If you're looking at a 4 stroke jetski, IMO you can't go past a Yammie, or a few models of Seadoo are ok too. I'd stay away from supercharged just purely on running costs.

 

If you are buying new, I understand both Andrew from Jetskifishing.co and Kevin from Ski MD have access to sell you one via an arrangement with a licensed Yamaha agency.

 

Having worked as an apprentice mechanic for a major ford franchise when I was young, I believe many if not most "franchise brands" over charge, take shortcuts, and often don't know as much as smaller "service specialists" who are passionate about what they do and are often performance freaks who spend every waking hour working on the machines. For that reason I personally would buy from a sub-agent who is going to personally do all the future servicing, NOT a franchise.

 

For kitting out your ski for fishing? You MUST buy your chillybin/rod holder from Andrew at jetskifishing.co.nz Look up his testimonials page and you'll see my personal experience from when I bought a competitors copy. Andrews kits are the result of making, then testing, then modifying, then testing. If you buy ANY other brand you run the risk of losing expensive gear, damaging your ski, or both. His are called Ultimate for a reason and are clearly identified with a square ID tag welded on.. beware of impersonations! Likewise, all his gadgets are amazing, and have come as a result of his hundreds of hours on the water in extreme conditions.. custom bungeys with stainless fittings, bait trays, reel covers.. get them all from Andrew.

 

Servicing, I know it's a pain in the arse to go to Papakura but I go to Kevin and Cathie Geard at SKI MD. You will have the most thorough service done there, and most importantly he does what he charges for, and doesn't take shortcuts.

 

Senator maybe your problem stems less from any advice you got from Kevin at Ski MD and more from the fact you bought a 2010 seadoo? I've heard nothing but bad stories about them and if Kevin made a mistake i'm sure he'd be first to apologise. Me, i've had nothing but great advice from him re my ski, and his servicing is second to none.

 

Now, the hairy one.. in-fighting. I realise every person in business has to make a living but the bad blood between Andrew and Kevin, and Andrew and Myron is really sad. Andrew and Kevin both have some valid gripes with each other, but equally each of you have done things to the other which are not right either. It is affecting the whole jetskifishing community and taking shots at each other on forums is ugly and just makes the whole community look foolish. Like the smoker, i'd be happy to buy the beers if we can get you all together and try to sort out the differences, maybe agree on some "rules of engagement" so you can all support each other in your specialty businesses rather than the current situation. Or better still, lets do dinner?

 

The Smoker