Evaluating a used PWC. What should I look for?

[TownieRinker27]

Hi all,

I'm considering a used PWC and going to take a look at some options. When visually evaluating a PWC, what should I look for (i.e. - kick the tires)?

Thanks

[MotorHead]

If you are seriously considering purchasing, bring it to a shop and let them do a professional job for around $100.00.

https://traveltips.usatoday.com/look...ski-21822.html

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by TownieRinker27

Hi all,

I'm considering a used PWC and going to take a look at some options. When visually evaluating a PWC, what should I look for (i.e. - kick the tires)?

Thanks

Low hours, check the bottom and make sure it hasn't been run aground, and get a maintenance record. If you're a first time PWC owner I would stay away from super charged models.

[thinkxingu]

I bought a new ski after a LOT of research last spring. Were I buying a used one, there would be specifics I would look for depending on brand. For example, Sea-Doo uses a carbon seal that, depending on the owner's treatment, could prematurely wear.

I would also learn what features and motors are available, so I'd know what I'm looking for. Reverse/brake and audio systems are pretty cool while older SC machines need the superchargers rebuilt at ~100 hours whereas newer ones are 200 or maintenance free.

Ultimately, the suggestion to have a shop give it a look-see is a good one.

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[Rinkerguy]

Stay with 4 stroke model
No supercharger, not worth the maintenance
Low hours, preferably around 100 hours
No apparent cosmetic damage
Service records are nice, but may not exist
Research your model, set a price range and stay within it

[chillininnh]

Stick with a Yamaha. The IBR modules on many popular Sea Doo models fail frequently and they cost upwards of a 1K.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by chillininnh

Stick with a Yamaha. The IBR modules on many popular Sea Doo models fail frequently and they cost upwards of a 1K.

Maybe for strict reliability—maybe—but Sea-Doo has better designs and ride quality. The ST3 hull and direct access storage on my GTX are game-changers.

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[Winilyme]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

I bought a new ski after a LOT of research last spring. Were I buying a used one, there would be specifics I would look for depending on brand. For example, Sea-Doo uses a carbon seal that, depending on the owner's treatment, could prematurely wear.

I would also learn what features and motors are available, so I'd know what I'm looking for. Reverse/brake and audio systems are pretty cool while older SC machines need the superchargers rebuilt at ~100 hours whereas newer ones are 200 or maintenance free.

Ultimately, the suggestion to have a shop give it a look-see is a good one.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Hey Think. I don't remember you doing a lot of jet ski research. Did you ever mention that on the Forum?

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by Winilyme

Hey Think. I don't remember you doing a lot of jet ski research. Did you ever mention that on the Forum?

Hahahaha! Do I have to remind you every time that I'm the reason for your forum membership?!

In hindsight—since I can't recall if I ever mentioned it—I'm so glad I did all the research because my machine is PERFECT for me!

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[JEEPONLY]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Hahahaha! Do I have to remind you every time that I'm the reason for your forum membership?!

In hindsight—since I can't recall if I ever mentioned it—I'm so glad I did all the research because my machine is PERFECT for me!

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Good one!

[tis]

HA,ha. Yes, think definitely has to be the expert on which jet ski to buy!

[fatlazyless]

For $6.99, Amazon has a paperback book: 'Getting Started, the Jet Ski Guide' by Jeff Moyer-2017, and you can look at some of the inside pages for free, on-line.

There's probably other guide books available if you look around the internet.

I would go to craigslist-NH and enter the words "jet ski" in the search, and find some nearby jet ski sellers that look ok .... worth a look ..... and go look at it on a trial basis ..... as a tire kicker ..... not a serious buyer.

Then, go to a dealer like HK or daSilva and get some free literature, and prices for new/used.

Then, go see Matt's Sled Shed in Holderness and ask about getting a jet ski test inspected.

Then, go back to looking at craigslist for a private seller, jet ski.

There's always another jet ski deal out there, and private sellers usually get stuck with an un-sell-able machine for cash, and really want to sell it.

Tell yourself you will take at least two months of looking, before you make the decision to buy one, because once you buy it you own it, and you are stuck with it.

[loony]

It might be worth having it loked at by a mechanic. Otherwise try to inspect the impeller and wear ring for damage or wear.
I bought a 20 year old seadoo a few years ago in late fall. It started and ran great but I wasn't able to take it on a test drive. When I got it on the water the following spring, I discovered it had no power. After some research I suspected the wear ring. Sure enough the impeller had a few dings in it and I could just about stick my finger through the gap between the impeller and wear ring. The ring also had a few gouges in it. After watching a couple of YouTube videos I replaced it myself along with filing down the edges on the impeller. Replacing was a bit tricky but easy. Cost was about $60.
Runs like new.

[Winilyme]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Hahahaha! Do I have to remind you every time that I'm the reason for your forum membership?!

In hindsight—since I can't recall if I ever mentioned it—I'm so glad I did all the research because my machine is PERFECT for me!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

That makes two of us. Perfect for me too and I think we basically have the same machine.

New for this year on these Sea Doo models is if you suck up anything into the intake, you can reverse the flow in an effort to push it back out. I think that's a cool feature though I'm not sure it would have helped the one time I sucked up a stick that jammed itself quite deep into the impeller. I had to get under it and yank/chip it out with some makeshift tools. It wasn't easy to do and I was lucky I could get the lift up just barely enough to work under the ski without drowning.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by Winilyme

That makes two of us. Perfect for me too and I think we basically have the same machine.

New for this year on these Sea Doo models is if you suck up anything into the intake, you can reverse the flow in an effort to push it back out. I think that's a cool feature though I'm not sure it would have helped the one time I sucked up a stick that jammed itself quite deep into the impeller. I had to get under it and yank/chip it out with some makeshift tools. It wasn't easy to do and I was lucky I could get the lift up just barely enough to work under the ski without drowning.

That option looks cool, but, from what I've read, it adds a ton of complexity to the driveline. We'll have to see how reliable it is these next few years. I think we may end up buying a second machine at some point to tour with the whole family.

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[thinkxingu]

Townie, have you moved forward at all?

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