PWC durability

[josip_voyager]

I will appreciate if anybody can share own experiences regarding durability of PWC. I'm considering buying new 4stroke PWC (probably Yamaha FX160 or Honda Aquatrax maybe Kawasaki STX 15F), but I don't what can I expected (number of failures pro year, overall quality, duration span...). I'm very suspicious while for example Yamaha FX160 has up to 10.000 rotations per minute (rpm)-at the same time for example outboards have up to 6.000 rpm.<br />Many thanks in advance for you answers.

 

[DJ]

Re: PWC durability

I can't speak for the four strokes. however, I'll say this.<br /><br />We have three in the family.<br /><br />Sea Doo (Bombardier)<br /><br />Yamaha<br /><br />Kawasaki<br /><br />The only one that will consistantly run for a weeks vacation is the Sea Doo.

 

[Seaboo2]

Re: PWC durability

I too cannot speak for the 4 strokes but with the 2 strokes when they are new they run like a top, as they get some age on them they do begin to act up. Reliability and maintance go hand in hand too.

 

[DJ]

Re: PWC durability

Seaboo, makes a good point.<br /><br />All three of ours are over three years old, the Bombardier (Sea Doo), being the oldest.<br /><br />The Sea Doo is always the most stable/reliable/fun.<br /><br />The Yamaha is a pain to ride. It porpoises endlessly and I've tried everything to stop it, to no avail. Do a search on Yamaha PWC's porpoising-on this board. It's fun to accelerate and spin, but other than that, you're in for a rough ride.<br /><br />The Kawasaki is underpowered and just doesn't seem to want to run, plus it will rattle your fillings out in any chop. Even though it should perform as well as the other two, it just doesn't.<br />The ONLY good thing about is that it sounds the "coolest".<br /><br />PWC's are hard to compare. I know this now. I will NEVER buy another one without riding it first, even though I do not like to ride them. The rest of the family does. <br /><br />I know, now, what a good one and a bad one is. I'll be the "official" family test driver, from now on. Funny thing is, that they (FAMILY) agree with what I say about the characteristics of these machines.<br /><br />DON'T buy one without riding an EXACT copy.

 

[BiXLL]

Re: PWC durability

DJ, have you tried washers under the plate of your Yami? How about "stepping" the sponsons? E-mail me if interested, I may be able to help you.

 

[MrBill]

Re: PWC durability

No question...the Seadoo (RFI) Rotax Fuel Injected 2 cycle engine is top of the line. My 1999 GTX is approaching 200 hours. Zero, yes zero, down-time in four seasons. In this neck of the woods 50 hours per year is a fair amount. I do full service, including winterization and impeller balance at end of each season ($250). Remove battery, etc.

 

[dhud64]

Re: PWC durability

Originally posted by BiXLL:<br />DJ, have you tried washers under the plate of your Yami? How about "stepping" the sponsons? E-mail me if interested, I may be able to help you.

I have a Yami gp760 that is bouncy as all get out. What will washers under the plate do? I've been told to add trim tabs.

 

[DJ]

Re: PWC durability

BIXLL,<br /><br />Is it something you can post here. Our machine as(asdhud64) is a 760 also.

 

[BiXLL]

Re: PWC durability

I have never used the mod on a 760, but it would be cheap to try it. It works very well with the 1200R, and XLL/XLT. Pull your ride plate off, add 2 washers for each bolt in the front bolts. You want the washers between the hull and the plate. Add 1 washer to the rear bolts, again between the hull and the plate. If you have the adjustable sponsons on the 760 (I don't know that machine) also try stepping them. In other words adjust the front all the way up, with the rear all the way down. Let me know if this helps your skis. Just be sure that you don't shim the plate in front so far down that your "scooping water". The object of what your trying to do, is change the angle of the plate in conjunction with the hull.

 

[DJ]

Re: PWC durability

BiXLL,<br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />Yes, the 760 has the sponsons, I've already done that. However, with the grate mods, it may help.<br /><br />BTW, what thickness washers are we talking about?<br /><br />Thanks again.

 

[BiXLL]

Re: PWC durability

That mod is not for your intake grate! It is for your ride plate. (Plate at end of hull) I don't remember what the thickness was, but use 6 of the same type. Again, be sure front of plate does not drop below the hull!

 

[DJ]

Re: PWC durability

Thanks, I'm glad you clarified that. I was scratching my head over that one. <br /><br />Anyway, I can now see what that would do and why. We'll give it a whirl.

 

[BiXLL]

Re: PWC durability

Did you guys try the washers? How did it turn out for you?

 

[dhud64]

Re: PWC durability

Have not tried the washers yet. I did adjust the sponsons before my last ride and that seemed to help a bit.<br />I have to say, I don't see the purpose of putting the sponsons down in the rear and then lowering the front of the ride plate more than the rear of the ride plate?

 

[BiXLL]

Re: PWC durability

I don't know why, all I can say is that I was told to try it, I did, and it made all the difference in the world!