Tips on Buying SEA-DOO's or WAVE Runners

[Little6pack]

I am toying with buying the above mentioned if my T ever sells.

I can't afford new, but would not mind a High HP unit that is maybe 2 or 3 years old and used in fresh water.

What to look for? or what to ask seller? should I demand a test ride?

Should I look at one that holds 2 or 3 people? or Should I buy 2 units so I would have a family member with me?

Is a boating course or license required? (that is stupid cause here in the northeast they will find anyway to rape your pockets.)

 

[GottaBuick]

The laws are different everywhere, like here, no boating course or license required...unless it's changed. I have one many years ago (sea-doo), 85hp twin cylinder, 2-stroke, oil injected, it kept up with anything on the water that wasn't modified and would do 60mph. I have rode 110-130 hp and they only difference is top end, the take off wasn't any different than the 85 hp, and it would rip your arms off. The bigger the ski, the better because it will ride better in rough water and not beat you to death while letting you run a faster cruising speed in that rough water. To pull a tube or skier, around here it must be a three seater or you will get a ticket.

Maintenence on today 4 strokes I don't know, but the older ones like my old one took alot. make sure it was always properly winterized and was never wrecked! check impeller for scaring due to shallow riding or riding in alot of crappy conditions causing debrit. check the hours, high hours are not good in my book because they are more than likely hard riding hours, mine were!

Last note, I would never get one again, unless I had a boat too, because they are a blast but only short time periods. 20 minutes and I was done wore out. cruising is okay,but they like fuel, reminds me of the buick HA! maybe the new 15ft (jk) 4-strokes are better these days, I don't know, but for the price I would just buy a boat.

 

[JOHNDEEREGN]

I am toying with buying the above mentioned if my T ever sells.

I can't afford new, but would not mind a High HP unit that is maybe 2 or 3 years old and used in fresh water.

What to look for? or what to ask seller? should I demand a test ride?

Should I look at one that holds 2 or 3 people? or Should I buy 2 units so I would have a family member with me?

Is a boating course or license required? (that is stupid cause here in the northeast they will find anyway to rape your pockets.)

Check with Otto or Cal, they both ride like men possesed

 

[HighPSI]

LOL, Ty!!!

I have owned several types of skis, and will only own a 4 stroke. The maintenance is almost nil (Change the oil every 50-100 hours depending on the ski). If you want the most fuel efficient and reliable, buy a Honda. If you want the quickest, buy a supercharged SeaDoo or Yamaha. The SeaDoo's have a Closed Loop cooling system, all other brands cool the engine with the water you're riding in. This is important if you ride in salt water.
All the brands have their pro's and con's. Let me know what you are wanting out of the ski and I can point you in the right direction.

 

[Little6pack]

Thanks for some of the info it was very good.

I really only want to ride 30 mins tops take a break or let my boys 21, 17 use taking turns.

I have both Fresh or Salt available to me.

I def don't want a boat as they would be too slow & a PIA to tow.

The only boat I would consider is the tiny 4 seater Sea Doo Jet Boat with a Bimi top. Plus boats drop faster in value than a Turbo car :biggrin:

 

[Little6pack]

LOL, Ty!!!

I have owned several types of skis, and will only own a 4 stroke. The maintenance is almost nil (Change the oil every 50-100 hours depending on the ski). If you want the most fuel efficient and reliable, buy a Honda. If you want the quickest, buy a supercharged SeaDoo or Yamaha. The SeaDoo's have a Closed Loop cooling system, all other brands cool the engine with the water you're riding in. This is important if you ride in salt water.
All the brands have their pro's and con's. Let me know what you are wanting out of the ski and I can point you in the right direction.

HMM, I missed out on a Supercharged SeaDoo last fall. it was the close loop system. they wanted 4k for it. Had low hours. I want fast & ocean ability.

 

[1quick6]

Definitely get a three person. They are big and can handle waves making it a more comfortable ride. I have a 1996 Kawasaki Zxi 1100 and it is a small two person ... really more like a 1.5 person. It is hard to ride with two people and even worse in rough water. It does go like heck with just me on it and will easily do 72 on calm water. I don't like to ride it when it is choppy because it beats the heck out of me. It will get schooled by a larger ski in choppy water, but not because it is slower. It just can't handle rough water like a bigger ski.

If I ever get a different one, it will be a large four stroke. My 96 is still in mint condition, so I see no reason to change. Skis depreciate sooooooooo fast.

 

[Otto J]

Get one by Sat, we are riding from Rhode Island to Block Island on the open ocean