NEW TO WAVE RUNNERS

[starbury]

I am about to but my first PWC and was wondering if a certain "brand" was better than another, the most important things to look for, and the best place to look for used PWCs. Are used better for beginners?

 

[dhud64]

Re: NEW TO WAVE RUNNERS

There are so many types of pwc's, I personally would not buy new for the first ski. I just bought my first ski too. I did alot of reading on pwc forums. <br />The best bet is to try to find a place to test ride different makes and models. Sometimes dealers will have a day at a local lake where folks can test drive different ski's.<br /><br />You first need to decide what you want to do with your ski. <br />Just you ride, or 3 people ride and pull a tube? <br />Do you want 2 stroke or 4 stroke? 4 stroke is more costly to purchase, but I think economical and efficient.<br />They also make some pretty awesome stand-up models. I hear they are hirder to ride at first, but looks like you can do a lot more manouvers.<br /><br />Go to a search engine like Dogpile and look for the home page of PWC manufactures. Yamaha, Kawasaki, Sea-Doo, Polaris, etc.. You can learn a lot there too.<br /><br />Here is a pwc forum that I really like. <br /> http://www.sbtontheweb.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

 

[TPD211]

Re: NEW TO WAVE RUNNERS

New or used doesnt matter for beginners, what you are willing to spend does.<br />My opinion, in order of quality:<br />Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Sea-Doo.<br />Go for a 4 stroke if you are serious about jet sking. If you will use it occasionally, go with what you can afford. Remember to fog it if you are storing it for a month or more. I beleive in synthetic oil for jet skis. I really like Amsoil Injector Oil for 2 strokes.<br />Dhud64 has great points. Sbtontheweb is a great site, look at www.sea-doo.net also. Riva Yamaha use to have a site, I dont know if it is still active. <br />Stand ups are generally for ocean riding/wave jumping. <br />If you do ride in salt water, remember to flush the motor. Ask the dealer to show you how so you dont fill the engine with water. A common newb mistake.<br />I had a 1999 GP1200 Yamaha and a 1998 Sea Doo GSX-Limited prior to my boat. The Yamaha hit 55 mph, the GSX hit 65 mph, it was a rocket on the water.<br /><br />I could burn 18 gallons of gas in 2-3 hours. Jet Skis are not very economical, especially the 2 strokes. With gas the price it is, I would get a 4 stroke for the fuel economy. The 2 strokes also require regular maintenance, you cant just ride them and forget them. The 4 strokes are not as maintenance intensive, ride it, wash it, put it away.<br />If you are going to wave jump, or are in a lake with lots of wave action, get a bilge pump installed, you wont regret it.<br /><br />BTW, wave jumping rocks in a jet ski, they are like a dirt bike on the water.<br /><br />Good luck in your search.

 

[BiXLL]

Re: NEW TO WAVE RUNNERS

Riva Yamaha site:<br /> http://rivaforums.com/6/ubb.x?a=frm&s=6446095904&f=4886094314

 

[mattttt25]

Re: NEW TO WAVE RUNNERS

i bought a sea-doo that was a couple years old at the time. i loved it. stable, fast, and fun.

 

[DJ]

Re: NEW TO WAVE RUNNERS

Personal favorite-Sea Doo.<br /><br />We have three late model PWC's. One Sea Doo, one Yamaha, one Kawasaki.<br /><br />Only the Sea Doo will run for an entire weeks vacation.<br /><br />The Kawasaki is the worst of the three. The Yamaha has a terrible ride.

 

[Seaboo2]

Re: NEW TO WAVE RUNNERS

I agree with Seadoo's being at the top of the list, then Yammaha's, Honda's and Kaw's (just my oppion) A 4 stroke is less maintance, more torque (normally) and less noise (but I love a 2 srtoke myself... Revs quicker and better stunts such as jumps because of it, but they are getting outdated (IMHO). <br /><br /> Stand up are a stunt king, they will wear you out faster than a sit down, can't really pull a tube, or take a passasanger but can do awsome stunts.<br /><br /> I disagree with the above statement and I think Most STOCK skis are fairly ecomonical. My friends and I can go to the lake and ride all day on a tank of fuel (maybe a splash over if we ride HARD all day). 2 of my friends have "built" skis and they burn twice as much fuel as we do.

 

[mkuehnl]

Re: NEW TO WAVE RUNNERS

Seaboo2:<br /><br />What do you mean "2 of my friends have built skis"? From the ground up or do you mean rebuilt. I am curious. Thanks