PWC/Waverrunner Thread

[bigbangtheory 5,000+ posts]

Well they bring satellite phones with them in case plus they ride in groups with tow ropes. I think the trip 1 way can't be more than 150-200 miles so the trip is a good 6 hours at cruising speed each way.

Ah, got ya! Technology owns me, lol!

 

[bigbangtheory 5,000+ posts]

Forgot to vote too. So voted!

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

Yamaha is pretty awesome..... Not so much a fan of SeaDodo or of Kawasuckie....

You are obviously looking for something that is super sick fast. I am also taking this as you have considerable experience because if you don't you could find yourself totally fucked on one of these boys. 60+ MPH on the water is nothing to be looked at with impunity.

Do you have something against Honda? Just curious....

The open loop cooling system on the Yamaha could be an issue, ask your dealer if they have seen any big issues running them in salt water. Closed loop is usually a better standard when running in a salt water area. With the supercharged motor, on the SeaDoo, you really have to watch what type of gasoline you run in the motor too. If you get a little bad gas or some water in the gas you could be in a serious world of hurt when your motor wont run and you have to rip the motor down and replace all the seals and rings. Plus just because it has around 210 HP doesn't mean you can always get that 210 hooked up, and with a supercharger it is probably 210 at a really high RPM unless they have the crank way overdriven in which you would not want to run it wide open for very long. Which is probably why they have so many clutch issues. Kawasaki, never liked anything they made or make, dirt bike or water sport. Except the mule, but that was for work uses, and is not stock anymore.

 

[Rmsanger 10+ year member]

Yamaha is pretty awesome..... Not so much a fan of SeaDodo or of Kawasuckie....
You are obviously looking for something that is super sick fast. I am also taking this as you have considerable experience because if you don't you could find yourself totally fucked on one of these boys. 60+ MPH on the water is nothing to be looked at with impunity.

Do you have something against Honda? Just curious....

The open loop cooling system on the Yamaha could be an issue, ask your dealer if they have seen any big issues running them in salt water. Closed loop is usually a better standard when running in a salt water area. With the supercharged motor, on the SeaDoo, you really have to watch what type of gasoline you run in the motor too. If you get a little bad gas or some water in the gas you could be in a serious world of hurt when your motor wont run and you have to rip the motor down and replace all the seals and rings. Plus just because it has around 210 HP doesn't mean you can always get that 210 hooked up, and with a supercharger it is probably 210 at a really high RPM unless they have the crank way overdriven in which you would not want to run it wide open for very long. Which is probably why they have so many clutch issues. Kawasaki, never liked anything they made or make, dirt bike or water sport. Except the mule, but that was for work uses, and is not stock anymore.

No nothing against Honda (I drive 1 and have owned 2 vehicles), just most reviews say that Honda is an inferior watercraft compared to these models. Their Turbo'd model are still much slower than the non Turbo'd/SC'd models from Yamaha's and Kawis. Honda is basically only good for lake riding in the research that I've done. Plus the local honda dealer that I have for PWCs sucks and has horrible customer service.

Yeah I've also read about the RXP not having the extra power until you get into high RPM territory but the New Kawi 250 was supposed to be much better in the low end.

I can handle 60 + on glass but will be careful on the surf. I'm a newb but I've ridden them on lakes growing up.

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

No nothing against Honda (I drive 1 and have owned 2 vehicles), just most reviews say that Honda is an inferior watercraft compared to these models. Their Turbo'd model are still much slower than the non Turbo'd/SC'd models from Yamaha's and Kawis. Honda is basically only good for lake riding in the research that I've done. Plus the local honda dealer that I have for PWCs sucks and has horrible customer service.
Yeah I've also read about the RXP not having the extra power until you get into high RPM territory but the New Kawi 250 was supposed to be much better in the low end.

I can handle 60 + on glass but will be careful on the surf. I'm a newb but I've ridden them on lakes growing up.

Cool cool.... I kind of figured that the Honda's were more of a lake machine. I've rode on them on our lake, and in Aruba in open water and they seemed like a total beast to me. A bit heavy to say the least.

I would go Yamaha FXHO if you plan on trips. Four-stroke fuel injected vs high pro two-cycle, reliability wins... But, bottom line, have fun and don't be a retard on it. Just when you feel safe is when any sport machine will bite you in the ***, dirt or water; and sometimes they bite pretty hard.....

 

[ramos 5,000+ posts]

You got a PM with an old farts opinion //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[CBFryman2 5,000+ posts]

depends on what you want to do. If you are goign to be wave jumping in the ocean then the fastest, most dime turning is a must. If you are going to run around like an idiot on lakes and rivers where others are sking/fishing/wakeboarding then gtfo. If you ware wanting to tow then range and power and range. Towing in the ocean, power and adgility. Pick out a few you like and then test ride them. Most dealers will allow that. If not then go elsewhere.

 

[badandyturbo 10+ year member]

I have had experience with both the Yamaha and SeaDoo. I live in South East Florida most of my riding is done in the Atlantic and Intercostal. I used to jump and race around but now I primarly tow with it. The SeaDoo's do not have a strong enough hull for big jumps. But I have found the engine to be much smoother through out the powerband. The fastes PWC right now in the states is a modded 1300R and it does 92 on gps so theres something to be said for that.

But then the SeaDoo has neutral and reverse.

I currently have a 2005 SeaDoo wake edition with the 155hp non supercharged engine. The closed loop cooling system is great. I have only had a little bit of cavitation but it took about a year.

Well good luck with you pruchase, feel free to ask any questions. Here is a pic of mine.

 

[Rmsanger 10+ year member]

I have had experience with both the Yamaha and SeaDoo. I live in South East Florida most of my riding is done in the Atlantic and Intercostal. I used to jump and race around but now I primarly tow with it. The SeaDoo's do not have a strong enough hull for big jumps. But I have found the engine to be much smoother through out the powerband. The fastes PWC right now in the states is a modded 1300R and it does 92 on gps so theres something to be said for that.But then the SeaDoo has neutral and reverse.

I currently have a 2005 SeaDoo wake edition with the 155hp non supercharged engine. The closed loop cooling system is great. I have only had a little bit of cavitation but it took about a year.

Well good luck with you pruchase, feel free to ask any questions. Here is a pic of mine.

Thanks for the post, It's great to hear from someone in the region who rides similar waters. That's a sweet looking craft you got there too!

Have you had any problems with the clutch? I've read more bad things on the SC'd verisons of the Sea Doos so maybe you went the right way. When I get it maybe I can make a trip over to the east coast for a ride. I went to FIU so I've got plent of friends to stay with.

 

[Rmsanger 10+ year member]

depends on what you want to do. If you are goign to be wave jumping in the ocean then the fastest, most dime turning is a must. If you are going to run around like an idiot on lakes and rivers where others are sking/fishing/wakeboarding then gtfo. If you ware wanting to tow then range and power and range. Towing in the ocean, power and adgility. Pick out a few you like and then test ride them. Most dealers will allow that. If not then go elsewhere.

No lake riding for me... Only lake within a short drive is Okeechobee and there is now way I'm going riding in that shit hole.

I guess there are tradeoffs with all of the choices. Part of me wants to do the jumping and have excellent handling to mess around in but that might get boring. The cool thing about my area is there are thousands of people-less islands between Marco and Sarasota. So cruising around and bringing lunch and touring is actually kinda cool. There's a ton to see.

 

[Rmsanger 10+ year member]

You got a PM with an old farts opinion //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Thanks Ramos... I was leaning that way but didn't want to bias peoples opinions, it's good to hear from people who know their stuff.

 

[davesexplorer 10+ year member]

Ever think about a honda aquatrax? I personally used to own a yamaha waveblaster 701cc. Not very fast but that thing could turn and lean like no other that I've ridden.

 

[CBFryman2 5,000+ posts]

No lake riding for me... Only lake within a short drive is Okeechobee and there is now way I'm going riding in that shit hole.

You're joking right? there are a few saller lakes around okeechobee and the intercoastal is practically a saltwater/brackish lake. You're in FL. There is always flat water near. The waters in and around the keys are also lake like...along with the biggest lake of them all...the gulf //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

 

[badandyturbo 10+ year member]

Thanks for the post, It's great to hear from someone in the region who rides similar waters. That's a sweet looking craft you got there too!
Have you had any problems with the clutch? I've read more bad things on the SC'd verisons of the Sea Doos so maybe you went the right way. When I get it maybe I can make a trip over to the east coast for a ride. I went to FIU so I've got plent of friends to stay with.

No clutch problems. My last SeaDoo was a 2000 GTX that was a 2 stroke. It was faster but not nearly as smooth as the new 4 strokes. My new one starts everytime and gets great gas mileage.

I am always down for someone to ride with...Just wait till it gets a little warmer.

 

[Chevillac 5,000+ posts]

I wonder what ramos said. hmmm. So what are you deciding rms?

heres the pic. only one i could find out of the few I had.

****, big.