Posted: 5/13/2014 7:34:26 PM EDT
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Anyone know anything about Jet Skis? Looking to purchase one in the near future and would like to educate myself on what I need to look for and price ranges. I have NO, ZERO, ZILCH, ZIPPO experience about these and any help would be appreciated.
Thanks 
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| Thanks for the input so far. I will probably buy used but I don't know what model or what exactly I should look for. I know I should consider maintenance history, hours on the engine, etc, but good LORD! Makes, models, years AND PRICES are all over the board. I just need some where to start. |
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First, used skis need to be 'gone thru' before running them. I will assume 2-stroke. minimum for me is redo carbs and all fuel line that doesn't look new. All used skis eventually die due to a lean condition on one or more cylinders. Before you go look at it, make sure he will allow you to pull plugs. Then get a single LED snakelight for a few bucks. Like this one, but local auto parts may have or walmart Now, when you get there, pull a plug and then bump the starter til that cylinder is DOWN, peek in with the light in the cylinder, you are looking for damage to the piston, cracks, dents, eroded edges. If no obvious damage, then look for a wear pattern at the edges. There should be areas about the size or width of your thumbnail that are washed clean, and the rest of the piston face will be black or brown. No such clean areas means it is running lean. ALL clean may mean water is getting in someplace. Repeat for all cylinders. ANY sign of damage on the piston face will likely need a full teardown, as whatever was bouncing around in there is or has been down in the crank. Take a compression tester also. Other than that, look for redone or spliced electrical connections, usually means a component was replaced by owner, not shop. I have rebuilt 2 older Polaris skis and am working on a third now. If you can do the work, they are cheap, I paid $200 for the current project and have about $700 in it now, and that includes a new crank. |
| I hope he is looking at 4stroke.. I could go on of hours about this subject. Yamaha or SeaDoo is the way to go. I do not care how good it looks.. Never buy what you can't test ride first and never buy in the spring... Buy during the winter as the prices are lower too. |
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gypsy, where are you located?
I'm in Savannah and ride my ski all the time. Below pic was taken between Tybee Island and Little Tybee Island when the high tide is coming in for big waves. 
I have been very, very happy with my '05 Honda R12. My wife has a Honda F12 and she loves it. The R12 is a 2-seater which makes it very sporty. The F12 is a 3-seater, it's like a whale compared to mine. If you want a sporty jetski, get a 2-seater. If you want a jetski that is comfortable and to tow someone in a tube, get a 3 seater. 
What is your budget? What kind of year ranges are you looking at? I would stick to the following brands: Honda, Yamaha, Seadoo. Honda has not made a jetski for years, but there are plenty parts and they are extremely reliable. Not to mention they consume fuel very low, my brother and sister runs out of gas in their Yamaha and Seadoos before we do. BUY A 4 STROKE! Don't get a 2 stroke. 4 strokes are better and newer. edit: if you want a Honda - don't buy the turbo model if you plan on using it in saltwater. The turbo has issues. Mine is naturally aspirated and I'm happy, I go at least 50mph easily and it has plenty power (for me). |
