Buying a Jetski

[Rayhunt]

Heres an interesting link about the old seadoos
http://www.oldseadoos.com/

[WT-RXT]

Disregard the sarcastic rude response from the KNUCKLEHEAD.

I recommend a Seadoo 3 person 4 stroke. They are quieter and pollute much less than 2 stroke. Also, the Seadoo storage is much larger than most.

As with any boat, storage out of the water is best.

Also, the Seadoo 4 stroke has internal engine cooling (closed loop), the way to go.

Seadoo also holds value better than most.

[Island Girl]

I am going for the SeaDoo GTX 4 stroke. I would of course like the higher models but think the lower horsepower will be cheaper to run... unless you more knowledgeable people can tell me otherwise.

IG

[trfour]

I think that you will be very happy with it.

I need to thank WT-RXT for his input.... Also, I would like to try and clear up some questions from RG, if I may.

First; PLEASE read and understand your owners manual. The infomation contained therein is most valueable to the safe operation. Any further questions you may have can be answered by your dealer, or feel free to come out here and ask them as there is a great wealth of folks that will also help you, and give you the right scoop!

As others have mentioned, for the longjevety and trouble free riding pleasure, maintainance is key. therefore one should keep in mind that any internal combustion engine has to have the following;

1. Keep the fuel clean and free of any sediments or water as if water is ingested into the cylinder, water does not compress, and serious engine dammage could result.

2 Keep the intake air clean, and free of water, for the same reason stated obove.

3. Last, but not least, keep the oil clean.

4. Allow engine warm up, before riding.

The obove applies to both 2 and 4 stroke engines, and with these 4 easy steps, they can run trouble free indefinately.

Hope this helps.

PS- My next snowmobile, or PWC will be four stroke powered. Also it will match my golf handicap! Are you listening out there Uppy?

Love,
T.

[Woodsy]

Island Girl...

I would go with the bigger motor... the cost of operation will not be that much more. But the smaller motor will signifigantly affect resale value.

Woodsy

[gtxrider]

Congratulations you have come over to the dark side! Riding a PWC is almost like riding a motorcycle with out the road rash.

As for big motors the GTX 4 TEC or the Limited with the super charger use the same ROTAX engine. It is about 1500CCs and 155 HP with out the blower 215 HP with the super charger. They don't come any bigger displacement wise.


I am sending a copy of a PWC magazine that has most of the 2006 models with gh*, if she remembers it.

[chipj29]

Island Girl, if I may suggest something, please consider joining the American Watercraft Association. They are strong advocates for us PWC owners. Your $24 annual membership includes a subscription to their magazine Ride.

And that goes out to the otherr PWC owners here as well...please join AWA, they look out for YOU!

www.awahq.org

Chip

[gtxrider]

As they say beauty is in the eye of the Beer Holder!

[Captain Zipper]

What are the prices now for the 3 seat, 4 strokes with the bigger motors?

What about the cost for insurance for them?

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by Captain Zipper

What are the prices now for the 3 seat, 4 strokes with the bigger motors?

What about the cost for insurance for them?

Zipper, take a look at this website, www.getamotorcycle.com There are jet skis listed there from muliple dealers throughout New England. You can get a good idea of prices on there.
As far as insurance goes, price depends more on who you insure with rather than the boat. Check out www.watercraftinsurance.com I got a real good price through them, less than $200/year.

[gtxrider]

Originally Posted by Captain Zipper

What are the prices now for the 3 seat, 4 strokes with the bigger motors?

What about the cost for insurance for them?

On the low end the Kawasaki 1STX-12F lists for $7,999 1199 CC Ninja based engine and the top end Sea Doo GTX Limited lists for $13,299... Thes are not classified as muscle craft. Sea Doo also has the GTI with a smaller 4TEC in the high $7K if you can do without the bells and whistles. Check out the manufactures web sites to get a base line on prices.

Insurance is not that expensive relatively speaking! Shop around for the best price.

[WT-RXT]

Insurance is cheap, shop around. It's cheaper if you have had prior boating experience. I go through Progressive for $175 yr.

Also, if you live in NH, and buy out of state, like I recommended from Xtreme Powersports, you do not pay sales tax.

[Excalibur]

I purchased a 4 stroke 3 person Kawasaki from HK Powersports in Laconia 2 yrs ago. I was very happy with the price and I have not needed any service besides winterization yet. Also it is quieter then most boats on the lake.

I would like to reccomend that you purchase a lift with the PWC. I have found that PWC's and docks and lines do not mix well. You could build a ramp with a winch or purchase a lift to take the PWC out of the water. This will prevent corrosion in the jet and save it from scratches and dings from heavy weather at the dock.

You will be able to experience the lake in a whole different way on a PWC. I ended up going places that I havent ventured in years in my power boat. They are very economical to run and fun on a hot summers day.

As always on the big lake, watch the weather and bring a change of clothes. You will get wet...

[SPANKY]

IG, I am selling a 2003 polaris MSX 140, with trailer, cover, jackets, anchor in great condition for $5500. gotta make room for the new boat!! send me a pm if you want more details.

[GTO]

Also, no matter what machine you buy, always be careful of docklines. Your machine will suck them up and get wrapped around the impeller...quite a mess.

Originally Posted by Excalibur

I purchased a 4 stroke 3 person Kawasaki from HK Powersports in Laconia 2 yrs ago. I was very happy with the price and I have not needed any service besides winterization yet. Also it is quieter then most boats on the lake.

I would like to reccomend that you purchase a lift with the PWC. I have found that PWC's and docks and lines do not mix well. You could build a ramp with a winch or purchase a lift to take the PWC out of the water. This will prevent corrosion in the jet and save it from scratches and dings from heavy weather at the dock.

You will be able to experience the lake in a whole different way on a PWC. I ended up going places that I havent ventured in years in my power boat. They are very economical to run and fun on a hot summers day.

As always on the big lake, watch the weather and bring a change of clothes. You will get wet...

[onthebay]

Since most of you have jetskis I thought you would have some experience with the process.
I just bought a jetski and it came with a Roll and Go dock http://www.roll-n-go.com/ It is model PWC. I plan on putting it on my beach.
Do I need a dock permit for this? Does it need a sticker like a mooring? Is it treated like a seasonal dock ?
Thanks

[Aquadeziac]

As long as you drag it totally up on the beach and none of it touches water you need nothing. I run into this when I keep my PWC at a friends cottage. Same holds true for PWC lifts. As long as it is up out of the water, you need no permits. But if you only drag it halfway out of the water the MP will be paying you a visit.

[fasttech]

Irwin Marine in Alton sells Seadoo's, If I was to buy another watercraft I would buy it from a marina not a bike shop where they are more concerned about taking care of their main money maker (bikes) no rush on a boat or watercraft.
Keep in mind that a Seadoo has a learning key that limits the speed untill you are ready for full speed and they also have off power assisted steering (like a rudder on each side). Good luck

[jetskier]

I just wanted to add a couple of points:

First, if you drag the jetski up onto the beach, there are a couple of things to be aware of. There are always waves on the lake (in the traveled sections) and you might find your jetski moving into the water or cast adrift. It needs to be well up on the beach. Second, you will get sand into your intake and should take care to get it out before starting the craft. Sand does not help impellers and can clog water intake (on 2 cycle craft). Sooo...the lift is generally a better choice.

If you do have a Sea Doo with the DSS key, do not leave it plugged into the craft when you are not using it, battery drain becomes an issue.

Have fun and boat safe

Jetskier

[ossipeeboater]

Originally Posted by fasttech

Irwin Marine in Alton sells Seadoo's, If I was to buy another watercraft I would buy it from a marina not a bike shop where they are more concerned about taking care of their main money maker (bikes) no rush on a boat or watercraft.
Keep in mind that a Seadoo has a learning key that limits the speed untill you are ready for full speed and they also have off power assisted steering (like a rudder on each side). Good luck

I bought my 2 used at DaSilvas and unfortunately caused myself an issue with a tow line a few weeks later on 1. I dropped it at Chucks on a monday morning with no phone call before they opened and by the time I called him at 10 it was in the service bay and they were working on it. I can't recommend Chuck enough he remembers who you are and takes care of you unlike some of the other dealers I have dealt with.