Jet ski question..

[2011GT]

between those two yamaha is the one. heard too many horror stories about working on the poolaris skis

You mean bombardier

[Scott Mc]

FWIW I have a XP for sale but it is apart and no title.

[Sleeper]

FWIW I have a XP for sale but it is apart and no title.

sounds like a winner.

[Scott Mc]

Well its not a Yamaha so that answers that question. OP stated the kid was lazy, getting it going would be motivation for the kid.

[Rreemo]

I used to own 2 Polaris PWC's, and I loved both of mine...my wife's 780 was really nimble and great trick riding, had an after market exhaust and intake grate.....mine was a 900xp and would outrun a lot of the 1000-1200cc models at the time (had them 03-06')....would flat kill others from the holeshot. However, with all that said....I completely agree with lo3oz, unless you are capable of working on it, you should steer clear of Polaris....I never had to do any major repairs, but they did require a fair amount of maintenance, tinkering, etc. It's also prudent to note that Polaris quit making PWC's in 06', so the newest one you would find today would be at minimum 7-years old....something to consider.

For today's PWC's I think Yamaha makes one of the most reliable machines out there. The biggest thing is to get something 4-cycle, b/c the 2-cycles always end up with a burned piston or 2 along the way unless you are overly protective of what goes into the fuel tank (water being #1 enemy).

[Denny]

Getting a bigger engine might be a good idea. Both of mine are 1500cc and it's barely enough to get it up to 60 on the big one. They would suck if they were slower. They are both 2009 Kawaski 1500 STX. One is a lighter, smaller version, but the same motor on both. You'd be surprised what a little less weight and smaller hull can do.

Anyway, I like riding a "couch" when I go out past the reef. I can use the extra stability with those big Pacific swells. (Ya, that was a barg. A solid one too)

[Scott Mc]

LOL very solid sir!

[Chili]

I guess I should clarify that the person asking me to look is an older man (70s) buying one for his grandson as a surprise. That is why he asked for my help. Plus he is lazy.

That being said he is looking at 3 seater and said he heard good things about yamaha.. I did some comparing between Sea Doo and Yamaha and seem to be pretty close.

Lol, ok, he gets a pass.

[krazy kris]

keep in mind if you want to pull a tube or wakeboard you MUST have a 3 seater, IE enough room for you + flagger + skier incase anyone becomes incapacitated. I can't tell you how many times i've watched the rangers pop people for that.

I didn't know that hell I used to tube behind my cousins mid 90's wave runner all the time on eagle mountain

[Chas_svo]

I used to own 2 Polaris PWC's, and I loved both of mine...my wife's 780 was really nimble and great trick riding, had an after market exhaust and intake grate.....mine was a 900xp and would outrun a lot of the 1000-1200cc models at the time (had them 03-06')....would flat kill others from the holeshot. However, with all that said....I completely agree with lo3oz, unless you are capable of working on it, you should steer clear of Polaris....I never had to do any major repairs, but they did require a fair amount of maintenance, tinkering, etc. It's also prudent to note that Polaris quit making PWC's in 06', so the newest one you would find today would be at minimum 7-years old....something to consider.

For today's PWC's I think Yamaha makes one of the most reliable machines out there. The biggest thing is to get something 4-cycle, b/c the 2-cycles always end up with a burned piston or 2 along the way unless you are overly protective of what goes into the fuel tank (water being #1 enemy).

This is not true. The only brand I've seen have any piston issues are Polaris. I've rode, modified, repaired skis for 15 or the last 23 years. The last 7-8 are someone else's call.

[ryuu]

I didn't know that hell I used to tube behind my cousins mid 90's wave runner all the time on eagle mountain

Don't need a 3rd if you have mirrors

Every motorboat towing a person must have an observer, other than the
operator, 13 years of age or older OR be equipped with a rearview mirror of
a size no less than four inches (4”) in measurement from bottom to top and
across from one side to the other.

[lowthreeohz]

Don't need a 3rd if you have mirrors

Every motorboat towing a person must have an observer, other than the
operator, 13 years of age or older OR be equipped with a rearview mirror of
a size no less than four inches (4”) in measurement from bottom to top and
across from one side to the other.

IIRC most PWC mirrors are not 'legal' per the law.

[ceyko]

Don't need a 3rd if you have mirrors

Every motorboat towing a person must have an observer, other than the
operator, 13 years of age or older OR be equipped with a rearview mirror of
a size no less than four inches (4”) in measurement from bottom to top and
across from one side to the other.

ding ding, somebody paid attention in boater's ed. (or just copy/pasted it)

Forgot to mention it needs to be firmly secured. Still has to be a two seater though.

[ceyko]

IIRC most PWC mirrors are not 'legal' per the law.

Think that's why he specified the size, would have to be aftermarket or rigged.

[Rreemo]

This is not true. The only brand I've seen have any piston issues are Polaris. I've rode, modified, repaired skis for 15 or the last 23 years. The last 7-8 are someone else's call.

I've come across a number of SeaDoos as well, but I suppose those were all a little older models.