What seadoo handles rough water the best? So many models....

[cowsgonemadd3]

I am getting ideas together for a run from Ft Lauderdale Florida to Bimini Island in the Bahamas and maybe to another Island beyond that. Just looking to take a vacation trip that is out of the ordinary and amazing.

I have a 1996 seadoo XP but its rough when it comes to water thats choppy and it tips over easy.

I am looking for a seadoo model that is around 1998-2003 or so that will be smooth on choppy ocean water. I just mean somewhat smooth, I expect bumps.

I have saw people take 2 seaters across the ocean but maybe a 3 seater would be nicer if you rode just 2 people on it.

I plan to buy them used in the craigslist, make sure they are running good, take them on the trip and then sell them when I get back home.

I thought the RTX series was the smooth riding one. Just needs to go 30+MPH for me to be happy. I figure they get better mileage if they are not wide open so if it goes 50+mph and I only drive 30+mph it will be fine.

I am looking at late models and not these new 4 strokes. I can not afford them. Maybe a late model 4 stroke is a must? No 2 strokes in salt water?

 

[ocod]

I am getting ideas together for a run from Ft Lauderdale Florida to Bimini Island in the Bahamas and maybe to another Island beyond that. Just looking to take a vacation trip that is out of the ordinary and amazing.

I have a 1996 seadoo XP but its rough when it comes to water thats choppy and it tips over easy.

I am looking for a seadoo model that is around 1998-2003 or so that will be smooth on choppy ocean water. I just mean somewhat smooth, I expect bumps.

I have saw people take 2 seaters across the ocean but maybe a 3 seater would be nicer if you rode just 2 people on it.

I plan to buy them used in the craigslist, make sure they are running good, take them on the trip and then sell them when I get back home.

I thought the RTX series was the smooth riding one. Just needs to go 30+MPH for me to be happy. I figure they get better mileage if they are not wide open so if it goes 50+mph and I only drive 30+mph it will be fine.

I am looking at late models and not these new 4 strokes. I can not afford them.

You'll never make it w/a two stroke unless you have a chase boat

 

[cowsgonemadd3]

Well I am new to this and have never put one in salt water. I could afford a used 4 stroke I see. Why exactly won't a two stroke make it 5 days in salt water?

 

[ocod]

Well I am new to this and have never put one in salt water. I could afford a used 4 stroke I see. Why exactly won't a two stroke make it 5 days in salt water?

you'll run of gas.
the xp is a 9 gal tank.
Its a 3-4 hour trip in ideal conditions.

 

[cowsgonemadd3]

You take gas with you no matter what seadoo you take. I said I am looking for a seadoo thats better on the water than my XP. No way would I take my XP. That things beats you up riding on choppy fresh water.

Why wont a 2 stroke work in ocean water for 5 days?

 

[Strizzo]

your main limitation will be the fuel economy of the ski you take, i wouldn't attempt that crossing without at least several other skis or a chase boat and at least a handheld VHF if not a PLB in case of trouble. even if you have a GPS, those things can quit on you, and its never at a good time.

 

[cowsgonemadd3]

Well this is the planning and idea gathering stage. Radios will be taken and at least 2 handheld waterproof GPS systems will be taken. I plan to take at least 2 seadoos and according to the size of the group going, maybe a seadoo speedster boat. I would like to take out a group and ride on 4 seadoos and a boat. Just in case anything breaks and needs to be towed home.

Its 52 miles to bimini give or take from Florida.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

A 96 GTX 3 seater has a 15 gallon tank, but is heavier, so the mpg may be lower. Should handle the choppy water better due to it's weight

 

[cowsgonemadd3]

This chart shows the GTX has a 15 gallon tank and uses less fuel than the XP at WOT.
http://www.angelfire.com/oh/theboatguy/fueleconomy.html

 

[spx800]

the RX is very stable. i would buy an 03 rx di if i were you, i love our 01. however, it would be at the top of your price range.

 

[Dr Honda]

For trips like that... you have one choice. The LRV !! Big, heavy, long, and can take the chop like a small boat. Oh.... and it has a 25 gal tank !!

Also... I'm not a fan of the Di models... but it has an even better range.

 

[ocod]

For trips like that... you have one choice. The LRV !! Big, heavy, long, and can take the chop like a small boat. Oh.... and it has a 25 gal tank !!

Also... I'm not a fan of the Di models... but it has an even better range.

That would be the one to do it on.
You could get lucky and buy a decent 4 stroke for around 4-5 k but I wouldn't do a maiden voyage on a new to me ski.....

If your serious I would invest in Sea Tow for 160 bucks. Then you know if you break down someone will come get you.

 

[Dugout]

Seadoobuddy mentioned a 96 GTX. I have a 96 GTX (carbed 787), 02 GTX RFI (fuel injected 787) & 02 GTX DI (direct injected 951) . For a rough comparison last summer a friend rode the 96 GTX while my wife & I rode the 02 GTX RFI. We cruised between 30 - 40 mph plus we did some exploring near the shore since we can't do this with our boat. The trip was about 22 miles round trip, waves less than 1 foot. The 96 GTX used about 7-1/2 gallons while the 02 GTX RFI used about 5 gallons. All skis are different on fuel usage and throw in waves, tideand wind into that formula.

As for gear I would have a PLB as a min. I would also consider mounting a fixed mount VHF. I have pics of one mounted. A hand held is not going to have that far of a transmit / receive range. Hand held has less watts than the fixed mount. VHF's work on line of sight.

Look around the web for info on people doing the same trip you are planing. The other day I read an article in my BoatUS Magazine about a group making the same trip. I can send the article to you.

 

[cowsgonemadd3]

Sure, you could post it. I am not sure what to get honestly. I was looking at the 4techs and they have the 1503 motor in them. Superchargers and the ones that don't have them are all cool really. I was looking at the RTX. I wouldnt mind getting away from 2 strokes and mixing oil(dont trust the pumps cause they go out).

In your case it looks like the newer seadoo used less than the old one.

 

[spx800]

Sure, you could post it. I am not sure what to get honestly. I was looking at the 4techs and they have the 1503 motor in them. Superchargers and the ones that don't have them are all cool really. I was looking at the RTX. I wouldnt mind getting away from 2 strokes and mixing oil(dont trust the pumps cause they go out).

In your case it looks like the newer seadoo used less than the old one.

pumps fail wide open, fyi.

 

[LouDoo]

1999-2001, GTX rfi, it's a big ski for a 2-stroke, big gas tank and gets good gas mileage. These ski's are sweet when they're running right. Problem is the rotax fuel injection is hard to work on, but for your use since you want a 2-stroke ski, this is it. (In my opinion).

Lou

 

[griz400]

i like em :cheers::thumbsup:

 

[cowsgonemadd3]

Well what about the 2 strokes and salt water? I like my little XP but its only a sporty toy and not a cruiser.

pumps fail wide open, fyi.

This means what?

 

[ltdyfz99]

Get a 4 stroke RXP, RXPX, GTX. Dont try that run on a 2-stroke.

 

[spx800]

it means, the oil pump fails wide-open, so the engine won't burn down.

 

[cowsgonemadd3]

I have heard of quite a few blown engines because of oil pump failure.

 

[purple_people_eater]

The merc powered boat maybe. But the minuki pumps rarely ever fail. It's people not servicing the oiling system and the small lines that run from the pump to the jugs crack and break.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

Well I am new to this and have never put one in salt water. I could afford a used 4 stroke I see. Why exactly won't a two stroke make it 5 days in salt water?

stop right there....

your not ready for a miami/bimini run .. yet.... get a 3 seater, and ride in the ocean, all the time, ride ride ride in the ocean....

ocean riding is NOT lake riding,
ocean riding is NOT river riding,
an inexperienced rider should not attempt that run, you need ocean experience first. why don't you start with some small runs, 20 miles, 30 miles up the coast, and see how well you handle that first. then try the same runs when there is a small craft advisory out.. and see how that goes...

then check back on this thread in a year, when your 'closer' to being ready for a long distance open ocean ride.

i'm not being sarcastic, i'm trying to keep you alive

chit gets dangerous out there, weather, wind and waves don't always cooperate.

I don't know how many hours I have under me, i'm guessing 3-400 hours riding, but only maybe 100 ocean hours, and when the chit hits the fan, i'm usually a mile from shore and I can turn back and head for the ramp, when your 30 miles out,, you don't get that option you life depends on your ability to keep your craft under you, not in 2 foot seas, but in 4 foot seas, or 6 foot seas with washing machine conditions and near zero visibility.

 

[cowsgonemadd3]

your not ready for a miami/bimini run .. yet.... get a 3 seater, and ride in the ocean, all the time, ride ride ride in the ocean....

You are correct. Like I said this is a idea gathering stage. Part of my plan to sea if I want to make this run is to take it down to Charleston South Carolina and do a beach run in real ocean water. Go along the coast and out to see about a mile or 2 and see how well I handle a hour in the ocean.

I was on a cruise boat a month ago and we had 50mph winds and 20-30mph winds all day. We missed 2 ports because of it and caught one on the way back home. The waves were 4+ feet high. On a seadoo that would be a nightmare. It would take skill to just keep the seadoo upright.

 

[Dr Honda]

it means, the oil pump fails wide-open, so the engine won't burn down.

I have heard of quite a few blown engines because of oil pump failure.

Hey guys... please do not start rumors that you can not support.

The oil pumps DO NOT just spontaneously fail because you hold the throttle open. And the Mikuni oil pumps are more reliable than the engines they are bolted to.

In all my time playing with Seadoo's... I've never actually seen an oil pump fail. I've seen plugged check valves/nozzles, hoses that have rotted and fallen off, plugged filters, and a hose fitting that pulled out of the pump body.

Most of the problems come from lack of maintenance, or mixing oils, (and wrong type) and the sludge plugs the system. Oh... and I can't tell you how many times I've seen a blown engine, and they blame the oil pump, and then I find out that they were using "Whatever oil was on sale at the gas station/hardware store/wal-mart." (normally TC-w3)

I won't let this board turn into some of the others where there is a bunch of BS info. We go by facts here, and nothing else.


Not trying to be harsh... just trying to make my point.