Looking to buy my first Jet Ski. What should I look for?

[Tyson0317]

Hi All,

I am looking to buy a Jet Ski off-season and I am looking to buy used. Trying to stay under $5000 and have a ski that my wife and I wont outgrow soon. Not looking to kill myself or do tricks!! Just have some fun.

I have rented skis a few times - the rentals were SeaDoo 900's and 1100's - Those were great! However, looking at used inventories around here I found 4 skis that look good on paper.

But first a few questions:

#1 What should I look for problem-wise on a used ski? What are the common things that break?

#2 Do I want 2-stroke or 4? I have a boat and my outboard is a 2-stroke - I have no problems mixing fuel... The 4-strokers are heaviers and make less power - what is really the advantage of having it?

#3 Turbo? As with cars, I realise that a turbo will lower my reliability (more stuff to break) but as a car-nut gearhead, I love the idea of having a turbo! Are turbos on skis a practical idea?

#4 Is there a good site (like carpoint.com is for cars) where I can look up things like weight and horsepower for skis?

#5 What should I check for durring the test drive?

The skis I am looking at are:

2002 Honda Aqua Trax 12x Turbo
2002 Kawasaki Ultra 130 DI
1998 Kawasaki 1100 series (there is a 2-seater and a 3-seater) I have always rented 3-seaters)
2005 Kawasaki 900STX

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

T

 

[lkbum]

Re: Looking to buy my first Jet Ski. What should I look for?

From my experience over the last few years, Kawasaki's have had some problems. Yamaha's are the most reliable (I think because they are the most mildly tuned). I would look only at 3 seaters. 3 Seaters are required in most states to pull a tube. Reverse is a must. I would only buy a used ski from the original owner who could show records since purchased new.

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: Looking to buy my first Jet Ski. What should I look for?

I have owned a bunch of skies,, personally I won't own any more 2 stroke engines nor a supercharged or turbo charged engine.
A non supercharged sea doo is fine or a yamaha 4 stroke,, some of the 4 stroke stx12 or 15 f kawasaki skies seem to be ok,, honda was a flop. supposedly they are fixing the issues . I like my gtx 4 tec skies but I have had my issues with them,, however I don't ride them like most people and I do beat the stuffing out of them, jumping waves at w o t and getting out in hurricane surf is one of my favorite sports,, but it's tough on the machine. One of my 4 tec engines has 630 hours on it,, they should last 3000 hours,, no 2 stroke would be expected to get hours on it like the 4 strokes will.
Fuel consumption on the gtx155hp sea doo works out to 6 miles per gallon. the yamaha vx110 is reportedly even better on fuel. But it's only 110 hp and a smaller hull than the gtx is. The yamaha cruisers are a good choice but the seat is too wide for me, I guess if you are tall it would be ok.

 

[smclear]

Re: Looking to buy my first Jet Ski. What should I look for?

Go to

http://greenhulk.net/forums/index.php

and ask your question there. The entire site is dedicated to jet skis. Most of the folks there are involved with modifying their skis in some way or another. They range from very mild mods to totally insane ones with reported speeds approaching 100 mph.

Bottom line is they're a bunch of good folks with a lot of very practical knowledge. You don't get to 80+ mph without knowing what does and doesn't work.

A starting place is to really think about how you will ride the ski. Sounds pretty straight forward, but it's not.

I would agree to stay with a four stroke. But Jeff and I differ re: the supercharged models. For me, they're fantastic. If I we're riding in heavy surf (over eight foot swells) I'd probably agree with Jeff. You'd beat the heck out of them and probably blow it up.

Figure out how you'll spend your time on it, then go to Greenhulk and ask questions.

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: Looking to buy my first Jet Ski. What should I look for?

I avoid superchargers because speed isn't important to me, I don't like the fact that particles from the clutch as it wears is circulated in the oil to all moving parts of the engine,, the clutches fail pretty regularly,, I put a ton of hours on a ski and supercharged skies require high test fuel. Jumping waves is the quickest way to destroy the s c clutch not the jump but the landing puts a serious load on the clutch,, Turbo chargers seem to be a better way to boost, but Honda isn't an option and they have some serious issues with corrosion in the turbo blades from salt water use,, not covered by the warranty,, my big thing is reliability handling and cost of operating along with comfort since My day usually involves a lot or riding.
Although you don't seem to be planning jumps with your described requirements for a ski you will probably be towing a passenger or perhaps a tube etc,, good reliability, cost effective fuel consumption , stability and comfort would be things you are most likely looking for.

I personally spent $6,804.00 on p w c fuel last year. using regular 87 Oct. , it adds up quick when you're out riding a lot.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Looking to buy my first Jet Ski. What should I look for?

I'd think a SeaDoo GTX 4-Tec non supercharged would be really good for your use.

Just because they aren't supercharged or otherwise doesn't mean they aren't fast. 155hp on an 800-900 lb boat can accelerate very quickly. I have spent many hours on a 2007 model and in the right water condition it can get up to the mid 50s really quickly. There were a few times when I first started on it that the acceleration almost made me lose my grip on the handle bars. Hold on tight!!!

Check NADAGuides.com for power and weight specs.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Looking to buy my first Jet Ski. What should I look for?

Dittos on visiting Greenhulk.net.

They live, and breath, PWC's...and every brand has a forum.

I personally have a 4 stroke, turbo, Polaris MSX 150...and I love the fuel economy of the turbo (150 HP, out of a 750cc 2 cylinder engine)! It uses premium...but sips, not gulps. The engine has a closed loop cooling system (antifreeze, like your car)...and there is NO salt water ever in the engine cooling passages. Winterizing involves draining the bilge...and throwing a cover on.

If I were looking for a new ski...it would probably be a Yamaha 4 stroke. Almost all rental businesses here (Florida) run them...and there has to be a reason.

 

[Tyson0317]

Re: Looking to buy my first Jet Ski. What should I look for?

I bought my ski today - thanks to everyone for the posts.

First off, I did get the 2002 Honda 12x Turbo. The thing looked super clean and for the price, I could not pass it up! I looked at ads along the entire West Coast (im in Seattle) and prices for these (Trubo, 105 hours) were in the 5000-6500. I found one for $4800, but it looked trashed and had many more hours on it... I got mine for $4000 - the dealer showed me their paperwork from when they took it on a trade this summer - they paid almost $4800 for it!

Per my Ski, it was used in salt water for sure. I could see some superficial oxydation on the alluminum parts around the jet. The only real rust that I found was on the Turbo exhaust housing, which looked like it was just dredged up from the bottom of the ocean. Why Honda didnt powder-coat or Ceramic-coat that housing is beyond me! That being said, the ski ran GREAT and smooth! Frankly, way too much of a machine for me - I didnt have the guts to open it past half way on a cruise - it jumped up to 40 at half throttle. I did gun it WOT from idle and while holding for dear life did not feel anything abnormal. The ski did feel exeptionally tipsy to me, but I am not a super experianced rider - I think that once I learn to use my weight and anticipate the ski's movements, I will be able to push it faster.

Another few things that I wanted to share with anyone that may be looking for answers to my questions. I got a hold of a friend of a friend that fixes these things for a shop all day long. (Not Hondas per say, but Jet Skis of all types).

He said the most important thing (which everyone here failed to mention) is to check the impellor. Bring a flash light and look in the hole from the back and crawl under it to check the impeller from the underside. He said that people suck rocks and stuff into these, which screws up the alluminum impellor - an $800 job to fix.

The next bit is to check for leaks - check it before the ride and after.

The next bit is to ensure that the head is not cracked. Ride around in a small circle in calm waters and ensure that there is no oil in the water. Likewise, ensure that there is no water in the oil after you are done riding.

Check for oil leaks around the valve seal and head of the motor before and after the test-ride, make sure stuff is not pucking.

Beyond that it gets more involved with pulling plugs and checking compression...

That being said, I will do more reading on my particular ski - other coments are welcome. I am conserned about the turbo housing - you would think that Honda would have a brain and not leave an exposed cast-iron surface on a watercraft... That being said, the heat inside the housing should pretty much prevent any rust from forming where it counts...