Son Wants Wave Runner - Advice?

midexp

midexp

Active Member
Oct 5, 2016
424
Harrison Township, Michigan Lake St.Clair
Boat Info
1999 40' Sundancer
Engines
454 merc
My 20 YO son has his heart set on buying a wave runner. I'm thinking his budget is about $2500 max (hopefully). Looking for feedback as to whether he can get anything dependable for this price? What are some of the things to look for and stay away from? Manufacturers, 2 stroke, 4 stroke?

Thanks
 
I would stick with a SeaDoo or Yamaha 4 stroke. We had a 2006 SeaDoo that I bought used a year old, used it for 7 yrs and about 300hrs and other than maintenance never had a single issue with it. It was the GTI SE with the base engine that would still run high 50's. Next door neighbor had a Yamaha, similar age and similar results. I would also stay away from the higher end SeaDoos that are supercharged, they are just more complicated and tend to have some issues as they age. Case in point another neighbor had a SeaDoo RXP that was an absolute rocket, but he had supercharger issues with it.
 
BillK2632 said:
I would stick with a SeaDoo or Yamaha 4 stroke. We had a 2006 SeaDoo that I bought used a year old, used it for 7 yrs and about 300hrs and other than maintenance never had a single issue with it. It was the GTI SE with the base engine that would still run high 50's. Next door neighbor had a Yamaha, similar age and similar results. I would also stay away from the higher end SeaDoos that are supercharged, they are just more complicated and tend to have some issues as they age. Case in point another neighbor had a SeaDoo RXP that was an absolute rocket, but he had supercharger issues with it.
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with a $2,500 budget he won't have to worry about getting one that is supercharged.....;)......

cliff
 
midexp said:
My 20 YO son has his heart set on buying a wave runner. I'm thinking his budget is about $2500 max (hopefully). Looking for feedback as to whether he can get anything dependable for this price? What are some of the things to look for and stay away from? Manufacturers, 2 stroke, 4 stroke?

Thanks
Click to expand...
We've had good luck with the Sea Doo we bought new in 2005. It has the 4 stroke engine and very little maintenance has been required. Oil change every year, a few batteries, and I had the steering linkage replaced (as a preventative measure) a couple of years ago.
 
+1 on Yamahas, I traded for (2) used 2004 FX1100 SHO Cruisers in 2014 and they have been very reliable with little maint, and I have a feeling they were abused by the prior owner. I really had not planned to keep them but a year or two so I didn't even winterize them that first year and still have not these past years. I was really just trying to save $$ renting units while in FL on vacation as we always spend $$$$ renting wave runners every time we vacation in FL.

I have used them in the Mississippi River and damn near every lake within 4 hrs of ST Louis, Table Rock, Mark Twain, Carlyle, Rend, Kentucky, many large farm pond, Gulf Shores, various locations along the FL panhandle. They just work, I don't winterize them, just add some fuel stabilizer on a low-empty fuel tank, pull the AGM Batteries into the house on a trickle charger, and install new plugs at the start of every year. I do check the oil daily while we run them as one of them burns oil pretty good.
 
We have an '06 Yamaha VX110 Deluxe - it has been bullet proof. On of our old marinas had a rental fleet of them and they also said they were bullet proof. We do annual oil/filter changes. Added an AGM battery in '08 and its still going strong as well...
 
rent it when you want to ride it... end up cheaper

they get boring ...imho
 
I have owned a few supercharged SeaDoos and several Kawasaki STX15f's.
Kawasaki are fast, fun, light, and well proven.
 
Happy Dayz said:
rent it when you want to ride it... end up cheaper

they get boring ...imho
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I agree that they get boring for....adults , however with 3 kids + anywhere from 3-6 friends of the kids or another family with kids that accompany us the waverunners generally don’t stop running until day4 of a saltwater vacation, and really never stop running at the lake. We anchor up and one wave runner is used to pull tubes and skiers and the other is used for folks that want to jump/ splash about.... they are also very useful for quick runs to the marina for anything that runs short or was forgotten.
 
I have a 2016 Yamaha FX cruiser HO. It has been a great machine but I think it’s time to sell, for lack of use. 48 hours
I would definitely stick with a four stroke. A lot better on gas and more reliable. Previously I had a seadoo GTI 1998 That had started to lose compression.
 
We've had a PWC for 25+ years, along with 2 boats. Boring is a state of mind. We usually take a PWC AND a boat on vacation, but often the wife and I take just a PWC. We are more "cruisers" than wake jumpers, and will spend the entire day out. So, we need space for beer and food, and it has to be comfortable enough to be able to put in 50-60 miles in a day, with stops at beaches along the way.

That said, to answer your question, here are the must haves:
* 4-stroke
* 3-seater
* S-D or Yami
* fresh water history
* adult ownership

Avoid 2-stroke SeaDoos at all cost. The problem is that these things are usually bought by non-boaters that don't have a clue. Rode hard and put away wet. Maintenance is everything, just like your SeaRay.

We were confirmed SeaDooers until 4 years ago when we traded on a Yamaha FXHO Cruiser. Starts better, runs better, better amenities and let me emphasize....the maintenance requirements are sooooo much easier. Even taking a battery out of a S-D is a PITA.

There are good ones out there, but $2500 may be a stretch.

When my 13 year old son got a ride on one, he decided he HAD to have one. So, he started saving, cutting grass, helping old ladies, etc. and when he got his driver's licence 3 years later he announced he was going to buy one. I helped him look and for what $ he had I didn't think any of them were worth it. So, I made him a deal. We went in halfers and bought brand new, with the understanding that I could use it sometimes too.

Two years later I gave him my half and his mother and I bought a new one. Two new ones later, now approaching our 70's, and we still ride like we stole it......LOL.
 
Happy Dayz said:
rent it when you want to ride it... end up cheaper they get boring ...imho
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+1... I have been down this road with 4 kids.. the first couple of months they are all over it... Then nothing... One year they put one hour on it...all four kids combined. I sold it...my son got upset and bought a wakeboard edition used it a handful of times the first year and sold it.... and what's important was it was on the lake so just get on and go... No trailer and launching hassle
 
Blueone said:
+1... I have been down this road with 4 kids.. the first couple of months they are all over it... Then nothing... One year they put one hour on it...all four kids combined. I sold it...my son got upset and bought a wakeboard edition used it a handful of times the first year and sold it.... and what's important was it was on the lake so just get on and go... No trailer and launching hassle
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That's true for a lot of things, not just boats. Although I sure do see a lot of boats sitting unused year after year.

Renting may be an idea just to see if you like the sport, but not for long. First off, the rental charges are exorbitant. Renting for a day once a month might cost more than a monthly payment to buy one. Secondly, that truly is BORING. We have rented when out of town several times, and every place I ever went to had a very small area that you were restricted to ride in.

If you do rent, be very careful. Renters are usually the ones that are clueless and take no care of the equipment. We have had 2 fatalities in my local rental spot in as many years. One was the owner's son.
 
midexp said:
My 20 YO son has his heart set on buying a wave runner. I'm thinking his budget is about $2500 max (hopefully). Looking for feedback as to whether he can get anything dependable for this price? What are some of the things to look for and stay away from? Manufacturers, 2 stroke, 4 stroke?

Thanks
Click to expand...
I say do it. I bought one when I was 20 and it was a blast. It’ll help him understand ownership, maintenance and the selling/buying process. I do agree with blue though. It’ll get old for him sooner than later.
 
I had a pair of Yamaha VX110's for about 5 years. Absolutely great machines and a great price. But in any event, definitely stick to 4-stroke machines. My daughter and wife both lost interest, but we had a great 5-year run.
 
Horseback riding, an organ, a piano, photography, stamp and coin collecting, snow skiing, etc. all were expensive short lived hobbies. OTOH, I believe girls and boats will last forever (at least in my family).

(Island Time will appreciate this) My son't birthday is this Saturday. I guarantee he will be jetskiing around Grand Island to commemorate it.....LOL.

YMMV - since you're buying used, just be sure to get a good one and when it becomes boring you will get most of your money back.
 
GypsmJim said:
YMMV - since you're buying used, just be sure to get a good one and when it becomes boring you will get most of your money back.
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This is great advise.. To bad it doesn't work for wives and girl friends :)
 
GypsmJim said:
Horseback riding, an organ, a piano, photography, stamp and coin collecting, snow skiing, etc. all were expensive short lived hobbies. OTOH, I believe girls and boats will last forever (at least in my family).

(Island Time will appreciate this) My son't birthday is this Saturday. I guarantee he will be jetskiing around Grand Island to commemorate it.....LOL.

YMMV - since you're buying used, just be sure to get a good one and when it becomes boring you will get most of your money back.
Click to expand...

40+ years snow skiing and averaging 30+ days for the last 18+ years.... Those are fighting words Mister !!!
That's Mt Rainier over my shoulder...
2018-01-13 10.48.17.jpg
 
Have had a Yamaha FX Cruiser for 10 years. Sits out in the elements all year long with a cover. Every spring I put the battery in it (5 minutes tops) and it cranks first press of the button. We let anyone use it on the dock and it's often the water taxi between the anchorage and the slip. Just boat another floater 2 weeks ago and plan on getting another Yamaha.
 
I have a number of skis from 1989 Kawasaki x2 to 2001 Yamaha 1200 gp. All are two stroke and have been converted to premix fuel. Four strokes are definitely better on gas but at his budget a well maintained two stroke may be easier to find.

I do agree that a three seater is the way to go for both comfort and the ability to tow a tube legally.
 
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