Talk me out of/into a Jetski
Discussion
Tyre Smoke said:
I am well aware of the 'image'. I would point out to Admiral TTwiggy that I am not covered in tattoos, have a girlfriend called Chardonnay and don't drive a white X5. I'm approaching 50, have a 10 year old son and enjoy messing about on the water. As I said originally, I've done a bit of jetskiing in this country and a wetsuit is a must, but it's still good fun.
I don't have any intention of annoying Admiral TTwiggy by buzzing close by his leaky old tub and generally upsetting his quiet afternoon with the Spinnaker varnish and his Musto wellies.
My point was more to do with the cost, £1000 doesn't seem a lot to get out on the water. Is a £1000 jetski a moneypit, or bought carefully, a good cheap way of some water based fun (fnarr).
I never got beyond Lieutenant I'm sorry to report, and I'd never varnish my spinnaker, it would ruin the cut of the jib...I don't have any intention of annoying Admiral TTwiggy by buzzing close by his leaky old tub and generally upsetting his quiet afternoon with the Spinnaker varnish and his Musto wellies.
My point was more to do with the cost, £1000 doesn't seem a lot to get out on the water. Is a £1000 jetski a moneypit, or bought carefully, a good cheap way of some water based fun (fnarr).
I'm only reporting based on my observations. I have ridden jetskis (not in this country) and they can be a laugh for 5 minutes but you soon tire of going really fast in one direction, then really fast the other way.
A grand buys a nice day sailor or a fisher with an outboard, so it doesn't have to cost much to get out on the water. I accept that neither are going to offer much in the way of speed however.
Oh, and for the record, I do have tattoos, but then so did Churchill
TTwiggy said:
IforB said:
Dear oh dear, there's some bias against Jet Ski owners on here. Personally I think they can be great fun, but a bit limiting, however they can be a cheap and easy way of getting out on the water and being small are easy to store, launch and recover compared to something like a 5m RIB.
I would be suspicious of anything particularly cheap though, as if the engine dies, you're in trouble.
The OP asked to be 'talked out of or in to a jetski'. It seems only reasonable to mention the image problem is a part of the package. If someone in General Gassing said 'talk me out of or in to an Evo IV', would it not be reasonable to warn that they do tend to attract a 'certain type' of driver?I would be suspicious of anything particularly cheap though, as if the engine dies, you're in trouble.
Jet skiers get a lot of abuse around where I live and whilst there are the odd morons, most are very well behaved, certainly more so than most aforementioned yacht club members who give the abuse. I've never seen a Jetskier drive striaght through a gaggle of 7 year olds doing a practise start in their Oppies and actually running one child over (fortunately to no ill effect) simply because they felt they had the right of way. (They did nearly get lynched in the bar later admittedly.)
IforB said:
Image "problems" are only an issue if you care about it. I'm a Dubarry wearing, yacht owning WAFI and I love jumping on a jetski and winding up other yacht club members, who get all confused when they see "one of their own" riding one of those infernal contraptions.
Jet skiers get a lot of abuse around where I live and whilst there are the odd morons, most are very well behaved, certainly more so than most aforementioned yacht club members who give the abuse. I've never seen a Jetskier drive striaght through a gaggle of 7 year olds doing a practise start in their Oppies and actually running one child over (fortunately to no ill effect) simply because they felt they had the right of way. (They did nearly get lynched in the bar later admittedly.)
Indeed, but there was the possibility that the OP may have been unaware of the image problems. Someone not too car savvy might look at the performance stats for a Scooby or Evo on paper and think 'that's the car for me'. It might only be helpful to let the chap know that he's going to be driving something rather lacking in the image stakes.Jet skiers get a lot of abuse around where I live and whilst there are the odd morons, most are very well behaved, certainly more so than most aforementioned yacht club members who give the abuse. I've never seen a Jetskier drive striaght through a gaggle of 7 year olds doing a practise start in their Oppies and actually running one child over (fortunately to no ill effect) simply because they felt they had the right of way. (They did nearly get lynched in the bar later admittedly.)
If the OP wants a jetski, then of course he's free to get one.
Back on topic - I'd expect any 14 year old watercraft (boat ,jetski whatever) to be potential trouble, even a 3 year old one can be problematic.
I'd view it as a bit of fun for a grand, and if it lasts more than a season or two you're doing well, but dont expect not to have to spend any money on it.
I'd view it as a bit of fun for a grand, and if it lasts more than a season or two you're doing well, but dont expect not to have to spend any money on it.
Tyre smoke, I've had a few stand up jet skis and love them. You won't get bored of a stand up, you'll either love it or hate it.
I've only ever used them inshore though, I'm too chicken to go out to sea with them.
I get bored of the sit down jet bikes fairly quickly. Id prefer a boat to one of them.
Buy it with your eyes open and you won't lose money on it.
Enjoy!
I've only ever used them inshore though, I'm too chicken to go out to sea with them.
I get bored of the sit down jet bikes fairly quickly. Id prefer a boat to one of them.
Buy it with your eyes open and you won't lose money on it.
Enjoy!
Well thanks all. The jury is still out, but I know my son loved riding one (me on the back and holding the handlebars) in the Caribbean, and it's a whole different kettle of fish in the UK. However, that said, they are only going to get cheaper as the season ends and I think it might be worth forking out about £1000ish to get one for next spring.
We would at least see how much we use it, and if it becomes a garage queen, offload it for not too much of a loss, if any.
Of course, if a nifty day boat with a biggish outboard appears........
We would at least see how much we use it, and if it becomes a garage queen, offload it for not too much of a loss, if any.
Of course, if a nifty day boat with a biggish outboard appears........
Got a few days spare in October? Come out to Ibiza for Jetbou. Basically they trailer you ski from the U.K. To Ibiza where there's sun and warm water! Even if you don't ski it's still a good laugh. It's not all scooby driving chavs. Same as anything, few bad things happen and everyone gets tarred with the same brush... www.jetbou.co.uk
I like the idea of them, and they are fun but ultimately there isnt that much you can do with them, the ones when we go to my wifes aunts (she lives right on the sea) seem to stay in the bay charging about making a racket, very rarely do they venture any further afield, it usually consists of posing up and down and pissing people off with the racket they make.
They tend to annoy sailors and fishermen the most, along with a bit of straying into the swimming area, occasional conflict happens, remember a middle aged man on one, came into a small beach and was tearing round in circles, spraying people and generally just being an utter arse, a woman berated him and he was really aggressive to her, looked like he was going to get physical but a few blokes appeared and he scuttled off, tail between his legs.
They are pretty much always towed behind a Mitsubishi Animal pick up.
They tend to annoy sailors and fishermen the most, along with a bit of straying into the swimming area, occasional conflict happens, remember a middle aged man on one, came into a small beach and was tearing round in circles, spraying people and generally just being an utter arse, a woman berated him and he was really aggressive to her, looked like he was going to get physical but a few blokes appeared and he scuttled off, tail between his legs.
They are pretty much always towed behind a Mitsubishi Animal pick up.
SimonV8ster said:
You do realise that you can get 1400cc supercharged versions right ?
Yes, the workshop next to mine is a jetski place. Every Friday afternoon the pick-ups and Vitaras arrive, peopled by the shaved head and leg tattoo brigade.All afternoon, all you can hear is the tinny whine of the bloody things being run up. Having tried one of the big buggers, the manager of the shop bet me 50 quid that could hold the throttle at WOT for more than 30 seconds. Nope, not a chance. It was unrideable. Utterly pointless, I'll stick to twin V8 offshore Kevlar race boats thanks. Safer.
Wooob wooob wooob wooooooob wooob wooob wooob woooooooooob woooob woooob wooooob woooob wooooob wooooob woooooooooooooooooooooob woooob wooob wooob wooob woooob woooooooooooooooooob wooob wooob wooob wooob wooob woooob wob wob wob wob wob wob wob wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooob wooob wooob wooob...
f
king idiots 
HTH
f
king idiots HTHI used to be an Rya powerboat instructor and also ran the personal watercraft course (jet ski)
If you want one, get one!!! As previously mentioned find out if your local council / harbour master allows launches or what restrictions they impose (if any)
I live in gosport and they are only allowed to launch in eastney or lee on the solent.
here slipways got very very busy at weekends.
Personally I found them great fun for short periods.
Some are now 300bhp as standard
Yes they are noisy
Yes some are run by idiots
But then I used to also race 2litre open powerboats at 80mph......
I have a 35ft sovereign ketch and a 17ft bayliner for skiing, so will always have someone on the water disliking me!!!
You will get snobs everywhere, ignore them and have some fun!!!!!
Talk to Nigel at watercraft world www.watercraftworld.co.uk
He has been in the business for years and one of the biggest suppliers of new skis, these however are more expensive, he has great knowledge of older models and will however let you know what to look for with each model you find with pros cons pitfalls etc.
Kids are not supposed to ride them alone under the age of 16....and will probably not be insured to do so. but find a capable 2 or 3 seater and that won't be a problem.
Happy hunting
If you want one, get one!!! As previously mentioned find out if your local council / harbour master allows launches or what restrictions they impose (if any)
I live in gosport and they are only allowed to launch in eastney or lee on the solent.
here slipways got very very busy at weekends.
Personally I found them great fun for short periods.
Some are now 300bhp as standard
Yes they are noisy
Yes some are run by idiots
But then I used to also race 2litre open powerboats at 80mph......
I have a 35ft sovereign ketch and a 17ft bayliner for skiing, so will always have someone on the water disliking me!!!
You will get snobs everywhere, ignore them and have some fun!!!!!
Talk to Nigel at watercraft world www.watercraftworld.co.uk
He has been in the business for years and one of the biggest suppliers of new skis, these however are more expensive, he has great knowledge of older models and will however let you know what to look for with each model you find with pros cons pitfalls etc.
Kids are not supposed to ride them alone under the age of 16....and will probably not be insured to do so. but find a capable 2 or 3 seater and that won't be a problem.
Happy hunting
Edited by Charliesum on Monday 22 September 20:06
We have a pair of SeaDoos (admittedly in Florida where shorts, t-shirt and life jacket are all that's required) and they're great fun. USA are more set up for that type of thing and we do all sorts of places on them including to lunch at some reasonably nice restaurants.
Over here, I'm too much of a pussy to have them - far too cold!!
Over here, I'm too much of a pussy to have them - far too cold!!
Hateful things. When I windsurfed, they were a menace buzzing around leaving wakes to tip everyone off. They regularly appeared in the sport mags for colliding with us lot. Now I've retired from that, I get to spend Sunday mornings beach combing & rock pooling round here with my ears assaulted by the tinny whine & in any onshore breeze, breathing in delightful two stroke fumes.
Besides, where's the fun in an engine? On water, the real challenge is pitting your wits against the weather, not mowing the ocean with a Qualcast itchyfanny 500.
Besides, where's the fun in an engine? On water, the real challenge is pitting your wits against the weather, not mowing the ocean with a Qualcast itchyfanny 500.
I live in North Devon and ride a jet ski! (No tattoo’s, no L200, welcome in the yacht club)!
We can launch from our local harbour as long as you have a permit, which involves the usual proof of insurance, radio, etc.
I agree that if you only go out and ride around in circles then it could get boring. Why would you do that though? We ride to Lundy Island and across to Wales, as well as up and down the stunning coastline visiting other ports and stopping on beaches that are otherwise inaccessible.
This year I have only seen a few Yachts on all the rides we have been on, and we keep a long way away from them. I guess yacht owners do exactly the same as us, oh except visiting beaches and going quite as far a we can due to the massive tidal difference around our coast, as otherwise they cant get back into port, whereas we can! Low tide – high tide, it matters not which means we get out on jet skis far more than any of the boat owners I know.
If you don’t have the time for a boat and all the maintenance and matching your free time to weather and tides, then a jet ski must be the best way to enjoy being on the water.
The Chav remarks must be a south coast thing. Our Jet ski’s are worth a lot more than the vast majority of the yachts around our harbour, with most the best yachts from the yacht club residing abroad.
If you get one come and join us for a ride.
We can launch from our local harbour as long as you have a permit, which involves the usual proof of insurance, radio, etc.
I agree that if you only go out and ride around in circles then it could get boring. Why would you do that though? We ride to Lundy Island and across to Wales, as well as up and down the stunning coastline visiting other ports and stopping on beaches that are otherwise inaccessible.
This year I have only seen a few Yachts on all the rides we have been on, and we keep a long way away from them. I guess yacht owners do exactly the same as us, oh except visiting beaches and going quite as far a we can due to the massive tidal difference around our coast, as otherwise they cant get back into port, whereas we can! Low tide – high tide, it matters not which means we get out on jet skis far more than any of the boat owners I know.
If you don’t have the time for a boat and all the maintenance and matching your free time to weather and tides, then a jet ski must be the best way to enjoy being on the water.
The Chav remarks must be a south coast thing. Our Jet ski’s are worth a lot more than the vast majority of the yachts around our harbour, with most the best yachts from the yacht club residing abroad.
If you get one come and join us for a ride.
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