Jetski or Small Boat ?

[jesm]

Jet ski and Ford Bronco.... a la Kenny Powers....

[CLTMDA]

I have two 2016 Yamaha FX HO jet skis, a 2016 Supra SA 450 and a 2003 Bennington Pontoon. I have had no issues with the Jet skis, normal mx. The Supra is a money pit. The Bennington is the most reliable, least trouble.

The Supra just got hit by lightning in May while plugged in with the on-board battery tender/charger. I still have not gotten the estimate, but it will be an insurance claim and could, theoretically, total the boat. That was an expensive storm, one well pump, all the low voltage path lighting, a couple breakers, three huge trees basically exploded, the boat lift and the Supra.

[anthonyc4242]

Originally Posted by CLTMDA

I have two 2016 Yamaha FX HO jet skis, a 2016 Supra SA 450 and a 2003 Bennington Pontoon. I have had no issues with the Jet skis, normal mx. The Supra is a money pit. The Bennington is the most reliable, least trouble.

The Supra just got hit by lightning in May while plugged in with the on-board battery tender/charger. I still have not gotten the estimate, but it will be an insurance claim and could, theoretically, total the boat. That was an expensive storm, one well pump, all the low voltage path lighting, a couple breakers, three huge trees basically exploded, the boat lift and the Supra.

What's the most reliable jet ski to buy under $5k

[Josh-PA]

Originally Posted by anthonyc4242

What's the most reliable jet ski to buy under $5k

When I was looking, I settled on a Kawasaki STF15 (updated to an stf160 recently). It has a N/A fuel injected 4 cyl Ninja engine and was relatively simple compared to most others. 3 seater, pretty quick, etc. Not sure it would be well suited for ocean / bay roughness - as its pretty much considered a calm water / more nimble ski - although I've seen counter opinions to that as well (some think its good in rougher water).

[CLTMDA]

This is just hearsay, so take it with a grain of salt, but I did hear from the guy who services my skis that the Yamaha models are more easily worked on than Seadoo due to their electronics. The only things I have ever done to my Yamahas is winterize them and have them serviced every other year, which includes changing the spark plugs. I garage them over the winter as well. Oh, and I have to change out the battery in each every few years.

That being said, in my cove at the lake I have a house on, there are eight Yamahas, two larger Seadoos and one guy with three Seadoo Sparks. No Kawasakis that I know of. The Sparks are small and cheap and I would not recommend them in the ocean, ever.

I would also stay away from anything turbocharged.

[Alfisti]

I absolutely love a Jet Ski but after an hr or so i am done. If I were to own one it would be a small powered boat every time to sink some piss and do some fishing.

[anthonyc4242]

GPT says the Seadoo GTI is most reliable but the one I want is a GTX, anyone know the model?

[anthonyc4242]

Originally Posted by Nuckle

We have a GTI SE 130 as well as a GTX 300 Limited. The 130 is a great cruiser, will do about 50 and has decent acceleration. Wife and daughter like it, it’s a 2023 so it has a stereo and that is what they really care about. I would think it will be a reliable machine since it doesn’t have a super charger. It is an entry level machine.

I never ride it but it’s because I am addicted to the 300. You don’t know what you don’t know so I would say got for it and then upgrade next summer. Your price to enter is really low. How old is the one you are looking at? Seems like a great deal unless it’s pretty old.

2008 Seadoo GTX

[floridaorange]

Get a boat - learn boating - etc, buy a jet ski later

[anthonyc4242]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Get a boat - learn boating - etc, buy a jet ski later

fuck all that noise, don't feel like driving everyone around and being the 'friend with the boat' all set.

[mjj]

I had 2 new sea doo’s 170 & 230 wake pro. Both had electrical issues. Traded them in on 2 new waverunners (170 and 250). Yamaha’s are vastly superior IMO. Reliable,fast and comfortable.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by anthonyc4242

...don't feel like driving everyone around and being the 'friend with the boat' all set.

When you see how quickly a boat burns through gasoline, you'll be happy to have those friends at the fuel dock!

Unspoken rule #1 of boat ownership is that the owner doesn't pay for fuel when guests are on board.....

[zx10guy]

That's one of the benefits of going the sailboat route. Fuel costs are minimal. A 5 gallon can of diesel is all I need/use for a full year of boating.

While it's fun to have guests on board when I go sailing, most of my sailing is done solo and the main reason I got my boat.

[vreihen16]

<---- Had to tow a sailboat out of a narrow bend in the Hudson River near the USMA at West Point, because their sails and engine combined would not overcome the river current.

Reflecting back on all of the other boaters that I assisted over the years, I probably should have signed on to the Coast Guard Auxiliary or worked for Sea Tow.....

[zx10guy]

I hear you on that. I pushed the little 2 cylinder Volvo Penta 2002 engine in my sailboat pretty hard the last time I was out. Now I have some smoking coming from the engine compartment which I'm certain is an exhaust leak. Just haven't pinpointed where.

Anyways, the scenario about having to be towed out due to ineffectiveness of the sails/inboard is part of the reason why I got tow insurance with BoatUS. I ran aground once and it was enough for me to not go through that again. Fortunately, State Farm covered the tow but there are coverage limits and I had reached just over half the max with just the one tow.

[vreihen16]

Having to row my power boat across the Arthur Kill from NJ to Staten Island using only a paddle and a water ski for propulsion because the engine wouldn't start is what made me give up on boating.....

[UncleWede]

You have your license, look at one of the boat clubs. You pay your $ each month, show up for your scheduled time, boat, and drop it at the dock. Especially if you only have a short summer.