Buying a Jetski

billhurley · 03-07-2006, 10:26 AM

I would stick to the 4 stroke as Woodsy said. It leaves less to chance. I like the Kawasaki myself. I owned a 2003 STX 12F 2 years ago and loved it. I am in the process of buying it back. Most newer machines have good storage. A rear step is helpful. If you are going to tube or ski make sure you get a 3 seater.

They don't put running lights on because they are not allowed on the lake after dusk.

Bill

Bear Islander · 03-07-2006, 12:19 PM

I would argue for a four stroke as well.

The biggest headache with a pwc is getting it serviced. If you are on the island and it will not run you tow it to a ramp, get it on the trailer and bring it back where you bought it. Then they tell you how many weeks till they can look at it.

Its not like getting a boat repaired, most marinas will not even look at a pwc. The more complex models have on-board computers that can only be accessed by authorized dealers.

Woodsy · 03-07-2006, 12:36 PM

Bear Islander has a great point....

Choose your dealer wisely!

Buying local to the lake might not get you the best price, but will probably insure pretty good service. I have had great luck getting my sleds serviced at HK Powersports in Laconia. I never had to wait more than a few days. PWC's might be a bit different.

Woodsy

CHSLTD · 03-07-2006, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodsy

Bear Islander has a great point....

Choose your dealer wisely!

Buying local to the lake might not get you the best price, but will probably insure pretty good service. I have had great luck getting my sleds serviced at HK Power sports in Laconia. I never had to wait more than a few days. PWC's might be a bit different.

Woodsy

We have had great service at HK in Laconia. I say four stroke because you will want to explore all the small coves and places that you may not want to go in a full sized boat. All that idling on a two stroke makes for lots of smoke and can foul spark plugs. Four strokes are quiet clean and better on fuel.

SIKSUKR · 03-08-2006, 02:54 PM

Please ignore Waukewanderer's inflammatory post.I for one only own a PWC and have almost never spun around in circles.I use it as a boat.I have a Yamaha XL 1200 that is 5 years old and has been absolutely flawless.It is a 2-stroke but has oil injection which greatly reduces emmisions into the lake.If I can find the article on the comparison between modern 2-strokes and 4-strokes I will post it here.There was very little difference between emisions in the new 2-strokes.Having said that,I will probably buy a 4-stroke because they are finally getting close in performance to the 2-strokes,mainly the out-of-the-water power and they are quieter.A couple friends have the Yamaha 4-stroke high output and I love the way it rides.My 3 person has plenty of storage.Under my seat I can actually store a soft cooler that will hold a case of beverages.Under that in the engine comparment,there's more storage for x-tras like anchors,dock lines,and tools.The front compartment holds even more than the rear.I use it for dry storage.Best of all,I believe I get about 3 miles or better per gallon.Just remember ALL PWC OPERATORS ARE NOT ABOUT RUNNING IN CIRCLES!!

CHSLTD · 03-08-2006, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Please ignore Waukewanderer's inflammatory post.I for one only own a PWC and have almost never spun around in circles.I use it as a boat.I have a Yamaha XL 1200 that is 5 years old and has been absolutely flawless.It is a 2-stroke but has oil injection which greatly reduces emmisions into the lake.If I can find the article on the comparison between modern 2-strokes and 4-strokes I will post it here.There was very little difference between emisions in the new 2-strokes.Having said that,I will probably buy a 4-stroke because they are finally getting close in performance to the 2-strokes,mainly the out-of-the-water power and they are quieter.A couple friends have the Yamaha 4-stroke high output and I love the way it rides.My 3 person has plenty of storage.Under my seat I can actually store a soft cooler that will hold a case of beverages.Under that in the engine comparment,there's more storage for x-tras like anchors,dock lines,and tools.The front compartment holds even more than the rear.I use it for dry storage.Best of all,I believe I get about 3 miles or better per gallon.Just remember ALL PWC OPERATORS ARE NOT ABOUT RUNNING IN CIRCLES!!

Thanks for sticking up for the riders that are responsible....

Dave R · 03-08-2006, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

ALL PWC OPERATORS ARE NOT ABOUT RUNNING IN CIRCLES!!

You know, not to argue with you, but if people want to make circles on their jetskis, why should we even care? It's as arbitrarily silly as strapping your feet to a board, getting towed by a boat and turning back and forth over and over again. Don;t see many people complaining about that. I am not a jet skier nor am I anti-jet ski. As long as they are not breaking any laws, I say let 'em make circles and have fun.

03-07-2006, 12:36 PM	#3
Woodsy Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 1,968 Thanks: 80 Thanked 980 Times in 440 Posts	Bear Islander has a great point.... Choose your dealer wisely! Buying local to the lake might not get you the best price, but will probably insure pretty good service. I have had great luck getting my sleds serviced at HK Powersports in Laconia. I never had to wait more than a few days. PWC's might be a bit different. Woodsy __________________ The only way to eliminate ignorant behavior is through education. You can't fix stupid.

03-08-2006, 02:54 PM	#5
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	Please ignore Waukewanderer's inflammatory post.I for one only own a PWC and have almost never spun around in circles.I use it as a boat.I have a Yamaha XL 1200 that is 5 years old and has been absolutely flawless.It is a 2-stroke but has oil injection which greatly reduces emmisions into the lake.If I can find the article on the comparison between modern 2-strokes and 4-strokes I will post it here.There was very little difference between emisions in the new 2-strokes.Having said that,I will probably buy a 4-stroke because they are finally getting close in performance to the 2-strokes,mainly the out-of-the-water power and they are quieter.A couple friends have the Yamaha 4-stroke high output and I love the way it rides.My 3 person has plenty of storage.Under my seat I can actually store a soft cooler that will hold a case of beverages.Under that in the engine comparment,there's more storage for x-tras like anchors,dock lines,and tools.The front compartment holds even more than the rear.I use it for dry storage.Best of all,I believe I get about 3 miles or better per gallon.Just remember ALL PWC OPERATORS ARE NOT ABOUT RUNNING IN CIRCLES!! __________________ SIKSUKR

03-07-2006, 10:26 AM	#1
billhurley Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: St. Augustine FL. Posts: 86 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I would stick to the 4 stroke as Woodsy said. It leaves less to chance. I like the Kawasaki myself. I owned a 2003 STX 12F 2 years ago and loved it. I am in the process of buying it back. Most newer machines have good storage. A rear step is helpful. If you are going to tube or ski make sure you get a 3 seater. They don't put running lights on because they are not allowed on the lake after dusk. Bill

03-07-2006, 12:19 PM	#2
Bear Islander Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bear Island Posts: 1,764 Thanks: 32 Thanked 441 Times in 207 Posts	I would argue for a four stroke as well. The biggest headache with a pwc is getting it serviced. If you are on the island and it will not run you tow it to a ramp, get it on the trailer and bring it back where you bought it. Then they tell you how many weeks till they can look at it. Its not like getting a boat repaired, most marinas will not even look at a pwc. The more complex models have on-board computers that can only be accessed by authorized dealers.