Jetski (PWC) rental question

[06E90Rostik]

UPDATE 7/12/11. Everything went better than expected. Ended up renting from a shop/business. Guy was very friendly and explained/showed what things to look for and parts to check. You can run a jetski for 10-15 seconds and rev it a few times before even connecting water to see it it runs. (A PWC that starts and runs MIGHT NOT run on water) So to really test it you need to actually put it on the water.

Anyways, it ran like a dream. We ended up getting a Yamaha FX Cruiser HO (High Output) model very nice, faster than most, not very agile but fast yes.
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How do you go about renting one privately? Not from a company/shop but from a private party? Things to look for? What documents to ask/check? I would save about $100/day if I rent privately, but might not be worth the headache/risk. Like if they give you a damaged unit and claim you broke it. In shops they check it before you sign it out/in. But again attractive price makes you glance over those things

[Inspired]

I was actually in the same situation. Searched on CL and found people renting them for $150 for whole day vs. $250 from actual jet ski rentals.

The catch is they expect you to have $1500 cash deposit. Who the hell has $1500 in cash for security deposit?

Btw, I'm in the same area also. Which Lake do you usually jet ski at? I'm debating between Folsom lake or lake berryesea.

[06E90Rostik]

Originally Posted by twinturbo335

I was actually in the same situation. Searched on CL and found people renting them for $150 for whole day vs. $250 from actual jet ski rentals.

The catch is they expect you to have $1500 cash deposit. Who the hell has $1500 in cash for security deposit?

Btw, I'm in the same area also. Which Lake do you usually jet ski at? I'm debating between Folsom lake or lake berryesea.

lol, the prices are EXACT! We must be looking at the same deals. Being in Sacramento Folsom is closer, not necessarily better, never been to the other one

[Inspired]

Originally Posted by 06E90Rostik

lol, the prices are EXACT! We must be looking at the same deals. Being in Sacramento Folsom is closer, not necessarily better, never been to the other one

Lol. Most likely. Honestly, I just can't do $1500 cash deposit. If only they accepted credit card of some sort.

I haven't jet ski here but I did a few times in Hawaii. I just started researching jet ski in Sac recently. You usually jet ski at Folsom Lake?

Granite bay got some average price rentals. $65 per hour minimum 2 hours. 3.5 hr for $185 or $250 for 6 hours.

[06E90Rostik]

Originally Posted by twinturbo335

Lol. Most likely. Honestly, I just can't do $1500 cash deposit. If only they accepted credit card of some sort.

I haven't jet ski here but I did a few times in Hawaii. I just started researching jet ski in Sac recently. You usually jet ski at Folsom Lake?

Granite bay got some average price rentals. $65 per hour minimum 2 hours. 3.5 hr for $185 or $250 for 6 hours.

Yeah, I ski at Folsom, now is the best time because there is so much water, you can really dick around and no one will mind much. On-the-spot rentals are very expensive. But you don't need to tow anything around which is nice.

First time we rented (me and my friends) there on the spot, it was OK but since there were 5 of us, really had no time to ride it. This time I want to treat my Dad (his b-day) he never jetskied in his life, plus I want to save some money

Also this guy only needs $400 in cash for security deposit, but he said paypal would work as well (despite the fees)

Now all I need is things to look for before I do the deal

[JayKay335i]

Originally Posted by 06E90Rostik

Yeah, I ski at Folsom, now is the best time because there is so much water, you can really dick around and no one will mind much. On-the-spot rentals are very expensive. But you don't need to tow anything around which is nice.

First time we rented (me and my friends) there on the spot, it was OK but since there were 5 of us, really had no time to ride it. This time I want to treat my Dad (his b-day) he never jetskied in his life, plus I want to save some money

Also this guy only needs $400 in cash for security deposit, but he said paypal would work as well (despite the fees)

Now all I need is things to look for before I do the deal

I would trust cash before I would trust paypal. At least cash you get your money when you walk back out the door. Paypal, who knows when, or if, you'll ever get it back. Unless of course you're putting the paypal towards the actual rental price.

[Inspired]

Originally Posted by 06E90Rostik

Yeah, I ski at Folsom, now is the best time because there is so much water, you can really dick around and no one will mind much. On-the-spot rentals are very expensive. But you don't need to tow anything around which is nice.

First time we rented (me and my friends) there on the spot, it was OK but since there were 5 of us, really had no time to ride it. This time I want to treat my Dad (his b-day) he never jetskied in his life, plus I want to save some money

Also this guy only needs $400 in cash for security deposit, but he said paypal would work as well (despite the fees)

Now all I need is things to look for before I do the deal

This?

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/2477508685.html

Looks legit. He accepts paypal and cash. Even tows the jet ski to the lake for a small fee. Wonder how much since I don't have a trailer.

Found another one with same price:

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/2468203037.html

From what I was told, try to take as many pics as possible. There are some shady business out there trying to take your deposit money because of some scratches or damages beforehand.

[06E90Rostik]

Originally Posted by twinturbo335

This?

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/2477508685.html

Looks legit. He accepts paypal and cash. Even tows the jet ski to the lake for a small fee. Wonder how much since I don't have a trailer.

Found another one with same price:

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/2468203037.html

From what I was told, try to take as many pics as possible. There are some shady business out there trying to take your deposit money because of some scratches or damages beforehand.

Yep, the second one. Also there was one for $175. Both were booked for the next 2 Saturdays. I went with the rental place, $280 per day. Expensive but I need it this Sat because other plans next Sat.

I was thinking the same about pics, I was actually thinking of doing a video walk around. (Video quality is better on iPhone than pics). This way I will have something to lever with in case they go into scam mode afterwards.