Possibly getting a waverunner.. what to look for?

[pmat1]

We are considering getting a waverunner after renting them at the shore and having a blast! Is thhere anything to look for on a waverunner when buying one? we would like a 3 seater, no older then '93. were on a budget, cant spend much more than $800. What do you guys reccomend? Also, weve seen a few on CL that run and are cheap, but lack a trailer. Would it fit in the back of a SUV? we are tieing it up to the big boat at the dock, so it wont be transported much. Thanks

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: Possibly getting a waverunner.. what to look for?

with that budget I suggest you look for a different hobby,, honestly!

 

[pmat1]

Re: Possibly getting a waverunner.. what to look for?

we dont want any performance or aftermarket stuff. we just want a old ski that runs.. they cant be tooo expensive..?

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: Possibly getting a waverunner.. what to look for?

OK, if you say so!

 

[kinggabbo]

Re: Possibly getting a waverunner.. what to look for?

I've kinda been looking at getting a jet ski as well. From what I've seen, you probably won't find a decent one for $800, and by decent I mean at least running. I may have seen some for about $1200 that said that they ran. Who knows though.

 

[Torino117]

Re: Possibly getting a waverunner.. what to look for?

Sorry man, but unless you want something that's going to break down on you resulting in more cash spent down the line. You're going to have to raise your budget to around 1500 at least, if you want to find something dependable.

You are inland so freshwater is a big plus. But, if you can't spend a lot now, then you're much better off waiting until you are, sometimes you have to spend more to get more, and with waverunners that is very true.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Possibly getting a waverunner.. what to look for?

I have seen some good running late 80's waverunners for around that price. Not the prettiest and I think they are the 500cc motors. Only 2 seaters too.

I don't think you will find anything as new as you want for that price unless it needs some help.

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: Possibly getting a waverunner.. what to look for?

if you buy a 800 dollar ski,, and find that it ran good on the trailer if you even get a trailer with it,, then it won't run in the water,, or it has pump issues etc and you end up spending another 800 dollars to get it running and usable,,, you still only have a 800 dollar ski,, spend a couple of k and get one that is usable so you can go have fun on it not work on it,, just my experience.. been there done that .. now I buy new ones,, just blew the pump on my 250x, took it to the dealer they replaced the pump and I had it back in a few days.. didn't have to turn a single wrench.. and only paid for overnighting the parts from Kawasaki.. less work more fun..