Used PWC questions

lfm · 05-01-2015, 03:33 PM

Thanks - we looked at a spark at the at the end of last season. A big drawback beyond the finish, was the lack of storage. It only had 1.6L of storage.

I was curious to get the capacity right and a quick check of the sea-doo website shows they've addressed this somewhat by making a kit available to add 28L of storage. Even so, I still wasn't overly impressed with it.

rowinghelmet · 05-01-2015, 03:36 PM

I'm not an expert, but liked the Yamaha PWC I had. Seemed to be pretty good quality and better quality than the SeaDoo's I had rented.

Misha888 · 05-01-2015, 08:52 PM

but I owned a GP1200 1999, and we had no problems with it.

As for a TigerShark. We purchased one at a good price, and was able to make some money on it. They are sought after, so if you find a good deal and have the patience you can earn more on your investment than some stock picks.

Good luck in your search.

TiltonBB · 05-02-2015, 08:07 AM

Most of the jet ski rental places use Yamaha. That says something about the dependability.

On Ft. Myers Beach in Florida there are about 5 jet ski rental businesses with a total of somewhere over 50 machines, all Yamaha.

The business in the Weirs Channel, Lakes Region Jet Ski Rentals, runs all Yamaha's and last season they did not tow one machine in all year. That says something about dependability when renters can't even break them.

I currently have my fourth Yamaha and and I think it is a great machine.

Good luck in your search.

jetskier · 05-02-2015, 10:51 AM

First, I would categorically recommend that you stay away from the 2 stroke machines. My experience is that the older 2 strokes are not particularly reliable. I have a 1996 SeaDoo GTX and I have had to replace the engine, fuel lines, voltage regulator, etc...

The 4 stroke machines are much more reliable. I also have a 2002 SeaDoo GTX and that has been extremely reliable. I know that the Yamahas have a reputation for reliability and that is also a good choice. In addition, I would opt away from anything used in salt water.

In general, if you have to spend a little more for a newer and lightly used machine, that will likely be cheaper in the long run...especially if you are not going to do your own mechanical work.

Jetskier

mhtranger · 05-02-2015, 02:17 PM

One thing I will add about Sea Doo is check to make sure only Sea Doo oil was used. I know it will be an hot topic but it WILL make a huge difference in longevity of said machine. Any blue in the tank or oil lines (which are painted white) and will need to be scraped to check. Also the ethanol in the gas will eat the fuel lines.

BraunBayGuy · 05-10-2015, 08:12 AM

Jetskier is correct. Look for an older 2002 to 2004 4 stroke Yamaha, Sea Doo, or Honda. Give DaSilvas in Moultonboro a call. He always has a few older 4 strokes for sale. Also check Craigslist. I picked up a 04 Sea Doo GTX Wake with 98 hours on it in 2012 for cheap money. Had three different 2 stroke Sea Doos and they were nice, but 4 strokes are way better.

BraunBayGuy · 05-10-2015, 08:28 AM

There is a 2002 Yamaha FX 140 4 stroke waverunner in Woodbridge CT that was just posted on Craigslist yesterday. Comes with trailer and only has 117 hours. Look good in pics. They are asking $3,300.

Greene's Basin Girl · 05-10-2015, 03:11 PM

My 2002 Seadoo GTX is still going strong. We put it in the water at Lee's Mills yesterday and it is now at our house until mid- October. It is so much fun. I go all over the lake in it and I don't live close to a any ports.

05-01-2015, 08:52 PM	#3
Misha888 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 340 Thanks: 280 Thanked 90 Times in 62 Posts	Far from an expert . . . but I owned a GP1200 1999, and we had no problems with it. As for a TigerShark. We purchased one at a good price, and was able to make some money on it. They are sought after, so if you find a good deal and have the patience you can earn more on your investment than some stock picks. Good luck in your search. __________________ ☮ _/♥\_ & (✿ˆ◡ˆ✿)

05-02-2015, 08:07 AM	#4
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 3,059 Thanks: 726 Thanked 2,235 Times in 955 Posts	Yamaha Most of the jet ski rental places use Yamaha. That says something about the dependability. On Ft. Myers Beach in Florida there are about 5 jet ski rental businesses with a total of somewhere over 50 machines, all Yamaha. The business in the Weirs Channel, Lakes Region Jet Ski Rentals, runs all Yamaha's and last season they did not tow one machine in all year. That says something about dependability when renters can't even break them. I currently have my fourth Yamaha and and I think it is a great machine. Good luck in your search.

05-02-2015, 10:51 AM	#5
jetskier Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Reading, MA and South Down Shores Posts: 855 Thanks: 58 Thanked 183 Times in 114 Posts	Suggestions First, I would categorically recommend that you stay away from the 2 stroke machines. My experience is that the older 2 strokes are not particularly reliable. I have a 1996 SeaDoo GTX and I have had to replace the engine, fuel lines, voltage regulator, etc... The 4 stroke machines are much more reliable. I also have a 2002 SeaDoo GTX and that has been extremely reliable. I know that the Yamahas have a reputation for reliability and that is also a good choice. In addition, I would opt away from anything used in salt water. In general, if you have to spend a little more for a newer and lightly used machine, that will likely be cheaper in the long run...especially if you are not going to do your own mechanical work. Jetskier

05-10-2015, 08:12 AM	#7
BraunBayGuy Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 14 Thanks: 6 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Four Stroke Jetskier is correct. Look for an older 2002 to 2004 4 stroke Yamaha, Sea Doo, or Honda. Give DaSilvas in Moultonboro a call. He always has a few older 4 strokes for sale. Also check Craigslist. I picked up a 04 Sea Doo GTX Wake with 98 hours on it in 2012 for cheap money. Had three different 2 stroke Sea Doos and they were nice, but 4 strokes are way better.

05-10-2015, 08:28 AM	#8
BraunBayGuy Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 14 Thanks: 6 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Yamaha four stroke Waverunner There is a 2002 Yamaha FX 140 4 stroke waverunner in Woodbridge CT that was just posted on Craigslist yesterday. Comes with trailer and only has 117 hours. Look good in pics. They are asking $3,300.

05-01-2015, 03:33 PM	#1
lfm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 96 Thanks: 29 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Thanks - we looked at a spark at the at the end of last season. A big drawback beyond the finish, was the lack of storage. It only had 1.6L of storage. I was curious to get the capacity right and a quick check of the sea-doo website shows they've addressed this somewhat by making a kit available to add 28L of storage. Even so, I still wasn't overly impressed with it.

05-01-2015, 03:36 PM	#2
rowinghelmet Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 60 Thanks: 0 Thanked 25 Times in 20 Posts	I'm not an expert, but liked the Yamaha PWC I had. Seemed to be pretty good quality and better quality than the SeaDoo's I had rented.

The Following User Says Thank You to jetskier For This Useful Post:
lfm (05-02-2015)

05-02-2015, 02:17 PM	#6
mhtranger Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 130 Thanks: 322 Thanked 69 Times in 40 Posts	One thing I will add about Sea Doo is check to make sure only Sea Doo oil was used. I know it will be an hot topic but it WILL make a huge difference in longevity of said machine. Any blue in the tank or oil lines (which are painted white) and will need to be scraped to check. Also the ethanol in the gas will eat the fuel lines.

The Following User Says Thank You to mhtranger For This Useful Post:
lfm (05-02-2015)

The Following User Says Thank You to BraunBayGuy For This Useful Post:
lfm (05-10-2015)

05-10-2015, 03:11 PM	#9
Greene's Basin Girl Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 1,515 Thanks: 394 Thanked 527 Times in 269 Posts	My 2002 Seadoo GTX is still going strong. We put it in the water at Lee's Mills yesterday and it is now at our house until mid- October. It is so much fun. I go all over the lake in it and I don't live close to a any ports.

The Following User Says Thank You to Greene's Basin Girl For This Useful Post:
lfm (05-10-2015)