Bought a pair of F12's

foggy · 03-12-2010, 09:54 AM

Hi from MN. I just bought a pair of carryover ('07) F12's for use up at our lake cabin. We have three families that use the cabin....with ages from 13 to 63 years young.....so these are going to get a lot of use.

We bought the non-turbo models in order to save some gas and to provide some simplicity and reliability. I'm hoping we have enough power for our variety of riders. We are more cruising types (at least at this point) so I think these are a good choice for us. These will get used on a chain of 14 lakes with many miles of shoreline to travel.

One question: We will sometimes swim off these and use 'em for tubing......how many feel boarding ladders are needed for our variety of ages??? I bought 'em without the "honda step" ....as the salesman said I didn't need them. But now I wonder???

How difficult is re-boarding these without a step?

spatera · 03-12-2010, 10:39 AM

Obviously a lot of ski's are sold without them. I put one on mine and really like it. I can get back on the ski without using one but It's so much easier and depending on the physical ability of some of the riders in your group it may be necessary.

4olsons · 03-12-2010, 04:30 PM

Congrats!! I did the same about a month ago. What color did you get? Where did you get it? I called all around Iowa and Minnesota. I had trouble finding anyone in Minnesota that carried them or even wanted to carry them. I ended up going to Kansas to get ours because the few Iowa dealers around here did not want to come close to their price of 5499. I struggled with the same questions you did. Turbo vs non turbo, simplicity etc. We went with the non turbo also. What chain of lakes? We will be using ours at Okoboji in NW Iowa. I can not wait for the snow to melt!!

foggy · 03-12-2010, 05:06 PM

I bought these at a the Honda dealer in Delano...just west of Mpls. I paid a few bux more than some I have seen...but got the covers and prep on the deal...and didnt have to travel far to get em. Ours are a matching pair of red and black and white.

We will keep these up at a cabin on the whitefish chain by Crosslake...north of Brainerd. Lots of acres to cruise there (14,000 acres). I also bought an aluminum two-place trailer so we can haul em to some other nearby lakes for a ride. I have one small lift...but will need another.

Still considering adding the rear boarding ladder / step made by Honda. I see some listed here...but they are for earlier model years (?). Otherwise.....I am set to go and looking forward to the ride. I think 140 hp outta be adequate...we dont need to race everyone...and we got lots of riders ages here.

I was/am a little concerned about there being so few Honda watercraft dealers if we have some problems down the road. But at these prices I'm gonna take my chances. Then too, I have read good things about the reliability of these machines. I passed on any extended warranty.....as is my norm for this stuff.

Now if winter will release it's grip....we still have lots to melt here.

M. Cole · 03-12-2010, 05:35 PM

Get the ladder. You will be glad you did. The ladies of the group will thank you to.

2005F12XDiver · 03-12-2010, 07:16 PM

Having a GPScape, came with the ladder and if it hadn't had one standard would have put one on. Much easier to get on in deep water.

Treaddirt · 03-13-2010, 01:23 AM

Ladder is a great think to have. After an hour of speeding around the lake it's great to dive in the lake off the seat and just swim around - the ladder is a must. Hey, I even fish from mine and have caught a lot of trout from it.....have fun.

foggy · 03-13-2010, 01:51 PM

Kinda figured I might like those boarding ladders...cause we have lots of young (and old) riders....but I let the sales guy talk me outta them. (grrrrrrr) I think I'm going to add 'em while I have the time....once they get on the boat hoists my life gets pretty busy.

I see Honda models for about $160. each (plus shipping) on ebay.....is that about the best price / deal?

fgwolf · 03-13-2010, 11:48 PM

Just bought two myself a few weeks ago. Blue with grey seats, (couches - ha!). What a deal. Thought hard about the turbo but I also wanted less complexity and I don't need my kids doing 65 mph on Green Bay, where we usually vacation. They were recommended to me by friends who own F-12s. They also highly recommended the boarding steps. I installed them both myself because the dealer wanted 50 bucks apiece to install them, and it also gave me an excuse to buy a torque wrench. If you are wondering whether or not these are good skis, here's a review of the f-12 and other comparable skis written in 2005: http://www.watercraftworld.com/output.cfm?id=994987 Pretty positive.
I think you made a good choice, but of course I am biased. And I haven't put mine in the water yet so what do I know.

dav_dman · 03-14-2010, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M. Cole

Get the ladder. You will be glad you did. The ladies of the group will thank you to.

ditto. I haven't seen them on ebay in a while so just get them and put them on yourself if you have time. Good choice getting non turbo for family fun.