Is there a GRM equivalent for Jetskis / PWC ?

I'm on the verge of closing on a house that will have all sports inland lake access.

I have no boat, no jet skis, etc. but would like to get into something to go play since it's right at my door step.

I'm starting with virtually zero knowledge base here, so just looking for somewhere to go lurk, rather than your typical buy new/compare new type reviews. In typical GRM fashion, I'm hoping to get into something on the far cheap end of the scale to get my toes wet. Even an old standup might be fun.

Is there a Miata of Jet Skis?

Thanks!

Eventually I'll want to move into some type of actual boat for skiing/tubing/wakeboards and such, but my son is only 4, and baby girl due in July, so I have a few years to save up for that.

Get a boat.

Stay away from canoes.

Enyar wrote: Get a boat.

enlightening thanks.

Many areas are beginning to frown on two strokes. You can buy them cheap, but you may not be able to use them where you want to.

A Hobie Cat is fast and cheap.

xflowgolf wrote:

Enyar wrote: Get a boat.

enlightening thanks.

He means get a boat instead of a jet ski. Jet ski's are pretty much hot weather toys.

pilotbraden wrote: A Hobie Cat is fast and cheap.

I have lived at, on, or near a lake all my life. Jet boats, ski boats, any type of pwc I have done it all

I have never had more fun on anything than I have on a Hobie 16.

24mph on a H16 is so thrilling nothing with an engine compares even at triple the speed

I have a 14 foot Checkmate with a 115 Mercury on it. I have no idea if it's fun or not, since I've had it going on 2 years and haven't got it in the water, but it sure looks like it would be fun. I swear I'll get it out this year. I would say this is could be a GRM equivalent because I got it for next to nothing.

Cotton wrote: I have a 14 foot Checkmate with a 115 Mercury on it. I have no idea if it's fun or not, since I've had it going on 2 years and haven't got it in the water, but it sure looks like it would be fun. I swear I'll get it out this year. I would say this is could be a GRM equivalent because I got it for next to nothing.

Really? 14? That seems like a LOT of engine for a 14 foot boat. As in, a scary amount of engine.

mtn wrote:

Cotton wrote: I have a 14 foot Checkmate with a 115 Mercury on it. I have no idea if it's fun or not, since I've had it going on 2 years and haven't got it in the water, but it sure looks like it would be fun. I swear I'll get it out this year. I would say this is could be a GRM equivalent because I got it for next to nothing.

Really? 14? That seems like a LOT of engine for a 14 foot boat. As in, a scary amount of engine.

yeah it's too much.....it's an old 115 too , so real heavy. The transom had to be reinforced to handle it. I'd much rather have a modern 50 or 75.

It really all depends on what you want. Heck a spam might be good enough for you.

That being said, my favorite all around boat would have to be a small Boston Whaler. A 13' can carry 6 people, you can ski behind it (even barefoot ski), fish, whatever. Very versatile boat. Waverunners/ Jetskis are fun for a solid 30 minutes and then you run out of stuff to do. Heck, my girlfriend's parents are trying to GIVE us a 4 stroke waverunner and I don't even want it.

pilotbraden wrote: A Hobie Cat is fast and cheap.

I agree with this. Though 24 mph is doubtful, I have a blast when I'm on my Hobie.

Enyar wrote: That being said, my favorite all around boat would have to be a small Boston Whaler. A 13' can carry 6 people, you can ski behind it (even barefoot ski), fish, whatever. Very versatile boat. Waverunners/ Jetskis are fun for a solid 30 minutes and then you run out of stuff to do. Heck, my girlfriend's parents are trying to GIVE us a 4 stroke waverunner and I don't even want it.

I agree with this in every way... Except that he is in the exact situation that is perfect for a waverunner/jetski. Assuming he can keep it in the water all the time, he launches it in late spring, and can take it out in early fall. He can walk down to the water (I'll assume maximum 10 minutes), go have fun for 30 minutes, walk back, and be with his family. In a few years he sells and gets the boat.

Oh, what in the world is a SPAM?

mtn wrote: I agree with this in every way... Except that he is in the exact situation that is perfect for a waverunner/jetski. Assuming he can keep it in the water all the time, he launches it in late spring, and can take it out in early fall. He can walk down to the water (I'll assume maximum 10 minutes), go have fun for 30 minutes, walk back, and be with his family. In a few years he sells and gets the boat. Oh, what in the world is a SPAM?

well I don't have an overnight dock unfortunately... I would have to launch it when used, and keep it on a trailer at the house for the most part. Unfortunately the launch is opposite side of the lake so only ~5 minutes by car, but a pain to walk to from the house. Once in the water I do have a shared dock area I can walk to from the house that's only like 3 houses away (I just can't leave it there overnight).

The overall concept input is appreciated though.

mtn wrote: I agree with this in every way... Except that he is in the exact situation that is perfect for a waverunner/jetski. Assuming he can keep it in the water all the time, he launches it in late spring, and can take it out in early fall. He can walk down to the water (I'll assume maximum 10 minutes), go have fun for 30 minutes, walk back, and be with his family. In a few years he sells and gets the boat. Oh, what in the world is a SPAM?

Why not do the same thing with a small boat, but take his family with him?

http://swmi.craigslist.org/boa/3769089964.html

http://fortwayne.craigslist.org/boa/3757315672.html

A couple of good deals in SW Michigan. I was sailing my 16' Hobie solo, in ideal conditions, when a friend pulled up along side in his bass boat. His GPS said 21 statute miles per hour for over a mile. I am anticipating sailing this summer.

I agree with this. Though 24 mph is doubtful, I have a blast when I'm on my Hobie.

All summer long my friend..

This was a solo run... I went faster several times over the summer... but didn't have the phone on board...

Average driving speed is effected by capsizing... as in conditions right to manage these speeds a capsized boat is still moving... Fast.

I sprung for an 05' H16 after getting hooked on racing... Some of the best entertainment dollars I have ever spent.

Much like car racing there is simply SSSSOOOOO much to learn to run at the top of a good fleet... And unlike other sailboats it is very much a "sport" when the wind kicks up...

I love it..

Maybe I am missing something but I have tried sailing a few times and I found it kinda boring... But may one of those Hobie Cats would be worth a try. Still a PWC looks like a blast to the casual observer.

93EXCivic wrote: Maybe I am missing something but I have tried sailing a few times and I found it kinda boring... But may one of those Hobie Cats would be worth a try. Still a PWC looks like a blast to the casual observer.

(a new guy first time out on the wire)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCWsDQBb_oc

Just a relaxing evening.

http://youtu.be/DPVIpmZEkhA

ronholm wrote:

I agree with this. Though 24 mph is doubtful, I have a blast when I'm on my Hobie.

All summer long my friend.. This was a solo run... I went faster several times over the summer... but didn't have the phone on board... Average driving speed is effected by capsizing... as in conditions right to manage these speeds a capsized boat is still moving... Fast. I sprung for an 05' H16 after getting hooked on racing... Some of the best entertainment dollars I have ever spent. Much like car racing there is simply SSSSOOOOO much to learn to run at the top of a good fleet... And unlike other sailboats it is very much a "sport" when the wind kicks up... I love it..

Nice! I'm sorry I doubted you. Never brought a GPS on my Hobie and I could have sworn I read a thread where the world record was like 23 mph but a quick google search proved me wrong. Hobie day in Daytona following GRM competition?

In reply to Enyar:

I am ready to sail after the challenge. Damn, I will get some looks dragging a Hobie from Michigan, behind a caged RX-7.

Make it happen!

How much wind do you need to have fun on something like a Hobie? I've really enjoyed sailing during vacations etc, but doubt I can get much going with one on the lakes we have in middle TN.

I'll second getting a boat rather than a PWC, but it's really a personal preference thing. How big is the lake? Most of the PWCs I've ridden have been fairly fuel limited. A couple of hours of fun can run the tank just about dry. A day on the lake would probably entail a fuel stop. My BIL had a Kawasaki that was a blast for about 20 minutes and then I was ready to get off. Yeah, 72mph on the water is fun, but it gets old and packing a lunch can be a little tricky.

Buy a boat, go make friends with people that have jet skis. Trust me, they will let you ride because they are ready to get off the things as well. They also need someone to carry the extra fuel and the cooler.

I'll also say, I find sailing to be a snooze fest in calm water. I've spent summers with a Hobie 16 and unless it's in the ocean with 3+ foot swells I'll pass.

If you want low maintenance and decent fuel economy get something like this with a 50-60hp outboard. You can ignore it most of the time and it will run all day on 12 gallons of gas.

For something to tinker with that can be a lot of fun, get an IO. I have one like this.

Top speed is about 60mph. Expensive to run though. Mine will eat 55 gallons of gas in a day without a problem. IOs are also higher maintenance. So are fiberglass hulls unless you want them to look like crap in a hurry.

Had both at the same time, boats & jet skis. I sold the jet ski's, because they were 2 cycle and most lakes are now requiring a 4 cycle engine. The boat wasn't used at all last summer, but the jetskis would have, if I'd have had them.

The jet skis get used way more than the boat and if you're trailering and launching you'll appreciate the jetskis.

BUT you need 2 or 3 jet skis!!!

Jetskis also will not eat you alive with expensive gas.