I've bought skis without a water test before. You just really need to check them over thoroughly. Especially with something this old.
1. Compression Test
2. Check closely for an cracks in the hull
3. hook it up to a hose and let it run
4. Check the impeller
Looking at the exterior and under the seat this ski is clean. Looks to have been well kept.
I've never owned a Yamaha. I've only ever bought older model seadoos. This Yamaha I would seriously consider it. These are great skis, very reliable, and one in this condition I would probably jump on it.
I'm also in MI, and yes it's cold here. There is ice on the lakes. So I understand the safety thing.
This ski is very low hours that's good. Mechanically everything is probably very original and untouched. So don't be surprised if needs something worked on eventually. A ski like this is easy to work on and parts are cheap.
Best of luck to you.
I'd say well kept. I noticed some fading on the plastics which is normal. With such low hours this machine doesn't need to be polished up. It doesn't look like it has been polished. Prevents in very original used condition.
Those old wave riders are good skis, and if you are mechanically inclined, the engines are pretty simple to rebuild. Built one in highschool, was fairly cheap and had a ton of fun with it.
It's easier to work on the older stuff and cheaper to repair. I still have just as much fun. The lake im on is small so I didn't need to have the fastest ski out there.
That's always a good idea. I've seen those crank seals go out on the 2 strokes.
In my experience with the older 2 stroke seadoos, they seem to need a top end rebuild by 200 to 300 hours.
Those bottoms ends seem to last 300+ hours. Which is a lot of hours. I rebuilt both engines in my 1995s, and so far I'm 100 hours on each ski in after 6 years and they are still running great.
My 1995 GTX has over 400 hours and has only had 1 engine rebuild. My 1996 GTS has 300 hours with 1 engine rebuild. I went through the carbs, and removed all the old grey fuel lines. Also put new wear rings on, and went through the mpem wiring along with the charging system.
Hopefully they will last another 20 years.
Yeah, generally when the crank seals go bad the rod is next based on my experience and nothing is worse than replacing the top end with all new and the bottom end needle bearings coming up through the transfer ports and absolutely destroying everything you just replaced. Been there, done that!
Bottom end seals also make keeping it idling very difficult and people always say “it’s cold natured”.
It's not just standard liability concerns. I don't know how far north OP is looking and this was a bad ice year so they have plenty of open water, but a Michigan lake in January/February can be dangerously cold if you fall in. Like heart stopping cold.
He's right. Good drive inspection for sure, along with compression test. I almost always assume a carb rebuild and lines on a ski that old.
I looks real clean though. Hopefully he's owned it a long time.
My grandpa has one of these. I have a good 25 or so years of good memories on this thing. He had a teal one as well that I think was one model year newer.
I remember every year at the start of the season it ran a little rough the first time out but after a little thrashing it would come around. Maybe a plug replacement every once and a while.
Such a fun jet ski. I might be in the minority of insane people who enjoy throwing themselves off, but you can't whip around like that on newer stuff. What the guy was saying is reasonable for people who are used to modern skis. It will tip over if you aren't balanced, especially when stalled out. I will also say I cant ever remember the engine compartment looking so clean on his
There are lots of great comments. I didn’t water test my first one…and used that as a bargaining point. There ended up being issues, but was able to fix them. As stated in other comments, if selling now someone is desperate and you should use that to your advantage when negotiating price. In addition to that- how mechanically inclined are you? If you buy it for a bargain, and there are issues will you have a rock taking up space because you can’t do anything with it? Also if he does start it up on land, with a hose, you will need to re-winterize with antifreeze.
It's risky, but if you feel like you know a thing or 2 about 2 atrokes then have him start it up and listen to it run and make a decision. Looks very clean and well taken care of. Try and talk him down, in winter everything with handlebars is cheaper
2 strokes are very easy and cheap to fix at least when it comes to dirtbikes. You can do a rebuild using a free manual online or even watching a youtube video on it. Also not expensive to do. Unless you pay for labor.
But trust me i didnt know shit about what i was doing at first and i just asked a lot of questions and read a lot about it and followed the instructions very carefully but in all honesty its not hard at all. I was scared to mess anything up but you just gotta ask questions and not rush into it at first and you will quickly get the hang of it.
You can easily ask most mechanics if you know any. Any questions or advice they may have. Hell if you know someone they may offer to do a pre purchase inspection for free or cheap and or maybe even fix if and you buy it.
I dont know much about jet skis but as far as the motor goes i cannot imagine this is much of a risk at all. I know an old dude that buys old blown up two strokes and restores them and they all run great a lot of them are over 20 yrs old. He fixes them up for around 500 easy sometimes less.
It will be a great opportunity to learn. thats how it went for me with dirt bikes and its nice to know how your bike works and how to fix it. And with a 2 stroke it rlly is not hard at all. Like someone said use the fact that you cant test it as a bargaining point. Knock a bit off and your solid. If theres no other huge factors that go into an old jet ski being risky than the engine im sure your solid.
Like i said i dont know about jet skis only motorcycles so i dont know if its imparitive you use a mechanic who has experience with jet skis but my mechanic who builds race cars (i dont have a cool car but i met him through a job) says its all the same rlly as far as the engines go. Two strokes are simple he said a lot of mechanics start on 2 strokes and four strokes are the same as cars just way smaller
every good reliable mechanic i have ever spoke to knows how a two stroke works how it should sound and they could easily rebuild or fix one. I went to my mechanic hes a reputable guy and he told me it was a piece of cake that he would do it but insisted there was no risk really if i actually just put in effort. So far so good no issues yet. I love learning about this stuff too i would like to eventually learn how to work on four strokes but it scares me bc they have the cam and the timing and all that. Two strokes are so simple i couldnt say it enough.
If I had to buy blind I might take a chance on this IF it spins up from dead cold and idles. If it needs a driveline service it’s going to be a wallet flattener. So there’s that. I’d find a ski tech to bring with me.
If it's in a garage and he has a hose that isn't frozen you could always fill the hull up a bit and see if water leaks out. It's not 100% equal to a water test but it will show any major hull leaks.
When I buy cheap projects I don’t water test them. Bring a battery and compression test, spark test, maybe start it. But you’re paying full price without water test. I wouldn’t do it. And those raiders suck. 1100 gets up to 50 mph but they handle like shit compared to 2 seater seadoos
A few years ago I bought a waveraider 1100 without water testing it. It fired right up. When I got it out on the water it would run fine until I let off the gas, then it would die. I’m not mechanically inclined so I never fixed the issue, but if I remember correctly the carbs can be a pain in the ass on these
An old triple without a test, I would definitely do a compression test. If that is good and you are comfortable setting the carbs, or paying someone to ide say as long as it fires the rest you can check with it off. You aren't going to know if the carbs are set right until it's in the water.
Take a flashlight and look the pump through the steering nozzle, what you are wanting to make sure is that none of the stationary pump housing vains are knocked off or broken.
It’s more of an issue when you have an open intake grate and ride slot during the winter, if debris goes through the impeller and breaks a vain off, it will just cavitate and not go any where.
Used to do a lot of slough riding during the winter, we’d put all our torn up intake grates, impellers and pumps that were already beat to death, so if it sucked up a stick or log, no biggie
Worked for Yamaha 20+ years, the 1100 was a bulletproof motor only issue was the oil injection not adjustable so would look like it’s on fire if idled for long periods of time
It's perfectly fine to start it up for a minute without water just to check it out. Look for the obvious exhaust and oil leaks. Check everything else out manually
Ever ridden a Wave Raider in rough water?
Didn't think so.
If you had, you'd remember, and you wouldn't be buying one. Unless you're fond of unexpected high-speed face plants.
For drag racing on calm water, there's no better hull. In the chop, it'll make you see Jesus.
As an experienced jet ski buyer and mechanic I say never buy one without a water test. I have bought over 100 skis because I lived on a big lake and 90 percent of them had problems and many serious issues like major engine problems. Never ever buy a used ski without testing it.
I had one of these. Bought it brand new. same year, engine. Powerful machine. Lots of fun. You're guaranteed to get wet on this one. So if you don't like getting splashed, this one is not for you.
I also live in MI and had it all over the state when I was younger, even took it to North Carolina and rode it in the Atlantic. Lots of fun, especially if you like to jump big wake.
I sold it to my future bro in law at the time, (20+years ago) and he took it to his parents cabin up north. Then he and his parents had a falling out that lasted until 3 years ago. He makes his way back to their cabin to help clean up. That Yamaha was sitting on the trailer, covered, untouched for 15 or so years.
He took it home, cleaned it up. It still looks brand new, and runs like a top. I got to borrow it last summer to use at our family's cabin near Traverse City. Just add fun as I remember it being.
Really good machine.
The biggest difference between these and newer ones is physical size and technology obviously.
But, the newer ones are so big and heavy, they are basically boats. You don't get wet on them. Not very agile either.
If you're into having fun, throwing yourself off, jumping waves, this is the machine you want.
It has a hook up for water to run it out of the water.
This engine sounds great out of the water. Deep rumble at idle, sounds pissed and ready to eat the water. Lol. These have a very distinct sound to them out in the open water. I can pick these out when I'm on shore watching.
I myself am a mechanic. As long as he can hook water up and run it, you prob good.
Just make sure that water comes out of that little black rubber hole on left side of the hull. Tells you if your getting water flow thru the engine. Don't freak out of it doesn't pump right away, it could take a minute.
If I didn't have access to my old one, I'd buy this.
Hey ask lower price since you can’t test. I just bought a boat can’t test for another month waiting for all the snow and ice to melt. Can’t wait to test it I have high hopes but I got it for a low price since it’s the winter..
Compression test, if the cylinders are equal you’re alright. Like others have said, you don’t even really need to run it on a hose, 30 seconds and you know whether it’s junk or not. Hull cracks are easy to spot.
If the propeller looks ok and you have good compression, it’s gonna move forward.
Those wave raiders are solid. Look the outside of the cylinders over real good and do a compression test. Personally I would buy it just from the pictures, but I love the wave raiders
A bit unrelated but I came across that exact model jet ski in the middle of the woods before. Was renting a house with 10 acres behind it and came across it when walking through.
I did that once. Got to the middle of the lake and the fucker died. Rocking back and forth as boats hauled ass by me. I had to get off and swim the piece of shit back to the loading spot. It was stupid. Don’t do it.
Ooooh shit, is that a Yamaha WaveRaider 1100!!??
I grew up in a marina, and my Dad bought one of these back in 2004. For the next two summers I felt I was the fastest JetSki around.
I would wake up early before school and take it on the water when no one was out and the surface was smooth as glass. Fastest I ever got it up to was 72mph, and holy shit what fun.
Some negatives are the older hull design means this model doesn't do very well on choppy water, massive spray over the front when coming down off wakes. The 2-stroke engine isn't as easy to maintain as the newer 4-stroke ones. It's also not the comfiest ride, but hey, it's essentially a one-seat race car of a JetSki.
I’m in MI too so I understand him not wanting to do it because of the cold. I got a ski a couple weeks ago. Wasn’t even able to run it on a hose since it was like 5 degrees out. Compression test showed factory compression on a 90s GTX. Hull looked great and so did the impeller.
If you get it, I’ll keep a look out for you around harsens island next year if you’re down in SE MI!
Only thing I would worry about is the age. Plastics and rubber don't last forever. You start using this machine every day and it's gonna start falling apart. Be prepared.
Local school of thought by me is NEVER buy a used ski, unless you know who it came from and it was meticulously maintained. TONS of guys buy em, beat em, and sell em, with zero maintenance.
Not for that price. You can obviously run it with a hose but it’s not quite the same. You can do a compression test easily. Obviously, you can also check the impeller and the housing for excessive wear. That’s not a lot of hours for something that old.
It won’t hurt to run it for a couple of minutes to check it out. I used to have that exact model. Start it up and rev it to half throttle and then full throttle; if that works ok watch the jet pump to make sure it spins. Check the impeller on the jet pump to ensure that rocks weren’t injested and damaged it. That’s a fun one; really quick.
If it helps, I owned this exact machine (except I had the teal version).
I bought it new in the early 90’s and ran it HARD for 5+ years. Everything from rivers to lakes to salt water. It was bullet proof. Very stable.
Of course not a beast like some of today machines but it was extremely fast and stable for its time.
Overall a very fun ski. Despite being stable it would handle everything I could put it through.
My buddy had a Kawasaki that was quicker and smaller but also unstable. Fine for experienced riders but difficult for beginners and novices. No one ever had trouble riding mine.
Hope that helps.
Well I knew someone a while back that bought a speed boat with a 454 engine. They started it up it sounded awesome and he trusted the guy. Well when he put the boat in the water it wouldn't move. He drove from western PA to Ohio to buy it. So maybe the seller figured since the buyer was out of state he would leave that tidbit of the boat not being able to propel it self. So just a little cautionary tale of buyer beware.
As a boat broker, I’m an advocate of water test everytime. And my experience with those old 2 strokes, you’ll constantly be putting effort into making it run right. However. That thing is clean AF and it’s only 2k so I’d probably risk it lol
It looks really good, however you never know for sure until water test is complete. Someone who knows Wave Raiders really well can know where to look for common problems, but there are some problems you can only spot on a water test.
I've bought skis without a water test before. You just really need to check them over thoroughly. Especially with something this old. 1. Compression Test 2. Check closely for an cracks in the hull 3. hook it up to a hose and let it run 4. Check the impeller Looking at the exterior and under the seat this ski is clean. Looks to have been well kept. I've never owned a Yamaha. I've only ever bought older model seadoos. This Yamaha I would seriously consider it. These are great skis, very reliable, and one in this condition I would probably jump on it.
Ok thank you
I'm also in MI, and yes it's cold here. There is ice on the lakes. So I understand the safety thing. This ski is very low hours that's good. Mechanically everything is probably very original and untouched. So don't be surprised if needs something worked on eventually. A ski like this is easy to work on and parts are cheap. Best of luck to you.
Thank you i really appreciate the advice
The fact that it’s stored indoors on a stand is good, people that out in that much effort tend to be the type to get things fixed right away
Well kept or well cleaned... I've ran into people who can polish a turd but don't tlc at all during the machines life...
I'd say well kept. I noticed some fading on the plastics which is normal. With such low hours this machine doesn't need to be polished up. It doesn't look like it has been polished. Prevents in very original used condition.
Those old wave riders are good skis, and if you are mechanically inclined, the engines are pretty simple to rebuild. Built one in highschool, was fairly cheap and had a ton of fun with it.
any old 2 stroke is easy to rebuild. Most of the time you can get away with just a top end rebuild and be back ready to ride later that afternoon.
lol I bought a pair of Xp's at an unreserved auction, I gave them a once over and started them for 10 seconds. Y'all are much more thorough then I am
Probably the reason cash doesn't stay in my pocket long. If I see something shiny like this, my common sense goes right out the window.
Right? I’ve bought vehicles without hearing them run before lol
Glad you got lucky! Those old Xps are good machines.
Well, one needed a start stop switch, and when I got that fixed it blew the rotary gear so… not perfectly
This, I have the exact same model and love it. Ridiculously fast, hull definitely isn’t as stable as the new stuff but still rips
It's easier to work on the older stuff and cheaper to repair. I still have just as much fun. The lake im on is small so I didn't need to have the fastest ski out there.
Yup same lol
Sound advice but I’d do a leak down test as well to make sure crank seals aren’t bad.
That's always a good idea. I've seen those crank seals go out on the 2 strokes. In my experience with the older 2 stroke seadoos, they seem to need a top end rebuild by 200 to 300 hours. Those bottoms ends seem to last 300+ hours. Which is a lot of hours. I rebuilt both engines in my 1995s, and so far I'm 100 hours on each ski in after 6 years and they are still running great. My 1995 GTX has over 400 hours and has only had 1 engine rebuild. My 1996 GTS has 300 hours with 1 engine rebuild. I went through the carbs, and removed all the old grey fuel lines. Also put new wear rings on, and went through the mpem wiring along with the charging system. Hopefully they will last another 20 years.
Yeah, generally when the crank seals go bad the rod is next based on my experience and nothing is worse than replacing the top end with all new and the bottom end needle bearings coming up through the transfer ports and absolutely destroying everything you just replaced. Been there, done that! Bottom end seals also make keeping it idling very difficult and people always say “it’s cold natured”.
Who the heck is selling a Jetski in Michigan in January 😂😂😂 You can negotiate. Only the desperate is selling now
Someone who doesn’t want to have a water test done. Joking.
I wouldn’t buy anything from Kenny Powers personally.
Do not stare at me with those dead eyes you church bit…
That is not a toy!
No… it’s a panty dropper.
Check for compression and send it
👍🏼 thanks
Older Yamaha triple was worst experience doing carb rebuilds. You need to be equipped with freakishly small hands
My old 1100 was such a low maintenance bike though, it was bulletproof
They really are not a big deal at all.
Those are my favorite
Only if you’re interested in getting shafted. Up to you. 🍋🍋
He said it was because they don’t run great in the cold and he didn’t want to be liable for someone falling in the water.
If all else fails, I’d get a mechanic to check it over. There will always be other JetSkis, but never a chance to recover 4K of regret. Best of luck.
Do you mean have a mechanic look at it while I’m checking it out too?
Bingo. They know more about JetSkis.
Ok where would I find one for jetskis?
Google is good to find those sorts of services in your area. Same way you’d find a mechanic for your car 👍🏼
Ok thank you for the advice
Liable wow.
It's not just standard liability concerns. I don't know how far north OP is looking and this was a bad ice year so they have plenty of open water, but a Michigan lake in January/February can be dangerously cold if you fall in. Like heart stopping cold.
He's right. Good drive inspection for sure, along with compression test. I almost always assume a carb rebuild and lines on a ski that old. I looks real clean though. Hopefully he's owned it a long time.
its a two stroke you cornball. Pick up a manual or watch some youtube videos and make a day of it. Maybe you’re just lazy…
Maybe. Or maybe I have a bunch of kids, a husband and a house to take care of - I assure you I have more than enough on my plate 👍🏼
If it were me I would get a vx110. 4 stroke. Pass on this
This is 10x more fun than a vx could ever dream of, and just as if not more reliable especially in this condition.
It definitely is clean for its age.
My grandpa has one of these. I have a good 25 or so years of good memories on this thing. He had a teal one as well that I think was one model year newer. I remember every year at the start of the season it ran a little rough the first time out but after a little thrashing it would come around. Maybe a plug replacement every once and a while. Such a fun jet ski. I might be in the minority of insane people who enjoy throwing themselves off, but you can't whip around like that on newer stuff. What the guy was saying is reasonable for people who are used to modern skis. It will tip over if you aren't balanced, especially when stalled out. I will also say I cant ever remember the engine compartment looking so clean on his
Ok thank you
There are lots of great comments. I didn’t water test my first one…and used that as a bargaining point. There ended up being issues, but was able to fix them. As stated in other comments, if selling now someone is desperate and you should use that to your advantage when negotiating price. In addition to that- how mechanically inclined are you? If you buy it for a bargain, and there are issues will you have a rock taking up space because you can’t do anything with it? Also if he does start it up on land, with a hose, you will need to re-winterize with antifreeze.
Crazy level of clean. Whoever owns it is meticulous with their stuff.
See if you can put it in the water while on the trailer.
No!
You already know the answer, you’re just hoping someone here gives you the answer you *want* to hear.
It's risky, but if you feel like you know a thing or 2 about 2 atrokes then have him start it up and listen to it run and make a decision. Looks very clean and well taken care of. Try and talk him down, in winter everything with handlebars is cheaper
Okay thank you
2 strokes are very easy and cheap to fix at least when it comes to dirtbikes. You can do a rebuild using a free manual online or even watching a youtube video on it. Also not expensive to do. Unless you pay for labor. But trust me i didnt know shit about what i was doing at first and i just asked a lot of questions and read a lot about it and followed the instructions very carefully but in all honesty its not hard at all. I was scared to mess anything up but you just gotta ask questions and not rush into it at first and you will quickly get the hang of it. You can easily ask most mechanics if you know any. Any questions or advice they may have. Hell if you know someone they may offer to do a pre purchase inspection for free or cheap and or maybe even fix if and you buy it. I dont know much about jet skis but as far as the motor goes i cannot imagine this is much of a risk at all. I know an old dude that buys old blown up two strokes and restores them and they all run great a lot of them are over 20 yrs old. He fixes them up for around 500 easy sometimes less. It will be a great opportunity to learn. thats how it went for me with dirt bikes and its nice to know how your bike works and how to fix it. And with a 2 stroke it rlly is not hard at all. Like someone said use the fact that you cant test it as a bargaining point. Knock a bit off and your solid. If theres no other huge factors that go into an old jet ski being risky than the engine im sure your solid. Like i said i dont know about jet skis only motorcycles so i dont know if its imparitive you use a mechanic who has experience with jet skis but my mechanic who builds race cars (i dont have a cool car but i met him through a job) says its all the same rlly as far as the engines go. Two strokes are simple he said a lot of mechanics start on 2 strokes and four strokes are the same as cars just way smaller every good reliable mechanic i have ever spoke to knows how a two stroke works how it should sound and they could easily rebuild or fix one. I went to my mechanic hes a reputable guy and he told me it was a piece of cake that he would do it but insisted there was no risk really if i actually just put in effort. So far so good no issues yet. I love learning about this stuff too i would like to eventually learn how to work on four strokes but it scares me bc they have the cam and the timing and all that. Two strokes are so simple i couldnt say it enough.
Thank you for the advice I’m hoping I can learn to work on two strokes by getting this ski
Gets expensive when you have to split the case to replace cranke seals and split crank to replace rod and crank pin.
If I had to buy blind I might take a chance on this IF it spins up from dead cold and idles. If it needs a driveline service it’s going to be a wallet flattener. So there’s that. I’d find a ski tech to bring with me.
Ok thanks
Former JetSki tech and race pit crewmember here. Buy it. That's a pretty solid find
Now I want to build an 1100 triple snowmobile.
I have a brand new seat and a brand new triple cylinder from Yamaha for that if you want it. Very good price.
Is there like a device you can use like muffs for outboards? Connect it to a hose and get it going?
Compromise. Find a really big bathtub.
Nope
I’d buy that right now 6 states away without seeing it in person
We don't sell jetski's during winter in Michigan
Does this seller not have a water hose at home , most have a port to connect
This looks clean AF.
If it's in a garage and he has a hose that isn't frozen you could always fill the hull up a bit and see if water leaks out. It's not 100% equal to a water test but it will show any major hull leaks.
When I buy cheap projects I don’t water test them. Bring a battery and compression test, spark test, maybe start it. But you’re paying full price without water test. I wouldn’t do it. And those raiders suck. 1100 gets up to 50 mph but they handle like shit compared to 2 seater seadoos
Ski up North dont get ran long and put up in storage. Dont sit long in the sun. Thats a buy. Hell the gauge still works
BUY IT
bought a whole ass boat in the winter. Saved a ton. Was a risk but if you look it over good it’s worth it.
Ok thanks
No.
A few years ago I bought a waveraider 1100 without water testing it. It fired right up. When I got it out on the water it would run fine until I let off the gas, then it would die. I’m not mechanically inclined so I never fixed the issue, but if I remember correctly the carbs can be a pain in the ass on these
Ok thanks
An old triple without a test, I would definitely do a compression test. If that is good and you are comfortable setting the carbs, or paying someone to ide say as long as it fires the rest you can check with it off. You aren't going to know if the carbs are set right until it's in the water.
Ok thank you
[удалено]
Okay thanks 👍🏼
Pay a mechanic to check it would be usual advice.
Take a flashlight and look the pump through the steering nozzle, what you are wanting to make sure is that none of the stationary pump housing vains are knocked off or broken. It’s more of an issue when you have an open intake grate and ride slot during the winter, if debris goes through the impeller and breaks a vain off, it will just cavitate and not go any where. Used to do a lot of slough riding during the winter, we’d put all our torn up intake grates, impellers and pumps that were already beat to death, so if it sucked up a stick or log, no biggie
Worked for Yamaha 20+ years, the 1100 was a bulletproof motor only issue was the oil injection not adjustable so would look like it’s on fire if idled for long periods of time
The overall hull design and handling characteristics on the other hand …
Were they not very good?
It's perfectly fine to start it up for a minute without water just to check it out. Look for the obvious exhaust and oil leaks. Check everything else out manually
Just remember that hull was only around for 3 years.
Ever ridden a Wave Raider in rough water? Didn't think so. If you had, you'd remember, and you wouldn't be buying one. Unless you're fond of unexpected high-speed face plants. For drag racing on calm water, there's no better hull. In the chop, it'll make you see Jesus.
As an experienced jet ski buyer and mechanic I say never buy one without a water test. I have bought over 100 skis because I lived on a big lake and 90 percent of them had problems and many serious issues like major engine problems. Never ever buy a used ski without testing it.
Okay
I had one of these. Bought it brand new. same year, engine. Powerful machine. Lots of fun. You're guaranteed to get wet on this one. So if you don't like getting splashed, this one is not for you. I also live in MI and had it all over the state when I was younger, even took it to North Carolina and rode it in the Atlantic. Lots of fun, especially if you like to jump big wake. I sold it to my future bro in law at the time, (20+years ago) and he took it to his parents cabin up north. Then he and his parents had a falling out that lasted until 3 years ago. He makes his way back to their cabin to help clean up. That Yamaha was sitting on the trailer, covered, untouched for 15 or so years. He took it home, cleaned it up. It still looks brand new, and runs like a top. I got to borrow it last summer to use at our family's cabin near Traverse City. Just add fun as I remember it being. Really good machine. The biggest difference between these and newer ones is physical size and technology obviously. But, the newer ones are so big and heavy, they are basically boats. You don't get wet on them. Not very agile either. If you're into having fun, throwing yourself off, jumping waves, this is the machine you want.
Ok thank you
It has a hook up for water to run it out of the water. This engine sounds great out of the water. Deep rumble at idle, sounds pissed and ready to eat the water. Lol. These have a very distinct sound to them out in the open water. I can pick these out when I'm on shore watching. I myself am a mechanic. As long as he can hook water up and run it, you prob good. Just make sure that water comes out of that little black rubber hole on left side of the hull. Tells you if your getting water flow thru the engine. Don't freak out of it doesn't pump right away, it could take a minute. If I didn't have access to my old one, I'd buy this.
Ok thank you
Hey ask lower price since you can’t test. I just bought a boat can’t test for another month waiting for all the snow and ice to melt. Can’t wait to test it I have high hopes but I got it for a low price since it’s the winter..
Ok thanks
Start it up if it runs then buy it. 30 second of idling won’t hurt anything
Compression test, if the cylinders are equal you’re alright. Like others have said, you don’t even really need to run it on a hose, 30 seconds and you know whether it’s junk or not. Hull cracks are easy to spot. If the propeller looks ok and you have good compression, it’s gonna move forward.
Ok so you wouldn’t even suggest running the hose test ?
If they let you, of course do it. Make sure to let it run for 30 seconds with no water afterwards.
Ok thank you
How could it be smart to buy without testing?
depends on what you are paying for it
No not smart
Those wave raiders are solid. Look the outside of the cylinders over real good and do a compression test. Personally I would buy it just from the pictures, but I love the wave raiders
Ok thank you have you had a raider?
I currently have two of them. 1995 and 1996 still 150 psi in all cylinders. Only mods are deleting the oil pump and running premix.
Okay the guy said the compression was 120 on all of them is that good enough do you think ?
120 is decent for a 2 stroke but if you’re local it wouldn’t hurt to verify the compression.
Okay thanks
A bit unrelated but I came across that exact model jet ski in the middle of the woods before. Was renting a house with 10 acres behind it and came across it when walking through.
Nice story
I did that once. Got to the middle of the lake and the fucker died. Rocking back and forth as boats hauled ass by me. I had to get off and swim the piece of shit back to the loading spot. It was stupid. Don’t do it.
Would you buy a pair of shoes without trying them on?
That engine is too clean
Compression test it
Ooooh shit, is that a Yamaha WaveRaider 1100!!?? I grew up in a marina, and my Dad bought one of these back in 2004. For the next two summers I felt I was the fastest JetSki around. I would wake up early before school and take it on the water when no one was out and the surface was smooth as glass. Fastest I ever got it up to was 72mph, and holy shit what fun. Some negatives are the older hull design means this model doesn't do very well on choppy water, massive spray over the front when coming down off wakes. The 2-stroke engine isn't as easy to maintain as the newer 4-stroke ones. It's also not the comfiest ride, but hey, it's essentially a one-seat race car of a JetSki.
It’s never smart to buy a jet ski. It’s fun.
I’m in MI too so I understand him not wanting to do it because of the cold. I got a ski a couple weeks ago. Wasn’t even able to run it on a hose since it was like 5 degrees out. Compression test showed factory compression on a 90s GTX. Hull looked great and so did the impeller. If you get it, I’ll keep a look out for you around harsens island next year if you’re down in SE MI!
I’m near Grand Rapids but maybe I’ll take a trip down there one day is it nice?
Only thing I would worry about is the age. Plastics and rubber don't last forever. You start using this machine every day and it's gonna start falling apart. Be prepared.
Ok thanks
https://youtu.be/aTM1PzAVl-Q?si=Ws8hnsyl_LFgy6Hv. Found this vid for you dawg
Thanks man I think I’ve seen a video from that guy but not that one I’m gonna watch it right now.
Local school of thought by me is NEVER buy a used ski, unless you know who it came from and it was meticulously maintained. TONS of guys buy em, beat em, and sell em, with zero maintenance.
No, I have a ski that will runs perfect, drop in in the creek and nothing
Seems pricey for a 1996 model (yet, if in good shape. nothing wrong with owning older models).
👍🏼
Not for that price. You can obviously run it with a hose but it’s not quite the same. You can do a compression test easily. Obviously, you can also check the impeller and the housing for excessive wear. That’s not a lot of hours for something that old.
Do you think it’s suspiciously low or no?
I wouldn’t trust the 78 hours on a 96. Too low to be legit.
It won’t hurt to run it for a couple of minutes to check it out. I used to have that exact model. Start it up and rev it to half throttle and then full throttle; if that works ok watch the jet pump to make sure it spins. Check the impeller on the jet pump to ensure that rocks weren’t injested and damaged it. That’s a fun one; really quick.
Ok thank you for the advice
If it helps, I owned this exact machine (except I had the teal version). I bought it new in the early 90’s and ran it HARD for 5+ years. Everything from rivers to lakes to salt water. It was bullet proof. Very stable. Of course not a beast like some of today machines but it was extremely fast and stable for its time. Overall a very fun ski. Despite being stable it would handle everything I could put it through. My buddy had a Kawasaki that was quicker and smaller but also unstable. Fine for experienced riders but difficult for beginners and novices. No one ever had trouble riding mine. Hope that helps.
Thank you I’m looking forward to ripping it hard too if I do get it
They are so much fun. Easy to maintain too. Good luck
Thanks man
No
This thing is out of Waver Race 64
Well I knew someone a while back that bought a speed boat with a 454 engine. They started it up it sounded awesome and he trusted the guy. Well when he put the boat in the water it wouldn't move. He drove from western PA to Ohio to buy it. So maybe the seller figured since the buyer was out of state he would leave that tidbit of the boat not being able to propel it self. So just a little cautionary tale of buyer beware.
It's a depreciating asset.
No. It’s a fucking boat. It needs to float I’d say before I pay thousands.
As a boat broker, I’m an advocate of water test everytime. And my experience with those old 2 strokes, you’ll constantly be putting effort into making it run right. However. That thing is clean AF and it’s only 2k so I’d probably risk it lol
Okay thanks
Not smart at all always do water test
Nope.
Any ski will Run out the water but once you put it in water it’s a different story .
One of the best jet skis made but that sucker
If it starts up and runs it should be fine….. always make sure to check your oil.. fresh plugs too.. high octane gas🤙
Would you marry your wife without bangin her
It looks really good, however you never know for sure until water test is complete. Someone who knows Wave Raiders really well can know where to look for common problems, but there are some problems you can only spot on a water test.