Bryan Miller

Ok so I'm lookin to upgrade and buy a brand new pwc. Money is not really an issue. I have heard Yamahas are the best for their reliability but any pwc can have problems at any time.

I own a 1999 Kawasaki jet ski. It really is nice, but it has had its share of problems that kept me off the water sometimes. I don't know if that's how all kawasakis are. I have also heard sea doos break down a lot but that's just what I have heard.

I'm lookin to buy a brand new one like a 2013 model but idk if there is a difference in 2012 or 2013. I have looked at models for Yamaha, Kawasaki, and sea doo but don't really know.

I just want some help on what company I should look at and what pwc. My most important things I would look for in one is speed (really fast), reliable (not lookin for one that has reports of breaking down a lot and stuff), 3 seater, stylish (I wanna look good when I'm on it), and something that is decent on gas. It doesn't have to be great, I just don't want to have to worry about taking it out to refill after like 2-3 hours.

Thanks in advance!

Outlaw

You will find a lot of opinions on this forum mostly due to brand loyalty. I would say right off the bat that Seadoo and Yamaha are the top brands, if you want to go fast you will need a supercharged model like I have. Most stock performance skis are limited by the manufacturer to about 68 - 69 mph. because of insurance regulations, however having said that some accelerate to that speed faster. The Seadoo RXT-X is the way to go. A better three seater than Yamaha's SHO or FZS. I own all Seadoos one , my 2006 RXT,is extremely fast at acceleration and top speed due to a lot of Mods. It will cook any stock ski out there and is very reliable. top speed is between 74 - 76 MPH on GPS and accelerates very well. As far as gas goes you will suck a tank down in three hours if you run hard. Take it easier and you might get 4 plus hours, don't believe what people say about them having to run on premium fuel, they just run better on it. The ECU will retard the timing for lower octane fuel hence less performance. But I am sure you will hear other opinions as well. Personally I would steer clear of Kawasaki. Less dealers to service it and very heavy skis. But Yamaha would be my second choice.

Take Care and good luck
OUTLAW

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2006 RXT with RIVA STAGE THREE KIT 295 HP

2009 RXT-IS 255 HP

2008 GTX 215 HP



Land Rocket - 2003 Z06 Corvette, Chevy

Ernest T

+1 on what Outlaw covered. Seadoo or Yamaha. Having good fuel economy on a fast ski is rarely possible. If you want to go fast regardless of brand, you will pay at the pump. The fastest supercharged Yamaha skis will burn over 20 gal. of fuel per hour wide open (tanks only hold 18 gal.). I'd say Seadoo skis are in the same ball park.

The one exception that I can think of is the Yamaha VXR/S which will do around 67 mph stock with a normally aspirated engine. It is probably your best bet for a go fast ski with good fuel economy. It can be a little bouncy in rough water, but an all around good ski if you don't need all the bells and whistles.

Other models to look at would be the Seadoo RXT, or the Yamaha SHO.

I don't know about Seadoo, but for Yamaha there have been essentially no changes other than color schemes between the 2012 and 2013 model year skis. I'd look for a left over 2012 model, which will save you some $$$ and you will still get the same warranty. Now is a good time to be shopping, since dealers will be looking to clear older models, and the winter is typically when you can get the best deal. Check out some boat shows in your area, cause sometimes they will knock add incentives like extended warranty, or accessories.

__________________
2008 Yamaha FX HO Cruiser
2010 Hurricane Sundeck 2100

Bryan Miller

Thank you both! Ernest, i was actually talking to a dealer and they said they had 3 2012 yamaha models to choose from left. The fx ho, vxs, and vxr.

I liked the vxr. It is the same as the vxs besides color and a reboarding ladder. I also liked it because it has a engine like a supercharger without the cost of a supercharger and also it was really lightweight so it would get up and go. The lady at the dealership i spoke too also said not to go with a supercharger because they break down a lot.

Do you think the vxr is good? What have you heard about that model?

Outlaw

I forgot to mention the fact that Seadoo uses closed loop cooling systems vs open loop cooling. The difference being that closed loop uses an antifreeze system and not sea water, which IMO is better in saltwater useage. If you don't flush an open loop system after each use you will have a corrosion problem i.e. lifts and on salt water floating docks. There is no real easy way to flush with those docking systems. Fresh water is no biggie either way.

Take Care,

OUTLAW

__________________
2006 RXT with RIVA STAGE THREE KIT 295 HP

2009 RXT-IS 255 HP

2008 GTX 215 HP



Land Rocket - 2003 Z06 Corvette, Chevy

Bryan Miller

Oh ok thank you. I do only plan on using it in fresh water on Lake Erie so I should be good

Ernest T

The VXR/S ski is a nice ride. Its basically the same hull as the well proven VX series ski, but the hull material is made out of the lighter Nanoxcel material which makes the ski even lighter. It has the new the 1800 cc engine, which Yamaha designed from the ground up as a marine watercraft engine.

Its the fastest normally aspirated ski on the market, and will keep up with many supercharged skis on smooth water.

About the only downside to the VXR/S is that because of its very light weight, it tends to be bouncy in rough water. The ride will be bouncy and wet in rough conditions. If you put it up against an RXT, SHO, FZR/S, etc., which all run about the same speed in perfectly smooth conditions, the VXR will lose against those skis in choppy conditions, since it tends to bounce and loose hookup compared to the heavier skis, which will plow through.

There are also limited..........basically no upgrades to the normally aspirated 1800 cc engine, so if you find that you crave even more speed you will not be able to do much more to the VXR/S.

If you are really into the speed thing, you are better off looking at the Yamaha FZR/S or the Seadoo RXT, which both have very well proven upgrade options that can get you 80+ mph if you want to go that fast, and have pockets deep enough to fund it.

__________________
2008 Yamaha FX HO Cruiser
2010 Hurricane Sundeck 2100

Bryan Miller

Ok thanks! I actually have been talking to the dealer and they have one 2012 FZS left. They said the price was $13,612 including the trailer, freight, and prep. Is that a good deal?