Love my 96 xp but boarding back unto it..

[cheappc]

I need some help in trying to reboard this wild beast, I took it out yesterday and had a blast, thankfully I fell close to shore, so I went in a little deep in the water to "learn" how to get back on it... It was a task, I'm pretty heavy, 247 pounds, It took me over 30 minutes trying reboard it, I even bought a step ladder for it, and it's really tipsy..

What do you guys recommend besides losing weight?

 

[Dr Honda]

You just got to learn to balance. I'm right with you on the weight, and I'm between 240 and 250. A seat strap makes things easier... but I don't have one on my XP because I have the "Stepped" seat... so I get back on only using the rear handle.

As far as the re-boarding step... it's probably useless on that ski, since our weight will probably just sink it. You got to get your weight up on the seat as quick as possible.

 

[Minnetonka4me]

LOL dont let the footwells fill up and if they do be ready to balance the other way.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

practice makes perfect, practice near shore next trip

 

[cheappc]

Thanks Guys,

Dr. Honda, what do you mean "stepped"?... ill take that if not too costly, and Leary, believe me thats what I did! I tried and tried to "understand" it... I did buy a boat ladder for it, this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Boarding-Ladder-for-2006-NEWER-Jet-Skis/160464079627?ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1&ih=006&category=124110&cmd=ViewItem#ht_500wt_1413

I bought the "boat" one for my 95 Sportster, havent tried it, but I bet its much easier than the XP..

Next thing though, you guys are right, a "Strap on the Seat" is my next order of business! Im going to put 3 on there (just in case I rip one off because of my weight)..

 

[spx800]

you need to pull yourself up from directly behind the ski. grab the bumper and jump on quick.

 

[carbineone]

I and my son do not have too much trouble reboarding the 95 SP when alone,we just climb on straight from the back and get your knees up there on the back and get up quickly after that..It really just takes practice..Where they really stink is with two people trying to board in deep water..It takes a few attempts to get the second person back on sometimes and we usually do not ride two,It all can be done but like everything practice makes perfect..Goodluck

 

[Dr Honda]

I don't have any good pics on this computer... but if you look... you can see my seat has a small back rest. It's kind of set up as a single seater. The normal seat is flat, with a strap that divides the driver and passenger section. That strap makes getting on easier.

If you look back on the Genesis... you can see the 2 seat straps... but on that ski, it doesn't mater. That thing is a small boat, and I can stand on the side rail, and it wont tip over.

 

[Thumper3322]

Quick in my mind is the key. The faster you do it, less time for water to fill in the foot Wells.

doc you ski looks very clean! Very nice!

 

[Dr Honda]

Quick in my mind is the key. The faster you do it, less time for water to fill in the foot Wells.

doc you ski looks very clean! Very nice!

Thanks. I try to make my old toys look good... but in this case... it was a "Barn Find" type of ski. It wasn't used much, and it had been parked since '06 because the trailer had a bad hub, and the people who owned it got divorced.

That kind if ski is nice, because they are super clean... but the down side is that all the rubber parts need replaced.

 

[1MACGYVER]

Just be glad you dont have a HX, the XP is like a barge compared.
the trick is to move fast and jump up onto the seat.
or while in the water start the ski and turn the bars away from you, as you take off you get dragged onto the seat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7sd12fKcoY

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

I board my '02 XP similar to that HX video, although I can pull myself right up without the pause on the seat... unless I've been riding hard for a few hours, then my arms give out...

 

[purple_people_eater]

i kinda just grab my rear bar, thrust the back end down, and kinda jack-rabbit up on the seat...