initial purchase- feature grid or spreadsheet?

[wellfedcanuck]

Hey guys, my brother recently purchased a GTX215 and now we've got the bug. I'm a little put off by all the marketing hype, though, and trying to find a spreadsheet or feature grid that breaks down which models/options have what features. Anyone know where that might exist?

We own property on a Georgian Bay island and normally boat in a small cruiser. The PWC appeals for its ability to take us places we can't go in the boat and for the ease to launch and scoot back to a marina for ice cream or a quick, scenic ride on a hot day.

It's Lake Huron, so the water can be quite rough. However, I'm not sure that I need all the bells and whistles of the "aS" RXT because if the water's big- we just won't go out. Depth finder is a must for all the shoals and hidden rocks (and finding places I could return to in my boat). Speed-wise- well, 65mph is scary-fast in those conditions, but I would like to be able to keep up to my brother's machine. I'll probably end up buying two, a second machine for the kids- so the question becomes- how low can we go before it's too slow.

I'm scratching my head over the adjustable suspension. Yes, the water's rough- but I'm not sure if this is a nice-to-have or a need-to-have. Variable trim- well- a must in a boat, but really necessary on a PWC? All these snap-on fenders, covers and waterproof bags that boost the price by $1700! What's useful and what's just extra frosting on the cake? (Man, I hate marketing BS.) And, yeah- what's with all the garish colours? Just give me the classic Skidoo yellow and black and be done with it!

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Coastiejoe]

NADA list Skis. It will have the engine options, size, and other data.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[I Fly Shamu]

My first purchase was a 2011 Wake 155. I wanted something fun, fast and useful. It has Cruise Control, which we use all the time and was a must have in my book. We knee board, ski and tube behind it and having the cruise you can set a speed and it holds it with out cramping your finger trying to hold a certain speed. Its top speed is 58. I added the depth finder and use it a ton. I want to know how much water is under me. From a stand still, at WOT (wide open throttle) the jet will suck from about 6 feet under the watercraft. The waters I ride in can sometimes be rough. My next purchase was a 2013 GTX 260 iS Limited. The iS suspension is wonderful on rough water. It basically allows you to go twice as fast in the rough water as the non-suspension models before it beats the crap out of you. The GTX has cruise and depth finder too. Its a great cruising machine that will do about 68. As for the VTS, I don't use it much. It works but doesn't do a tremendous amount.

 

[Coastiejoe]

If you find a few items, simply post them. We can easily tell you the good the bad and the ugly of every model. What we know you will NEVER find on a spread sheet...

 

[wellfedcanuck]

Thanks, guys. I'll wade through the hype over the winter. Interesting new 2016 models, but- gah! All those garish colours again!!

 

[Coastiejoe]

Thanks, guys. I'll wade through the hype over the winter. Interesting new 2016 models, but- gah! All those garish colours again!!

You can buy my 09 RXT-X and I'll go buy a new one and deal with the ugly colors....

I have a guy that has offered me 18 grand for my used skis. So I may sell them anyways and then buy two more...

 

[wellfedcanuck]

Pulled the trigger. 2016 GTX300 and a Spark 3up90hp with IBR, etc., for the kids. Delivery in May. This should be an interesting summer.

 

[Greg]

Awesome, congrats! Be sure to post a few pictures. We have a good amount of mods for you Spark as well over at www.PWCMuscle.com

 

[Coastiejoe]

Congrats on the purchase. Can't imagine you won't be happy.