Son Wants Wave Runner - Advice?

Happy Dayz said:
rent it when you want to ride it... end up cheaper

they get boring ...imho
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This is more about the rider than the boat. I've owned Sea Doos for 30 years and owned boats the entire time as well. For 20 of the 30 years the Sea Doo would have been the last thing I would have given up. That's more about me than anything else but they are a blast.

Regarding reliability, I've owned 3 generations of Sea Doos and they have been incredibly reliable. I currently own a couple of 2007 GTIs, and just this winter had.my first repair, other than a tow rope in the jet. More reliable than any other boat I've owned in that time

If your son is responsible, absolutely let.your son do it. Kids should grow up on the water, and this is a great gateway.
 
I bought my first jet ski at 55 and I feel like a kid on that thing. I purchased a used 2 stroke seadoo 2000 RX and had the motor rebuilt. This thing is fast and has been very reliable but I needed to spend a lot of time working on it while the motor was out. Changing gas lines, rebuilding carbs, jet maintance etc. I use it more than my boat over the last three years. I sold it and just bought a 2005 GTX seadoo which is 4 stroke - non turbocharged. The three seater will give a better ride for sure.
 
I’m in the same boat figuratively speaking in addition to my express cruiser we have been running a 10 foot zodiac for the kids for the last decade with much enjoyment but at age 13 and 16 ,getting a little cramped clamming and running around with them .I have entertained the idea of a JetSki as well and still have not ruled it completely out but I keep going back to the idea that unless you buy a pair of skis no one‘s gonna want to ride shotgun on a Jetski for long i.e. friends siblings And pretty soon unless you have a posse to go out with that have Jetski‘s it’s going to get lonely i’ve been entertaining the idea of a small center console where you can bring four to six people still enjoy some speed wakeboarding clamming beaching it just sounds like such a better idea and you don’t have to wear a wetsuit or a bathing suit on a boat every time and you’re not always in a “wet state “ specially on Long Island in the Northeast the warm weather is a short season June through September but will be going to the boat show soon to see what’s what !
 
copb8tx said:
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.
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Similar experience with my 2009 FX SHO. It looks a little rough from dock rash and sitting out in the elements for 10 years but it has never failed to start.
 
I’ve had both sea doos and Yamahas, no question the Yamahas are more comfortable, faster, and more reliable. I wouldn’t even look at an old 2 stroke sea doo, they have many issues with the oil injection system, exhaust manifolds, and multiple other known issues. With his budget a early 2000 model Yamaha should be easily attainable
 
Put 33 hours on our new sea doo last season and installed foot wedges over the winter to stand it straight up
My Oldest son is 33 and we both love standing this thing straight up on its tail Boring? NO.
I’m not a Yamaha hater both are great absolutely get a 4 stroke can’t go wrong with either.
 
never said they were not a blast to ride! had one looong ago, let friends ride it, had to replace the pump $$ due to sucking in shells at beach...

just an option to review your yearly cost/loss of new value and at 2500 (someone else's problem/repairs) vs renting. that is a lot of rental time. now if you own a 40+' Sea Ray its probably not an issue...

just sayin... rode a Yamaha GP1800R 2 weekends ago and had a blast, ridiculous fast and acceleration. unsafe for a new rider! best one's are friends! LOL
 
Hmmm. $2500. I don't think you can find a 4 stroke for that.
 
FB71A00B-6997-4715-8986-97DB5035CB23.jpeg 9807CD99-B503-4EBA-A6AE-845A6E5C27D7.png Little hi
 
What do you have for a local dealer/service in your area? I think you need to double that budget. Well worth it!
 
There is nothing wrong with the XLT 800 & 1200 Waverunners........except that they are 2 stroke. On the 1200cc ski the oil is injected into the carburetors via a hose from the oil injection pump. At some point as the hoses age, the one feeding the rear carburetor can/will fall off which stops all lubrication to the engine. Any Yamaha fix is temporary since the new hose will fall off again at some point. The only fix is to disconnect the oil injection pump and go to premixed fuel which tends to make the ski a bit smokey. Other than that they are great durable skis and, if the oil injection system has been removed, they are a real value and should sell for 1/2 to 2/3'rds of what a later 4 stroke will cost.

Stay away from supercharged or hot rod skis.....no 20 year old needs a 70 mph ski, plus you would need a dealer close. The GP 1800 is also a 2 stroke ski, but is wicked fast and not as stable as the XLT series. Our XLT 1200 ran in the mid 50's and was a true 3 passenger ski.
 
fwebster said:
There is nothing wrong with the XLT 800 & 1200 Waverunners........except that they are 2 stroke. On the 1200cc ski the oil is injected into the carburetors via a hose from the oil injection pump. At some point as the hoses age, the one feeding the rear carburetor can/will fall off which stops all lubrication to the engine. Any Yamaha fix is temporary since the new hose will fall off again at some point. The only fix is to disconnect the oil injection pump and go to premixed fuel which tends to make the ski a bit smokey. Other than that they are great durable skis and, if the oil injection system has been removed, they are a real value and should sell for 1/2 to 2/3'rds of what a later 4 stroke will cost.

Stay away from supercharged or hot rod skis.....no 20 year old needs a 70 mph ski, plus you would need a dealer close. The GP 1800 is also a 2 stroke ski, but is wicked fast and not as stable as the XLT series. Our XLT 1200 ran in the mid 50's and was a true 3 passenger ski.
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Good points, but I do have to say I wish I had a 4 stroke. I already addressed the oil lines with new lines and crimp clamps, I also addressed the waver eater clip power valve problem. I also had to clean and rebuild the carbs once that is not fun. If you go premixed it will smoke like a mutha..Not fun at all. Also if you are not really getting on it all the time and let it idle, you will foul plugs often. Premixed is more for the racers. I would find some more cash and buy a 4 stroke. Doesn't have to be supercharged. Just my thoughts.
 
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