Newbee from NC

[soccerdad]

Hi, Great forum. I have been looking around and it looks like there is tons of good information here. As of yet, I don't have a PWC. (actually, I have never been on one). I have a couple of teenage kids and a wife who all think that owning a PWC would be great. I love to boat and waterski, so it sounds good to me as well.

I have a ton of experience with two stroke and four stroke motors. I also am good with fiberglass and most anything mechanical. So as a hobby, I want to get a used Seadoo or two and rebuild them with my son. Then take them out to the lake and have fun. I am looking to do this on a low budget and as noted, I am up to some restoration first. I have been looking on craigslist and see some older two stroke skis for less than $1000. They sound like a good place to start, but I don't want to do something dumb. Are '90 and 91 bikes boats OK to start on, or should I look at newer ones. Or should I hold out for a 4 stroke? What is a good year vs pricepoint? Something to tow a tube would be great and hold at least two people.

Anyway, I hope to get to know many of you soon.

 

[LouDoo]

Hi and welcome to the SeaDoo forum. I would look for a little newer ski than an 90 or 91. Personally for a starter ski I wouldn't get any thing any older than a 95 or 96 and get one with either a 717 or a 787. I think a 96GTI would be a good starter ski, it has ample power and about as trouble free as a ski comes.

With that being said it really depends on how you want to ride. Do you want a cruiser, a wake jumper, a two person ski, three person ski? A 96-97GTI would be three person cruiser, a 97-98GTX would be a three person cruiser with more performance than the 96GTI.

Here's a guide that may help.

http://www.seadoosource.com/seadoomodelreference.html

Lou

 

[soccerdad]

Thanks for the tips. I just needed a place to start. Honestly, I think some two people cruising and maybe pulling a tube would be a good place to start. Again, it is new to me and my family so kind of a general purpose unit. I know that means it will do nothing great, but will get our feet wet so to speak. I will start watching for a deal on the 96-97 skis.

Thanks again. I am sure you will see me ask dumb questions over at the two stroke forum section.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Thanks for the tips. I just needed a place to start. Honestly, I think some two people cruising and maybe pulling a tube would be a good place to start. Again, it is new to me and my family so kind of a general purpose unit. I know that means it will do nothing great, but will get our feet wet so to speak. I will start watching for a deal on the 96-97 skis.

Thanks again. I am sure you will see me ask dumb questions over at the two stroke forum section.

If you think you want to tube you will want to look at a fairly strong machine. In most cases it requires a three-seater ski due to the law, (Driver, Spotter, Tuber/Skier). Thus, you don't want a small engine where it will be difficult to pull someone out of the water.

I own two 4-stroke skis and love them both. One is Super Charged (SC) and one is not, but both are fuel injected. One is a 155 engine and the other is a 255. I feel confidently that either ski would do what you want. The issue is,,, to get into a good size ski with a larger stronger motor is not normally the cheapest thing.

All that said,
you and your family would love a jet ski. So much easier to maintain and clean than a boat and loads of fun...

Welcome aboard !!!

 

[Minnetonka4me]

Welcome to the best seadoo site on the planet!

I would personally say anything 92+ would be fine if money is an option. If you are thinking 2 stroke I'd say a 96-97 GTX is a nice big machine with the 800 motor, good for towing but still has some snap.

4 stroke I'd say stay away from a supercharged one unless you just have to have a snappy throttle and are willing to do the upkeep.

If theres anything else I can help with just let me know!

 

[soccerdad]

Thanks for the warm welcome! Based on your expertise, I think I will target the 96-97 stuff. I will post over in the two stroke forum with some questions on what specifically to look for.

Thanks again!