Pair of jet ski's under $4,000

[fknb]

Hi and thanks in advance for any free advice. I am looking to buy a pair of used jet ski's for under $4,000. I have a boat so I don't think we will need for pulling skiers and tubers.
It does not need to be the fastest boat in the water but fast enough to satisfy a couple of early twenty (kids). I am mostly looking for reliable and value for the dollar. Also any thing I should be looking for or asking about when I check condition. This early in the year will be hard to get out in the water in Ohio. Thanks again.

Jerry

 

[dannyual767]

Re: Pair of jet ski's under $4,000

The first thing that you should do is get on craigslist and start looking at what the prices are in your area (within 3 hrs drive or whatever you're comfortable with.) Different regions have different prices. For obvious reasons, springtime is more expensive than trying to buy watercraft in the fall/winter.

There are so many things to look for when buying a used jetski. My advice would be to try to find a friend that is familiar with PWCs and have him help you when looking at skis. At the very least, you must do a compression check on any used PWC. Second, you must test ride the ski! It may run fine on the trailer hooked up to a garden hose but then the engine may fall flat on it's face when put under load in the water.

I like to go fast. Anything that won't reach 50mph is too slow for me. There are many, many PWCs that will go that fast to keep your 20+ yr olds smiling. There are many, many that won't get near that speed. You must do your research to buy something that really will suit your needs and wants.

Yamahas typically have a great reliability reputation. Thats a big reason that the rental places use them. I've got two of 'em. A 1994 WaveRaider and a 1997 GP1200.

BTW, did I mention that you must do a compression test before buying a used ski ?

 

[carbineone]

Re: Pair of jet ski's under $4,000

Have heard good things about Yamahas and Seadoos..Those two seem to rated by users as the top two..We have a older 94 Seadoo SP we are going to try out this year..I have read that the older 90s Seadoo GTX I believe they are are very dependable.

I personally would not touch any jetski past maybe 1996 unless you have very deep pockets for repair work or can do the work yourself..If you buy newer ones with all the electronic crap they are going to break down,not a matter if but just when,which will be quite often and cost you alot of money to repair them...Just something to consider if you cannot afford constant repair bills and would rather be having fun then waiting for the shop to repair the new one till next time your out..I know it sounds bleak but its the truth about new crap...Goodluck

 

[fknb]

Re: Pair of jet ski's under $4,000

Thanks for the advise. It takes a lot of reading through forums to get a good feel for what has been reliable. Lots of jet ski's with just rebuilt engines which I don't know if it was due to abuse or a certain amount of life in an engine.

I did find a pair of 97 Seadoo's GTX with the 800 engine that is original and he say's the have 120 hours on them and well taken care of. this model looks like a good fit for me. He is two hours away and wants 4,500. We will talk price after a compression test and some time on the cold water. I can turn a wrench and usually fix my own things but am not up to a rebuild.

 

[carbineone]

Re: Pair of jet ski's under $4,000

That sounds like a decent price for them but maybe he would deal a little too...Good idea to do a compression test and a test drive on them both..Also good to look inside the nozzle at the prop and ring and such...If you buy them ask what he has done as far as maintenance and such and that will give you a better idea what you should or should not have to do when you get them home..

I am not sure about the 97 years but I belive they had the old Grey fuel lines yet too and if they all have not been changed thats one thing that has to be done for sure..I can tell you quite a few other things you will want to do also if you buy them..Also new oil lines are very important for maintanence,especially the two small one out of the injector pump...Goodluck..