Need help buying a used Jet Ski? My husband and I are looking to buy a used Jet Ski.?

Question

We aren't sure what to look for? How many hours are ok? What years are better? Any recommendations on types? All help is appreciated. Thank you!

Answer 1

A ski with 50 or less hours is considered  low hours, while anything over 150 hours is considered high.  As a rule of thumb, most two strokes engines have a baseline life span of 300 hours, sometimes you can get more, and sometimes less depending on how well it was maintained.  Currently you have a choice between a two stroke engine or a 4 stroke engine, each having pros and cons, the main differences is a two stroke is lighter in weight, easier to maintain, cheaper to repair, usually costs less than a 4-stroke, and it can be abused a little more than the 4-stroke. The downside is you have to mix special oil with the gas, it can be smoky at low speeds, it's noisier, and the fuel economy isn't as good. Some freshwater lakes and rivers have a ban on the ones with carbs.

A four stroke is quieter, gets better fuel economy, is more eco-friendly, no smoke from the exhaust, and theoretically has a longer engine service life.  The downside is it weighs more, costs more, harder to service, and is expensive if you need engine work done.  If water gets inside the compartment the risk of damaging the engine is higher than the 2-stroke. IMHO, if you're going to be riding less than 25-30 hours a year you'll be  better off with the two-stroke, plus it's a little easier for beginners to learn about.

As for what particular brand or model to get, that's pretty much going to have to be your decision.  Some people will swear by a particular brand, others will swear at the same brand.  My preference is for Yamaha, they have years of experience, their 2 cylinder engines are very reliable,  they are actually designed for marine applications ( not a reworked snowmobile engine as some of the other brands ) and don't require any special  maintenance  ( again, like another  brand )  

A 3 seat model will give you the best stability and comfort, but will have less performance and handling as a comparable 2 seat model.  If you plan on riding in rough water, go with a 3 seater for sure, especially since you're new to the sport.  Also buy as much engine / horsepower as you can, around 100 horsepower minimum.  Anything less than that will probably get boring before too long, and while you can modify the engine to get more performance out of it, in the long run it will cost you a lot less to have gotten a more powerful engine in the first place.

You might want to consider taking any prospective jetskis you're thinking of buying to a watercraft shop, most will inspect it for around $75 dollars, and can tell you the good or bad about the brand / model / condition you're considering.

Some other things to consider; if you'll be in saltwater, look for a used ski that comes with a galvanized or aluminum trailer, painted ones will rust badly after a couple of seasons.  Check and see what the seller will throw into the deal, if you'll get PFDs ( life jackets ) pull toys, extra parts and equipment, a dolly to store the ski off the trailer, covers, etc.  All this stuff adds up quickly if you have to buy it seperately.