Most reliable PWC?

[bob kobylski]

Hello,
Own a boat and would like to pick up a new 3-man or bigger PWC. I have no
preconceived bias to one particular manufacturer. #1 thing I'm looking for
is reliability. I have no interest in any modifications. I want a PWC I can
depend on. Put in the gas and oil. Take it in for it's service points. Enjoy
and call it a day! Have read a number of reviews, and have a 2000 buyers
guide. But it dose not list reliability histories for the different makes
and models. Have a boat show coming up in February and would like to
purchase one then. Someone please point me in the right direction or to a
good source.
-Bob

[Kevin J. Edwards]

> in article 867s4c$9ti$1...@nntp9.atl.mindspring.net, bob kobylski at
hamm...@mindspring.com wrote on 1/20/00 12:31 PM:

I have the Yamaha SUV (four passenger). If you're looking for big, yet fun
and reliable I'd take a good look at this. I've had mine for about 9 months
now. I usually take it out in the San Francisco Bay (year round) or from
Long Beach to Catalina...I've also taken around Catalina Island and to San
Clemente Island. I've never had any problems with it and it's pretty easy
to care for (washing and flushing after salt water usage). It's got pretty
good range (18.5 gallon tank) and lots of storage for safety equipment and
supplies, yet I've gotten up over 50mph with 2 people on it and about 50 lbs
of baggage. Oh, and not only can you water ski behind it, but you can also
store your skis inside of it.

You'll get some flack from folks on this newsgroup who'll say, "That's not a
PWC, that's a boat!" And, they're right. According California Harbors and
Navigation Code Section 651(s) a Personal Watercraft is defined as being 12'
and under. The Yamaha SUV is 12' 7.6", which makes it exempt from most of
the bans on PWCs in California.

SeaDoo makes a slower, but larger 4 passenger called the LRV that has more
range than the Yamaha SUV, but I've seen/heard of too many experiences with
people who couldn't start their SeeDoos when cold without spray-start.

--kevine

[Jim R.]

You forgot to mention that you can land F-14's on it too. J/K
Jim

Kevin J. Edwards wrote in message ...

[bob kobylski]

I already own a boat. Would like to increase my pleasure on the water. Not
afraid to work on my equipment, just don't have lot's of free time and like
to take advantage of what I do get. Basic maintenance is fine. I don't want
to be like some of my friends, who spend more time adjusting their ski's
before they use them, then they do riding them.
-Bob

[Roogie]

In article <867s4c$9ti$1...@nntp9.atl.mindspring.net>, "bob kobylski"
<hamm...@mindspring.com> wrote:

> Hello,
> Own a boat and would like to pick up a new 3-man or bigger PWC. I have no
> preconceived bias to one particular manufacturer. #1 thing I'm looking
> for
> is reliability.

Bob,

Yamaha has a long time reputation for building reliable marine engines
and watercraft. I have a 1993 WaveBlaster with a few modifications, and
I ride this boat very hard. I've ridden it for 7 summers and have never
even had the head off the boat it has been very reliable.

Roog

[jetski junkies]

The Kawi STX, and the old Yamaha Wave ventures seamed very trouble free.

Perry

bob kobylski wrote:

> Hello,
> Own a boat and would like to pick up a new 3-man or bigger PWC. I have no
> preconceived bias to one particular manufacturer. #1 thing I'm looking for

[LynchMob]

Most reliable 3 seater on market right now
is the Kawasaki 900STX. It utilizes a 1100
crankshaft with low compression and a very
balanced stroke vs. bore. CV Carbs for smooth
running and priced under $6500.00. If your looking
at four seaters the Yamaha SUV or non fuel injected
Polaris Genesis.

[rpfi...@webspan.net]

Buy a two seater if you will ride by yourself most of the time. Buy a
three seater if you will ride two people for any length of time. Buy
a 17" to 19" if you need any more space than what a three seater
offers. If you buy a 4 seater after the first year you'll be saying
to yourself "what was I thinkg?!?!".

I'd rather be sipping a beer on a 19" boat than strapped into a life
vest ontop of a 4 seater wondering if getting sprayed with water was
someone's idea of fun. If you're going to buy a "roomy" watercraft,
it migt as well be on a boat you can walk around on.

I, personally, don't think PWCs are for anyone who is afraid to work
on their own machine and doesn't own a decent set of metric tools.

[JETPILOT12]

Ive got a nice Polaris 94 for 2500 and a 96 yamaha (most reliable brand)
waveblaster for $3800. Get 2 for under the price of one. I will deliver if
not other side of country.

[SeaDooZar]

Hi! You stated fun is important to you as well as dependability. I would
recommend you to go out and test ride all the top 3- seaters available. They
are all dependable if you care for them properly. They all have a different
level of fun and are very subjective in likes and dislikes. This will help you
make the best choice for you. If you live in the So. Cal. area, Bert's Seadoo
Mall puts on a free demo ride every year with the latest Kawasaki, Seadoo, and
Yamaha models. Good Luck!!!!!!!

[Ken]

Lets not forget Polaris.....

SeaDooZar wrote:

--
Ken....ôżô
Email:
HOME: kb...@ihug.com.au
WORK: ken.ba...@tafensw.edu.au

---------------

[WHardy1902]

Jeez Bob, Did ya have to start up the brand wars again. They're all reasonably
reliable if you take care of em. And you don't mod it to the max. You won't
have the fastest ski on the water but it will spend more time on the water.

<< Hello,
Own a boat and would like to pick up a new 3-man or bigger PWC. I have no
preconceived bias to one particular manufacturer. #1 thing I'm looking for
is reliability. I have no interest in any modifications. I want a PWC I can
depend on. Put in the gas and oil. Take it in for it's service points. Enjoy
and call it a day! Have read a number of reviews, and have a 2000 buyers
guide. But it dose not list reliability histories for the different makes
and models. Have a boat show coming up in February and would like to
purchase one then. Someone please point me in the right direction or to a
good source.
-Bob
>>

Life is not fair I tell ya, If life was fair, I would have been born rich,
Instead of so damned good lookin.

[WHardy1902]

<< You forgot to mention that you can land F-14's on it too. J/K
Jim >>

And tow barges upriver.

[TTravelor]

Though it hasn't been around more than two years, the SeaDoo GTX-RFI is one of
the most reliable skis I have come across. Starts easy, quiet, and so far we
haven't worked on a single one for other than maintence reasons. The older
Yamaha 701's were good boats as well for reliability, just make sure to keep
the pump out of the water in salt water use if it is being kept on a float (or
wash it down after putting it on your traile).

[Leo]

Although I havent owned my 96 SD GSX for very long time, I havent any problems
with it....Also, from what I'ver read in this NG the SD 800 is suppose to be a
very reliable engine.

Leo

[Solas1420]

yamahas have a proven reputation for reliability, but all boats and skis do
have problems.
"solas (2 months till riding starts) 1420"

[raider1100]

look at what ski 99% of the rentals use,YAMAHA,they are the
most reliable.i sold yamahas,polaris,an sea-doos.sell a
yamaha and i would only see them on the lake after the sale.
not in the back room with the service guys.

* Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping. Smart is Beautiful

[watertoy]

Kevin:
I can't quote the California Code by heart...but the U.S. Coast Guard
defines a personal watercraft as a Class A boat (under 13 feet in
length). It's no coincidence that the Sea-Doo LRV is exactly 156 inches
(i.e., 13 feet) long. Federal guidelines usually take precedence over
state. I'd hate to see someone try to fight a local ban using your
argument.

* Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet's Discussion Network *
The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet - Free!

[Kevin J. Edwards]

> in article 2fe7a928...@usw-ex0103-023.remarq.com, watertoy at
bham...@affinitygroup.com wrote on 1/21/00 10:08 AM:

> Kevin:
> I can't quote the California Code by heart...but the U.S. Coast Guard
> defines a personal watercraft as a Class A boat (under 13 feet in
> length). It's no coincidence that the Sea-Doo LRV is exactly 156 inches
> (i.e., 13 feet) long. Federal guidelines usually take precedence over
> state. I'd hate to see someone try to fight a local ban using your
> argument.
>

You're right, federal law would take precedence if there were a federal ban,
but the local bans (at least in California) either quote or use the
definition in the California Code. For Example:

COUNTY OF MARIN
ORDINANCE NO. 3302
SECTION 11.36.020 DEFINITIONS :
"Personal watercraft" means a vessel, as defined in California Harbors and
Navigation Code §651(s), that is less than 12 feet in length...

SAN FRANCISCO POLICE CODE
ARTICLE 47 PERSONAL WATERCRAFT
Section 4700.2 Definitions Subsection (b):
"Personal watercraft" shall include any vessel less than 12 feet...

I'll be the first to admit that this is retarded, but hey, we're talking
about PWC bans that weren't based on environmental facts aren't we?

--kevine

[skibum]

I think if you sip a beer in a 19" boat you will sink it..:))
couldnt resist..
>>skibum>>

rpfi...@webspan.net wrote in message <3887a0b6...@news.webspan.net>...

>Buy a two seater if you will ride by yourself most of the time. Buy a
>three seater if you will ride two people for any length of time. Buy
>a 17" to 19" if you need any more space than what a three seater
>offers. If you buy a 4 seater after the first year you'll be saying
>to yourself "what was I thinkg?!?!".
>
>I'd rather be sipping a beer on a 19" boat than strapped into a life
>vest ontop of a 4 seater wondering if getting sprayed with water was
>someone's idea of fun. If you're going to buy a "roomy" watercraft,
>it migt as well be on a boat you can walk around on.
>
>I, personally, don't think PWCs are for anyone who is afraid to work
>on their own machine and doesn't own a decent set of metric tools.
>
>
>On Thu, 20 Jan 2000 15:31:37 -0500, "bob kobylski"

[FOR D 9ers]

yamaha has the highest reliability ratings. I have a sea doo(96 xp- 785 motor)
96 polaris SLT780- 3 seater(i love it) and a 96 waveblaster2(basically for 1
person). I would say I like the Polaris 3 seaters better than sea doo although
on the two seaters i like the seadoo 785 motor. Yamaha 3 seaters and polaris 3
seaters I like well. although you need to get more than the yamaha 700 motor on
ayamaha 3 seater. JOE96XP

[John Conley]

> I'd rather be sipping a beer on a 19" boat than strapped into a life
> vest ontop of a 4 seater wondering if getting sprayed with water was
> someone's idea of fun.

Well you obvoiusly have never ridden a 4 seater. I can ride my SUV all day
long in rough water, and I might get a total of 3 or 4 drops on me if I
really try to stay dry. By the way, the SUV is a lot easier to move around
than the 19 foot boat that I used to have.

JC