When buying a used jet ski, what ski is right for you?
Used jet ski price – The tipping point is about $3000. Most used 4 strokes are going to cost more than $3000, going up to about $10,000. I see good 2 strokes sell for as little as $1000 and very nice units for $2500.
Which used jet ski to choose –
2 Stroke Jet Ski Pros – Cheaper, lighter, simpler, less parts and easier to work on. Good for tricks and fun factor close to shore.
2 Stroke Jet Ski Cons – Less less fuel efficient, less stable in the water, because they work harder they wear out faster, and you have to premix your gas and oil.
4 Stroke Jet Ski Pros – More reliable, more fuel efficient, and have fuel injection (no oil and gas pre-mix). They are heavier, faster, and more stable in the water, good for distance and family fun.
4 Stroke Jet Ski Cons – They are more complicated and harder to work on, as well as considerably more expensive.
What to look for when you go to buy a used jet ski (PWC- personal water craft)
Used PWC ads can be found in lots of places, so finding a jet ski shouldn’t be a problem. The question becomes what to look for when you go to see it.
The best way to test any ski is to put it on the water and run it. Check the top speed. Skis are surprisingly consistent in top speed numbers, so if it’s supposed to run 57mph and it only runs 52mph, there is something wrong. It might only be minor, but it isn’t right. If it is supposed to run 57mph and it runs 57mph, chances are it doesn’t have any significant problems.
Getting to this point assumes that the ski is running and this brings up the biggest hurdle in used ski purchases….”It ran great the day I bought it, but the second time I ran it it quit and now won’t start. I think the guy sold me a bad ski.”
A used ski for sale might not have been run for months or years, and any vehicle is going to have an issue if it has been sitting for extended periods of time. This is especially true for 2 stoke skis, so keep this in mind.
Next, inspect the plugs –
- Start it
- Warm it up for 1 or 2 minutes
- Run it wide open for 1 minute
- Pull the lanyard, instantly killing the engine
Now inspect the plugs. If one (or both) are clean, there is a clog and it is done for the day. They should be brown or black or just used. Clean, especially on one side, is an obvious sign of running lean and hot which will destroy the motor in minutes or at most hours.
The Hull
Avoid Yamaha skis that have any structural damage, I’m not talking ugly or scratched, if the body is cracked or has been repaired you probably want to pass. Yamaha skis use special materials and manufacturing techniques which make the body nearly impossible to repair.
While I suggest that any new owner avoid buying any ski with damage, Sea Doo and Kawasaki hulls are traditional fiberglass, and most boat builders can repair the hulls with some success.
If hoods or seats are damaged or missing, call a parts house and check on availability before buying. Some parts, XL or Venture hoods for example, are rare and expensive. Other parts, like rear seats for 97-99 GP, are nearly impossible to find. We specialize in used parts for Yamaha and I don’t have any.
Dave’s Notes on Specific Skis
Yamaha GP1200 (97-99) – This is the first ski I had great experiences with. 3 cylinder, 130hp, 2 seater, looks cool but old school.
These skis are quick. They will get on plane faster than most other ski on the market. 59mph top speed, but due to the low and nimble hull it feels faster. It does have a tendency to bounce at mid speeds, especially with a light rider, but this can be addressed by changing or tuning the ride plate.
Yamaha GPR1200 and 1300 (2000-2002 for 1200, 2003-07 for 1300)- These are one of the ultimate muscle skis. The most powerful 2 stroke engines ever put in a ski (165hp for 03 and 04 and 190hp for the last 1300 model). Radical looks and a well sorted hull make this the hull choice for many top racers and top speed junkies. Stock, they run in the mid 60s, but with some tweeks they can get into the 70s.
Yamaha Venture 700 and 760 – Great old school family ski. Simple, stable, 3 seater. Nice examples of these are seen for $1500 or less and they are cheap to own and easy to repair. The engines in these are the most popular that Yamaha produced and parts are plentiful. These motors are reliable so parts shouldn’t be needed.
Yamaha XL, XLT – These models were the evolution of the Venture and got larger and more powerful. They are some of the best overall skis ever produced with great performance and being easy to maintain.
The XLT 2001 and up have modern styling and very clean examples can go for as much as $3500, but I see nice ones for under $2000.
Yamah VX 110 – This is the low horsepower version of the 1100cc engine (4 stroke, same basic engine as in an R1 motorcycle) – this is possibly one of the best basic skis ever. Very popular as rentals, and reliability that is far beyond almost any other model (like ever – a good VX110 will go 3000 hours, and skis 20 years ago rarely made it to 300)
Yamaha FX HO (04-09) – This is one of my favorite skis ever, and is the best choice for a good used ski for most anyone. High horsepower version of the VX110 (individual butterflies on the intake, better exhaust layout), 160hp which pushes the ski just into the 60s. Features and ride quality a step above basic skis, and nearly the reliability of the 110 (we see 1000 hour+ on a regular basis).
