What to look for when Buying a Used JetSki

Winnipesaukee · 08-08-2007, 08:58 PM

Ask the seller about the boat. Ask him when the oil was changed ("I forget" is bad); ask him when the air filter was cleaned/oiled or replaced ("uhh..." is bad).

Also, if he brags about how fast it is, or if he installed anything that would increase stock horsepower, then you can bet that it has taken at least some WOT runs, or worse. Be more suspicious if he is a 19 year-old with pink spiked hair and pants that hang at the knee.

If instead, he brags about how comfortable the ride is and how well it cruises (or sounds like he didn't just pin the throttle and flip the thing everytime he went out), you can presume it was not abused.

Pineedles · 08-09-2007, 08:04 AM

Sometimes visually inspecting the hull will not reveal damage that has been done to the Jet Ski, particularly in the fin area. I bought a used one and the previous owner had some damage that he repaired with spit and bailing wire. What a disaster! Had to completely remove fin and repair damage that wasn't evident even when we first floated the thing. A leak developed after a few hours which required the repair. Also, engine (Rotax) needed repalcement almost as soon as the leak problem. Soooo, be very careful!

08-08-2007, 08:58 PM	#1
Winnipesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 233 Thanks: 14 Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts	Ask the seller about the boat. Ask him when the oil was changed ("I forget" is bad); ask him when the air filter was cleaned/oiled or replaced ("uhh..." is bad). Also, if he brags about how fast it is, or if he installed anything that would increase stock horsepower, then you can bet that it has taken at least some WOT runs, or worse. Be more suspicious if he is a 19 year-old with pink spiked hair and pants that hang at the knee. If instead, he brags about how comfortable the ride is and how well it cruises (or sounds like he didn't just pin the throttle and flip the thing everytime he went out), you can presume it was not abused. __________________ Sail fast, live slow!

08-09-2007, 08:04 AM	#2
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,545 Thanks: 1,072 Thanked 667 Times in 366 Posts	Be Very Careful Sometimes visually inspecting the hull will not reveal damage that has been done to the Jet Ski, particularly in the fin area. I bought a used one and the previous owner had some damage that he repaired with spit and bailing wire. What a disaster! Had to completely remove fin and repair damage that wasn't evident even when we first floated the thing. A leak developed after a few hours which required the repair. Also, engine (Rotax) needed repalcement almost as soon as the leak problem. Soooo, be very careful!