Seadoo Newbie needs advice

[conduct]

Hi guys,, Newb to the forum here. Im 25 from Toronto Canada and looking for some advice...

I'm looking to buy a machine for the spring, my parents just bought a water front cottage here in Ontario and I want a seadoo!! Ive never owned a seadoo but have had the oppurtunity to ride a few and just love it!

I want to buy a used machine preferably no older then 3 years and my budget is around the 6-7K range. I want something with better then average power, something that can tow some toys (wakeboard, tube etc) and a reliable brand. Is my budget doable? any recommendations.... Keep in mind Ive never owned a seadoo (or a boat) before so anything else you think I might need to know or should consider before making my purchase would be appreciated.

cheers

 

[kustomkarl]

Well you have all winter to find the one you want... I think the best thing to do is ride on different machines and choose which is best for you. The newer the better, less problems and newer technology. I would never spend any money on a machine unless you get to ride it in the water first...that's rule #1 to me.

Karl

 

[conduct]

that is good advice I'll def have to test a few and narrow down my options and obviously drive the machine Im going to purchase... another thing I didnt mention the machine will be used in choppy water 90% of the time...

 

[kustomkarl]

Here is a link that might help also.

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?t=134

Karl

 

[Dr Honda]

A few things to think about....

You said you want "Better than average power." The PWC with the high HP motors generally get hammered on, so be careful with that requirement. If it was well maintained, and the hours aren't too high, then you will be OK.

Also... the high HP, high performance PWC are normally smaller, lighter hulls, and they don't lend themselves to being good toys to tow with. On that note... find out what the requirements are for towing with a PWC where you are going to ride. Local to me... you must have a 3 person (min) PWC, and you can not tow more than one person at a time. (I think that's a US Coast guard rule)

As far as your budget... $6k in the states can get you a nice 3 year old SeaDoo on a trailer. Also, looking during the winter will help keep prices down.

Like Karl said... you have all winter to find what you want.

Good luck

 

[conduct]

A few things to think about....

You said you want "Better than average power." The PWC with the high HP motors generally get hammered on, so be careful with that requirement. If it was well maintained, and the hours aren't too high, then you will be OK.

Also... the high HP, high performance PWC are normally smaller, lighter hulls, and they don't lend themselves to being good toys to tow with. On that note... find out what the requirements are for towing with a PWC where you are going to ride. Local to me... you must have a 3 person (min) PWC, and you can not tow more than one person at a time. (I think that's a US Coast guard rule)

As far as your budget... $6k in the states can get you a nice 3 year old SeaDoo on a trailer. Also, looking during the winter will help keep prices down.

Like Karl said... you have all winter to find what you want.

Good luck

great info thank you... what would be average hours for lets say for a 2006? How many hours is average for a season?

 

[Dr Honda]

what would be average hours for lets say for a 2006? How many hours is average for a season?

In a place like Florida, or SoCal... 100 hr or more a year is possible. I used my boat a bunch this summer, and I may have gotten 35 hr's (I live where it snows)

BUT... there are a Bunch of PWC that don't get used. People have a tendency of buying them, and then they sit. I'm sure you can find a 3 year old SeaDoo with 35 or less if you keep your eyes open.

 

[mudpie]

six grand for a older ski, hmmmmm?
kinda steep for me,but then again im real cheap!!
we got new 2010 base line GTI 130 for 7,999 new
three seat, 4-tec motor, 130 hp with one year warranty
this time of year most dealers have left over 09 and maybe a 08
call around and see, best time of year to buy a boat or ski
big boat is nice too, but for buget, older one is only route
with any boat or ski, look at it good and do some inspections
if you dont know what your looking at, take someone along that does
seen to many people get a real good deal " on a bag of poo!!! "
be carefull and good luck
mud

 

[jswope]

What Dr Honda said about finding a good ski with low hours here in the north is pretty accurate. We bought a '97 GTX 2 years ago that only had 155 hours on it. Looked like new inside and out and ran like new, and got it for $2500.00. Go to boat shows over the winter, dealers are usually ready to cut deals this time of year, especially if you'll take it home with you from the show. But then you don't get the test ride.
Get a good sized ski, a three seater, especially if you're in choppy water. I've got a neighbor who bought 2 two seaters for use on Lake Erie and found he hates them after one summer. He's looking to sell both and get a bigger one.

 

[conduct]

What Dr Honda said about finding a good ski with low hours here in the north is pretty accurate. We bought a '97 GTX 2 years ago that only had 155 hours on it. Looked like new inside and out and ran like new, and got it for $2500.00. Go to boat shows over the winter, dealers are usually ready to cut deals this time of year, especially if you'll take it home with you from the show. But then you don't get the test ride.
Get a good sized ski, a three seater, especially if you're in choppy water. I've got a neighbor who bought 2 two seaters for use on Lake Erie and found he hates them after one summer. He's looking to sell both and get a bigger one.

Thank you for the advice guys!

WOW... my cottage is actually on lake Erie, funny you mentioned that... so a 3 seater will probly be the way to go cause the water is very choppy... Also will go to the Toronto boat show, If I could get something new and decent for 6 or 7 then I will go that route... or I'll keep my eye out for a deal on a low hour 06 ishh... thanks again for all the info guys

 

[seadoosnipe]

Local laws...

A few things to think about....

You said you want "Better than average power." The PWC with the high HP motors generally get hammered on, so be careful with that requirement. If it was well maintained, and the hours aren't too high, then you will be OK.

Also... the high HP, high performance PWC are normally smaller, lighter hulls, and they don't lend themselves to being good toys to tow with. On that note... find out what the requirements are for towing with a PWC where you are going to ride. Local to me... you must have a 3 person (min) PWC, and you can not tow more than one person at a time. (I think that's a US Coast guard rule)

As far as your budget... $6k in the states can get you a nice 3 year old SeaDoo on a trailer. Also, looking during the winter will help keep prices down.

Like Karl said... you have all winter to find what you want.

Good luck

Before you purchase, if one of your requirements is to tow a tube or wake board, go to the website for your state that has the guidelines, so you don't buy or get something you can't use.

I'm in Alabama and have a 1997 GTX. The GTX is designed to have a third person sit backward as an observer. I biught it this past spring from a member on the forum who lived near me. It was in mint condition, with just over 100 hours. It had set up for a couple years. I paid $2200, including trailer and BRP cover.

The GTX has a nice grab handle and a place for the rider to place their feet to brace themselves for take-off. But, we are not allowed to ride with a third person on backward. The only requirement here for observing your skier is via fixed mirrors. They must be mounted on either side of the steering but not attached to it; they will be stationary. There is a 10 square inch minimum requirement. The GTX has about about 15 to 18 square inches of viewing area.

Towing, we are allowed to tow whatever the Coast Guard approved capacity is. If you buy a single tube, then one rider. I have a three person tube and carry 3 on it when out on the river. I do not think there is a Coast Guard mandate on only pulling a single rider, but I can believe that some states may have that requirement.:cheers:

 

[jswope]

Conduct, you've mentioned a couple times that it's "very choppy" in your area. I know around here when it gets what I consider "very choppy" the ski usually stays on the trailer. In my experience trying the bust the chop for very long makes for a no-fun ride and can get pretty tedious. You can only wave hop for so long before you start to feel kinda beat up.
On our end of the lake, the winds are usually out of the west and/or south in the summer which results in smooth or fairly smooth water. But at your end of the lake you're on the receiving end of those winds, which could mean choppy water most of the time. When we have winds out of the east and/or north, things get pretty sloppy and that's when it's no fun to ride.
Just something to consider before investing. Maybe rent one for a couple hours or borrow a friend's to see if you really enjoy it.

 

[conduct]

Conduct, you've mentioned a couple times that it's "very choppy" in your area. I know around here when it gets what I consider "very choppy" the ski usually stays on the trailer. In my experience trying the bust the chop for very long makes for a no-fun ride and can get pretty tedious. You can only wave hop for so long before you start to feel kinda beat up.
On our end of the lake, the winds are usually out of the west and/or south in the summer which results in smooth or fairly smooth water. But at your end of the lake you're on the receiving end of those winds, which could mean choppy water most of the time. When we have winds out of the east and/or north, things get pretty sloppy and that's when it's no fun to ride.
Just something to consider before investing. Maybe rent one for a couple hours or borrow a friend's to see if you really enjoy it.

Jswope you might be right! I was down there this weekend with the old man doin some work and I watched the lake all day, I know its not the season but I kept an eye out to see if it would calm a bit and no dice it was quite choppy.. I hate to say it but maybe I'll have to wait till the spring and see if its manageable or if anyone else rides PWC's in the area So are you on Lake Erie also?? if so where abouts?? Our cottage is in a small town called crystal beach just across the peace bridge so we look over at buffalo

thanks again for all the advice guys

 

[jswope]

I google mapped Crystal Beach, looks like a neat area. My wife and have been in the Buffalo / Niagara Falls area a while back (by car, not by boat). We've been from Port Colborne to St Catherines along the canal.
We live in a small city about 40 miles south of Port Clinton. We keep our SeaRay at a marina on Catawba Island outside Port Clinton. We do 95% of our boating right there in the islands area because it's just such a great place to be. Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island is kinda a northern version of Key West. Can get pretty crazy on weekends in the summer. Tons of fun.:cheers:

 

[jswope]

I forgot to include this in my last post. Here's a website with a webcam right across from where your cottage is. Hope you find it useful. http://www.lakevision.com