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03-12-2010, 09:19 AM
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#1 | | PWCToday Regular
Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Newnan, GA Age: 33
Posts: 58
| Georgia newb with a few questions...
Hi everyone! I'm new to the site, and more or less new to PWCs. I've rented and ridden a few, but never owned. We have a lake house in Middle Georgia and we're finally going to take the plunge and buy a ski to play with! We currently have a 24' pontoon and a 20' Ski/Fish combo with a 200HP Merc on the back, so any skiing/tubing we do will primarily be behind that...
I'm looking to buy a ski on the cheap for the upcoming season - it'll just be for little jaunts around the lake, not really going to ride for hours on end or take it out for a weekend with camping on the beach, etc. It's mostly for the family - me, my wife, my 5 year old son, the parents, etc. Since it's for the family I'm leaning three-seater. That would also allow us to tube or whatever if we wanted as well.
I have a lot of experience with engines - I do all my own car and boat maintenance, have rebuilt 2 stroke ATVs, etc, so I'm more than willing to get my hands dirty. I've read all the FAQ's and things here about inspecting a ski, etc, so I have a little idea of what I'm looking for.
Unfortunately, the wife is only allowing me to spend $2500 on a ski. I've got my eye on a '97 Polaris SLTX 3-seater... It's been stored indoors, in excellent shape, low hours, comes with trailer, cover, paddle, anchor, dock lines, etc. What's the consensus on the SLTX? I know Polaris is out of making skis, so parts may be a little harder to come by, and reliability seems to be so-so. What I've seen on the SLTX it seems pretty reliable.
Ideally I'd be getting a Yamaha or Honda, but Hondas are never in this price range and the Yamahas that are in this range are either trashed or sell within minutes of being busted!
Thanks for the advice and everything I've learned so far! | 
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03-12-2010, 01:07 PM
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#2 | | PWCToday.com Is My Home Away From Home
Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida
Posts: 7,477
| Re: Georgia newb with a few questions...
ugh.. polaris, no thanks. parts hard to find, so downtime will be extended, resale sux...
comes with trailer, cover, paddle, anchor, dock lines, etc. (there's a reason it comes with a paddle lol)
Go for yamaha, be patient, expand your search area, you'll be happy in the long run.
With 2500 budget a ski like mine fits the description. (Mine was $2200 with about 140hours) a 98 Yam XL760
Yamaha 760 2 stroke 3 seater handles chop well, easy to work on, easy to ride, lots of storage and parts are common (fairly common)
1200's fit same description just with more power and slightly higher price.. thats my .02
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Last edited by Spim; 03-12-2010 at 01:09 PM.
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03-12-2010, 01:09 PM
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#3 | | Spongebob PWCToday.com Is My Home Away From Home
Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Youngstown NY Age: 22
Posts: 11,579
| Re: Georgia newb with a few questions...
skip the polaris sir. | |
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03-12-2010, 01:44 PM
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#4 | | PWCToday Regular
Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Newnan, GA Age: 33
Posts: 58
| Re: Georgia newb with a few questions...
Thanks for the advice folks! I'm with you on the paddle, Spim - that was my first thought too. I'll probably still check the Polaris out tomorrow since I don't have any other plans in the morning and I'm supposed to meet him at 9. Can't hurt to check it out I suppose, even if I don't plan on buying.
I also had a lead on a 2001 Kawasaki Ultra 150. Aside from being way more power than we need, it's a 2 seater and I really kind of want 3. I already talked price with them a little bit, and I think I can get it for within my budget. He says it has some "minor cosmetic damage from a prior owner", which I guess is why that one's in my price range. Any hints, aside from the FAQ's, for dealing with that? | |
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03-12-2010, 02:26 PM
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#5 | | PWCToday Regular
Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Newnan, GA Age: 33
Posts: 58
| Re: Georgia newb with a few questions...
Another option - found a '97 Yamaha Wave Runner 1100 (guessing he means the Wave Venture - that's the only 1100 I see on KBB). Includes a new cover, but no trailer. They're asking $2500 without trailer, or $2800 with.
Supposedly it's clean, well maintained, with about 60 hours on it. I emailed him and he mentioned that at the end of last season "the ski has a digital screen and it got a pretty large black spot on it.". KBB is $2300 on the ski, so it looks like there's room to negotiate? | |
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03-12-2010, 02:26 PM
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#6 | | PWCToday.com Is My Home Away From Home
Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida
Posts: 7,477
| Re: Georgia newb with a few questions...
you gotta ask the bad drivers re: fiberglass issues...
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03-12-2010, 02:31 PM
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#7 | | PWCToday.com Is My Home Away From Home
Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Right in the lumberyard, Danny... Age: 34
Posts: 11,735
| Re: Georgia newb with a few questions...
__________________ "That cocaine was for medicinal purposes!" Quote:
Originally Posted by dirkdiggler  Yes my ebay account was suspended for shill bidding. | Quote:
Originally Posted by dirkdiggler I have never said my advertising methods are the definition of "ethical". | Quote:
Originally Posted by dirkdiggler Regarding what I do with my email accounts as a BUYER ........ well that's entirely up too me......anything to discover someones True rock-bottom price is fair in my book!
ALL IS FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR AND NEGOTIATING AS A BUYER!! | | |
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03-12-2010, 02:35 PM
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#8 | | PWCToday.com Is My Home Away From Home
Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida
Posts: 7,477
| Re: Georgia newb with a few questions...
correct the 97 is the venture. Personally i'm not familiar on how they ride vs the next gen models, and they're pretty fast.
3K is fair but not a steal for sure. make sure you check it out closely, run compression test, etc.
__________________
The problem with normal is that it just keeps getting worse...
I would rather sit than quit...
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03-12-2010, 02:37 PM
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#9 | | PWCToday.com Is My Home Away From Home
Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Right in the lumberyard, Danny... Age: 34
Posts: 11,735
| Re: Georgia newb with a few questions...
__________________ "That cocaine was for medicinal purposes!" Quote:
Originally Posted by dirkdiggler Yes my ebay account was suspended for shill bidding. | Quote:
Originally Posted by dirkdiggler I have never said my advertising methods are the definition of "ethical". | Quote:
Originally Posted by dirkdiggler Regarding what I do with my email accounts as a BUYER ........ well that's entirely up too me......anything to discover someones True rock-bottom price is fair in my book!
ALL IS FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR AND NEGOTIATING AS A BUYER!! | | |
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03-12-2010, 02:42 PM
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#10 | | PWCToday.com Is My Home Away From Home
Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida
Posts: 7,477
| Re: Georgia newb with a few questions...
good job Ferg...
2 me.. those ventures paint schemes look too "crayola" for me...
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The problem with normal is that it just keeps getting worse...
I would rather sit than quit...
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