I am going to purchase a new (2003)ski tomorrow. The choices are an FX Crusier or the XLT 1200.

My questions are:
Is the 4 stroke worth the extra 1000.00 initial investment over the 2 stroke with the gas and oil savings?

Am I losing too much perfomrance if I buy the Crusier?

I plan on keeping this ski 5 plus years. What are people's opinions on one ski over the other?

Thnak you in advance for any assiatnce. I am new to jet skiing.

BTW, I ma buying my wife the XLT 800. Is this a good reliable ski?

Thanks.

I would go with the XLT1200. I am a little biased however as I just purchased a new 2003 XLT. Here is why I chose the 2 stroke over the 4 stroke. Top end. The four stroke has more hole shot power but fizzles out in the top end speed. The XLT does well at hole shot and still has the power to give you better top end. If I was pulling a wakeboarder or skier all the time I would have gone with the four stroke.

1998 XL1200 386 hrs
2003 XLT1200 7.6 hrs

i have the fx140, the 1200 will be faster. if thats what you want.and if your looking for speed, go with the 1300 165hp 2 seater. but i find the fx140 to be pretty fast and handles well,plenty of storage, good in the chop. overall great pwc.i almost got the 1200 but didnt like the storage (glove box extremly small) didnt want the 2 stroke oil to fill up or chokes to deal with. i wanted somthing simple, gas and go. but, the 1200 is a geat machine, i think i would have been happy with either, it was a tough choice! good luck

So...Which one did you get Precision??

The FX cruiser may wake up if you install the super charger set up that Riva is currently working on due out later this year

SeaDoo Supercharged 4tec. If you are buying a 3 seater this year and its NOT a STXR ( ) then the SC is the way to go.

The XLT is out since 99 (as XLL) and pretty much outdated as a performer and too much of a gas guzzler to be a luxury tourer.
The FX 140 is out of the game, totally, if you want a 4 strokes, see Honda F12X or 4tec SC.
If you want uncompromising performance, STXR, off course.
The XLT and FX140 will hopefully be replaced by the same ski, a new 4 strokes 3 seater with more guts than the FX, so if you plan on keeping it a long time, buy something that hasn't been out for years.
No comment on the XLT 800, good rec ski, watch the PVs, but as for your ski, I'd wait a little if I were you.
Actually if it's all about 2003 models, I'd picture you (if I may) with an F12 for her and an F12X (or R12X), and eventualy a SC for you.
11

[ 05-19-2003, 10:51 PM: Message edited by: 11 ]

All boats have positives and negatives. I had the XLL--most hp at the time, best hull for the ocean with "V" from the bow to the end of the ride plate. That "V" has been calmed down a bit: now both the XLT and the FX have a flat area on the ride plate.

I've zero'd in on the FX but would like to rent one first before taking the final step. Sounds like it drags it tail a bit on take-off, has an incredible midrange, and goes faster than anyone needs too and ever can in the ocean.

Personally, I don't want another 2-stroke for my next boat. If I was to get another, it would be Yam's 3-cylinder XLT--it's the best--and still: nope. It's a four stroke world now. A fellow rider just bought the last SD-RFI that I can imagine, just last Friday: a brand new out of the box 2001 for $4,200. They couldn't sell it and he loves SD's old hull and the low price so what the hey.

The SC from SD is totally out of the question for me and anyone who likes SD's replace hull. The engine must be hot but with SD, reliability always is an issue. And now, even SD's hull is an issue: it isn't good according to all who've ridden and written about it.

SD's new hull can't turn, throws a lot of water, and hits you right in the eyss with twin bb's off the hood. For me, SD's seat is a killer too: for some its fine but for others it's murder.

Kawa's got to be the best value going but it's seat heighth is too low for me. Too bad ... I like the idea of that 180 hp Ninja engine tuned down to 120 torquey horses and super low compression. It gets the best emission rating and probably the best mileage too. But, it's hull is still best in the river, not the ocean, which probably goes for Honda's hull too.

The Honda hull isn't much different from Kawa's hull: the actual hull in the water lengths are about the same, but the Honda's boarding step hangs out over the stern so its stats read like it's longer than it actually is in the water.

11, I have heard that Yamaha probably won't boost the HP on the MR-1 by forced induction from the factory and the current FX boats will probably stay the same for a few years, but Riva is rumored to be putting together a SC system for it possibly out later this calendar year and HP should be around 200-210.

Riva crew, can you confirm or deny the rumors?

Thanks