do care about running out of Gas. I run all day, till I can't stand anymore and this ski still has a Half tank in it! Yes, I've ran a 07 SuperCharged KAW Ultra250 outta gas, 15 gallons or more gone every half hour and a very embarrassing way loud low fuel alarm or tow all the way back to the Boat ramp every time!
Also, look at the numbers 53MPH vs 1100 58MPH, who cares!
Cons;
A little small to float two people but, once the engine is running there is plenty of power to keep all outta the water and actually rides two very well. There is no hour meter. Only has an Oil light for gauges.
Pros;
Has a great hood which buckles down to seal water outta the engine compartment others just have the seat to cover the engine. It is an oil-injected, two-stroke, two cylinders (Did I say light weight?). There is no crankcase oil to change in a 2-stroke but, ya do need to keep putting enough of the Yamaha, Mercury, Johnson/Evinrude Oil in +top off every tank full. It's been very reliable to me and well worth the $650.
Question; Anybody wanna sell me a Fuel valve (Switch from RUN to Reserve)?!!