Getting my first 4 stroke, which one?

jdy2kgt · 08-02-2009, 10:10 PM

Right now we have a 2000 GTX RFI and have had alot of fun with it. When looking at a comparable new one it looks like the GTI SE would be equal to what we have now.

With that being said I would like some opinions from you guys? I want one thats a family ski, not one thats gonna soak us the entire time or be to rough a ride for my little one. But even more importantly is reliability I don't want to have to take it to the shop every year either b/c something else has failed (this is what my current 2000 is doing to me).

So which one is the most reliable/family 3 seater ski out there?

Brian_GP1200R · 08-03-2009, 01:34 AM

GTX 155 or GTI 155 will require almost no maintenance beyond oil changes. If you want a good bump in performance then the RXT 215 will do it, but you'll be looking at supercharger rebuilds every 100 hours or so. They aren't a "big" deal, but certainly something to consider. (dealer cost is usually ~$500 - $550)

asaberan · 08-03-2009, 12:25 PM

I vote for the GTX or the RXT due to the "semi-v hull," which the GTI does not have. I just bought an RXT myself and I love it so far. I have two back home-'93 SPI and a '95 GTS. The ride is very similar to the GTS, but it is a bigger boat for sure. I've only been on it once and got wetter than I expected due to wind, but NOTHING like the '93 SPI. The power is RIDICULOUS as well, and I've only gone to half throttle due to break in.

kendoo · 08-05-2009, 07:14 AM

i would go with a 3 seater as it will be a bigger hull and give a better ride. As far as the engines go, i"m pretty sure they're all based on one motor. 130 and 155 (hp) are normally aspirated, 185, 215, 255 have superchargers. If your not ragging the ****e out of them i don't think the supercharger will give you any issues. the '08 models have the metal washers (in the supercharger clutch), previous years don't. It would be a good idea to update the washers if you buy a used/leftover ski. Coming from a xp800 myself, you will love the new engine.

jdy2kgt · 08-09-2009, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kendoo

i would go with a 3 seater as it will be a bigger hull and give a better ride. As far as the engines go, i"m pretty sure they're all based on one motor. 130 and 155 (hp) are normally aspirated, 185, 215, 255 have superchargers. If your not ragging the ****e out of them i don't think the supercharger will give you any issues. the '08 models have the metal washers (in the supercharger clutch), previous years don't. It would be a good idea to update the washers if you buy a used/leftover ski. Coming from a xp800 myself, you will love the new engine.

Alot of the yamaha guys are saying even the metal one don't hold up compared to theres? Any more advice on this?

The J-ROD · 08-09-2009, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdy2kgt

Alot of the yamaha guys are saying even the metal one don't hold up compared to theres? Any more advice on this?

Just...dont buy a supercharged seadoo...unless you are prepared to rebuild a bunch of stuff, and have more problems. If you want something reliable, get a NON supercharged GTI SE. Or a yamaha.

kendoo · 08-10-2009, 07:36 AM

you will get 100+hr of riding time before you need to maintain the supercharger. Riva makes a rebuild kit for the supercharger that suppossedly is better than the metal wahers.

Brian_GP1200R · 08-11-2009, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The J-ROD

Just...dont buy a supercharged seadoo...unless you are prepared to rebuild a bunch of stuff, and have more problems. If you want something reliable, get a NON supercharged GTI SE. Or a yamaha.

To add to that, if you want an honest informed opinion don't listen to a spoiled brat 14 year old who knows nothing about what he's talking about. But hey, he sure does look cool and informed on the internet.

kawi105 · 08-11-2009, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The J-ROD

Just...dont buy a supercharged seadoo...unless you are prepared to rebuild a bunch of stuff, and have more problems. If you want something reliable, get a NON supercharged GTI SE. Or a yamaha.

Our RXT gave us zero problems.we had it till around 50-60hrs.

Wait whats an RTX?

Brian_GP1200R · 08-11-2009, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdy2kgt

Alot of the yamaha guys are saying even the metal one don't hold up compared to theres? Any more advice on this?

Hard to say for sure. The Sea-Doo's are fine if you do the maintenance per the book. The Yamahas are too. Yamaha's when modified are seeing their clutches fail too, so it's hard to say if that will start showing up on the stock ones as they age or not. I will say that the SuperCharger unit as a whole for Yamaha is $2800 bux as a unit, and it's $700 for the Sea-Doo... so if you "really" had to replace the whole thing one day... it's a lot cheaper on the Sea-Doo. Also intercooler is $600 on a Sea-Doo and $1800 for a Yamaha.

I've owned all of the brands and would own any of them again, but IMHO my Sea-Doo experience has been better than my Yamaha experience.