BoatNutBabe

I'm a gal looking to buy my first PWC now that I can't mooch rides anymore after my BFF's divorce (he took the jet skiis, darn). Can someone give me advice on what brands and models would be best? Here is what I would like in a PWC and number one is the most important:

1) Stability and easy to get back on after falling off
2) Must be reliable as I don't have a clue how to maintain it
3) At least 2 seats
4) Holds alot of gas or gets great mileage as gas stations the Lake are far away and l love going long distances to cruise around
5) Able to get some air, I'm not too crazy out there but I do love to jump waves a time or two and get it out of the air a bit but don't want something that shoots way up there

I was hoping to find something for around $5,000.00 but for the right one could go higher. I have not a clue what these types of PWC would go for and maybe being a gal I should buy new since I would not know how to tell if a used one was in good shape?

Can someone please help me decide or give me some options that meet the above criteria (and in easy-to-understand "girl" terms?) Thanks so much for any advice!

Outlaw

Hi, I can give you my opinion on what you are looking for. First of you want a four stroke vs a two stroke, no oil to mix with gas or oil injection to worry about. 4- strokes are much more dependable and quieter. next don't buy a ski whose manufactuer has stopped making them. I would say that either Seadoo or Yamaha would be a good choice as they the top two brands now and have the best dealer networks for service. A Seadoo GTX 155 or a Yamaha FX cruiser would be two good choices for the price range. Both are 4-strokes and have plenty of pep, and are reliable. Both are three seaters which means 2 people are real comfortable. As long as you test drive (sea trial) them you can see if it runs well and if you like the way it drives. I would look for any 2004 - 2006. They also don,t have turbos or superchargers to worry about.

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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 Outlaws recommendations. Those skis are in your price range for used models, stable rides, and fairly easy to maintain. I'd add the Yamaha FX HO and VX to the list. The FX HO will give you a little more pep on a large stable ski, and the VX would be a more sporty (bouncy) choice.

For new models you would have to double your $5000 budget to buy a ski.

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2008 Yamaha FX HO Cruiser
2010 Hurricane Sundeck 2100

BoatNutBabe

Thank you so much Outlaw and Ernest T! I was looking at a used SeaDoo today and the dealer mentioned the turbor charger had been refurbished so I really appreciate your mentioning they can be a problem, I'll make sure to avoid them. Thanks again for the advice, I really appreciate it and will begin my search!

Larry Stewart

best ski for the price with great ride is kawasaki ultra has 160 hp 4 stroke i have hade total of 4 of them 2 had over 300 hrs no problems, i now have the 300 ultra lx

YamaDoo

Some will disagree but I think a Honda F15 or F15x would be a good machine for you. The F15x is the faster turbo charged version. These from what I heard are stable, dependable, and gas sippers. You can still find new ones laying in back of dealer warehouses that can be bought for steal prices. Even though Honda is currently out of the PWC game the company itself is not going anywhere so getting parts for them is not an issue should something break down the road.

Outlaw

In my opinion as I stated earlier stay away from discontinued companie's jet skis' Which Honda is one of. As you stated earlier you do don't want complications with maintenance, well this is what I mean no one warranties them now dealers don't want to see them and the turbos require maintanance every time you ride them. That seemed most important to you because you said you can't turn wrenches or want to. Parts are expensive and not as easy to find as others.

__________________
2006 RXT with RIVA STAGE THREE KIT 295 HP

2009 RXT-IS 255 HP

2008 GTX 215 HP



Land Rocket - 2003 Z06 Corvette, Chevy

jetboater

Been boating 37 years-- Outlaw's recommendations are right on......
Non-turbo/non-supercharged Yamaha or Sea Doo are your best bets for reliability. In the Yamaha series, the VX are the "smaller" skis that do best on smoother waters and the FX series (FX, FXHO, etc.) are the "larger" skis that are more comfortable and handle rough water better. Either are great choices (My wife and I have FXHO Cruisers which have the "stepped" seat)
The Sea Doo GTX 130 or 155 are good choices as well.
And both these brands hold their resale value well if you ever decide to trade them in on a newer model or sell them outright.