Anyone know anything about jetskis?

[PyRo]

I found this one, I don't think it looks to bad for $3500, especially if he could be chewed down another $500.

2001 Yamaha Waverunner GP800r
Original owner, 61 hours
Dealer maintained/winterized - all papers available.
Under factory warranty till this August.
Trailer, Yamaha waverunner cover & life jackets included.

Are those hours high, is their anything I should be looking at specifically that breaks on these things? I don't know anything about em, any help is appreciated. Especially in the what to look for to make sure I'm not buying a POS catogory.

From what I could find it tested at 67mph, so in reality it probably gets going around 60 which I don't think is too bad. Is waterskiing/wakeboarding possible off this? I had a boat last year but had to sell it due to lack of storage space so now this is all I can get.




I'm also picking up an old standup jetski for a couple hundred whenever I can get the guy off his butt to help me bring it home.

[B.A.M.]

Hours arent to high but id be more concerend if the engine is in good shape. Sometimes sand gets sucked up and can ruin the engine.

[PyRo]

Hours arent to high but id be more concerend if the engine is in good shape. Sometimes sand gets sucked up and can ruin the engine.

How do we tell if the engine is good, listen, check for smoke blowing/leaking oil, and hope we get lucky?
What would a rebuild on a ski engine go for anyway $500 or so?

[B.A.M.]

How do we tell if the engine is good, listen, check for smoke blowing/leaking oil, and hope we get lucky?
What would a rebuild on a ski engine go for anyway $500 or so?

Well im no mechanic but just check it out and see if there seems to be any problems or even take it to a boat shop and ask them to check it out. I also have no idea how much an engine rebuild would go for.

[Snertz]

Also, a big factor is if the ski was ever run in salt water or not. Pop it open and look for corrosion anywhere on the engine or pump. Many times, a ski that was run in salt water may not have been totally flushed clean with fresh water, and can quickly deteriorate.

[PyRo]

It's definatly been in salt water, that's all we have around here.

[wad04]

those suckers go through gas faster then an suv.

so be prepared to spend lots of money on gas

[ICP]

Are you looking for a toy just for you and other adults? Is this gonna be ridden by younger kids?


I've had problems with yamaha's where I live. Had two of them out at the cabin that we go to, and both had to be returned before the summer was over, for repair. Also, 2 seaters like the 800 yamaha, are fast ski's, but not real stable for beginner,young riders. I don't think you would be able to pull a skier behind, but a tube is possible.

In my opinion I would look into a polaris 3 seater. Very stable, backed by a good company, and with a 900cc motor, they will top out at about 56-58 mph and the jet is completely underwater, where as the yamaha spits water out the top of the back step (behind the seat). It's not a huge problem but can spray people and boats that go by (but it is fun sometimes if your messin round).

[Lohman446]

I am a mechanic, as is my father, and theres a reason he trades his seadoos in on new ones every couple years. They do not have exceptional life expectancies mechanically. Here comes the stories about the exceptions I'm sure. Also, check the hull for stress cracks... I've never seen any that we traded in that did not have them... hmm, waves and the new Seadoo supercharged engine - I hope these ones last a couple years

[Rooster]

"Anyone know anything about jetskis? "

Yes. Two dudes riding one jet-ski is very gay. Other then that, nothing.

[Will Wood]

Don't know much about owning one, and maintence, but they are fun as heck!
I'd definately recomend convincing a pal to get one too, it's alot more fun if you can screw around with someone else out there, without the whole two guys on one of them like posted above

[PyRo]

Well like I said i'm getting that old standup type for $200 so this would be a 2nd ski...

[Will Wood]

Ah, well, I only read like half of posts... so .. yea cool!

[AcemanPB]

I know my friend up at the lake has a 2004 model Yamaha Jetski and that thing is fast as hell. You seriously have to lean foward when you rip it wide open or you'll fall off.