New to jetskis- are used ones ok?

[1973Chieftain]

I've got two aluminum boats with outboards, but being a male who loves speed I've been thinking of buying a jetski. i have about $2000 to work with. I've seen many seadoo's on Craigslist for $1000-$2000 for one with a trailer or $2000-$2500 for two.. but they are mid 90's skis. Is that too old? I just want something reliable and can go faster then the 31mph my boats go! Any thoughts?

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: New to jetskis- are used ones ok?

2 Seadoo xp 657's and Trailer something like these... seadoo 657's

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: New to jetskis- are used ones ok?

Old 2 stroke PWC's of any brand are to be avoided, unless you buy them cheap enough where you can afford to rebuild the motors. And pulling motors and working on them are really pains.

I've switched from SeaDoo 2 strokes to a Yamaha VX Cruiser 4 stroke--the most durable PWC on the market. It's the largest selling machine on the market, too. It runs 54 mph, and gets just over 10 mpg. In 2 years, it's never seen the shop.

There are many good PWC's around. I'll just tell you to go for a 4 stroke machine, whatever it costs. Older 2 strokes will run you crazy and hit your pocketbook pretty hard.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: New to jetskis- are used ones ok?

+1 ^^^ on the 4-stroke, "Chief". Better reliability, less maint., better fuel economy. Some areas are now enforcing bans on 2-strokes. Good luck !!!

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: New to jetskis- are used ones ok?

Thanks for the advice guys! I have not seen any 4 strokes (or at least ones listed as such) in my price range, all of the ones I've seen are mid to late 90's 2 strokes, some having newly rebuilt engines. Looks like $1200-$1500 would buy a nice one of those vs $4000 for a 4 stroke. Y'all would not recommend a 2 stroke at all even with a rebuilt/ low hours engine? I guess what I'm thinking is that sure, a 4 stroke would be cheaper to run and nicer all around, but I can't afford one. I could swing the $1500 though, but certainly not if its going to need frequent repairs. If it is really 4 stroke or nothing, I'll just have to save up a bit longer

 

[Eightyseven550]

Re: New to jetskis- are used ones ok?

I've had several yamaha 2 strokes over the years. They've been GREAT!! I've never swam one in.

If you stick with there basic 2 cylinder engines, (650/701/760) they are usually very tough and hard to hurt.

I also dont like the way 4 strokes ride. They tend to have a deeper V hull, not allowing you to slide as much.

Do stay away from 2 stroke seadoos though.

P.S. I've owned many different skis. I stick with Yamaha now.

 

[arks]

Re: New to jetskis- are used ones ok?

I've had a '97 SeaDoo GTI since 2003. Sure, there's been a couple pricey repairs over the last decade but so far the engine and pump have been A-OK. The 2 most expensive problems I've faced are a dead MPEM and carb rebuilds- each repair costing around $500 from the dealer.
The 2 strokes require more regular maintenance and many owners don't bother (or don't realize).

My wife coming in 'for a landing':

 

[shagy959]

Re: New to jetskis- are used ones ok?

Ive bought and sold hundreds of 2 strokes never have had any 4 strokes if you know how to work on the skis they are not a big issue you can pick up used parts from many sources and get it back running for cheap to me they are like anything else if you beat them its going to cost you if you take care of them your not going to have alot issues first thing to do is take a compression test most should be around 150 each hole on a 2 cylinder and 125 on a three cylinder i wouldnt pay 2500 for a 91 and 93 three though thats really high you should be able to pick up a 96 to 00 for around 2 k depending on what brand and if you want a 3 person or a 2 place if your going to do the work get a manual and follow instructions join some of the other forums such as pwctoday or greenhulk and there are a ton of members that will give you a ton of advise and have a good source for parts

 

[byko9]

Re: New to jetskis- are used ones ok?

Just throwing my $.02 out there. I would not buy anything used, there are just way to many people out there trying to sell there PWC problems away. If you go back to the discussion boards you will see the thread i started about buying a new sea doo or a used gp. I have been looking for over a year now to buy a waverunner. I have drove as much as 4 hours to look at someones waverunner. They tell you one thing and when you get there its another this. S.H.I.T i had one guy have pictures of the machine on craigslist from when he first go it. When i got there it was all chip/cracked up. I wasted my time driving there. PLUS 90% of the time they wont let you put it in the water to try it out. YEAH, i dont think so. They just want to hook up a hose and call it a day. If you could, but new. If you cant well i wish you the best of luck finding someone that will actually put it in the water. But its not going to be easy.

 

[SleekCraft85]

Re: New to jetskis- are used ones ok?

i would opt for at least a 760 yamaha or a "tripple" 1100/1200 yamaha ". 2 stroke yamahas are reliable, easy to work on, tons up replacement & upgrade parts available.

iv noticed that most mid 90s seadoos on CL are not running (usually electric problems)

 

[Idlespeedonly]

Re: New to jetskis- are used ones ok?

So what kind a maintenance does a 2 stroke and a four stroke require? On my 2 stroker all I have ever done is new plugs every year and keep the oil tank full. Heck I have never changed the fuel filter. Still runs like a top, I bought it new in 1996.

 

[Jammer864]

Re: New to jetskis- are used ones ok?

Lots of 2000 to 2500 late 90's Kawasaki STX900s and 1100's around here. Do yourself a big favor and bring along a compression tester when you go to look at the skis. Its quick and easy to check compression on each cylinder. I had a one dead cylinder on a 98 STX1100 I had and it ran just fine on the hose, no one would of ever known there was 30 psi compression on it until they got on the water.

A 2 stroke is sensitive to air/fuel ratio. That means the carbs need to be clean inside, the fuel system from the tank to the carbs need to be clean and unrestricted. Be wary of an engine that has just been rebuilt. Why was it rebuilt? Overheated? Lack of lubrication? Lean fuel mixture? If a new engine is installed without correcting the cause of the failure, you will have a new failure the next time out.

Also alot of skis get beached and sand, dirt, and other crap gets sucked up into the engine cooling system. Look for signs of overheating....discolored paint and melted hoses. I would say the two biggest killers of two strokes are lean fuel condition and overheating. Keep those systems clean and you go a long way towards long engine life.