My buddy works on Jet ski's as a side job,so I help him every once in a while and we picked up two ski's from a guy a couple weeks ago to service. They were Honda 1200 aquatrax's, one was a turbocharged 4 stroke with fuel injection and the other was a 1200 naturally aspirated fuel injected four stroke. After servicing them we took em back to his lake house and played around on them for a little while and I must say they were the best ski's i've ever ridden. This may not be saying much for some people but all the other ski's I have been on were all 2 stroke's with carbs. The turboed one was a blast to ride feeling that turbo build boost and just rocket accross the water. The ease of starting plus the smoothness of the four stroke motors really sold me. I see them all the time on craigslist selling for about $4500. Like stated above, friends ski's are the best. I hate how much maintenance the things require but believe fuel injection and four stroke technology will be changing that.

 

numerous models these days come supercharged in the 200-300hp range but don't offer much more speed than older muscle crafts in the 150hp range. they're still fast in the 65mph realm.

i feel like the sober guy at the party on this next comment....
unless you have loads of money in one...6k+ in mods on top of a 6-12k ski, you're not going to break 75mph. people completely lose their bearings on the water.

 

Great info from all of you keep it coming thank you!

 

you should be able to find a 04 to 06 4 stroke in that price range..i picked up my 06 kawasaki stx-12f two years ago for 5k off of craigslist..it had 32 hours on it when i bought it..it's not the fastest ski but it runs in the 55-60mph range..we use it mainly for tubing and it handles all my tubes well..

 

I would have to see the speed on a gps to believe a jet ski was doing over 60mph. I wouldn't want to be on one over 50 since I a little older.

 

That's what I was thinking not too old but not brand new..... any suggestions for make a model in that year range that is a good ski? I do want slightly fast though haha really acceleration don't need to go over 60 mph

 

I guess you have not seen the new Kawasaki yet...

 

I like ny uncles 94 seadoo/bombardier. Round bottom is great for farting around. On good days it will hit 45 and I can spin it like a top at that speed. That's a blast skipping across the water at that speed

 

me personally if i was to do it over again, i would opt for the kawasaki stx-15f..it's the exact hull as mine but it has the 1500cc engine in it..mine is a 1200cc and it does great for me but i would like to have that extra horsepower..you still should be able to find a 04to 05 15f for under 5k..only thing i would suggest is checking over everything real good and take it for a test ride..if a test ride isn't possible then hook it up to a waterhose and run it for 10 to 20 minutes..

 

Get a 2 seater seadoo supercharged. Goes 65 MPHs. I have a 3 seater supercharged seadoo that goes 65 MPHs. Its so damn fun dude. Thing is so damn fast. But go with the supercharged over the turbo.

 

What year did they start the supercharged ones?

 

Great website tip been reading on it for a few days

 

Not sure. You gotta do some research. But I would highly recommend a supercharged sea doo over any other brands. Its a rocket ship and so damn fun. I have a 3 seater, but I wish I would have gotten a 2. Mine is fun and quick as hell, but the 2 seaters are more fun going over wakes and taking turns faster. But the 2 seaters are a rougher ride.

 

I hope you have friends who have jet skis. Unless you like being by yourself.

 

So true.