In addition to your BAJA do you have a PWC?

[bottomless pit]

<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>I need an education on PWC. I already know all of the BAD to the Bone stuff that we Proformance Powerboaters Hate about them getting in the way,ect..
What are they worth, Do you have one, tell me about yours. whats the best , what to look for. What to stay from...
"Forgive Me Blake, at least they Float"
PIT8o </FONT><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>Results (total votes = 26):</FONT><table bgcolor=#FFFFFF border=0 cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width="75%">
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<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>I have one or two they are fun.</FONT>&nbsp</td>
<td height><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>13&nbsp;/&nbsp;50.0%</FONT>&nbsp</td><td><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/bar.gif width=150 height=10 hspace=3>&nbsp;</td></tr>
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<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>Im breaking down and looking around.</FONT>&nbsp</td>
<td height><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>2&nbsp;/&nbsp;7.7%</FONT>&nbsp</td><td><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/bar.gif width=23 height=10 hspace=3>&nbsp;</td></tr>
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<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>I hate the thought of them.</FONT>&nbsp</td>
<td height><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>10&nbsp;/&nbsp;38.5%</FONT>&nbsp</td><td><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/bar.gif width=115 height=10 hspace=3>&nbsp;</td></tr>
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<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>My know it all Brother in law has one that does 175 MPH.</FONT>&nbsp</td>
<td height><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>0&nbsp;/&nbsp;0.0%</FONT>&nbsp</td><td></td></tr>
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<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>I am going to buy one this season</FONT>&nbsp</td>
<td height><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>1&nbsp;/&nbsp;3.8%</FONT>&nbsp</td><td><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/bar.gif width=11 height=10 hspace=3>&nbsp;</td></tr>
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[eddie]

I think they are fun for about 15 minutes and then I get tired of it and want back on the boat.

[GottaHaveIt]

I have a 2000 SeaDoo GTX. It's a larger 3-seater.

The fun part is going places you can't go with a boat. They don't draft much water do you can explore places on one that you wouldn't think about taking a Baja or even a fishing boat.

On rough days I take the Baja though. The jetski is much more fun on a smooth or light chop day for going out onto the lake in the big sections. I get tired quick of hitting waves and being pounded about.

I've been contamplating taking mine up the San Jacinto river north of Galveston bay, up to the Lake Houston Dam area. That is another place I wouldn't take the Baja.

The people that bug us boaters are the ones that don't have a clue, don't pay attention for larger or faster moving boats, and try intentionally to cut across your wake after you pass.
I've had my fill of that here on Lake Conroe. They're usually down by Papa's on the Lake during the summer in clusters and I've had a few close calls. Seen the water patrol discussing the rules with a few of them too.

The new ones are powerhouses. Honda has a turbocharged intercooled 4 stroke model that hauls, and SeaDoo has a new supercharged intercooled 4 stroke with 215 friggin' HP!!! (http://www.seadoo.com/en/Watercrafts/2004/Musclecraft/GTX.4-TEC.Supercharged/) :spineyes Geez I gottahaveit! :D I can't imagine riding that bad boy. Mine has a measly 130 HP and runs about 57 GPS. :lol That 215 HP ought to be 70+ range! I'd hate to fall off at that speed though. I think there is a HP war among the manufacturers. I'll have to check out Yamaha's website and the Honda site to see how much they are now.

[haulinvols]

Had a Yamaha xlt800 for about a year, good for just cruising around, fairly comfortable with two people and got decent fuel economy. Fairly inexpensive to operate and purchase. I would recommend buying a used one a year old or so. The cost new on these things is getting ridiculous and there are many good buys on the used market due to the fact many people buy them and then find they don't like them. The resale is very poor so used prices are good. If you need more room for three, buddy of mine had a Yamaha SUV1200 with a three cylinder. He loved it but just upgraded to a new boat. Bottom line, they are fun for 30 minutes or so, but past that you will want back in your boat. In rough water they are worthless unless you are into pain. Just my .02

[Busta]

I used to be a jet-ski fanatic! I haven't ridden in a while but I still have all of my skis. When I was in college we rode every weekend, rain or shine, winter or summer! We were die hard and used to ski anywhere including the creeks when they flooded. We actually skiied some trails that we normally rode 4 wheelers on - that was fun dodging trees and what not. Our favorite skis were more of the stand-up type...fully modified X-2's and WaveBlasters (the ones that take a lot of skill to ride). I have a GP1200 too that was setup to race limited class but that thing just isn't as fun for my riding style. We like big waves and freestyle.

I can see why boaters hate jet-skis though. Too many idiots out there! Of course idiots can be in boats too! I grew up with boats so I knew the rules of jet-skiing and knew to stay away from the boats and houses (our skis were kind of loud).

Chris (Gottahaveit),
You can put your Baja in the SanJac (below Lake Houston) you just need to know where not to go. Also, you'll want to wait until about May so the tide is a little higher. I ride 4 wheelers down there when I'm not boating so I know the area pretty well. During the winter the tide gets really low - to the point where I can cross some of the side channels with my 4 wheeler (about 5' deep). The water isn't the cleanest but for a local boating party spot, you can't beat the "Skinny Dip Hole" on a summer Sunday afternoon - definitely leave the kids at home! There's probably 50-100 boats tied up in the cove from small bowriders to 33' Outlaws to 40' Sea Rays! We usually put in at Love's marina and go from there. If we're there early enough, sometimes we make the run down to Clear Lake to hit the Beach Club - makes for a good run.

[BDannecker]

If I lived on a lake I would defintely have one. They would be cool to buzz from place to place. Easy to dock too. ;)

Bruce...

[missouri]

Don't buy one at the lake, their $1000 higher...
Definately get a four stroke, you just gas it up like your boat, enclosed cooling system.....the newer ones are a world apart from the older style, and comfortable to ride.
Seadoo has a GTX 4-tec....0 to 50 3.9 seconds, 155hp, I pull 3 kids on a tube with a spotter and myself on it....pull skiers with a spotter....and it's a rocket. They do around 60.
They also have a tubro charged 4-tec 185hp, I was gonna buy it and I;m glad I didn't, it does a little over 60 but gets there a lot faster.
Now they have the 215hp, don't know a thing about it and don't want to lol...0]
They are almost impossible to turn over! I recommend them. They do eat a ton of gas for a 3 cyl. though! Holds a good resale!
Yahmaha has a 4 cycle thats a 4 cyl. and 140 hp.
I've been told that Yahmaha is the most mechanicly sound of the newer ski's.
Kawasaki has a cheap one thats 130 hp. and $1500 cheaper.
Polaris came out with one this year.
Remember a couple of things.
A 3 seater is really a 2 seater....2 is 1 and so on!
A boarding step is a must for ppl. over 35 or overweight. :lol
These things will sink, so get one thats hard to flip and learn how to roll it back over!
Going over 60 on these things isn't necessarily a good thing!

WE ride them all over the place...into shallow areas...easy to tow...I am close to a river here at home, in fact 3 of 'em, I can throw on swim suit and have it in the water in 10 minutes. In fact I only get to ride it here unless I'm pulling someone or gettin gas at the lake, so I'm gettin another one

Go ahead and get it over with and buy one for the wife too. You will get bored just riding in the BT cove area but you can load them easy and tow 'em to the state park area and do a lot you cant do in a boat.

OH Yeah I forgot to tell you....don't tow it to the Party Cove just because it's easier to around that mess, if you do those decadent evil naked whores will be all over it wanting a ride! :evil I know you wouldn't want to suffer that embaressment so you've been warned!!!! :dancingjalepeno :dancingjalepeno :dancinbanana :music :party :party

[bottomless pit]

Busta: or Dan:
Tell me what you know about the Yamaha 1100 Waveraider.
I found one with very low hours. Sound like enough power?
We checked compression and it was up to new.
I do live on a small lake, but I think it would be kinda fun to have around the dock while we are waiting for the rain to stop. might be easier to park occ... than the .38 at Toad Cove.
PIT
:music

[TrainWreck447]

those decadent evil naked whores will be all over it wanting a ride!

If thats the case, I'm buying as many as possible! :biggrin :evil :biggrin

[bottomless pit]

those decadent evil naked whores will be all over it wanting a ride!
Dan have you been holding out on the .jpg's.
Fork em over!!! We will deal with it.
PIT

[missouri]

Pit ...they are all so close it's hard to compare....Polaris is the uglier one with no resale but was the soundest of 'em all for years...Yahmaha Kawasaki Seadoo has always been among the best....
I was told that on the 2cycles, how it was broke in when it was new is the most important thing....
You will save the extra cost of a 4 stroke in no time not having to buy mix alone!

[Busta]

I believe in 95/96, the 1100 WaveRaider was the big muscle ski out of all the brands - it seems they dominated the race circuit until the GP1200's came out. Lots of power for it's time. Yamaha does make a good reliable engine and imo they'e easier to work on than the SeaDoo's or Kawi's. My buddy still has an 1100 Raider and it is still on the original engine and going strong. The only thing I can say bad about that model is that the hull is very unpredictable and is known for hooking while going fast in a straight line. Unfortunately I know from experience and it threw me for quite a surprise! I think the problem can be corrected by adding tabs, sponsons, ride plate, and intake grate. I have all of these things on my GP1200 and it is a night and day difference from a stock hull.

[missouri]

Busta...on the new Yah. 4-tec you can trim it out,,,did the older ones do that too? I'm not that familiar with the older styles, just what I've read and been told.

[bottomless pit]

Busta:
I was going threw some very old threads from a ski board and they were saying that very same thing about being unpredictable when going very fast in rough h20. Some of the kids were complaining about broken bones from being thrown at 62 mph. Greg Serdyke told me it was not the best machine for 2 people to take off in on rough water. But I kinda thought he was more interested in selling me a new machine for 5 times the $$$. He did say that the motor was almost bulletproof.
I think the problem can be corrected by adding tabs, sponsons, ride plate, and intake grate. I have all of these things on my GP1200 and it is a night and day difference from a stock hull.. How much do these things slow it down.
PIT

[missouri]

Dan have you been holding out on the .jpg'sHad to use 1 hand to steer , and the other to cover a rising new development...:o sorry, no pics....;)
I just know it wasn't my good looks and personality, I didn't have a wad on me or a pile of drugs....so it had to be the wave runner...I felt so used!!!! :music

[hp500]

Pitt
A 13 or 14 year old girl was cut in half when she was ridding her jet ski and hit a small runabout at Rough River coming around a bend maybe about 2 years ago. I don't remember her first name but her last name was Burba. Man when you see some one pulled out of the water cut in half you will think twice about getting on one.

[missouri]

What happens is ppl. panic, let off the throttle, try to steer and can't....you have to give it gas to steer.
We towed one in that was sunk....2 kids took off down the main channel, 1 was way ahead and stopped to wait....the other came flying up and was gonna spray him....ran right into him and totaled one ski, damaged the other....we found out the father had bought them new for vacation and just picked them up, they were 5 min. old.....

The only close call I've had was a old man in a older cruiser thought I was gonna go for his wake and came after me....he almost hit me because I was trapped brtween him and shore!

[Busta]

Missouri,
I can't recall if the Raiders had trim or not, I want to say they did. I know all of the GP1200's (97 and up) do have a manual 4 position trim.

I agree on the panic issue, inexperienced riders don't realize you need to throttle it to turn. My motto was when I thought I was going to fall, GAS IT!

Pit,
The handling mods don't really slow it down. In fact the ride plate and intake grate can make it go faster because you'll hook up better (less cavitation and better water flow to the pump).

[GottaHaveIt]

Had a 2000 SeaDoo RX Di. It had nozzle trim that was electrically adjustable from an up-down thumbswitch on the bars. Made quite a difference. Worked just like an outdrive, trim it down for getting up on plane and up for max speed.
The RX was a 2 seater. Our GTX is a 3 seater. Both have reverse but only the RX (at the time) had trim.
The newest SeaDoos have a steering system that works when the engine quits or is shut off so the operator can still steer. Only been out a year or two.

[missouri]

forgot about reverse....another must as far as I'm concerned...and the assisted steering! is good to have. Ive got it on my '03 GTX 4-tec.

[bajacraig]

That's one thing about a condo
we didn't get one when we got the place and now the slips are sold out :beathead
I hope it dose'nt cost us when we go to sell :x

[TeamBajaMarine]

Back in 1986, I had one of the fastest production skis around at the time, a stand up Kawasaki 650SX. This thing was killer, but I got bored with it and moved into my first boat.

[BajaHotShot]

I had two SeaDoo XP's over 4 years before getting my first Baja. Great fun jumping the waves in the ocean. Also great if there are more than one of you when you go out. Switched to boats to be able to anchor and enjoy.

[22 twilight cruiser]

PWC are a blast no question about it.... I used to race Kawasaki 550's in highschool and college.....probably could take the whole engine apart with my eyes closed at one time. Just sold my 2 seadoos to my brother-in-law...to buy my baja....(i always wanted a loud big block). The good thing is I still can use the seadoos whenever i want.

The key to buying a used PWC.....is to avoid one that has been modified....especially 2-cycles. When i was racing them...I think i spent more time keeping the tempermental machine running. Then again I never claimed to be a great mechanic.

Once you own one...especially with the new ones which have plenty of HP.....keep it stock! Buy a shop manual and keep it maintained....they will last forever.....unless you like to do submarines, barrel rolls, and jump lake erie waves during a noreaster.....you'll learn to do fiberglass work and paint quickly! Filling your cylinders up with water is bad...lol

Jay

[locomotion]

Great fun for family and friends.........fast and easy to ride........watch oil and gas levels......wax once in awhile......act responsible.....have fun......1997 xp and 2001 gtx seadoo's

[bottomless pit]

Jay:thatsfunny Just sold my 2 seadoos to my brother-in-law.... In a couple of days he will call telling you haw he can go 175 MPH!??
:thatsfunny :rollin , Sorry I just had to do it. Just Kidding.
PIT

[saleen367]

Had a Yamaha GP1200R for half the summer last year.

Wife bought it for a B-Day gift not knowing we would get a Baja later. Was too fast for the kids and burned more gas. Great as a runner for beer and ice though.:dancingjalepeno

[bottomless pit]

:biggrin I picked p a 96 Yamaha 1100 Wave Raider. Runs good. I got a real education Quick. I had no idea how much spray you got on you while riding. Water was cold and the Air temp was 78 deg.
I saw 63 on the speedo. I wasn't full throttle. Had to back out of it because a fleet of pontoons and I didn't want to wind up in the lake!!!!!.
I think it will be a lot of fun.
PIT
I want to Recommend Surdyke Yamaha to all LOTO interested in a PWC. Ask for Smitty.

[Rusty Jug]

I had a 01' Polaris with 135 HP it was a blast. But sold it so I could move up to a bigger boat in 02'.(Tired of borrowing my Dad's Clunker) I had it one season and lost $1,100. The reason I sold it my wife got pregnant:biggrin This was my first taste of over 60 MPH and I was driving.:party I grew up in the 70' and 80' with a boat that would not go over 34 MPH. As a kid and a young teenager I thought that was fast. My father would tell me how speed boats were not fuel efficient and you would spend more time at the pump and not on the water having fun.:huh I believed him. You should have seen my Dad's face when I told him I bought a boat with twin big blocks!:rollin I'll shut up now and get back to the topic. PWC are fun for a short time then the fun is gone.

[25OutLaw]

I sold my 95 Kawi 900zxi and two 95 700cc Yamaha Waveraiders (all two-seaters) and bought my 25Outlaw. I would not give up my Outlaw, but there are times when I wish I had a waverunner again.
I agree with Jay, you couldn't give me a ski that's had mods done to the engine.
In my opinion the Kawi was very fast but the triple carb engine was notorious for its problems. The Yamahas, although 200cc less dispacelement were almost as fast becasue they were much lighter but better built in my opinion. The Yamaha engines are bulletproof. The Kawasaki had an extremely "dry" ride (no spray in your face), whereas you were soaked within 5 mins on the Yamahas.
There are a lot of things to consider when buying a ski, such as do you plan to waterski/tube behind it (you'd need a three-seater), do you want one with a "wet" or "dry" ride, how important is speed (we all know the answer to that question:biggrin ), how agile are you/your riders (some skis are difficult to remount in the water), etc...
I love 'em, they're a nice ADDITION (not substitute) to a boat and easy to maintain.

[mikeandkimlovethelakeoftheo]

Ladies and Gentlemen....HONDA HONDA HONDA! Check www.pwctoday.com and go to the Honda forum...or any of the forums for that matter. I have a Honda F12...one word..AWESOME...

[gdsmith56]

I've owned four PWC's in the past and enjoyed everyone of them. This year we have decided to purchase two more and we'll be going up to Deep Creek Lake (extreme Western Maryland) on either 18 or 20 May to pick them up. Our boat is stored at Raystown Lake - about 2 hours from the house - because that's the only decent 'big water' that we have for the boat. Closer to the house, about 15 mins, we have 'small water' that was always great for the PWC's. We'll keep the PWC's at the house and use them during the weekday evenings or any weekend that we opt not to go up to The Lake.

[bottomless pit]

66 MPH on the Speedo is the fastest ive gone so far.
It is fast.
PIT:huh

[missouri]

Honda does make a good one , so I have read....I'm picking up another Seadoo 4-tec this weekend 185 hp on this one...

Mike, I see the hammer is out of your sig and a 04 Islander is in...sounds like your problem was worked out!

[mikeandkimlovethelakeoftheo]

Yea...the Hammer issue is over and done...thank GOD, although I do love the Hammer. 5-6 years I hope to jump up to a H2X. THe Islander is a great little boat...looks very nice next to my Honda...sad part is it will out run the honda in the long stretch. Out of the hole watch out for the Honda though. WHY are u buying a SEAPOO ? OK OK...no need to get a PWC battle going on here. Sorry...had to poke you in the ribs about the Seapoo... :)

[missouri]

congrats on the islander....
I already have a 03 seadoo 4-tec, like the colors better though I like the Honda price better and It would be hard to get used to that lil ol 125hp...:o :biggrin
I'm gonna sell my boat and store or sell my hoist this year until we get another place a LOTO...next year the wife wants to go to Florida instead of LOTO and I want to take the PWC's w/ me.

[xZenxNemox]

Started out sailing hobie cats, then moved to SeaDoo's (still have them) Highly modified '97 SPX and a bone stock 750ssxi Kawi, then moved up to real boats and am here to stay. Don't know why I still have the PWC's, they have not been in the water for 3 years. Maybe this year I'll use them as ferry's from the party line to the docks for those that just want to meet up. Chickas of course.

[mikeandkimlovethelakeoftheo]

be hard to get used to that lil ol 125hp...

The non turbo version produces 125hp...jump to the turbo ( 165hp?) and you gain 8-10mph on the top end, although i have heard the non turbo will get the hole shot. Beyond 25-30 mph the turbo pulls away quickly. Show me a spot on the Ozarks ( on a typical Saturday ) where you can run a ski over 50 mph without getting thrown off or killed. There is a guy "nitroshark" who posts at www.pwc.com in the Honda forum. He has a kit that replaces the ecu, ignition and boosts the turbo from 8lbs to 13lbs of boost ( don't quote me on this ) ..that is his stage one kit that he is selling. Stage two is claimed to pull 205hp....consists of a larger turbo...? If you are a big PWC fan, that site contains lots of interesting info. Talk to Nirtoshark if you are a Honda Turbo owner and want to smoke the Sea Doo guys...

[Sinski]

I bought a GP1300R last year after owning a GP1200 before that. The Fuel injection sure is nice I tell you!!

I sure hear the Ski-Drool's are pretty damn fast, I worry for their reliability though as it is VERY hard to beat Yamaha's reliability (that's a story of mine in it's own).

Sin

[missouri]

I've had 2 mechanics tell me Yamaha was the soundest mechanicly for the last few years...before that Polaris...I went for the price, & resale after extended warrenty.

Seadoo...4-tec....155hp...0-50 in 3.9 seconds...top end 60 ish.
4-tec supercharged....185hp...0-50 in 3.1 sec.....top end 63mph....realistic top end not speedo.

The kid at the gas dock blew me away w/ his 215hp modified 2 stroke yamaha on top end.....didn't like the way it cornered though.

[Sinski]

Here in Canada they are not importing Honda's as of yet, but it will be interesting when they do. Honda doesn't make ANYTHING that's not excellent in quality.

Sin

[mikeandkimlovethelakeoftheo]

Hey Sin,

You just earned some "brownie points" with a proud Honda owner!

True, my little 125hp F12 isn't the fastest on the lake but I bet it will last the longest. Something about the Yamaha 4 strokes twisting 11 grand spooks me..... My Honda tops out around 6400 at 52-54mph on the speedo. ...the sound of 11,000 rpm out of a 4 stroke engine is just sick. Yamaha uses these same 140hp 4 stroke engines in their new 23' jet boat....it doesn't plain till it hits 7,000 rpm! THAT IS JUST SICK!!

[Sinski]

I'd really like to get a shot an one of these new Honda'a actually when they hit the market here.

I've had a pretty long history with Yamaha stuff and I must admit that their history with me has been flawless.

I'll give you a brief history


- Started with a Yamaha Saxaphone
- 2 MotoCross Yamaha Bikes
- 7 Yamaha Snowmobiles with the 8th on the way (RX-1)
- 3 Yamaha Waverunners
- The new Yamaha RX-Z9 digital home theater reciever (AWESOME)

Never ONCE in all that time (20 years) have I EVER been to a parts desk or the service bays. That's pretty amazing as I do tend to run the hell out of everything I use. In that period I have been with my friends who all have the same type of equipment but from different manufacturers, and the sheer amount of problems I have seen them have over that period is amazing to me. I belive though that Arctic-Cat and Polaris are the worst of what I've run with as the problems there are FAR worse than the rest it seems...pretty tough to comment to my friends though as one is an ex Arctic dealer :lol .

Just a coule of cases that happened this year

One friend got an new polaris quad. Within an hour all the brake fluid leaked onto the driveway and everytime you turned the handlebars to the left the machine would shut off. Another friends new Ski-Doo Legend 700 blew and engine with 1000 km on it. Anothers Artic Cat dropped the chaincase and ring gear. Anothers 2 year old Ski-Doo watercraft injested water after running in some 2-2.5 waves and burned an engine down when 3 of us were all running at the same time. This is all stuff that I've just seen over the past year, but would be reflective of what I've seen EVERY year over the last 20.

Not brand bashing here either, nor recommending as I really don't care what people buy...just reflecting on what I've seen.

Sin

[Four Play]

Anybody had a chance to hop on the new Sea Doo. I believe it is the RX-XP. It is a 2 seater boasting 215HP.

That is just sick. I wonder what the top end on it will be?

[missouri]

My son did...he is use to my 3 seaters and was afraid of it...said it was so quick out of the hole you had to hold on for dear life...unstable (to him) in the 60+ area on a light chop...he said he would love to get a 3 seater w/ that motor. If I remember right they told him top in was only 68 mph!