Hello guys. As I moved to live by the sea, I decided I wanna try the PWC thing. Looking for a 3 seater, mostly for some family fun (bashing around, dragging a skier, etc). Nothing crazy, simple and cheap pwc. I estimate that the PWC will by used very little time and do not want to spend lots of money. In my budget are jetskies which are about 10 years old. Besides the 4 vs 2 tec, what other important thing to look at? What is an acceptable running time (hours) for a PWC of this age? What models "age better"? Any other input would be great!
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Buying a ~10 years old PWC (first one)
- Thread starter knfevg
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kevinz
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I would recommend a 2002-2009-ish GTX or GTi, make sure it has the 4tec 4 stroke engine, either the 130 or 155. I would stay away from the supercharged models if you want something that is simple and cheap to maintain. I have a 2006 GTX 155 and it goes about 53 mph consistently, but if I scoot back on the seat and crouch down as flat as I can I've hit 55. It's been a great ski. I wouldn't advise a 2 stroke only because it sounds like you want something that you can ride when you want and not worry about having to do a bunch of maintenance all the time. While a 2 stroke engine (especially a 720) can be very reliable and virtually maintenance free, to get it to that point will likely require a total fuel system rebuild to include the carburetor. With a 4 stroke just check the oil each ride, add gas and go; change the plugs and oil once a year.
Plus, with you living by the sea, the 4 strokes only take in minimal salt water for exhaust cooling. They have their own closed loop cooling system for the engine that has its own coolant like a car. It makes the salt water life much easier if you're new and don't want to deal with the hassle of an old 2 stroke that takes its cooling water from whatever water you're riding in.
My last piece of advice for recommending that year range of ski is that they are 3 seaters with manual reverse. While I will admit that I've never rode or played with a ski with IBR (electronic motorized break/reverse), it seems that it gets quite pricey to fix and on a 10 year old ski, you might have to do that sooner rather than later depending on how it was used. I've seen a lot of IBR problem threads here and other sites lately. Manual reverse is simple, pull a lever on the left side and you're done, a cable does the rest and as long as you lube it and protect it from salt, should last a very long time and be much cheaper to repair than IBR if and when it goes bad.
Plus, with you living by the sea, the 4 strokes only take in minimal salt water for exhaust cooling. They have their own closed loop cooling system for the engine that has its own coolant like a car. It makes the salt water life much easier if you're new and don't want to deal with the hassle of an old 2 stroke that takes its cooling water from whatever water you're riding in.
My last piece of advice for recommending that year range of ski is that they are 3 seaters with manual reverse. While I will admit that I've never rode or played with a ski with IBR (electronic motorized break/reverse), it seems that it gets quite pricey to fix and on a 10 year old ski, you might have to do that sooner rather than later depending on how it was used. I've seen a lot of IBR problem threads here and other sites lately. Manual reverse is simple, pull a lever on the left side and you're done, a cable does the rest and as long as you lube it and protect it from salt, should last a very long time and be much cheaper to repair than IBR if and when it goes bad.
kevinz
Active Member
And my personal favorite, instant throttle action. No matter how well I set up my carbs and engines, all my carb 2 strokes always have a slight hesitation off throttle. My GTX doesn't, I touch the throttle and it wants to go! I do have a 97 XP to water test that is the first one I've ever had with an accelerator pump, so I'm curious to see how that does. But I digress...
Also I know this is a seadoo forum, but have you looked at the new Yamaha EX? It's their answer to the spark and I think it's better in any aspect. Might be worth looking at one. The sport has manual reverse, the deluxe has Yamaha's version of IBR that I'm not familiar with. The way I see it, if you're a newcomer to the sport, I would like to hear you picked out a Seadoo as your first, but in the end buy whatever works best for you and your budget, as long as it gets you on the water!
Also I know this is a seadoo forum, but have you looked at the new Yamaha EX? It's their answer to the spark and I think it's better in any aspect. Might be worth looking at one. The sport has manual reverse, the deluxe has Yamaha's version of IBR that I'm not familiar with. The way I see it, if you're a newcomer to the sport, I would like to hear you picked out a Seadoo as your first, but in the end buy whatever works best for you and your budget, as long as it gets you on the water!
Groundgrubs
Member
So I can only give you my experience. I purchased 2-2009 GTI 130's with a trailer a couple weeks ago. One has 270 and the other 313 hours. They ran PERFECT for me for over 10 hours, then I gave it 1 quick punch and nothing. Got pulled in, we were finishing for day anyway, and had one ski already on trailer.
Next morning, oil in hull and I good chunks of metal!!
At dealership now, YEP needs new motor, $4000. I had the other one "tuned-up" for piece of mind and I'm at $800 for that one. Needs new wear ring and impeller. They are fixing the OPAS for free, I guess they felt bad for charging me almost $6k to get both skis in perfect shape.
Im not sure how I would proceed next time - the 4tec's are supposed to run forever. I am almost wishing I bought the 2 new sparks that I wanted to begin with. Thanks for dealing, I only paid the skis at 1/2 value in the buy. So after all this, I'll have $10K in both skis with a trailer, new motor, and complete gone through. I'll probably sell at end of season for the $9k they are worth. And take my losses.
SO I WOULD BE VERY CAREFUL.
Next morning, oil in hull and I good chunks of metal!!
At dealership now, YEP needs new motor, $4000. I had the other one "tuned-up" for piece of mind and I'm at $800 for that one. Needs new wear ring and impeller. They are fixing the OPAS for free, I guess they felt bad for charging me almost $6k to get both skis in perfect shape.
Im not sure how I would proceed next time - the 4tec's are supposed to run forever. I am almost wishing I bought the 2 new sparks that I wanted to begin with. Thanks for dealing, I only paid the skis at 1/2 value in the buy. So after all this, I'll have $10K in both skis with a trailer, new motor, and complete gone through. I'll probably sell at end of season for the $9k they are worth. And take my losses.
SO I WOULD BE VERY CAREFUL.
Groundgrubs
Member
ANOTHER ENGINE - Update
12 total hours on new engine, then again, nothing, towed in, oil in hull!
At stealership now, they are proceeding with BRP for warranty engine. He only mentioned labor once and I said, you might have to take that up with BRP. There is no way they can expect me to pay another $1,000+ for labor on their damaged engine after 12 hours.
Bullet Proof engines - doubtful!
We bought a great pontoon and these are a great addition to the time we spend on the lake.
I'll let you know how it turns out, desk said the connecting rod came thru the bottom of the engine again. I did ask to see it, and funny, he said "no insurance reasons." They let me see it last year. Thank god I did not buy an SBT aftermarket engine, I'm hoping I leave with the cost of an oil change.
12 total hours on new engine, then again, nothing, towed in, oil in hull!
At stealership now, they are proceeding with BRP for warranty engine. He only mentioned labor once and I said, you might have to take that up with BRP. There is no way they can expect me to pay another $1,000+ for labor on their damaged engine after 12 hours.
Bullet Proof engines - doubtful!
We bought a great pontoon and these are a great addition to the time we spend on the lake.
I'll let you know how it turns out, desk said the connecting rod came thru the bottom of the engine again. I did ask to see it, and funny, he said "no insurance reasons." They let me see it last year. Thank god I did not buy an SBT aftermarket engine, I'm hoping I leave with the cost of an oil change.
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