"He told me that by far Sea Doo was the least reliable and to stay away from them. "

That may have been true on the earlier models, but I would put the new ones up against just about anything. I've had four sets of Sea Doos: 89s, 92s, 95s, and 97s. They have progressively gotten better each year. I have not had any major problems with the 97s other then breaking the skid plate on the bottom a few times from launching it. They are almost 8 years old. You just can't beat Sea Doo for all around performance.

I bought a pair of Yamaha FX140's last year and couldn't be happier with them. Turnkey reliable, fast enough, and great 4-stroke fuel mileage. I've attached a picture of a 2004 model.

I wouldn't EVER buy a sea-doo EVER... GARBAGE.. we jet ski with about 20 people and about half are sea-don'ts, ranging from 99's to 03's and they have ALL been through motors. I currently have 2 kawi ultra 150's and they have been very reliable if I was to buy a two stroke it would probably be the Yamaha 1300 R, but I find it like riding water buffalo, you end up bow-legged after riding it, that why I went w/ the ultra's. If it was a 4-stroke, I would go w/ the Honda R-12...

Ive got a 2000 yamaha 1200xl. Its a 3 seater with 155hp. I love it. Its very stable, cuts waves like a boat, and tops out at 54mph on a gps. Ive blown by people that go 80, and i have 2 passengers on mine. It does like gas, but i dont think of gas economy when i think of these. Ive never had another brand, so i cant compare, but i do know i have never had a problem with it (85hrs) and its a solid fast ride

btw, if your in austin, come by and ride it and make a decision for yourself

Fastest stock ski for the last 5 years has been the Kawi Ultra 150, which was 64-66 mph, second fastest ski is the Yamah gp 1200 at 63. The new Yamaha 1300 R is the easiest and cheapest to make it go 70's.. There are no 80 mph stock ski's and NOT Very many 80 mph modified ski's well there is one but the owner of outback steak house spent like 50 grand to make it go 83.

I have a Yamaha 4 stroke and a SeaDoo 4 stroke. The SeaDoo eats the Yamaha in performance in every way. I have had no problems with either and they have over 100 hours on them. Just my $.02

Has anyone ridden the 215hp supercharged 4-stroke model? If so, how fast did it go and how did it handle?

no, saw one at the boat show. guy there said 62-63 gps

Mine is 165hp Turbo Charged model!!

4-stroke model

Thing thing kicks some major Arse!!