Kids are getting older and I think I need to break down and get them a jet ski to keep them entertained at the cabin. I don't want to buy new but think I should get a good used one.

I probably need one that can carry 2 adults. I know absolutelty nothing about them so any input about what to look for or stay away from would be appreciated.

I'm a Sea-Doo guy myself but if you want something stable that requires very little maintenance, look for any '90's model Polaris SL/SLT/SLX with a 650 or 750 triple. Good runners, fun to throw around (just a bit heavier than Sea Doo models of the same vintage) and they are going for peanuts these days.

Anything else you'd like to know about them, post it up.

-Twiggs

Try this site. www.pwctoday.com - probably the best PWC forums on the net.

My buddy has a 1994 Polaris SL750 for sale, if your interested send me a PM and I'll get a price for ya. It's located in Two Harbors, MN.

Polaris and Arctic Cat are no longer in the biz. I would steer clear as parts and sevice may be hard to get or poor quality.

I would stick with Kawasaki Seadoo or Yamaha. Some where between 1993 and 2000 and 500 cc to 800 cc for the kids at the price range you are looking at.

You dont want to go out and get them a 1200 cc tripple. You may want one but I wouldnt let my kid ride one.

I would say Kawasaki 650, 750cc or seadoo 580,650,718 cc , Yamaha 701, 760,800cc steer clear of the waverunner III handles like a fridge on snow.

Those ore the most economical and reliable small skiis I can think of at this time.

the early 90s was a boom for jetskiis and the 97 models are so much better than the 93 models its crazy. I woulds try and stick with 97 and up.

I say these years becouse I know kids are not nice to jetskiis and they are dangerous. I wouls stick with a nice slow cheap one to start with.

Remember a jetski is a boat. And boat stands for Bring On Another Thousand.
Or a big hole in the water you throw money into.


I own 5 kawasaki Jet skiis. Big hole in the water.

Aaron

For me, there is nothing like the 1996 XP or 1997-99 SPX but in the hands of innexperienced riders, they could have it upside down more often than right side up. The Sea-doo 3 seaters were the best in their time. I had a 1996 GTX 800 and it would go where you pointed it, even with 5 foot rollers smashing from the side. Sea-doos have had some jet pump issues with bushings comming loose and bearings wearing out fast. It's usually not hard to fix these problems but the engine usually has to be unbolted to get at the affected area. The 800 engine is the best and most reliable out of any engine they have ever built. The 581 and 720's are pretty good too. Some early 951's had nasty problems and 657's can get a rotary valve crash easier than the other engines.

The thing with Sea-doo is that if you need parts, they are very plentiful and relatively cheap to find.
There's alot of mid 90's GT series Sea-doos running good where I live.

Thanks for the advice. I will definetly lean towards a 97 or newer.

get a yamaha with the 701cc motor. Cant kill them