£5k toy wanted - Seadoo jetski advice
Discussion
Hi all,
Looking for for your collective advice fellow jetski enthusiasts.
I've around £5k to drop on a ski - there's a good selection of options around that mark.
My preferences are that it is able to sit 2 to 3 (preferably attractive young women) with good stability, I'll be doing some wakeboarding behind it and will be going on long island hopping / France (contraband smuggling) adventures being based in the Channel Islands. It needs a decent top speed but I'm not fussed on having the quickest ski - a mate has just bought (financed) a GP1800 so I needn't worry about that.
It appears I'm looking around 2008-2009 skis, the Yamaha's around that price range all look pretty humdrum, the GP1300's being a little old now too.
So Seadoo it is.
I've found a few hopefuls...
2008 Seadoo GTX 215 LTD - 160hrs, great condition, fully serviced with recent supercharger rebuild.
2008 Seadoo RXPX 255 - 115hrs, fully serviced, just had supercharger washers and other bits done.
2009 Seadoo RXPX 255 - 150hrs, service history, slight modification with Riva intercooler & air filter.
2008 Seadoo RXT 255 - 136hrs, full service history, although may need service before season.
2009 Seadoo Wake Pro 215 - 153 hrs, service history, good condition etc
All are listed from £4800 to £5250. All are on good trailers. I'm sure there are more floating around on the interweb too.
I'm somewhat drawn to the GTX LTD with the extras it comes with, GPS, depth finder, boarding ladder etc. (I've no kids or anything just to note = more toys)
But really I have no idea on which to choose; where's the best bang for buck? which may keep it's value best? which ticks my boxes?
Your wisdom is appreciated.
Cheers
Looking for for your collective advice fellow jetski enthusiasts.
I've around £5k to drop on a ski - there's a good selection of options around that mark.
My preferences are that it is able to sit 2 to 3 (preferably attractive young women) with good stability, I'll be doing some wakeboarding behind it and will be going on long island hopping / France (contraband smuggling) adventures being based in the Channel Islands. It needs a decent top speed but I'm not fussed on having the quickest ski - a mate has just bought (financed) a GP1800 so I needn't worry about that.
It appears I'm looking around 2008-2009 skis, the Yamaha's around that price range all look pretty humdrum, the GP1300's being a little old now too.
So Seadoo it is.
I've found a few hopefuls...
2008 Seadoo GTX 215 LTD - 160hrs, great condition, fully serviced with recent supercharger rebuild.
2008 Seadoo RXPX 255 - 115hrs, fully serviced, just had supercharger washers and other bits done.
2009 Seadoo RXPX 255 - 150hrs, service history, slight modification with Riva intercooler & air filter.
2008 Seadoo RXT 255 - 136hrs, full service history, although may need service before season.
2009 Seadoo Wake Pro 215 - 153 hrs, service history, good condition etc
All are listed from £4800 to £5250. All are on good trailers. I'm sure there are more floating around on the interweb too.
I'm somewhat drawn to the GTX LTD with the extras it comes with, GPS, depth finder, boarding ladder etc. (I've no kids or anything just to note = more toys)
But really I have no idea on which to choose; where's the best bang for buck? which may keep it's value best? which ticks my boxes?
Your wisdom is appreciated.
Cheers
Edited by Jackpot on Monday 1st April 12:07
When a mate & i purchased Seadoo Spark/Trixx, we took out the RXTX/PX on a demo day.. they're seriously fast.
We opted for the Spark/Trixx for a few reasons, cost to purchase (we bought new).
Running costs....when the big supercharged skis go wron (which they will do), they're mega money to fix!
If you're out all day on it, you can probably easily sink £100 in fuel on it.
Ours do around 50mph top speed & they get there reasonably fast, the RXTX are bonkers fast (think motorbike fast), they're bigger, more comfortable, but nowhere near as chuckable.
Regularly when out with others on the big Yam/Seadoos they'll stop to conserve fuel & will comment on how much fun we look like we're having wake jumping & wheely'ing our skis.
Of course, they're totally different types of skis & it's horses for courses.
You'll also find launching a bigger ski a lot more hassle due to weight.
My 3 up Spark with IBR & VTS will easily tow a skier/ringo/boarder, it'll still do almost top speed 3 up, but as it's a lighter ski, it's a bit harder to ride with 3 people on.
You'll find the bigger skis cope fine 3 up, but if you want to chuck it about a bit, the bigger ski, along with the added weight of 2 other people will be equally as hard.
Going fast in a straight line does get a bit boring after a while.
We opted for the Spark/Trixx for a few reasons, cost to purchase (we bought new).
Running costs....when the big supercharged skis go wron (which they will do), they're mega money to fix!
If you're out all day on it, you can probably easily sink £100 in fuel on it.
Ours do around 50mph top speed & they get there reasonably fast, the RXTX are bonkers fast (think motorbike fast), they're bigger, more comfortable, but nowhere near as chuckable.
Regularly when out with others on the big Yam/Seadoos they'll stop to conserve fuel & will comment on how much fun we look like we're having wake jumping & wheely'ing our skis.
Of course, they're totally different types of skis & it's horses for courses.
You'll also find launching a bigger ski a lot more hassle due to weight.
My 3 up Spark with IBR & VTS will easily tow a skier/ringo/boarder, it'll still do almost top speed 3 up, but as it's a lighter ski, it's a bit harder to ride with 3 people on.
You'll find the bigger skis cope fine 3 up, but if you want to chuck it about a bit, the bigger ski, along with the added weight of 2 other people will be equally as hard.
Going fast in a straight line does get a bit boring after a while.
Edited by theguvernor15 on Monday 1st April 14:27
I've had loads of Seadoos and tried them all, mainly because I had shares in a BRP dealership a few years back.
Although the Sparks are good, if you're offshore they're a little light compared to the GTI hull (larger model). You get thrown around a bit more, loads more spray as well. Think a trail bike vs a street bike.
Not sure what models the UK have (sorry, in Australia) but the sweet spot of the range is the 2013 onwards GTI 130/155.
This has the iBR system (very handy and worth it) and the deep V hull is decent enough in chop and swell which I understand you guys have there a bit.
The 130/155 motor is better than the older supercharged models you listed. Better initial response, more reliable and way better fuel economy.
Only the new 2018 onward supercharged range beats it in my book but even then the fuel economy is a pain if you're cruising.
If you're waterskiing, with spotter, the 155 may struggle to pull a heavy skier but wakeboarding is no issue, done this loads of times behind the jetski (although lack of wake makes it a little boring for intermediate to advanced wakeboarders).
Anyhow, enjoy, they're great fun, we've had loads of adventures on them...
My wife and a friend on a 155 GTI off Palm Beach (Home and Away Beach):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc56Gbbp56I
The 155 GTI and a Wake 155 (Wake has boarding step and tow pole):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHRMqjwc8KU
I then swapped these two for the 2018 230 gti's, then swapped one of the 230's for a 300rxp.
Got to say, fun factor was not hugely different as hull design is basically the same.
Here's one of the GTI 230's:
https://youtu.be/_ZpWQEGnL3U
Drop me a note if you want any tips on keeping them running well...
Although the Sparks are good, if you're offshore they're a little light compared to the GTI hull (larger model). You get thrown around a bit more, loads more spray as well. Think a trail bike vs a street bike.
Not sure what models the UK have (sorry, in Australia) but the sweet spot of the range is the 2013 onwards GTI 130/155.
This has the iBR system (very handy and worth it) and the deep V hull is decent enough in chop and swell which I understand you guys have there a bit.
The 130/155 motor is better than the older supercharged models you listed. Better initial response, more reliable and way better fuel economy.
Only the new 2018 onward supercharged range beats it in my book but even then the fuel economy is a pain if you're cruising.
If you're waterskiing, with spotter, the 155 may struggle to pull a heavy skier but wakeboarding is no issue, done this loads of times behind the jetski (although lack of wake makes it a little boring for intermediate to advanced wakeboarders).
Anyhow, enjoy, they're great fun, we've had loads of adventures on them...
My wife and a friend on a 155 GTI off Palm Beach (Home and Away Beach):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc56Gbbp56I
The 155 GTI and a Wake 155 (Wake has boarding step and tow pole):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHRMqjwc8KU
I then swapped these two for the 2018 230 gti's, then swapped one of the 230's for a 300rxp.
Got to say, fun factor was not hugely different as hull design is basically the same.
Here's one of the GTI 230's:
https://youtu.be/_ZpWQEGnL3U
Drop me a note if you want any tips on keeping them running well...
Edited by robm3 on Monday 8th April 10:41
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