Jetski Advice

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1872 Posts XTreme Poster

Looking for a 3 person 4-stroke that can pull a kid wakeboarding, adult driving and another kid spotting. Do not need, nor want a powerhouse, but do want stable and enough to do the above. The stability is for kid kite rescue.

Brand and model suggestions?

Thanks,
Eric

Bettyboarder · Wed Jan 09, 08 4:30 pm

A friend has a 2006 yamaha 4 stroke 1200 I think and it's super stable. Pulls a wakeboarder just fine has a very nice platform to load people with. Works great for kite rescue, very stable

We have a 3 seater Seadoo GTX, it's awesome. It's only a two stroke but I like it better then most of the 4 strokes I have riden. Pulls a wakeboarder no prob, using it for kiting for the past 3 summers works great.

I would stay away from polaris or tigershark since they are hard to get parts.

If this is your first time buying a ski, I would check out all the video's on this page. It really helped me when I decided to purchase our ski.
http://www.sbtontheweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=62ceb962e10f1da2d55e357b764c6b86&t=19182

If you use it for kiting, kill the motor before you beach it (so you dont suck up rocks) and never get too close to a kite while the ski is on because you can suck up the lines.

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

The advice I would offer is that if its a long way from the put-in for the jetski to the kite beach you aren't gonna want to use the jetski much, cause anytime its blowing hard enough to be kite-able, you'll get beat riding the jetski around cause of the chop.

I've seen people carry old longboards or surf-skis as emergency kite rescue vehicles and that makes a lot of sense to me. Boards don't use any gas (my super charged SeaDoo RXT averages a spendy 5-7mpg), and boards are easy to portage, load and unload. Plus the kids can play on them and even kite on them in super light wind.

Also the potential to suck up kite lines seems like a problem, but maybe not too bad if you are careful.

Don't get me wrong. My RXT is a blast, but I sure wouldn't buy one to use for rescues.

nibor · Since 09 Jul 2005 45 Posts Tigard, OR

I would recommend finding a used SeaDoo explorer inflatable jet boat. I bought a 97 model and love it!

Good- same weight, portability, and jetdrive as a jetski. Carries up to 5 people. Dry rescue boat (don't get as wet driving it). Great for towing boarders. Easy to repair/parts. classified as a boat so kids can drive it (if you want).

Bad- hard to find (stopped making them in 2002). 2 stroke technology. You end up being rescue bitch.

They cost about 2500 - 5000 depending on year and condition.

robin

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

yamaha vx delux

Bettyboarder · Wed Jan 09, 08 7:52 pm

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

Chop would only be fun if you are going to jetski really close to where you are going to put in and take out. If you have to actually travel in it, it's just annoying. Now wakes from tugs and big freighters, that's the shit! You can get some BIG air off those wakes.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

2 strokes are way more fun, but 4 strokes are cleaner and not as loud.

We've had good luck with our SeaDoo, so I'd recommend them as a brand.

Just try to find something in good shape with low hours, you don't need to spend much more than $3,000 on a decent ski. You might even be able to find one for less than that.

As for chop, I agree with BB - just makes more fun. Especially Gorge swell. Though if you are traveling a long distance with gear and 2 people it can be tough.

Kiting beats jetskiing any day, but the jetski is a fun distraction if the wind dies, or for non kiters. Its also an awesome rescue tool.

Cheers!

Onad · Thu Jan 10, 08 9:55 am

Watch out for this character!! Laughing