When I went looking for a new toy in 2001, I decided to give jet skiing a go. So I read what I could find and talked to who I knew and made an educated guess and bought a GP1200R. Why? Well, from what I knew at the time, Yamaha or Kawasaki were the only two real choices. They both used marine engines, unlike the others. They made the biggest boats at the time. Also, I like the way the Yamaha looked. Now its 2003 and I'm an addict. I need another ski. Two tow better than one in case you didn't know that....it's what my girlfriend now thinks anyway. So which ski to buy??? Any suggestions?

That is a fairly open-ended question. Performing a search of the forum would probably help you out. However, it seems that if you are after speed and want a 3-seater, you probably want to look at a Kawasaki STX-R (preferably an 02 model). If you are not so much after speed, the 4-strokes might be something to consider. A mix of speed and 4-stroke technology can be found in the Honda. That is what I am considering for my next ski. However, I think that I will give them one more year to work out the kinks.

-GT

You need a ski for your Girlfriend?
Just find her a good used/new XLT.

STXR is nice and fast, but, no reverse, minimal storage, and a little gas tank, they have a range of about 50 miles.

A better question to ask yourself is how you intend to use the ski, and then pick a ski to match it's intended useage.

Well, I was going to give her the GPR. Its pretty fast and she'll like it well enough. I put a D plate, free flow exhaust, ride plate, intake grate, sealed the pump, and just ordered a new head from riva. I was thinking maybe a 1300 for myself. I also thought about just buying a stage 2 or 3 boat directly from riva. I suck as a mechanic and everything after the head gets pretty technical. I trust my dealer as far as I can throw him and let me add he's a pretty big guy.

Its a hard choice between the new GP1300R and the kawi's... Id get the yamaha cause im a yamaha man..

Can you elaborate as detailed as possible what you will be wanting from the ski? What things are requirements, what are preferences, and what will you be doing with it. The more detailed the better. Also, what size are you?

[ 01-19-2003: Message edited by: Jarrett ]

First, I'm 5' 9", 185. I want a drag boat I guess. I Dont race cc or anything like that, but I bet it would be a blast. I want a stage 2 boat at the very least. I do alot of riding during the summer months, say about 60 hours. There alot of people with fast ski's where I like to ride, so I want to keep up. Last year, everyone was faster than me, with a few exceptions. Right now, I pretty much have a stage 1 boat, but the head isn't on yet, but I have it. I am still reading what you guys are saying about the stinger 3 before I add it. I talked to a Riva guy about a week ago and now I am leaning towards just buying a complete stage 2 boat from them. The stage 3 boats seem like alot of upkeep. I got a shop manual for my ski, but the carbs adjustments scare the **** out of me. The rest of it looks pretty straight forward though. The 4 stroke skis are the future, but I think I might let them get the kinks out before I dive off in there on them.

What kind of water? And what kind of skis are you up against? What beat your Stage I GPR last year and in what water?

I ride mostly on ther river. On a bad day its about 4-6 inches of chop. Some of the guys that ride there are on ultra 150's, STXR's, and GP1200's. I don't have a GPS, but on my speedometer I run about 68-75 depending on my fuel level. I'm guessing thats about 62 on GPS. I know my GPR is slow out of the hole, but it really hits hard all the way through the mid range. Anyway, on a new ski, with all the add ons I dont want to spend over say $20000. I have about $1500 in mine so far not counting the power valve job I just had done. I am gonna give the Gp1200R to my girlfriend when I get a new one, but what to buy?

I forgot, the ski that beat me was an ultra 150 on smooth 78 degree water with an air temp around 85. The guy said he had alot done to it, but wouldn't say just what. I'll be looking for him this year with alot of help from you guys and Riva!

If you are doing smooth water river drag races against a modded Ultra and you want to win, you either need a modded Ultra or a more modded GPR to beat him. I prefer the GPR to the Ultra myself, strickly for health reasons

I'd say call Carl @ Island Racing and tell him you want a turn-key smooth water, drag racing monster. That's his specialty. If not, then do a Riva turn key. Or since you are down near Fercho, maybe hook up with him. He has got the GPR's figured out. But either way, you need to find out what the Ultra is running speed wise, and then that would help decide what mods to do.