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Best type of jet ski for use with kiting
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Post new topic   Reply to topic    Northwest Kiteboarding -> Gorge / Portland / Oregon Coast
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Woody

Since 08 May 2013
4 Posts
Hood River, OR
Kook



PostWed May 08, 13 2:22 pm    Best type of jet ski for use with kiting Reply with quote

I would like to get a jet ski for support while learning to kite. I have seen the Seadoo Explorer but think that it is no longer available. Any suggestions ? Thanks, Woody

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pkh

Since 27 Feb 2005
6549 Posts
Couve / Hood
Honored Founder



PostWed May 08, 13 2:46 pm     Reply with quote

I would think any 3 seater with low hours, and make sure its running good (they should be able to hook a hose up to it so you can fire it up.) We had great luck with SeaDoo, ran solid and had a ton of storage.

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Nak

Since 19 May 2005
4304 Posts
Camas
Site Lackey

CGKA Member


PostWed May 08, 13 2:56 pm     Reply with quote

Seadoo has an optional board rack that fits some of their 'skis. That would be really nice to have...

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caps

Since 23 Dec 2010
347 Posts

Obsessed



PostWed May 08, 13 6:01 pm     Reply with quote

This is about the time of year where I always try to talk my wife into getting a jetski. I've gotten really close some years. And every year after I do all the research, I seem to be ready to pull the trigger on a Yamaha. But by that time, it's early August and I say maybe next year. But I do agree that the Seadoo model with the board rack is sweet.

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stevegriffith22

Since 14 May 2006
434 Posts

Obsessed



PostWed May 08, 13 6:06 pm     Reply with quote

I worked at a jet ski rental place in college for three years.......Bottom line; I had yamaha xl's with 5000 hours on them that had never been rebuilt! Stable, easy to drive...... If it were me, for the purpose of being in the river, it will be a yamaha XL..

Very Happy yamaha is a FORCE to be delt with.

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pkh

Since 27 Feb 2005
6549 Posts
Couve / Hood
Honored Founder



PostWed May 08, 13 6:27 pm     Reply with quote

Yeah Yamaha's are cool too... really all depends on the ski and the deal.

Lots of good deals out there on stuff 5 years old with super low hours. Oregonians seem to be good at buying watercraft and then never using them.

We got ours for around $1600, had 40 hours on it and came with a trailer. Our biggest costs were maintenance, insurance, etc.. Took too much space up in the garage. But it was the best thing ever for teaching kiters and got us to some fun kiting spots.

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BeerKite

Since 29 Mar 2011
471 Posts

Obsessed



PostWed May 08, 13 7:07 pm     Reply with quote

Another vote for Yamaha. I teach on Jet skis almost exclusively and we use Yamaha 4 strokes. Knock on wood, they never let us down. If your budget can fit it, I would go with something like an 06' or newer xl 1100 or similar. After using a Honda and some older Yamaha's, the newer Yamaha's are way more stable. I have heard of a lot of maintenance issues with Sea Doo's but I have no first hand experience with them.

The thing with those racks is they become a magnet for lines and kites. We remove everything off of our skis to keep lines from snagging (mirrors etc...). If you want to use the ski to actually follow someone and maybe rescue them from the water, those are things you might want to think about. If your just using it to get to the good spots without having to ride up wind then the racks might be cool. And whatever you do, DO NOT get the jet near the lines while its running. You will be screwed.

If you can't get a newer 4 stroke then try to get the biggest thing you can find. When your rockin and rollin in the middle of the river trying to rescue someone, you'll really appreciate the stability. Yamaha also made a big ass 4 seater that I saw Sandi and Donny use in the Delta that was pretty cool. It had a ton of storage!

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Justsmile

Since 20 Jul 2009
1530 Posts
Not Portland
XTreme Poster



PostWed May 08, 13 8:28 pm     Reply with quote

The best one is the one your best friend has and lets you borrow!!!Smile

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SalmonSlayer

Since 27 Nov 2005
648 Posts

Addicted

CGKA Member


PostWed May 08, 13 8:33 pm     Reply with quote

F-One NW wrote:
Yamaha also made a big ass 4 seater that I saw Sandi and Donny use in the Delta that was pretty cool. It had a ton of storage!


http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/boa/3780091177.html

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flipper

Since 17 Oct 2011
320 Posts

Obsessed



PostWed May 08, 13 8:59 pm     Reply with quote

You don't need support to learn to kite. Just go out on a rockin' day at 7pm. Everyone is tired and gone. You will have the whole sandbar to yourself. Go downwind, walk up the sandbar. Repeat.

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jblum

Since 13 Jul 2008
306 Posts
The Gorge
Obsessed



PostThu May 09, 13 10:59 am     Reply with quote

flipper wrote:
You don't need support to learn to kite. Just go out on a rockin' day at 7pm. Everyone is tired and gone. You will have the whole sandbar to yourself. Go downwind, walk up the sandbar. Repeat.


Agreed. Pay your dues. Ski is kinda cheating.

...Or get lessons from a company with one. For $100/hour, you can get good instruction and jet ski support. Just think about the 40 hours of instruction you could by for the same price as a ski. Plus no insurance, gas, storage or fixing that shit when it breaks.

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Mize

Since 28 Mar 2011
31 Posts

 



PostThu May 09, 13 12:46 pm    Seadoo Speedster Reply with quote

I have a 2008 Seadoo Seedster. Not exactly a jetski but definetly handles like one. I have never used it for kiting but on the none wind days it is great to have. It can pull up a 300# wakeskater with 3 passengers on board! I would recommend it for kiting just because of the storage it has, not to mention you dont fall off or have to get wet.

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jasonq

Since 12 Jan 2009
247 Posts
hood river
Stoked



PostThu May 09, 13 1:16 pm     Reply with quote

If it were me, wanting to learn to kite, and feeling I needed a PWC to do it in the gorge, I think i would spend that money instead on:
a trip and lessons to hatteras/SPI/la ventana over the winter or spring.
then if needed
jet ski supported lessons in the gorge

you will very quickly become a better, safer kiter than spending that money on a jet ski.

I recommended exactly that to a co-worker, and he took a trip to hatteras a couple aprils back, learned everything he needed to in shallow water and with boat support, then was riding confidently upwind come june.

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Johnb

Since 02 Aug 2010
494 Posts

Obsessed



PostThu May 09, 13 1:42 pm     Reply with quote

jasonq wrote:
If it were me, wanting to learn to kite, and feeling I needed a PWC to do it in the gorge, I think i would spend that money instead on:
a trip and lessons to hatteras/SPI/la ventana over the winter or spring.
then if needed
jet ski supported lessons in the gorge

you will very quickly become a better, safer kiter than spending that money on a jet ski.

I recommended exactly that to a co-worker, and he took a trip to hatteras a couple aprils back, learned everything he needed to in shallow water and with boat support, then was riding confidently upwind come june.



The only problem with this is what happens when there is no wind. I did a SPI trip 3 years ago and got skunked for 5 day. If someone chooses this option carefully pick when you go.

Just got back from SPI last week and got skunked 4 of 8 days. Really only had 2 days of good wind at that.

For what I got in to that first trip I could have paid for a good number of locals lessons/ski support and made better progress.

One thing I don't think you learn at placed like SPI is dealing with the hazards that are on the Columbia. Bardges,ships, current, crazy gusts and technical launches.

I also did the buy a jetski for support deal. I couldn't find anybody to come ride the jetski while I was trying to learn to stay up wind and getting back to board. I think that tells me I have lame friends.

I did make lots of new friends saving boards and kiters thought.

I have a 1998 Yamaha GP1200, I would not recommend it as it is not the most stable ski out there. It did work but there are better options. Bill has a XL (I think) that is a much better ski for kiting purposes.

With that said I have a ski I will sell you Wink

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Blazeheliski

Since 30 Mar 2011
659 Posts
Mosier
Addicted



PostThu May 09, 13 2:19 pm     Reply with quote

Yes - I have an Yamaha XL 3 seater. It really is very stable and has lots of power. have not used it for lessons - but is carries a fair amount of gear and works well for kite support. It even has a fold down step on the rear making it easier to get back on from the water. Sadly - I may have to sell also - the tax man hit me hard this year ....... Sad

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C Johnson

Since 17 Apr 2009
854 Posts
Seattle
Opinionated



PostFri May 10, 13 1:27 pm     Reply with quote

+1 for Yamaha XL

I had a Yamaha GP800r I just sold. It was a 2 seater and even though it was nearly the size of an XL it was no where near as stable.

I'd say reverse is a must have too. Having reverse and neutral is huge for trying to dock and or coming up on someone in the water. The GP had neither and this was a PITA when trying to approach a dock with 2 people and a ton of gear.

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SalmonSlayer

Since 27 Nov 2005
648 Posts

Addicted

CGKA Member


PostTue Jun 25, 13 8:13 am     Reply with quote

SalmonSlayer wrote:
F-One NW wrote:
Yamaha also made a big ass 4 seater that I saw Sandi and Donny use in the Delta that was pretty cool. It had a ton of storage!


http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/boa/3780091177.html


http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/3893251972.html

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