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What You Should Know Before Purchasing Used Jet Skis
Buying secondhand jet skis is a popular alternative to paying full price for a new model. Used jet skis are typically substantially less expensive while still giving the same value.
There are several disadvantages to purchasing old jet skis, but they are not always true. Contrary to common assumption, a used jet ski may be dependable, easy, and have much of the same bells and whistles as new versions
More Used Jet Ski for sale appear on the market every day, but not all of them are worth your time and effort. Buying secondhand jet skis may be a terrific way to get started in the world of personal watercraft, but it’s critical to make an informed purchase.
Buying Used Jet Skis: Some Points to Consider
There is a lot that goes into getting a reasonable price on a used PWC. Experienced owners know what to look for, making it very simple to distinguish between the excellent and the poor.
On the other hand, new purchasers may have difficulty distinguishing between good and bad offers, and there are several blunders they might make while purchasing.
These are a few things that everyone should be aware of when purchasing secondhand jet skis.
1. Conduct a water test
One of the most common mistakes people make when purchasing old jet skis (or even new ones) is failing them. Sure, a jet ski can operate when parked on a trailer, but how does it perform on the water?
Aside from demonstrating that the jet ski works properly, water testing allows purchasers to feel the machine. Test runs are vital because the overall performance and comfort of a PWC vary substantially.
Would you buy a car without first taking it for a test drive? A dealer may say it runs but don’t sell until the water test is complete and successful.
A water test should not be viewed as a pleasant excuse to go on someone else’s jet ski for a long. When riding, there are a few crucial things to keep an eye out for.
Always double-check that no warning lights are on and that all gauges work correctly. In terms of performance, ensure that the jet ski can sustain healthy RPMs even when fully throttled. It is usually somewhere north of 7000. However, it varies depending on the model.
Make mental notes of how well it functioned and any snags that occurred. Following testing, these are the questions that the current owner should be asked.
2. Understand what constitutes excessive hours on a jet ski.
The number of hours spent on a personal watercraft is one of the most important indicators of its use.
A jet ski should be used for 30 hours a year on average. Anything more than 30 hours a year is considered “high hours,” while anything less is considered “low hours.”
Although it is important to note that not all hours are created equal, a badly maintained jet ski can develop issues after only 100 hours, but a properly maintained jet ski can endure for far over 300.
When determining how many hours are a lot on a secondhand jet ski, there are a few aspects to consider:
Receipts for Maintenance
If the owner retains maintenance invoices, this is one of the greatest methods to identify if secondhand jet skis have been properly maintained. If they still have receipts for oil filters, spark plugs, and any other items they’ve changed, they’ve probably been a good owner.
Of course, wonderful owners can still exist who do not do this, but it is a good indicator if they do.
Who performed the upkeep?
Who conducted the work on the boat is something that many people overlook. Was all maintenance done at a dealership? Did the owner do it? These are important questions to ask.
There’s nothing wrong with owners doing their simple maintenance or tune-ups. On the other side, if they’ve made any big repairs, it may be a warning signal.
It’s fine for someone to change a few spark plugs, but if they’ve done extensive repairs, you should double-check their credentials.
What components have been replaced?
It’s fine if certain components have been changed, but failing parts should be concerned. For example, if the jet ski required a new hull after someone drove it aground, it’s a solid indication that they didn’t take care of it.
What kind of jet ski is this
The general kind of jet ski heavily influences High-hours. 2 stroke engines and supercharged engines generally have a shorter lifespan than other choices.
Model and make
Many of the secondhand jet skis for sale on the market are from out-of-production manufacturers. Despite being out of production for more than a decade, Honda, Tigershark, Polaris, and Wetbike are still available.
These models each have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. They may be excellent entrance points into the world of the jet but continue with caution. Some of these models are more prone to breakdowns than others, and their replacement parts may be more difficult to find.
Competent with a wrench has no issue working on their watercraft, but first-time owners are unlikely to desire the hassle.
How to Determine Jet Ski Hours
If there’s a speedometer on the dashboard, there’s also an hour gauge. It is something that all modern models should feature. It may not always be evident, and you may have to navigate through a few options, but the information should be there.
If you can’t locate the hours on board, you may have a local dealer look them up or search through the service records. If you still can’t discover the information, continue.
Consider a less expensive jet ski.
Often, prospective customers do not even consider acquiring a new jet ski because they believe they are out of their price range. While this was true in the past, some fantastic low-cost choices have lately emerged.
The Sea-Doo Spark starts at $5,399, while the Yamaha EX starts at $6,699. These are only two of the most popular low-cost versions; there are many more.
There are various low-cost jet ski models available that yet provide excellent value. They offer all of the latest features, amazing performance, and may yet fit into most people’s budgets.
Although
Determine the price of secondhand jet skis.
Knowing the fair market value of any specific model puts the buyer and seller on equal footing. Otherwise, it’s all too simple for one or both to be taken advantage of. It’s not difficult to determine how much secondhand jet skis cost, so there’s no excuse not to conduct some research.
For the most part, all current jet ski pricing is easily accessible. Even for used jet skis, fair values are easily accessible due to Kelly Blue Book websites. They even have a section dedicated to jet skis right now.
Even if some of these internet estimates are accurate, they aren’t always. Even if credible sources can provide up-to-date figures, it is always a good idea to check local markets. Examine any local catalogs for comparable makes and models.
Maintenance Logs
As you would when purchasing a used automobile, you should request to check the Jet Ski’s maintenance records. You want to know if the Jet Ski has been properly maintained and if it has been in any accidents that necessitated a substantial repair or rebuild. If more than one person has owned the Jet Ski, ensure that the records cover the whole duration of the Jet Ski.
Wear & Tear
A used Jet Ski will have some scratches, but make sure you properly check it for any severe damage, such as heavy rust. When purchasing a used Jet Ski privately, look at how the owner stored it while assessing the wear and tear. Did he leave it out in the sun? Was he wearing it in the shade? Was it protected with a cover? The environment may damage a Jet Ski over time. Therefore, one housed in a shed or garage away from direct sunlight will be in the greatest condition.
Check the Mechanic
If possible, have a mechanic inspect the engine of the Jet Ski before purchasing it. A mechanic can inform you if there is a leak or any other problem that you cannot notice just by looking at the outside of the Jet Ski. Be wary of vendors that refuse to let you inspect the Jet Ski before purchasing it.