New PWC Buys need advice

[Gfriedman]

I have never owned a PWC before but i would really like to buy one. I have been looking around, mostly on craigslist.org. I would like to use the PWC to pull tubes, maybe a little skiing, but mostly have a good time. i was on two seater one last summer and that was definitely to small and unstable so i think i need the three seater.

i found a 96 SeaDoo GTI for $1800. Here is the info i received about the ski.

Its winterized right now. I would prefer not to have to fire it up. I can tell you it definetly runs fine. It was used in lake winnipesaukee. Hours since I have no gauge I do not know for sure but it was not used much, I used to take a ride on saturday and sunday mornings with a few friends at my marina. I have a bigger boat so this was nice to just get out on. I will say that I do run a marina on the lake and it was serviced by my marina. There was never any major problems with it and anything that did come it was fixed correctly since it never cost me anything to fix.

any advice for me on this? I am pretty weary about buying something without seeing it run in person. I asked him if he would be willing to sign a document holding him responsible for repairs if i started it and it didn't work. Haven't heard back yet....

Please let me know your thoughts. I am new to this and want to make sure i am making the right decision.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New PWC Buys need advice

when i as the same basic advice, they said you Yamaha or Kawasaki. bought a 99 yamaha gp800. look at ebay.

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: New PWC Buys need advice

he owns a marina and gets free service but they don't have a compression gauge that costs 20 dollars???? the price is what it's worth the hull is an old style and the seat is like sitting on a 2by4, the 720 engines are 85hp and will tow skiers etc no problem but steering with a skier behind it will be an effort with the stock steering on it. a compression check is very importatn on any used ski. winterized or not they can run a compression check, it may read a little higher than normal with oil in the cylinders but if it reads low there is definitely a problem

 

[Gfriedman]

Re: New PWC Buys need advice

Hmm thanks for the advice guys. i actually passed on that offer because he had said, it is what it is take it or leave it. As much as i trust the natural good in people, I don't think i could buy something without seeing it run. just doesn't make any sense to me.

can someone point me in the right direction of what i should be looking at. i have between 4 and 5k to spend and really am not looking to go over that. From reading posts it definitely seems better to go with 4 stroke (more reliable, easier maintenance, etc.) is this correct?

Top brands seem to be:

Yamaha
Honda

Which models should i be looking at. I would like a three seater that can easily pull a skier or tuber and is comfortable to ride. The model i was looking at someone had mentioned that sitting on it was was like sitting on a 2x4.

thanks for the help everyone!

 

[ziggy]

Re: New PWC Buys need advice

i sold a 02 yamaha fx140 last fall for 5875. it did everything right. the only part that broke in 238hrs was the rule bilge pump. and i put a batt. in it at the start of the 3rd year with it. wasn't the fastest ski on the lake but sure treated me well in that 238hrs......i also let the buy hear it run + took him out for a ride with me. also let him be the operator before i sold it to him. it was the only thing i can think of that i have sold that i could honustly say that there was nothing that i was aware of that was wrong with it.......the only thing i'd say negitive about it was that it wasn't very 'playfull' as jetskis go. the fx series skis seem to be proved to be good skis i guess is my basic statement.....good luck in your shopping.....

 

[Gfriedman]

Re: New PWC Buys need advice

Thanks sneior chief. i think i am going to throw this into a new thread so it gets some more attention.

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: New PWC Buys need advice

you can probably find a yamaha vx110 in that range, I found a sea doo 4tec ltd for 5500 with only 100 hrs on it,, try craigs list, but remember they all run on the trailer so if it isn't in the water to test it out and you don't know the person selling it, then you need to have some way of checking it out, once you buy it it's too late. and skies are high maintenance, I have had to replace my entire pump and all the electronic gauges in my ski, I have 260 hours on it and I drive it harder than most people would so I expect to be doing repairs from time to time I do like the fuel consumption it gets the same mileage as my 2000gti with a 85 hp 720 in it, and this is a lot heavier and a bigger ski with 155hp both get 6 mpg running at 45 mph, running hard w o t and jumping waves I get around 5 mpg so that still isn't bad for a ski. Fuel may not be an issue when you buy one but it will be when you use it, I spent 4600 dollars on gas for my skies last year.

 

[Gfriedman]

Re: New PWC Buys need advice

Wow, thats an interesting point you got there on the gas. I drive a wrangler so i don't think there is any amount of gas consumption that would really shock me. I don't think i will have the opportuntiy to even use it every weekend as i dont have waterfront property. i just plan on trailering it and dropping it in. Prefferable id like a boat, but they dont make to many boats that you can water ski from and pull with a wrangler (>1000 lbs (yes i have the sh*tty 3 speed automatic transimission)). Working on getting a new truck to solve my problem, but then i can't afford a boat. Hence why i want a jet ski. Based on what i am reading it seems like it might be tough to find a quality ski in my price range.

Its a shame casue i have a friend who just bought two tiger sharks used (3 seats, dont know the model number) for 4 grand total. wish i could have gotten that deal. one had compression issues but the other worked fine.

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: New PWC Buys need advice

no you dont,, he paid 4 grande too much.. I get those given to me and I won't even go pick them up, I give them to a friend who sells used parts but I make him go get them.
The big skies are a lot of fun and totally nimble if they are set up correctly, I put a couple of short videos on youtube when we were camping this spring, I had just purchased the 4 tec a month before http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPvJHZuk4zw my avatar came from one of those videos