Thread: PWC/Jetskis Pros and Cons

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Looking to buy a PWC and was wondering if those that own PWC's if you have any pro's and con's for any particular brand.

Just some ideas. Buy a brand that has a "near your home" reputable dealership that can support your vehicle "after the sale". You will "break things", and also have "factory recalls" so you need a good dealership for the back-up. I think you will find a good sales deal available, since it's the end of the season and the PWC industry has been in a slump for some time now. I would stay away from any unit that has lived in salt water, if you go the used PWC route. Stay with a major brand name company so you can still buy parts in the future. Be aware that many dealerships will not work on units that are over "ten years" old, one dealership in my area has only a "five year" cut off. Kawasaki, and Yamaha are good brands that come to mind. They have been in the business for a long time and offer a wide range of product. Sea-Doo has been loosing dealerships in this area which makes it hard on their owners for service.

Make sure that everyone in your family that "might use it" are fully trained on "how to safely use it".

Have fun.

Palmer said it very well.
On the lighter side, ""How long can you tread water?"
They're all good unless you talk to the X-treme guy who's more opinionated than a hot rodder.
Just remember, the outdrive unit that's most widely used is the same, patented unit from craft to craft,
Same principle to principle (and design).
I own a Polaris, Kawasaki, and one old Sea Doo. Bragging rights for speed and power belong to my oldest son, not the machine (this old man doesn't lose easily).
Durability from most machines are good and unless it's been abused, I don't fear most problems.
If you know the previous owner and trust them, you're set. If new, no worries.
Since you own wrenches, hopefully some metric, you'll be fine.

SeaDoo is the biggest player in the market. Kawasaki is probably second, with Yamaha third. Anyway, (and you probably know this, but) all of the Manufacturers have gone away from two strokes, and gone to four (this began after lake Tahoe said they couldn't allow two strokes there), and most of the performance models are supercharged.

If you buy used, be sure to look under the Boat-so many people "beach" them and run sand through the Impeller. There are two person and three person Boats, and if you want to tow a Skier, in most States you must have a three person Ski (Skier, Flagger and Operator), so think about what you want to do.

I ran a Motorsports Dealer, and we were (at that time) the biggest Watercraft Dealer in that State-I spent 40 weekends a Year at the lake (tough job I know!), but there are so many idiots-I'd do demonstrations on Satudays, and I can't tell you how many times I had to go fish my Machines out of the lake 3/4 full of water.

I like the Kawasaki Hull design the best because it does keep a lot of the splash off of you with their sponson design. Look at all of them, they each have their merits-

I have sea-doos and a kawi jetski..............I really like the sea-doos ,but they have required some work that I have done myself,not surprising since they are 1991 models...nothing major ,just a few motor mounts and a prop.

The kawi jetski is a 87 and has given me no problems at all...other riding the dang thing,it`s still quite a exsperiance to ride.

I really abuse my sea-doos too ,I ride them in the ocean and jump huge waves,they have been 15 plus foot in the air and washed up on the beach many times from jumps gone wrong

I even ride them completely under the water with only my head and neck above the water line...they fill with water ,soo you can only do that for a short time........so yeah i would say sea-doos can take some abuse....not to mention the salt water is some means stuff when it comes to corosion.I just flush them really well with fresh water after I am done,mine look and ride no different than ones that have always been in fresh water......I am shure most of them hold up that well now,I just like the looks of the sea-doos and how mine have held up over the years.

The smaller 1 person ones are more agile to do spins and trick stuff,but a 2 seater lets you take a pasenger....I just bought 2 matching one seaters to solve that problem........now if one goes boom I will have plenty of extra parts for the other

On the kawi jetski it has been alot of fun to watch people try and ride it.....it`s not easy at all.

The guys are right about the service thing. Regular boat repair facilities generally shy away from working on these. (I know we don't touch them........they are different from regular boats and motors and require special tools and skills) Even here in boat rich SW Florida people walk in all the time and are frustrated because they can't find a place to repair their PWC. I have even opened up the phone book to try to help them and many of the places are gone.

I would talk to lots of owners in your area and get some feel for who they use and how the service is.

Don

Yamahas seem to be dominant in salt water although they are the least exciting to ride..Kawasakis seem to be the most bang for the buck. Polaris seem to perform very well but no one likes to work on them. I think Sea doo might be the best overall but I have never rode a Honda or any other 4 stroke machine.

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

The guys are right about the service thing. Regular boat repair facilities generally shy away from working on these. (I know we don't touch them........they are different from regular boats and motors and require special tools and skills) Even here in boat rich SW Florida people walk in all the time and are frustrated because they can't find a place to repair their PWC. I have even opened up the phone book to try to help them and many of the places are gone.

I would talk to lots of owners in your area and get some feel for who they use and how the service is.

Don

Wow, I live in a desert and yet we are unindated with too many repair shops.
I must say, the lack of qualified shops or even shops that claim they don't work on them is amazing to me in that area Don.
Not saying I don't believe you, just that who'd a thunk it. Makes little sense. Wow, just WOW.
Youther, I hope you get what you want. May your quest be golden in finding your machine/s.

Few people realize that there are more boats per capita in Arizona than in any other state.

Originally Posted by techinspector1

Few people realize that there are more boats per capita in Arizona than in any other state.

I noticed that on my last visit to AZ. Funny though, when we went to any of the lakes there didn't seem to be a lot of boats in the water. Guess people there just like to trailer them around behind their SUVs. (Lots of those in AZ too.)

My kid and I both rode Kawasaki's. I've since sold mine but his is still alive and running strong after five years.... Service is important on them. If they're going to sit for the winter, make sure you follow the manufacturer's recomendations for winterizing.... Having rode most everything that came out new for a number of years, got to say IMO the Kawasaki's are the smoothest hulls across the water but that big 4 stroke Yamaha is fast and very good handling!!!! Just had one out to play with last weekend....

I have a 2 cycle Yamaha and have not had any problems. I bought it with 15 hours and now its at 64.