Yamaha Wave Blaster?

[BigBoatinOkie]

Howdy folks. I've been thinking about getting a PWC of some kind in addition to my boat. I really have no experience at all with PWC aside from having ridden one twice. I was really just looking for an older used one and have no need for a big three seater or anything fancy. Been keeping my eye on craigslist for something cheap and I ran accross a '93 Wave Blaster with trailer for $1400. I was thinking about trading my '01 Yamaha 660 Raptor ATV for it. The guy says it's lake ready with no problems. Does this sound like a good trade? I would like to hear from someone who knows a little about PWCs and Wave Blasters in particular. I've seen some on Youtube, and they look really agile, but to be honest, not all that stable. All the guys who will be riding it including me are at least 6'3" and 250+ lbs. Should I be looking for something a little bigger? Tell me what you think.

 

[Lrider]

Re: Yamaha Wave Blaster?

I want one of these for a PWC

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Yamaha Wave Blaster?

Honestly I'd avoid anything older than '96. Those are more or less at least 2 generations behind, and getting parts for them can be next to impossible. You could end up in a situation you simply can't find parts if something breaks.

'96 (at least on seadoo) and newer use a lot of common carryover parts. From what I've seen, you have to go a little newer on yamaha to get to that common part point.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Yamaha Wave Blaster?

Thank you very much. That's kinda what I was thinking might be the case. I'd prefer something a little newer than '93 anyway, but there seems to be kind of a cult following of the blasters, so I thought I'd check it out. I think these are the guys who like doing tricks and stuff though, like the stand up jet ski guys. Thanks again.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to look for? I don't have much of a budget, but there has to be some oldies but goodies out there. It doesn't have to be super fast or anything, but I don't want to get a model that's prone to fouling up or hard to find parts for.

I saw a '96 kawasaki ZXI 900 for 1300. How's about that one. He said it needs a tune up, who knows what it really needs.

 

[Lrider]

Re: Yamaha Wave Blaster?

A lot of the states and local jurisdictions are requiring the toys to meet resent emission standards. I am not sure about where you live and play, but here in California they are turning away PWC's for not being compliant

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Yamaha Wave Blaster?

A lot of the states and local jurisdictions are requiring the toys to meet resent emission standards. I am not sure about where you live and play, but here in California they are turning away PWC's for not being compliant

Yeah, but California is.....well.....different. Thanks for the warning though.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Yamaha Wave Blaster?

A lot of the states and local jurisdictions are requiring the toys to meet resent emission standards. I am not sure about where you live and play, but here in California they are turning away PWC's for not being compliant

The carburated 2 strokes are targeted big time. Some of the fuel injected 2 strokes are getting a pass...and the 4 strokes are 'home free' (for now!).

I have a fuel injected 4 stroke Polaris that is currently on the very short list for being legal on Lake Tahoe.

Buyer beware!

Having said that...the Yamaha's are the prefered brand for all of the rental busnesses. There has to be a reason....

P.S. The ratings have always been too optomistic. A two seater really only works for one large person...the 3 seaters aren't stabile unless the two passengers are child sized...etc.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Yamaha Wave Blaster?

I've always been partial to Yamaha with my motorcycles and ATVs anyway, maybe that's the way to go.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Yamaha Wave Blaster?

You think people with boats don't know how to maintain their machines? Well, Jetskiers (PWCers) are even worse, and to add insult to injury they beat the crap out of them as well.

I personally prefer SeaDoos becaue they ride and handle better and are just more "fun". On the downside, they do require more maintenance.

If I were buying used I would only buy a Yamaha, and then only if there were a dealer in the area.

A Waveblaster is just a model name, and I believe its a one seater. If you intend on boating alone all the time, it should be OK. But you really should look ahead. If you ever intend to tow a tube or take a friend along, a 3-seater is needed. On the used market, the difference in price in negligible.

Hours used is important, but like boats the maintenance is the most important factor. If I were looking I'd look for a '99 or newer Yami 3-seater. A fiend sold one like it last year and got $2500.

 

[mattb1974]

Re: Yamaha Wave Blaster?

A lot of the states and local jurisdictions are requiring the toys to meet resent emission standards. I am not sure about where you live and play, but here in California they are turning away PWC's for not being compliant

california=FAIL

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Yamaha Wave Blaster?

You think people with boats don't know how to maintain their machines? Well, Jetskiers (PWCers) are even worse, and to add insult to injury they beat the crap out of them as well.

I personally prefer SeaDoos becaue they ride and handle better and are just more "fun". On the downside, they do require more maintenance.

If I were buying used I would only buy a Yamaha, and then only if there were a dealer in the area.

A Waveblaster is just a model name, and I believe its a one seater. If you intend on boating alone all the time, it should be OK. But you really should look ahead. If you ever intend to tow a tube or take a friend along, a 3-seater is needed. On the used market, the difference in price in negligible.

Hours used is important, but like boats the maintenance is the most important factor. If I were looking I'd look for a '99 or newer Yami 3-seater. A fiend sold one like it last year and got $2500.

Thanks for the advice. I know I don't want a 3 seater for sure. I have a boat for pulling skiers and tubers and such. The one seaters do seem a little small though for a big guy like myself. I don't mind maintenance either. As long as I can get parts, I'm good to go. I'll do all the maintenance and repair work myself.

california=FAIL

Couldn't have said it better myself

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Yamaha Wave Blaster?

in your price range, i'd look for any seadoo with a 787 engine. (also referred to as a 800 cc also) Rock solid engines, and dirt cheap if it ever does pop. The spx (racing model, one seater more or less) had it, as well as the gsx non-limited. (I think gtx also had it in one model, as well as that weird seadoo 3D contraption.)

(disclaimer, I've got a '98 spx and a '97 gsx, both with the 787 engines. Haven't had a single problem in many years. Also know quite a few people with them, and outside of the grey fuel line issue, they are great)

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Yamaha Wave Blaster?

Okay, hows about this one. Doesn't give the engine size, but it's gsx 110 hp.http://fortsmith.craigslist.org/boa/1736708199.html

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Yamaha Wave Blaster?

Okay, hows about this one. Doesn't give the engine size, but it's gsx 110 hp.http://fortsmith.craigslist.org/boa/1736708199.html

the 110 hp is a 787. With that one you also have an electronic engine hour display, so you have a fairly reliable way to check hours. (can't be user-reset, its encoded in the MPEM computer)

 

[Lrider]

Re: Yamaha Wave Blaster?

Okay, hows about this one. Doesn't give the engine size, but it's gsx 110 hp.http://fortsmith.craigslist.org/boa/1736708199.html

The one thing that would make me think twice is when you plug in the phone number and Get; (918) 658-8569. DUSTY'S COLLISION CENTER

Rebuilt ! ! !

 

[cpubud]

Re: Yamaha Wave Blaster?

I just picked up a 93 wr500r yamaha with a 98 load rite trailer today for $600. in really good shape . as a play toy for the daughter. it runs great.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: Yamaha Wave Blaster?

I've owned many ski's over the years. From Kawasaki 550 standups, Yamaha Superjet standups. A Yamaha Raider 1100..2 seater 65mph, A Yamaha XL 1200 3 seater and a 96 Yamaha WaveBlaster.

The last 2 ski's I owned were the Blaster and the 1200. Both Awesome ski's. The WaveBlaster is a single person ski, thats it. Rides like a dirtbike on the water. Fun to carve deep into the water, jump wakes ect ect. Not too stable, and can be challenging boarding in deep water.

The XL1200 is a fantastic family ski. Very stable, 55mph ski, will tow anything from a tube, wakeboard, slalom ski..ect.

The Yamaha Raider 1100 was rocket on the water.
All of the Yamaha's were very reliable.

Here are a few pics of the Blaster and XL1200.

Lake Powell

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Yamaha Wave Blaster?

Thanks alot guys, this is great info.

 

[MrsBoatinOkie]

Re: Yamaha Wave Blaster?

Thanks all for your help!! We drove home yesterday with a 1996 SeaDoo SPX.

Even trade for our little used 4 wheeler. Few scratches and normal wear and tear, but everything is solid. Got to replace one seal that leaks water, but ski started right up for us.

We will see how it goes this weekend!!