To buy/or not -- JetSki?

[Mulhollanddose]

This is what I am looking at


She has 215 supercharged hp...she is a beaut...

I am looking for advice and/or experiences (like, "I bought one and never had the time to use it, so don't waste your time")

[CamB]

Lookit the size of that thing! Seriously, do you have something you can tow it with (the Mitsi would do it fine, I s'pose).

Been looking at your sig for a couple of hours now. I might wait and see if Annan resigns first - I see he accepted the criticism/blame leveled at him.

[bryanthompson]

I prefer stand-up jetskis. It always makes me laugh when some supercharged go-fast heavy jetski finds a boat wake and tries to jump it. If you wanna do jumps and have real fun, stand-up is the only way to go. If you just want to go really insanely fast, go with a sit-down.

[bryanthompson]

Ebay Item 4573888517 is identical to the ski I had. We also had a pair of '96 Sea Doo XPs. Those XPs will still outrun many many new machines. not my kind of fun, though.

[Mulhollanddose]

Ya, I am all about the agility of a standup, but I like the idea of high speed and possibly jumping waves (not wakes)...and, damn, this thing looks mean...215 supercharged ponies?

BTW...It comes in a reddish color.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Waaayyyy too "2D" for me!

[bryanthompson]

Since you're close to the ocean, you'll definitely find some jumpable waves... out here, I was lucky to find a 3' wave on a windy day. I 'spose that really changes things

[Mulhollanddose]

Originally posted by bryanthompson
Ebay Item 4573888517 is identical to the ski I had. We also had a pair of '96 Sea Doo XPs. Those XPs will still outrun many many new machines. not my kind of fun, though.

So unsexy...And no good for taking girls for a ride...No, Chicky, I am not inviting you.

[bryanthompson]

dah, this is the one I meant to link to. I had too many tabs open, too tired... more excuses...

4574361106 is the one I meant.

[Eric Coffey]

Why not just rent one when you want? I mean that beast probably costs what, 12k+? So, even if they were $200 a day to rent, you would have to do so 60+ times to match the expense of an outright purchase. Plus, if you rent you don't have to worry about things like storage, maintenance, registration, extra insurance, resale, etc.. Not to mention the instant depreciation.

[gchappel]

I have an 96XP and a yamaha standup- both are classic killer machines. I find many of the new machines simply toooooo heavy. Just like a car, think light. They are much like riding a motorcycle, except you can lay one down for fun. The light skis are a blast to jump with, never tried any decent jumps on a heavier ski.
As far as use- we live on a chain of lakes and the ocean is about an hour away. Their have been years, especially when my son was still home, that they got used and badly abused almost every day. They haven't been started in over a year now, neither has the boat.
Try one out, but try one of the spartan lighter models in both the sit down and stand up as well. You can spend the day simply cruising, but it is certainly a rush to jump!!
Have fun
Gary

[Seahawk]

Mul,

I own two old SeaDoos that I bought new in the mid 90's, an XP and a GTI. We enjoy them, especially the kids, and I've keep them well maintained.
The first year or two we owned them, we used them about ten times a year. Now, even though I live on the water and have my own boat ramp, we only use them about four or five times a year, max. I let a few friends I trust use them an additional five or six times a year just to keep them from sitting.
What to do: I agree with Eric. For the first year/season, rent and get an idea if you'll use the craft enough to justify the purchase. If you choose to buy, purchased used. There are amazing low hour Sea Doo's on the market. Let someone else take the depreciation hit.

[VINMAN]

Jet Ski, Waverunner : waterborne speedbump!

[TheMentat]

if it floats, flies or f#%ks, just rent it...

[Moses]

There is a place near where I live that rents them. Drive by, hook up the trailer and you're off. Infinitely cheaper than owning one if you use it 3 or 4 times a year.

[Mulhollanddose]

Note: I can launch the beast in less than 15 minutes from homebase and enjoy spontaneity...

thanks for all the comments so far

[Mulhollanddose]

Originally posted by VINMAN
Jet Ski, Waverunner : waterborne speedbump!

...True, true...that is why agility and 215 horsies come in handy.

[Jay Auskin]

Never buy one of these things new. That's coming from a cheap arse. I've owned a few, and they've always been used. If you get the right one, you won't notice performance is down from the latest 'n greatest, and you can buy it for what you sold it for. We used to rent a lot too. If you truly plan to use it a lot, it won't be long before you say, "Man I could have just bought one." Again, meaning a used one.

Of course if you have a lot of money, and don't care, just disregard what I said....and I'm jealous.

[ronin]

used to have two KZ 440 stand-ups. lots of fun. sit-downs are a bit boring for me, but it all depends on what you want to do. true, the chickies can't go for a ridealong on a stand-up, but that's what you do with the Porsche

[86 911]

I got a chance to rent one down in Lake Havasu, AZ on the Colorado River. A LOT of fun. This was a sit down one, and had a lot of power. I accidentally went too slow while turning and it tipped over. lol. I still want a jet ski though. Isn't it harmful to take them out in salt water though?