Kawasaki Jet Ski?

Question

I'm looking into buying a 1997 Kawasaki STX900. Here is the link http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/33...

Anything to worry about with this model?

I'm not familier with winterizeing & summerizing a jet skii is??? I'm trying to find info on websites, but nothing is useful. He is offering it for $3k. It doesn't have an hour gage, but he says he hasn't used it very much in the last 2 years. He said he has taken really good care of it. Any thoughts??!?! thanks

Answer 1

The link to craiglist was bad, I couldn't check out the Kawi.  I'm editing some links that will hopefully help answer your questions, check back later on as I edit...

The kawasaki stx900 is a 3-seater, weighs around 560 pounds unloaded, has a 3 cylinder two stroke engine.  Kawasakis have a very efficient jet pump design, the engine is a bit of a gas hog, but generally reliable. The hull is a good design, stable and able to handle choppy water.

For the $3k,  the ski should be in very good shape, with no work required.  Locally, the price range for this type of ski would go for $2700 - $3500 depending on condition and accessories included.  If possible, I'd have a watercraft mechanic check it out, he could tell how good the engine is based on a compression test, as well as spot potential problems.  I think you'd enjoy this model more than the Seadoo you had linked earlier, this is a more "fun" ski, but probably uses about 33% more fuel due to the larger engine and triple carbs.

"Winterizing" is what you do to prep your ski for storage when the season turns too cold to go out on the water until next summer.  "Summerizing" is when you return your ski to it's riding condition. ( check spark plugs, top off gas as needed, add oil as needed, check cables and linkage, check to make sure ski is undamaged, make sure battery is charged, fire up engine to make sure everything is working, etc. )  Summerizing also includes making sure your trailer is tow ready ( tires are good and properly inflated, bearings on the wheels are greased, brake/signal lights work, etc. )