So, I'm trying to decide if I should get a PWC, and if so, what kind. I'll probably be making the purchase around the middle to later part of june...

I'm not sure what out there is good and what isn't?

Are there any out there that are terrible/bad rep? any with exceptional reputations? I was looking at the Yamaha VX110 sport, mainly because of the cost... but is 110 HP enough? I know some of these skis are absolute monsters (like the 215 HP seadoo), but should I look for something inbetween?

Those of you out there that have a PWC, lemme know what kind, year, specs, etc... and how you like it!

thanks guys

-Mike

P.S. a semi-small jetboat isn't out of the question either... I like to fish, ski, and bring friends along! lets hear it from you guys too!

 

oh, we all know that new is better (for the most part) but there seem to be alot of good deals on used ones. in the boating world, is it better to just buy new? I'm afraid that, unlike buying a used car, I have no idea what to look for when purchasing a used ski, besides opting for relatively low hours.

 

The way PWC power is going is insane. I dont have a lot of experience on them but I rented one in Clearwater Beach about 5 years ago. It was brand new then and clipped at 45mph with two people on it. I will say that that was moving! It depends on what you are going to do with it, do you want to pull a skiier, do you want to clip at top speeds, tricks, multiple riders?
I was all up for getting one this summer but it gets boring if you are the only one with one. I think if I were to get one it would have to be a pair so others can cruise along. There are skis out there with more hp than some cars. It all depends on what you want to do. As far as skis go, I would buy new, but thats just my opinion. For boats, well used is always a good thing if you know what you are getting into.

 

I will eventually get a pair of PWC sometime too I'm sure. If I knew someone that had a wave runner or something and knew we could get together once a month and go play then I might would have thought about PWC. But for my first vessel I chose an open bow boat so that I could take several people along with me. You can always find someone willing to go, it may not be the same people but people are always ready to go boating. Only had it about 3 months and I have no regrets. It's an old boat so I expected to have to work on it alot, and I have, but it's been worth it. If you know atleast 6 different people with PWC that you already hang out with. Then you will beable to find someone to go play with you on PWC. But if not then you will need to buy 2 so you could take someone along. Basically you would be buying paying for licenes taxes and maintainence on thier PWC. Waste of money and effort if you ask me. Just a couple pennies of my thoughts.

 

My opinion, PWC's or small jet boats are going to get boring very quickly. For this reason, they get sold all the time with very little use. if you have any idea how much value a new truck loses the second you drive it off the lot, a boat's value drop is a lot worse. Whatever you decide to get, 'slightly' used is the way to go IMHO.

 

I'd never buy a new PWC. They lose their value so much, let someone else take the hit. They are pretty simple machines, look for fiberglass repairs and general maintenance/lack thereof.

I personally like stand-up PWCs best. The older Kawasaki 440/550 was so light, you could do lots of tricks on them. It was challenging to learn to do stuff, but that was part of the fun. When you can hit a wake and submarine it on the other side, you are the man...

I had a built 550 with a 440 pump, full West Coast engine setup. I kick myself for selling that monster.

I get bored quickly on sit-down PWCs.

I haven't ridden a newer stand-up, but I know they are pretty heavy these days. And two-stroke engines are on their way out. Ahhh...the good old days

 

Don`t be fooled by the HP claims,the manufacturers have put a voluntary cap on speeds at 65 MPH and the ones that claim to do 65 really are doing @ 58 true MPH.I have a 98 Seadoo GTX Limited the biggest and highest HP (130) you could get in 98 and I had the speedo at 71 MPH and I know it was nowhere near that.As for a suggestion if you don`t want to get bored quick get a little jet boat,you can take a couple passengers comfortably plus your cooler and fishing gear.

 

seems like most people suggest a jet boat. I have been looking all day at them (work is BORING today)...

I have found a good price on a 2002 18'2" Rinker180 and a 1999 SeaDoo Speedster 16'0" both are about the same price (the sea doo is a little more) and both are relatively close...both also claim to be in great working condition.

if you guys were to pick one, which would it be?

-Mike

P.S. I think I'm gonna check out the Rinker after work today or maybe tomorrow

 

PWC vs Boat is like car/truck vs a motorcylce
For most it is better to get a car or truck first then the motorcycle later if you want one.

Same for the Boat and PWC most get a boat first then PWC later if they want one.

But everybodies situation needs and wants are all different. I know some guys who only own a motorcycle as thier only mode of transportation year around. Wouldn't work for me or most people but does for them. Same note i know some who only have PWC and no boat too. So it's all in what you want to do on the water.

 

Back in the day, when all we had were jet skis, we'd go to Copper Canyon in Havasu.

We felt like little kids on our bikes, while all the big kids had cars (boats).

 

I feel like that sometimes in my boat...
When I put in and there are several 40' Scarabs and 90' yachts. Here I am in my 20' and feel like I'm s loser in a row boat compared to them. Dosen't happen very often. Ussally the biggest is a 30' maybe a 40' speed boat and I can keep up with them even out run some. Sometimes I'm a big fish in a small pond, others I'm a small fish in a bigger pond. All at the same lake and ramp...

 

Hey RED...both are fun ski or littel boat. But, heres the deal as its been said. If your the only one with a ski, it gets real boring riding by yourself, and real tiresome going with a few people and switching all the time. The jet boat, is a lot of fun. I have a 14' Regal (pictures are posted in the other boat related thread) we fill the onboard cooler with ice and drinks of our choice. I'll let you guess what we fill it with... Put 2, 3 or 4 people in it and go have a blast. Its fun to jump waves with , just cruise around or tube. You really have to decide what you want to do and how your gonna use it. I'm hoping to get a ski myself, since we have the boat, it will just add to the fun being out there together. SeeDoo is a great product, and Rinker makes great boats as well. If you followed the other 2 boat threads you will see Im at a Rinker dealership. Actually we are the worlds largest Rinker dealership. If you need any info let me know and I will do my best to help you out. Good luck and let us know what you get.
BREW

 

Everyone: thanks for your input so far. Everyone has seemingly said the same information... something along the lines of "it's fun for a while, but boring unless everyone else has a ski"....

The people seeling the rinker have not called me back, so hopefully it's not sold

BREW: thanks for the info... it's too bad you aren't closer to Houston, or else I'd have to check out your place of business.... My buddy has a ginormous and gorgeous 2005 Rinker and I must say I'm in love

I'm gonna start looking more at jet/ski/wakeboard boats, and think about a jet ski somewhere further down the line.

-Mike

 

The Seadoo,it is more common than a Rinker jet boat .The seadoo boats have a good service network and prolly easier to find parts for should the need arise.

 

Parts availability is very important to look at. Atleast it has been an important part of my life with my old tub.