We live on a lake, and while we don't own one ourselves, have friendly neighbors that let me do bad things to theirs on occasion. I've ridden both an Ultra 300 Kawi and seadoo spark, and much preferred the Spark's handling, acceleration and... lightness over the Kawasaki. It just felt more fun and nimble. With that said though, If I was just doing nothing but taking the kids out with me, the kawasaki was a much nicer ride.
I guess that's a long way of saying- try out several models, because PWC can perform across a broad spectrum of uses, from wave jumping and tricks to blistering speed to taking the family out and pulling a tube.
Toyman! said:
I would probably only look at 4 cycle engines. The number of people that know how to mix oil and gas or know that they have to fill the oil tank as well as the gas tank is falling rapidly and PWC engines cost a good bit more than a Challenge car.
Good call on the insurance.
The 2-stroke mixing part would have been a concern 20 years ago, but I can't think of any 2-stroke PWC that hasn't been oil injected for the last couple decades. If you run low on oil it will beep at you in a deafening screech, and if you run out it will shut you down entirely.
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:
Toyman! said:
I would probably only look at 4 cycle engines. The number of people that know how to mix oil and gas or know that they have to fill the oil tank as well as the gas tank is falling rapidly and PWC engines cost a good bit more than a Challenge car.
Good call on the insurance.
The 2-stroke mixing part would have been a concern 20 years ago, but I can't think of any 2-stroke PWC that hasn't been oil injected for the last couple decades. If you run low on oil it will beep at you in a deafening screech, and if you run out it will shut you down entirely.
Not to mention some of the Evinrude Etek engines use miniscule amounts of oil nowadays. Something crazy like 80hrs/gallon of oil IIRC.
SV reX said:
In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :
I'm not really looking for a "performer". No jumps, loopy stuff, flips, or racing.
Something for family cruises. No flat bottoms.
I think one of the best looking, best riding, and most comfortable are the Yamahas. They're pretty quiet to prevent others from muttering words like hooligan and whippersnapper.
4 stroke sounds like your huckleberry. I don't think they have an edge on reliability, but they are quieter, generally less shaky and club fewer baby seals with their emissions.
This site lets you compare 2010-current models, but it doesn't give much information other than physical size and HP
SV reX said:
In reply to Steve_Jones :
I know you have a lot of experience, but it sounds like you are using outdated verbiage.
"Gay" used to mean "happy" too! 
It's why I said Old School in both replies 
.
Here's my 2-cents. My buddy had a 1994 Polaris SL750 that I bought off him for $250. I ran that sucker for over 10 years, and it was a ton of fun and pretty easy to keep running. www.greenhulk.net will tell you all you need to know about keeping older skis running, and because the Polaris is not the "it" older PWC to buy, they tend to be very cheap and parts are easy to find from people parting them out. Many parts are also available NOS and new.
With basic maintenance and a battery, they will run forever. They are also tough, I hit a bridge, ingested all kids of river debris, ran aground, was slow of tune ups...the kinds of things that people who rent skis might do. If you want to get started, find someone selling two of these on a trailer, they usually have a 700 and a 750 for some reason, and spend no more than $1500 total.
Polaris
Make sure parts are readily available. The Polaris I rescued was pretty neat, but some parts were a PITA to get, and there is a big demand for used parts.
I'd also look up the maintenance/overhaul procedures for anything you want to keep long term. This forum has a wealth of information.
I also second looking away from salt water if possible.
If you're headed to Ohio any time soon you could drag this back with you:
https://columbus.craigslist.org/boa/d/lakeside-marblehead-wave-runners/7493714348.html
seems like a decent deal for two freshwater use only machines. I am tempted but I'm a long way from having enough room to put them in the shop.
SV reX
MegaDork
6/21/22 1:46 p.m.
I test drove (2) 1999 Sea Doo GTX Limiteds yesterday. They were high hours, but in excellent condition. I'm confident they've recently been rebuilt (well). $7K for both plus a trailer.
As I was leaving, my boss overheard me say I was looking for 2 skis. He told me he has 2 for sale. Also GTX Limiteds, but 2005 models, and supercharged. Same deal- 2 skis plus a trailer (aluminum), but they have very low hours (105 hours and 270 hours). One has a cracked cowling. But they are from a trusted source, newer, and low hours. He'll take $8500.
Pushing my budget a little, but all 4 are nice skis.
The 98's I rode yesterday were great. And they were quick enough to make me respect them (and not want to open them up fully).
Honestly, they made me wonder if I want the supercharged version. Especially for rentals. 260 hp and speeds of 70 mph seem a bit over the top.
SV reX
MegaDork
6/21/22 1:46 p.m.
In reply to dculberson :
They look great, but I'm not gonna be near OH
In reply to SV reX :
That's a shop rebuild on an engine you ship or deliver to them
SV reX
MegaDork
6/21/22 2:04 p.m.
In reply to chaparral :
What is? I don't understand
SV reX said:
In reply to chaparral :
What is? I don't understand
He is answering your question to him from the first page.
SV reX said:
I test drove (2) 1999 Sea Doo GTX Limiteds yesterday. They were high hours, but in excellent condition. I'm confident they've recently been rebuilt (well). $7K for both plus a trailer.
As I was leaving, my boss overheard me say I was looking for 2 skis. He told me he has 2 for sale. Also GTX Limiteds, but 2005 models, and supercharged. Same deal- 2 skis plus a trailer (aluminum), but they have very low hours (105 hours and 270 hours). One has a cracked cowling. But they are from a trusted source, newer, and low hours. He'll take $8500.
Pushing my budget a little, but all 4 are nice skis.
The 98's I rode yesterday were great. And they were quick enough to make me respect them (and not want to open them up fully).
Honestly, they made me wonder if I want the supercharged version. Especially for rentals. 260 hp and speeds of 70 mph seem a bit over the top.
Doesn't higher horsepower make them turn better though?
SV reX
MegaDork
6/21/22 6:37 p.m.
In reply to GCrites80s :
Yup. With or without a passenger.
In reply to SV reX :
There are no gtx limited in 2005. If you can find out what model the 2005s are I can give you pros and cons of each, but I'd pretty much echo this article.
https://www.jetdrift.com/best-used-sea-doos-to-buy/
SV reX
MegaDork
6/21/22 8:24 p.m.
In reply to Steve_Jones :
You sure?
SV reX
MegaDork
6/21/22 8:26 p.m.
I decided the newer supercharged skis were not for me. They just didn't have a sense that they had been well maintained, and one of them had spent some time in salt water.
In reply to SV reX :
I must be off, for some reason I remember them dropping the limited for the 2000 model year, but either way, steering away from the older S/C models is a good decision as they're maintenance heavy.
SV reX said:
He told me he has 2 for sale. Also GTX Limiteds, but 2005 models, and supercharged. Same deal- 2 skis plus a trailer (aluminum), but they have very low hours (105 hours and 270 hours). One has a cracked cowling. But they are from a trusted source, newer, and low hours. He'll take $8500.
Some of us idiots may want more details on those skis... 
SV reX
MegaDork
6/22/22 7:25 a.m.
In reply to Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) :
They are located in Macon GA. Are you interested?
In reply to SV reX :
I was 90% joking. It does seem like a decent deal, and if they were closer I'd at least check them out.
In reply to SV reX :
It's about $1000 give-or-take for a shop to rebuild a 2 cylinder 2 stroke PWC engine you deliver to them.
