Ru$$Rip

Isnt technology marvellous

Cheers m8







[Edited by Ru$$Rip - 12/5/2002 3:59:33 PM]

Ru$$Rip

I was thinking of purchasing a jet-ski (2 person sit down type) and would welcome any advice peeps have. I dont want to spend an excessive amount of money so will be looking at the second hand market. Are there any tips/recommendations when buying a ski in the 5 year old/2K bracket? Makes to avoid? Also any advice from anyone who has owned one and sold on - do you get bored with these things?

Cheers

MarkO

Speak to jlanng - he has one, IIRC.

Tiggs

"do you get bored with these things"

yes, very quick.

been there and done that, could have hired one a few hundread times for the money and wouldnt have to lug it around!

T (easily bored)

Toerag

They do look cool fun, but you have to bear in mind the following:-
How much does the bike, wet/drysuits, trailer, towbar, lifejackets, flares etc. cost to buy.
How long do the above last?
How much do the above cost to run (fuel, maintenance, wear & tear, replacement)
How often can you go jetskiing? How far away is your nearest water?
Can you afford insurance / the PWC qualification?

If you can afford all the above easily, then by all means go for it. Like most watersports it's like pouring money into a hole in the sea. Like most watersports it is physical and tiring, and you need the right weather. It's all well and good thinking that you'll go to the local reservoir in winter, and the beach in summer, but things conspire against you and before you know it the season's over and you haven't made the most of it. Perhaps getting in touch with a club is the best way to go, the experienced members will be able to offer you help, tuition and buying advice and save you lots of money.

I own a boat, so I know all about these things.

yoza

Russ,
Speak to Zippy he has had a few,and a couple of boats too.....

They do a bugeye seadoo but Id stear clear of that one and wait for the facelift model.....sorry couldnt resist,but we are all in the same boat here,if you know what I mean

Have a look at Frodsham boat center they sell new and used skis.

Later Yoza

Ru$$Rip

Hey where theres an opportunity to pour money away count me in!

kenb@manx

Many have magnesium engine casings and so are corrosion susceptable. They are fairly expensive if the salt water has got to them.

Ken

TopBanana

Yes I do indeed have one MarkO!

Mine's a 99 GSX Limited (130bhp). I haven't got bored of it at all and I've had it 2 years or so now. The sensation of speed and acceleration is immense. You can ski / wakeboard behind them quite easily and they tow bananas etc no probs at all.

Things to bear in mind:
A full day's full-throttle blasting about will easily use up the £40 fuel tank.

Insurance is £350 a year (not compulsory though)

You have to look after them - need to winterise the engine and flush it through after going out on the sea. To be honest, they're quite easy to look after

The winter is a good time to buy as the market is down, but if you spend a little over £3000 you will get a much nicer ski for your money

Scooby Snacks

I had the same ski as jlanng up until a couple of months ago and whilst I agree with everything he says, I'll also mention that the wheel bearings on the trailer are in issue if you use it lots in the sea. Something else to bear in mind!!

I sold my ski for £3500 in September and that was with 72 hours on the clock, full service history, with ski's, ringo and kneeboard.

SS.

TopBanana

Thinking about buying another Seadoo and hence *might( be selling mine. Drop me an email if you're interested

GM

All you need to know about Jet Skis

Nevetas

I bought a Yamaha Wakeblaster, after my X2.

Raced it abit, after 6 months I was bored as hell.

Don't waste your money, get a speedboat, fun for all the family.

TIFF-C20WTH

Try a Seadoo XP limited if you want a good fun 2 seater

Or even better,get a stand up Yamaha Superjet

TopBanana

An XP isn't a two-seater!

Scooby Snacks

Indeed, the XP is built for one and has very funny suspension seat!

Very unstable two-up.

Ru$$Rip

Thanks for the info fellas! I will start shopping around......

S55 HOT

As with a car, service history is a must and in particular you want a record of winterising. About the worst thing you can do to them mechanically is leave the engine full of salt water, but unfortunately you can't by looking !

Trailer wheel bearings seem to last about 2 years for me.

As already mentioned, all the supporting kit costs money too - wet suits are a must for this country. If you don't have mates with ski's then you will probably want towable stuff like waterskis, a wakeboard, inflatables or all of them !

Yes - you won't use it enough and when you work out the cost per hour it's scary, but it's a hell of a blast and a great way to spend a sunny weekend.

I used to have a Seadoo GTX (3 seater) but now I've got kids I've done the sensible thing and got a Seadoo jet boat instead ! The kids absolutely love it (they are 6 & 4) and can't wait to get out on the boat / in the water / on inflatables etc.

Sounds obvious, but you also need out work out where you are going to keep it.

Ru$$Rip

Seadoo jet boats? Hmmm never heard of them - do you have any info on these?
Oh and thanks for the advice on the ski's

Cheers

S55 HOT

Surprisiongly enough, the Seadoo website has all the details except prices.

I've got one of these (but a different colour).