Anyone know/own those SeaDoo Jet Boats?

lendaddy · 07-13-2005, 09:57 AM

One of these lil things seems like a perfect fit for me. Behind my house is on the GrandRiver (separted by a county wilderness park) and there is a launch 1/4 mile down the road. It goes all the way to Lake Michigan (Grand Haven/Spring Lake). The problem is that it can be shallow and somewhat dangerous for prop boats. People do take large boats down there, but I know many that have tossed props.

I have a son 19 months and another on the way(also a boy) and am thinking this would be a cheap/fun way to dink around with the fam. And Grand Haven is a great area for food and nightlife as well.

Wow, way too much info, can anyone advise me on these? I'm leaning the '98-'99 Speedster w/ twin Rotax and and about 170-220 HP

928ram · 07-13-2005, 10:15 AM

Wait until the kids are much older; "nightlife" and boating don't mix.

RickM · RickM's Garage

I recently had my wife and daughter on a 3-4 person Seadoo in Cape Cod. It was lots of fun. However, I agree that a kid should probably be at least in that 5-7 year range and a good swimmer before starting. My daughter is 8, on 2 swim teams, tallest girl in her class and quite adventurous. IMO, she wouldn't have been ready at earlier than 5.

lendaddy · 07-13-2005, 10:52 AM

I agree, but the river itself is very low speed putting. It's not like I expect the boys to be wake boardin by 3

As far as them it would be me dropping the wife and boys at the beach and I go fishing or whatever.

My 19 month old did jhave his first swimming lesson yesterday though

lendaddy · 07-13-2005, 10:54 AM

And I have many friends there and any "heavy" nightlife would result in a tie-up and a cab ride home(20 min) or staying with friends.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

We are talking jet boat here - not jet ski -

Yes - we boat as a family - great way to spend some time together. My kids started with me before they started walking...

lendaddy · 07-13-2005, 11:02 AM

Yep the boat, not the Ski. Probably 16'-18' 5-6 passenger.

lendaddy · 07-13-2005, 11:05 AM

Here are a few pics of the current favorite, '99 SeaDoo Speedster Sk 16.5'

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

They are fast as fuchs - I'd see if anybody has one that you can rent before dropping the dough. Make sure you can use it where you want to use it.

Point #2 - Jetboats not much fun to fish off. My kids (girls and the boy) like to fish -

Eric 951 · 07-13-2005, 11:11 AM

len,

They are pretty slick--but they are sort of a single-purpose watercraft. A "cushier" jet ski that can ride a passenger and tow a skier/tube. If you want to use it for anything beyoind that, you will get tired of it. My buddy bought one brand-new 2 years ago, and just sold it this year, due to it's lack of versatility--he is now buying a "traditional" boat.

lendaddy · 07-13-2005, 11:13 AM

I have a small rec-sports lake a 1/4 mile one way and the river a 1/4 mile the other. The river connects to a large lake and then Lake Michigan. I am surrounded by water. I have no doubts I'll be able to use its ability.

Fishing for me means relaxing with a book and a bobber and no I'm not kidding

So I'm sure it'll handle that.

I had SeaDoo PWC (HX) when I was younger and had a friggen ball, I modified it to the moon and beat it senseless. So I know I like the technology and feel.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by lendaddy
Fishing for me means relaxing with a book and a bobber and no I'm not kidding

Not with small kids on a boat -

no - I'm not kidding either

lendaddy · 07-13-2005, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jeremy964
Not with small kids on a boat - no - I'm not kidding either

Kids are at the beach w/ma, papa is fishin.

But yea I know what you mean. Dad took us fishing alot when we were a little too young for it and the type of boat we were in was the least of dads concerns

David · David's Garage

It's like an autox boat. A guy at work had one. It would turn great, actually it would turn so well that you could throw people out of it.

x911x · 07-13-2005, 01:23 PM

I am a current owner of a jetboat (YAMAHA LS2000), its a blast to have. I have a 9,6,2 yr/old kids. They love to ride the front seats (bow). All I hear is "could we go faster". My little boy (2) is always on my lap holding the steering wheel.

I have about 3 friends who owns Seadoo jetboats. There are some reliablity issued with their boats. I'm not sure what it is, mostly on the older boats. Newer Seadoos use Mercur engines, older ones were "twin rotax". There were always something wrong with at least one of them if we go out to the lake. Two of them sold their boats, one is in the process of trading it in.

I'm talking from experience here. My boat is about 6 years old now, it never needed anything other than the annual tuneup, oil and gas.

visit forums of jetboats, ask for their opinions.

lendaddy · 07-13-2005, 01:44 PM

I would indeed consider the Yamaha, I was/am a big fan of their motor products as well. The Rotax 2 strokers are as reliable as a hammer to people that know them. I never had problems cause I knew how to tune/care for them. That's just my opinion ofcourse and I know what you mean. The beauty of "one is down...we still move" is nice though

P.S. The Yamahas seem to be larger by a good margin, did they make a 16-17 footer?

x911x · 07-13-2005, 02:38 PM

as far as I know they dont make any boat smaller than 19.5".

Here's a pic of the gang:

And here's my jetski 1200xl, which is faster than the boat. I get a top speed of 58mph (GPS)

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

yahama > Sea doo - but they don;t make anything smaller... Yahama OB on my boat...