Last time I rode a jet ski was in Fiji
a couple of years ago and to be honest I couldn’t remember what brand or model
it was. All I know was that it was fun and I had sore muscles after we rode it
for a few hours around some islands etc had my missus
on the back.
We had a lot of fun, but I did manage
to hit a wave and go submarine. That was different experience
and briefly a bit frightening and going from being dry to being
soaked.
Was not expecting that to happen, but I
think I learnt that you have to watch the choppy water a bit more carefully than
with a boat.
At least the water was warm.
I've read a little on some of the skis
and I'm leaning towards 2 models. The Seadoo GTi 130 and the Yamaha
VX.
Should I look at Kawasaki?
I see a guy selling a lot of second
hand ones on Trademe which I'm guessing are parallel imports.
Wondering if anyone has had any
dealings with this outfit and what sort of experience they have had with a
imported unit. Servicing etc?
I digress....sorry getting back to the
two models I think I've short listed, they both seem to have about the same
power and fuel economy travelling at about 30kn and getting around 4nm per lt.
That seems pretty dam good to me. I
think that would be a comfortable cruising speed in calm conditions. I think I’m going to go for a four stroke
model.
What I would like to know is how these
two compare in the chop that is normal in the inner gulf and is submarining
common? Do you lose gear or get much in the way of breakages when that happens?
I was thinking about hiring a ski, but
at $350 for a day and not allowed to use more than 2nm from shore or in waves
over 300mm it seems a joke to trialling.
Once I do get more serious about buying
a ski, then I'll tackle the trial issue again. In the meantime I
would like any comments about the handling characteristics between
the different skis.
I think the Seadoo looks like it might
suit me a bit better , i like the new brake system and at low speed it appears
that it still has steerage whereas I'm not sure about the Yamaha.
I'm thinking of when I would use it at
Marsden Cove marina where it's 3kn limit and no wake zone for a quite distance
from the main ramp.
Safety gear?
Anyone fit these with vhf radios, or
just carry portables? Which is what I would imagine most would do as
fitting aerials and having enough battery supply could be an issue,
let alone finding a fully waterproof vhf would be expensive.
I’ve read a little about fisher
finders, looks like the preference is for Lowrance or Raymarine
5" models.
Where do you mount these on the two
different models of skis?
Is 7" unit feasible or an
overkill? Are they waterproof? My experience with my old Lowrance LMS
332c is that they aren't.
maintenance?
How much is average annual?
rebuilds , what hours?
Cooling systems. Seems the Sea doo and
Yamaha are completely different in this aspect.
Is one better than the other in the
sea? Issues?
Stuff you don't like about these models?
Stuff you do like ? Safety features?
boarding? stability?
Trailers?
Any preference on style of trailer?
Multirollers or skids? Beach
launching issues? any traps to be aware of?
What do I want to use it for?
Predominately fishing, and then maybe
just fooling around and ski biscuit towing etc. accompany other family using
kayaks etc.
Body:
How hard is this activity on your body,
I do have a bit of an issue with a shoulder, but apart from that I’m reasonably
fitish.
Budget.
All up with trailer I don't want to pay
more than $15K
thanks to anyone who takes the time to
read this novel. :-)
More thanks to anyone who has some
answers to my questions ;-)
Time frame, looking at September onwards
to do this.
Cheers
jetfisher wrote: Hi there, This debate could go on till the end of the world, just like Ford v Holden everyone has there own ideas. They are both good quality and well know brands. Best thing is get on them and try them out. I spent just over two years looking and listning before having the funds to get what I wanted and have not looked back. There is lots of forum disscussion on the jetskifishing site would be good for you to look thru. I'm sure theres lots of guys on here happy to let you trail depending on where you are. Cheers |
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