How Long Can Be Too Long?

[NEWIE LEWIE]

Looking thru local classifieds for used jet ski's (Sea Doo's, Yama's, Kawi's and Polaris) for this coming "endless summer" fun. Seeing mention of 7,8 or 9+ year old jet ski sitting garaged for 2, 3 or 4+ years with no use. Sellers state 30, 40 or 50 hours on the ski's.

Since I live in the Pacific Northwest with short or no warm jet ski seasons should I being saying "yeah please take my money today" or running the other way saying to myself "stay away don't want to play"?

Hope the Big Guy from up North (in full wetsuit of course) idles by at 7 knots and air drops onto the roofs of all your families and friends gift wishes this holiday!

And to y'all y'all a socially and environmentally responsible, good image, positive karma, safe, sane and mechanical free jet skiing New Years.....

Newie Lewie

 

[Dennis]

Happy Holidays Lewie!

Hi Lewie,
Riding a ski for just a little while every year is much better than not riding at all! Sounds to me that you could get a really good deal in your area.
Keep in mind that there is going to be a big difference between a ski that has been stored IN a garage and one that has been kept on the SIDE of a garage.
A jet ski with low hours and well maintained before it was put away probably won't require alot of time or money to get it back in good shape again. You can probably count on buying a battery and having to go thru the fuel system( draining the fuel tank, changing the fuel filter and o/hauling the carbs). It would be best if you could hear the ski run and be able to check engine compression before you buy. Having to do the fuel system and fix up other minor things will give you something to do while your waiting on better weather and give you a chance to get to know the mechanics of your ski. Some jet ski parts can be very exspensive so keep that in mind before you buy. Stay away from POLARIS....they quit making jet ski's. Take your time and ask questions. GOOD LUCK, Dennis

 

[kustomkarl]

Good reading to help make your choice.

Hey Newie Lewie, Welcome to the seadoo forums. If you are looking at a seadoo, and not sure what you'll be up against, you might want to join as a Premium member and do some reading about the seadoo you looking at. The details are at the link above under seadoo manuals.The seadoo forum has authentic seadoo manuals availiable in their library for most all models and years. As a member you can choose any or all manuals, read it on line or download it as a pdf file and print it for you own privet use. The manuals cover owners guides, and shop repair manuals. Troubleshooting, Diagrams, and preventative maintenance. If you ever need anymore help or advice come back and ask away, we'll be happy to help out. Good luck with your search for a used seadoo.
Karl

 

[NEWIE LEWIE]

Dennis and Karl,

Appreciate both of yours time, energy and personal hands on experience input and insight on my inquiry. Based on my hopeful price range
($4000-$6000 for 2 jet skis together or individual w/trailer) and the winter supply and demand up here the Seadoo name is most popular and Kawasaki a second.

I'm trying to learn and understand the jet ski game as a first time buyer and owner. I want to be able to float on my own and not list from side to side in my classified ad search for the right long term recreational sit down 2/3 seater ones for my family and friends. And it has been a challenge.

On almost every make and model for sale within the price range you can do a google search and click on enough "pro's and con's" opinions to make your head spin and not know who to vote for in the upcoming caucuses.

How much should one expect to pay to have someone go over a jet ski with a fine tooth comb? Of course everyone wants to hit a "home run" on the first pitch but I'd rather walk or balk on a lemon.

The "premium member" will be worth the additional octane that comes with it because I try to do basic mechanical trouble isolation fuel. electrical or power plant. But as they say on TV "unless your a trained professional don't try this at home" so I always leave the advanced technical troubleshooting and advice to those that are "seasoned veterans".

Thanks everyone.

Newie Lewie

 

[kustomkarl]

Newie Lewie, we all started somewhere when we got hooked on the watercraft bug. I find that if I can do some background homework, it helps me better understand something, even if I don't get my hands dirty. I know here in Florida Service Shops get as much as $99.00 and hr to repair or service watercraft. Depending on how much you want to have checked out will determine the cost to have something looked at. The manuals in the seadooforum library would allow you to check out the basic things like steering too stiff, or how cables work or the Throttle works with the gearshift. Just basic knowledge will be a great aid in determining which is best for you and how much time you need a mechanic to look over the basics.
I hope this helps you decide what to do.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Karl

 

[seadoosnipe]

Welcome to the forum!

Welcome to the forum Lewie!.....glad to have you.
It sounds like your pretty much already a bit seasoned. Your lingo says a lot about your mechanical apptitude. Although I agree with Karl as to whether or not your gonna get a lemon, it's not practical for you to take a ski being sold by an individual to the shop. The seller's reaction would be one of two things. If you tell him you'd like to run it over to your mechanic to let him have a look see, he'll either look at you funny and say "kiss my grits"...which means he has something to hide or if he says "that would be fine", that means to the best of his ablilty, nothing is wrong with it.
For me, I'd ask if I could do a compression check, which is what I did when I bought my Challenger. The seller told me it was fine. After the compression checked out good, I asked him several questions about the carbs, how they worked, were they sticking, etc. Just general mechanical questions. If the seller told me he didn't know......not able to answer the simplest of questions, I'd be a bit leary. Generally, if it has good compression, spark at the plugs with the smell of fresh fuel, then your in the ball field of getting a good buy. You can't bank on the smaller things...cosmetic or elsewise. Also, if you can start it, I'd have a multi meter with me to check the magneto/rectifier output at the battery to make sure the charging system worked.
Good Luck!................:cheers: