`08 offshore/touring skis

Mitch Ochoa · 09-09-2008, 10:19 PM

pics.. http://jetski.fotopic.net/c1541497_1.html

The `08 250X is still king when it comes to chop handling/stability and hook-up. Followed closely by the new Honda. The F15X hull has improved a great deal over the F12 series. It even handles chop better than my `08 HO/SHO.

As for fuel efficiency..
(35 to 40mph with a couple of WOTS; 2 to 4 feet chop)
1.`08 FX HO - 120 miles per tank --70 liters
2.`08 honda F15X - 100 miles per tank --70 liters
3.`08 FX SHO - 75 miles per tank --70 liters

`08 HO handles chop the same as previous models. No noticeable difference. It does not feel lighter. HO handles chop same as SHO. When flushing, port side pisser now has strong continuous high pressure flow unlike previous models.

Honda feels more nimble and lighter than 250X, SHO and HO. Very responsive steering. Steering is the same as previous hondas..very light. To give you an idea how light it is.. with a GPS mounted on the left handlebar, the weight of the GPS pushes the handlebar down to the left.

mitch

devastator · 09-09-2008, 11:20 PM

This is the analysis that I've been waiting for. My heart has been with the Sho regardless of gas mileage but now I am going to consider the Honda. Maybe if I can convince my brother to buy a 2009 f15x, it would be awesome to own both a sho cruiser and f15x on the same double trailer. Thanks for the valuable info Mitch and great photos of your water rides too!!!

Surfrunner · 09-09-2008, 11:54 PM

Good info Mitch. I'm considering upgrading the '99 at some point soon and I've been really leaning toward the SHO. I had the opportunity to ride my roommate's a few times this summer, and man, what an awsome ski! It is an improvement in almost every facet over my '06 HO, which itself is a great ski that I really love. Offshore performance is really important to me, and after reading this, I'm going to have to try out the 15X. How much better was the Honda than the Yamaha? And how are you qualifying "better?" Better hookup, more stable, smoother ride, better splash protection? Thanks for any and all info!

Mitch Ochoa · 09-10-2008, 12:23 AM

Yes, better hookup, splash protection, and softer landing(hull plows).

Now if you're used to Yamaha's stiffer steering(steering system does not move much when your ski bounces thru chop), it would take a while to adjust to Honda's ultra light steering. It would feel as if the hull does not track straight as well as the Yamaha's on 2 to 4 feet chops but in reality it's because of the light steering system. It takes a bit of effort to maintain your balance on chop to avoid sudden jerks on the handlebar. Plus Honda has a narrower handlebar so the feel is quite different.

Reliability-wise.. time will tell.

Surfrunner · 09-10-2008, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Reliability-wise.. time will tell.

Yep, that's what I'm really worried about with the Honda. My uncle's F12X is really unreliable. Three turbo replacements in 4 years. As much as offshore performance is a consideration, reliability is even more so. Don't want to get caught on a dead or limping ski a few miles out.

devastator · 09-10-2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch Ochoa

As for fuel efficiency..
(35 to 40mph with a couple of WOTS; 2 to 4 feet chop)
1.`08 FX HO - 120 miles per tank --70 liters
2.`08 honda F15X - 100 miles per tank --70 liters
3.`08 FX SHO - 75 miles per tank --70 liters

mitch

so honda is now the king of offshore pwc's. I am suprised how well the honda f15x did over the sho in regards to fuel consumption; that is a major accomplishment. now that we have real life comparisions regarding fuel consumption, how about top speed and low end torque/acceleration from 0 to 30 mph. have you and your freinds done any drag racing or shoot outs between the sho, honda f15x and the other two? I can't beleive how you all own the newest top of the line pwc's and are able to ride and compare them together. that is soo awesome!
as for reliability, I love my honda mower, snowblower, and honda automobiles. in fact, a majority of my family and freinds owns or drives hondas. however, after my friend eric's 2005 honda f12x's (with less than 20hrs) engine blew one day as we were far away offshore once about two years ago, I was so turned off and swore that I would never buy a honda pwc ever. but after hearing your experience with the new f15x, I may give them another chance. I need to read more about it.

Surfrunner · 09-11-2008, 10:40 AM

I am surprised at those fuel consumtion stats now that I look a little closer. I first glance, I just figured that the 75 miles was for the Ultra, but now I see that's for the SHO. That's really not what I was seeing this summer. I never did a formal test, but I rode all summer with my roommate, me on my HO and he on his SHO. If I was getting 120, he had to have been getting 90-100. I was very pleasantly surprised at the fuel range of the SHO. It really was not that much worse than the HO in my experience.

Mitch Ochoa · 09-13-2008, 02:41 AM

We were surprised as well with some of the test results. Moreso with the new Honda F15X. Looks like Honda made the right choice of using an exhaust driven blower(turbo) to achieve a good balance between power/speed and fuel efficiency. Considering also the different factors.. both weight and size are way up there. 2nd heaviest ski in the market. Largest ski in the market. Both of which did not make a dent on the craft's fuel efficiency.

The SHO fuel consumption of 75 miles per tank was based on tests done on multiple units of both the cruiser and standard SHOs with the above stated parameters.. 2 to 4 feet chop, 35 to 40 mph, etc plus cruise control were never engaged.

mitch

devastator · 09-16-2008, 06:32 AM

aside from the outragous price, you fellas got any thoughts on the new 2009 rxt-is and gtx limited is?

Mitch Ochoa · 09-21-2008, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surfrunner

I am surprised at those fuel consumtion stats now that I look a little closer. I first glance, I just figured that the 75 miles was for the Ultra, but now I see that's for the SHO.

Yesterday, we went out as category 3 Hurricane Nina hit our shores to have a taste of its fury. The red arrow in the pic below is where we were at. Total GPS trip was 70 miles. A buddy's SHO went out of gas at 66 miles. Tried to restart it, but again it quickly shut down. All was well after putting in 4 liters. Good thing we had our tanks of gas strapped at the back of the skis. Half of the trip was 4 foot chops(protected bays and coves), 1/4 was 6 feet chops, and the rest was 12 to 15 feet of hell. These were not rollers/swell but very steep mountains of chops from all direction since the coastline were solid rock cliffs. Rough waters bounces back as it hits the coastline.

Quote:

Originally Posted by devastator

aside from the outragous price, you fellas got any thoughts on the new 2009 rxt-is and gtx limited is?

Seadoo raises the bar for the jetski industry. Good for us. Good for the competition. But you're right the price is just outrageous.