Need some help about a Used Jetski I'm considering

[NewBoater]

Need some help fellas. Looking at possibly getting a jetski to add to our Yamaha Jet boat to have another toy. Looking at a 2014 FX SHO. Has 200 hours.

Nada with trailer says original cost $14,300 and used High retail $10,400 and low retail $9,200.

KBB says $9,270 but don't think that includes trailer as it didn't ask.


Not sure what hours these websites assume but this one has 200 hours.

This one I believe is supercharged so can do around 65 mph?

What issues should I be concerned about? How many hours do they last total? When do super chargers typically go out? How much is cost to fix when it does go out?

Since this is at a dealership, and I'm not familiar with jet skis, what kind of wiggle room do they have on skis? Would $8,500 be an insult of an offer?

Seems 200 hours is a lot but maybe you guys will tell me it's not. Seems 200 in a couple years is a lot.

Thanks for any help you guys can share.

I'm always for saving $$ and like the idea of lightly used but I don't want to make a 10k mistake.

 

[NewBoater]

There is also locally a 2012 Yamaha VXR for $6,500 with 130 hours includes trailer

And a 2013 Yamaha VX deluxe 59
Hours with trailer and cover for $7,500

 

[Neutron]

That ski will hit 60 to 65 tops on a good day..
8500 would be a good offer but with the hours not any more than that. Plenty of low hour skis out there
That supercharger is not like the Rotax which needs rebuilding at certain hour intervals. It is easy to work on.
How is the overall condition?

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

The concern would be the timing chain failures of those models, however the dealer can tell you if Yamaha will cover it if it fails, That would be a huge expense if you had to fix it as opposed t0 Yamaha doing it although I was without my ski for a couple months having one repaired. The hours are negligible I have over 500 on both of my 2014 skies if you do the oil changes etc they will go several thousand hours.. Be sure to carefully inspect the lower portion of the hull , Every one of these nano hulls I have purchased new have worn holes in them from contact with the beach " I guess" but I always need to repair them within the first year or so. The things do eat a lot of fuel so be ready for that. I have burned over 4000 bucks worth of fuel so far this year

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

I would never buy a used ski. Well pretty much never, if I knew the original owner there may be a small possibility. After having my skis out and seeing how bad people beat them up and have no idea what they are doing - I have pretty no faith in buying one used. I couldn't tell you how many times I saw people reverse them off the trailer in 6" of water (if that) and launch full throttle in under a foot of water. I can't imagine the amount of crap that gets sucked up. At least around here - 90% of people have no idea how to properly ride one, or care for it while riding.

With that being said - 200 hours and that price - no way in hell. 200 hours on a jet ski is a lot.....way more than 200 on a boat IMO. Most people use them to ride full throttle and do tricks... then go back in to give their body a rest. Again without knowing the original owner, I would assume almost all those hours were with it getting the crap beat of it. Also not sure of Yamaha's but the Sea-Doos need the SC rebuilt every 100 hours.

What are you looking to do with the ski?

 

[NewBoater]

Appreciate all info. Sounds like I need to hold out for low hours, someone I know selling, or just get a new one when they run a clearance deal on old model.

 

[robert843]

$8500 is about right on that but I would hold out and buy a lower hour unit for a little more. After owning several skis both new and I used I agree with the above poster I don't think I would ever buy a used one I would buy what ever new one I could afford.

 

[NewBoater]

Well damn guys I feel like a dummy, was just looking on Yamaha website and some pretty awesome new ones are around 10k (VX Series). Not sure if these prices include trailer. For some reason I was thinking all of them for the last few years started at 12k and went to 16k or so. I was just in the starting stages of looking when I saw this one at a dealer today on the street when I drove by. No need for used when you can get a new one for 1-2k more. No brainer. Now to wait till they have an awesome deal On extended warranty or price breaks with new models coming out.

Thanks for the help fellas. New it is!

 

[ACRDSPORT14]

I bought mine new, 2017 vxr, and put 9.5 hours on it. I paid 10800 plus 600 for a galvanized load rite trailer. boat show special.

 

[Neutron]

Jet ski trailers are cheap. I got my aluminum triton trailer for 800 bucks in my deal with my FZS last year

 

[NewBoater]

I bought mine new, 2017 vxr, and put 9.5 hours on it. I paid 10800 plus 600 for a galvanized load rite trailer. boat show special.

Nice! What made you decide on the VXR model? It's hard to differentiate the differences between the models

 

[NewBoater]

Like look of 2017 Black and Red FX Limited SVHO the best but not sure it's worth the big price jump to 17k. Not sure what all you get for that extra 3-5k

 

[Neutron]

Nice! What made you decide on the VXR model? It's hard to differentiate the differences between the models

In pictures all the 17 and 18 models look very similar. When you see them side by side you get a better understanding of the differences.

 

[Neutron]

If i was looking for a great ski i would try for the best bang for your buck with a 1800 motor and RIDE control.
My wife loves driving my FZS but hates the old-school reverse handle. Its hard for her to control.
For me its a non issue

 

[NewBoater]

If i was looking for a great ski i would try for the best bang for your buck with a 1800 motor and RIDE control.
My wife loves driving my FZS but hates the old-school reverse handle. Its hard for her to control.
For me its a non issue

Thanks for that tip, I was just reading about the ride control and it will be a must when we get one for sure.

 

[Neutron]

Thanks for that tip, I was just reading about the ride control and it will be a must when we get one for sure.

My wife wants her own now. Kinda bumbd because if she liked mine more i was gonna get a Superjet or the Kawi SXR stand-up for myself. That way I could always still take out the FZS alone when i want.( since i love the ski so much)
But most like gonna get her a VX instead

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

One of my sons purchased a v x r and I was pretty impressed with it, so you may get real good service out of one of those, remember 1800 engines will go thousands of hours the old thing about a few hundred hours being a lot was for the 2 stroke engines, I sold my sho with over 650 hours and it ran just fine. I do have a ritual I go through with each new ski I buy before they ever hit the water and I do 50 hour oil changes with filters , I add zinc to the skis because I run in salt water and my skies definitely get used. Out in the gulf jumping waves and running all over I don't do a lot of wading in the surf and sitting still.

 

[SamCF]

If I were buying a ski, it would not be a supercharged model. The HO skis will run mid 60's and get much better fuel mileage. No way I would give up the fuel mileage.

 

[Ronnie]

If you dont have a pkace on the water or a way to get both a ski and boat to the water at the same time i recommend that you go ablityle older/preowned and buy two instead. My skis of choice would be the yamaha fxho cruisers that last had the mr1 160 hp 1,052 cc motors. 2008 or 2009 i think. Those engines are close to bullet proof and very refined by that time. The skis acclerate great and top iit at just under 60.

I got two 2006s with a trailer for $10k about five years ago and have seem similar deals for newer ones since. Beats the hell out of the new pricing (my local dealer has an $18k sticker on the new gp 1800). Whatever you are considering test ride before you buy. Sometimes a ski will start easy and sound good on a trailer and not start at all or will run poorly on the water.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

If you are looking for something fun to go with the boat I would look at the Sea-Doo sparks. Their 2UP is a very fun ski and starts at 5k I think. I think for playing around, it is much better than anything out there. They also have a plastic hull, so no chipping fiberglass. The TRIXX looks awesome but haven't rode it. I saw them doing a demo when they came out and people had the ski standing up with almost no throttle. I bet in waves that thing is a blast... I think that is around 7k new. I know the 2UP is only about 400lbs and very efficient. You can go a full day of riding on 7 gallons of 87 octane. They also are super easy to get out of a jam with because two (somewhat) strong people can lift it by themselves.