Wanting to buy my first PWC

[BlakMagic]

Hey all,

Moved to Savannah, GA about a year ago and have been wanting to buy a jet ski. I have some good local areas I could launch from and really have enjoyed them the few times I have rented them.

However I do not want to spend 12k on a jet ski.

My main purposes for Jet Ski:

-Cruise with GF
-Attempt to fish
-Visit random areas/islands
-Maybe some water sport stuff, tubing?
-Really just want to cruise and go for rides.

I have looked a lot at different types of PWC, and am intrigued by the SeaDoo GTS / GTI models. Both seem semi-affordable and have some seemingly cool features like the ecoboost.

Here are some questions I have:

1. EcoBoost, what is this??? I am assuming it is some 'mode' of the jet ski, considering I would be cruising a lot ~30mph, would this be utilized. What is the difference of the PWC in ecoboost mode vs not in ecoboost mode?

2. GPH, I can't find any information on GPH with the latest SeaDoos. I thought this would be interesting to see, especially comparing how the ecoboost effects GPH.

3. I will be mostly in salt water does that matter?

4. GTI vs GTS, one has reverse - is it REALLY worth the price diffrence?

5. I have a Honda Accord I plan on hooking a jet ski up to - am I crazy? It would be my only option.

6. When looking to purchase a PWC, I looked at used ones but noticed that they are still crazy expensive. If I can buy a NEW one for 9k, or a few year old machine with ~40hours on it for 6k - why wouldn't I go for the new one? I know there are tons of different variables to determine 'what you are getting' for a PWC, but seriously. I want it to go forward, be fun, allow me to go on fairly long excursions if wanted.

7. Any one familiar with the Georgia coast (Savannah) and on how many months a year I could use a PWC?

Any other information would be great. Just a curious person looking to adventure into the PWC world.

Thanks!!!!

 

[ding]

Hey my first post buy I just bought a 2011 gti 130 and can help you a bit. I'll start by saying the 130 is a great ski for what you looking to do, enough power and decent on fuel. It's very stable and has some nice features.

1. It's ecomode, ecoboost is a ford thing, and Eco mode is only on the gti se models. It's throttle mapping, I feel you could do mostly the same with the learner key settings or being easy on the trigger.

2. It's decent, I've got around 6 hours and have use 16 gallons, so that's a bit under 3 gph. I have done pretty mixed bag of riding other than full throttle of long periods. Results may very.

3.It does matter, you'll want to flush the exhaust out every time your done, it's easy, the cooling system is closed loop, meaning it has it's own radiator unlike pretty much any other pwc. So you don't end up having salt water in your system.

4. The gti has IBR, which is brake neatrul and reverse, this feature makes it way easier around the dock, otherwise your always moving. I wouldn't even consider the gts.

5. My guess is it weights around 900 on the trailer, it shouldn't be an issue, depends on the boat launch too, some are pretty slick and 4wd is nice, I will say Ive never pulled anything with a small car before though, so maybe someone knows better.

6. You will find that getting a gti for under 9k with a trailer will be hard to come by, other than IBR and the close loop cooling any 4-tech pwc, will be pretty much just as fun, I even rode on a 2000 gti right after mine, and it was 80% as fun for a 3rd if the price.

7. Get a wet suit, go all year, lol I dont know I'm in WI.

 

[BlakMagic]

Great thank you for that information that is GREAT!

You mentioned that the 2000 GTI was almost just as good...what years should I look at? Is there a specific year they introduced the IBR / EcoMode?

Anyone out there have experience with a small sedan (Honda Accord-ish) and hauling a jet ski.

What sort of expenses revolve around owning a jet ski... the obvious ones are...gas/insurance

 

[Mr. Howard]

I just purchased a new 2012 Seadoo GTI 130. Both ski & trailer was $10,299. I bought it primarily for bay fishing, and cruising with the wife.

1. The eco-mode is default. It reduces acceleration & top speed to give you best fuel efficiency. I like it for cruising or when someone is riding with me.

2. I'm not sure of the GPH, but I've been put twice and 3 hours puts me at half a tank. It holds 15 gallons, so do the math.
3. I only use mine in salt water. Doesn't matter just baby it more, FLUSH IT OUT EVERY TIME, and look at your engine compartment every now and then.

4. This is preference. I prefer the reverse & brake. Plus the GTI starts in neutral, I like this feature.

5. If you have the V6 Accord then it shouldn't be a problem. Just use your ebrake, and take it easy on steep ramps.

6. I preferred to get a brand new one. Especially since I didn't want to be stranded in the ocean bc some previous owner didn't maintain it properly.

7. Being from Texas, I plan on using mine year round. Cold or not.

If you want to know more anything else just PM me.

 

[Michael211_2000]

We're just not getting as cold in the wintertime as we used to here in this part of Texas... it barely even froze here this past winter, it's nuts! Global warming is real of this I have no doubt! Eeek! :-(

I remember as a teenager in the late 80's when we had to wear jackets in September at the county fair... this past September we hit or exceeded 100F every single day but 1! Good grief!

But I digress... my bad.

IF the Accord is an automatic transmission then it should not be a problem launching and retrieving a SeaDoo with it just take your time and don't rush and mess up (ie. make sure you're in the gear you think you are in, use the parking brake to hold the vehicle in place when you're not in the driver's seat and there's no need to get your rear wheels into the water stop just short of the waterline)... manual transmissions are much more challenging on a boat ramp though: I saw a man smoke the cwap out of his compact pickup truck clutch last Summer trying to pull a double-PWC trailer up from the boat ramp.

- Michael

 

[ding]

1. The eco-mode is default. It reduces acceleration & top speed to give you best fuel efficiency. I like it for cruising or when someone is riding with me.

Touring mode is default, I don't think the gti has ECO-mode unless you get the SE. Even on that I'm pretty sure its not default, but needs to be selected, then you get a gas pump with a smiley on the gauge screen.

 

[ding]

Well I mean that the 2000 gti was just as good as, a PWC is a PWC. Really the guy with with no loan payment on a used machine isn't having that much less fun than you.

 

[BlakMagic]

Thanks everyone for the information!

I have a automatic 4 cyl. Accord.

How old is too old with a jet ski? Besides looks what sort of milestones has SeaDoo had that I wouldn't want to miss out on

IE: IBR / EcoMode

Thanks for all the info!!!

 

[powerslave]

peep this...http://savannah.craigslist.org/boa/3053511596.html

 

[BlakMagic]

Interesting..is NADA and their estimated prices at all accurate for used jet ski's?

I know condition and hours is probably a huge factor.

Thanks!

 

[powerslave]

Interesting..is NADA and their estimated prices at all accurate for used jet ski's?

I know condition and hours is probably a huge factor.

Thanks!

Prices are all over the board here. I try to stay at around kbb or nada. Too me that ski is priced right if it is as clean as he says. I don't think it's a steal but priced ok.

 

[pvamax]

You will be fine towing and pulling up the ramp with your car. I've had no issues in 3 seasons towing with a small 4cyl fwd car, manual trans too.

 

[Mr. Howard]

Touring mode is default, I don't think the gti has ECO-mode unless you get the SE. Even on that I'm pretty sure its not default, but needs to be selected, then you get a gas pump with a smiley on the gauge screen.

My new gti 130 has sport & eco modes. Every time you start it the default is eco, you have to manually select sport every time. I do not have the SE model.

 

[BlakMagic]

Great thanks for the information. Now just need to decide if I want a new or used one....choices choices!

 

[ding]

My new gti 130 has sport & eco modes. Every time you start it the default is eco, you have to manually select sport every time. I do not have the SE model.

They must have changed that for 2012, cause my 2011 doesn't have it, just touring and sport.

 

[ding]

They must have changed that for 2012, cause my 2011 doesn't have it, just touring and sport.

I checked on a 2012, and they did change that for '12 adding the eco mode, and then adding the buttons on the controls.

 

[chucked]

It has sport, touring, and eco mode. The 11's and 12's are te same. They start out in touring mode

 

[ding]

They aren't the same I've seen them side by side. Mine does not have the eco or sport buttons, you have the SE which have those buttons if it was a 2011 or 2012, but the non SE 2011 like mine don't have the buttons, or the ECO mode at all.