I have raced PWC since 1990. There is a very simple choice for reliability. Yamaha. Sea Poo has great performing boats with good handling hulls. But Yamaha will have the most reliable everytime.

I might ad.....A Pro Superstock Runabout boat will run a person 30-40k to be competitive at that level. These boats will out accellerate the best sports cars made today. But the top speed on them is right around 80 mph for the fastest, best backed factory riders. I have a tough time believing someone that says they have a boat that fast unless it's a full Pro Superstock and they've invested over 30k in it. The World record held by Riva Yamaha is in the mid to high 80s and they spent A LOT $$$$$$ to get that.

Buck

Buck,

I got an ex pro-mod 1st generation GP1200 with a Dan Lamey R&D powervalve motor that has a fresh bigbore kit. Factory triples, Novis, GForce, Magnum setback pump, girdled head, MSD total loss.

Can't wait to run it (didn't get a chance last fall cause it got cold soon after it arrived, and when we had an odd warm day there wasn't any C17 fuel handy.. Is in short course tune with tabs and a scoop grate and an acceleration prop. S'posed to run mid 70's on the rev chip at 8400. Will give feedback after i get it wet, but my plan is to true the hull, lose the scoop, send the impeller back to Skat for a repitch, and see if I can get 80.

*******************

4 stroke vs 2 stroke?
The 2001 up XLT1200 Yamaha is a wonderful boat. Aside from starter solenoids and the need to ditch the catalytic converter, they are just about perfect for a 2 stroke 3 seater. You can find killer deals on them too.

They ride well, corner well, jump acceptably, accelerate hard, top out high 50's, and have a nice deep exhaust rumble. Lots cheaper than the 4 stroke and feel much nimbler due to the weight and distribution of it.

Only drawback on the 2 stroke 1200 is that it is thirsty and has a bit of mid speed vibration that comes back thru the bars just a touch.

Sounds like the boat is set up well. I bet it corners on rails. I think the biggest rush will be the accelleration. Probably unreal!

Let me know how she runs. It's been a little over a year since I last raced. I like to keep up with it still.

Buck

I still love my old 91 superjet Yamaha
starts everytime

TopDJ, you've got the rationale goin'. The ONLY real pwc's are the STANDUPS baby. Thing is, I've been riding them since I was 12 (29 now)...even a factory Yamaha 1200R (74mph) bored me after a couple runs. Here's my babies...

How about a couple of Doo's?

Look no further:

This is the ride I bought this past year. Rides great. You step on and it doesn't try to tip over. I think this is the mac daddy of ski's!! Its a 3 seater and runs like a bat out of HELL!!

29scarab,
Aren't they putting turbos on those Hondas now? Is yours turbo charged?

I have a couple I'll make you a deal on

I agree with mcollinstn. I have a Polaris 1050 that is a nice ski but when something breaks ( and it always does) parts are a pain to locate. Too few dealers for Polaris and a poor parts network. I also have a Yamaha 1200XLT that runs 64mph and is very reliable. All future PWC's will be Yamaha's. I took the advice of a friend of mine at a local boat dealership that does repair work but no sales of PWC's. He told me that by far Sea Doo was the least reliable and to stay away from them. He rated Yamaha the best followed by Polaris. However, now that Honda is in the game, I would expect them to be more reliable than Polaris.