snowxr
V watch your daughters V
- Location
- Waterford, MI
We make it as expensive as we want. The sky is the limit, but the entry level is very affordable. A decent SN might run $1500. If that's fun for you, enjoy it.
Is our sport starting to cost an arm and a leg ????
- Thread starter arkopellos
- Start date
- Location
- Visalia
I have 2 "stock skis", I enjoy riding just as much as the next guy. When its comes to putting big $$$ in your ski, i'll be more than happy to watch from the beach as you do a back flip 
Quinc
Buy a Superjet
- Location
- California
I see guys at the lake all the time on stock 440's, 550's, 650's etc that have just a big a smile on there face as any of the guys I have seen on the more expensive skis.
Quinc
Buy a Superjet
- Location
- California
The forums do not help either, if it wasn't for the forums we wouldn't know about all the stuff we have to have now.
Ducky
Back in the game!
- Location
- Charlotte, NC
This sport, along with any other, will cost exactly what you want to spend. Like many here, I can only afford to build a decently modified X2 or SN superjet for the time being. I also will not go into debt for a hobby like this, which is why I may differ from some. But I am totally happy on my 750 X2.
Soon, I will attempt a aftermarket build, but only now because I got a very large raise and will be living on a lake and able to ride everyday.
Soon, I will attempt a aftermarket build, but only now because I got a very large raise and will be living on a lake and able to ride everyday.
icecoled007
Captain of this ship
- Location
- Colorado
Its all realitive. A stock RZR 1000 runs $20k, and I am sure all of those accesories easily adds up. Snowmobiles can get into the $20k+ mark depending on your setup. Most nice entry wakeboard boats run $50+k and exponentially grow form there. Once you have one of those toys you need a $50k lifted truck and a $40k toyhauler as well.
Once you get into the higher end of a niche sport stuff gets pricey no matter what sport. $300 for an RRP chinpad does seem insane to mebut I am sure we also think that $1300 for a high-end fishing rod also seems expensive.
I agree with the low maintence/running costs. I pay $70 for a full year of unlimited lake access and usually only pay another few bucks for gas each week. Im not buying tires, chains, etc. A stock motor will go a very long time (my last 701 went 15 years without a rebuild - and the top end was still in decent shape)
But ya, its expensive. Gotta pay to play
Once you get into the higher end of a niche sport stuff gets pricey no matter what sport. $300 for an RRP chinpad does seem insane to mebut I am sure we also think that $1300 for a high-end fishing rod also seems expensive.
I agree with the low maintence/running costs. I pay $70 for a full year of unlimited lake access and usually only pay another few bucks for gas each week. Im not buying tires, chains, etc. A stock motor will go a very long time (my last 701 went 15 years without a rebuild - and the top end was still in decent shape)
But ya, its expensive. Gotta pay to play
DAG
Yes, my balls tickled from that landing
- Location
- Charlotte, NC
Once you master your equipment, regardless the sport, it becomes boring. You get to a point where its difficult to progress any farther until you add alittle more excitement to keep you interested. Some people progress faster than others, Some people are content with how far they have progressed or have ran out of money, Some people live by killer surf, and some people are loaded with money and can buy a 40k ski to learn on. Which one are you?
- Location
- Jackson MI
My only complaint isn't with the cost of everything.....it's my income haha. I have champagne taste on a beer budget.
naticen
Site Supporter
- Location
- wilmington, nc
A house near the ocean and skis to enjoy it was no blessing. Those were goals that I achieved.
I don't have $30,000 skis but I do have one that probably costs $10,000 to build and I'm about to build my girl the same so I don't know which category I'm in, but I do know I enjoy it more than I ever have and am perfectly fine with the money I have invested. The reliability, the performance, and even the carts and stuff I have that make it easy to drop in at multiple ride spots depending on tide or waves or time of day.
Half flip95
Formerly pondracer95
- Location
- Lake Havasu City AZ
DAG
Yes, my balls tickled from that landing
- Location
- Charlotte, NC
What do you mean its not right? Its an option lol
My resigning being the statement is if I was still riding my first ski (550) from 12 years ago I would have left the sport long ago. I enjoy attempting new tricks failing 100times and finally pulling something off. There is only so much you can do on equipment that's 30 years old. If "I" dont get that thrill of completing a new trick then "I" get board. But just because I get board does not mean others do. Going in a straight line all day long is just not my thing but many people like it I mean hell why do you think couches took over?
It seems the sport is more about keeping up with the Joneses.. I'd bet a lot are going into debt to have the nice ski's that took the older heads time to acquire as the progressed their riding over years or the folks that can because they can. I know that doesn't fit everybody (and F if I really care about your financials, spend on) but that is the way I see it trending for a sport that is so part time to most.
It's good in some ways as it brings money to the sport... But at the same time it hurts because it brings the assholes with poor ethics out in droves. Either schysters playing the used market games selling junk all the way to the "shops" like Trendfollowers.
Just sucks to see that it will keep folks away from getting into this sport, used to be you can get running ski's sub $1k and be set for some time now folks think a stock 650/550/440 is worth $1,500 -$2,000 or isn't good enough to be starting out on.
I remember various threads regarding increasing popularity of the sport, well it's almost there but not the good way of its heyday.... more like dirt bike, atv, car world.
It's good in some ways as it brings money to the sport... But at the same time it hurts because it brings the assholes with poor ethics out in droves. Either schysters playing the used market games selling junk all the way to the "shops" like Trendfollowers.
Just sucks to see that it will keep folks away from getting into this sport, used to be you can get running ski's sub $1k and be set for some time now folks think a stock 650/550/440 is worth $1,500 -$2,000 or isn't good enough to be starting out on.
I remember various threads regarding increasing popularity of the sport, well it's almost there but not the good way of its heyday.... more like dirt bike, atv, car world.
KTM434
Jamie FN Hickey
- Location
- Palm Coast FL
It's cheaper to relocate near surf than to build a $30k flatwater ski. This can be argued if you have your own business etc. but let's agree its a viable option
- Location
- Tempe, AZ
I am only 19 i had been put on and ridden around on a superjet and fx1 when i was younger, so i decided i would pickup a cheap ski so i could ride. I grabbed a 650sx for $200 rattle canned it and sold it for $300 before ever riding it, decided to just buy a sn superjet (i liked how it looked) after seeing superjet was the way to go on the forum. it wsant untill my 2nd trip to the lake i could stand up on it and i was hooked, on both the mechanics of the sport and just riding was way too fun. I asked my uncle what he used to take us out on and heard it was a 95 fx1 and 96 rn sj i really wanted more, he shipped me his fx1 for the cost of shipping and im really hooked now. in all honesty if it wasnt for the group in AZ of riders, i wouldnt have been able to afford replacing some things as they broke. My sn was flawless untill i swapped in a 701, then i blew the spark plug out of the hole and had to replace the head, had to replace the exhaust. Aside from $1000 for my SN and $300 for my Fx1 all i have bought is used parts and gas. i hit the lake every weekend from september-december 15th and then from january till current i havent missed a day on the lake unless i was just busy. maybe $400+ in gas/oil and the few parts ive had to replace. Best days on the lake is when you have a bunch of friends to ride with and watch blast boat wakes all day, then you can relax drink a beer or some sodas and talk about skis and get yourself stoked to ride again.
- Location
- Austin, Tx
I learned a long time ago that, as far as toys are concerned, if you do your research and wait for what you know is a good price you will almost always be able to get your money back out of it. I've gone from drum sets, to cameras, to paintball, to kayaks, dirt bikes, jet skis, and more.. All of these things I essentially "traded" one hobby for another. Sell what you've got, and buy another toy with it. Maybe add some scratch when you need to. But if you're buying for the right price you can consider it a savings account! Given you don't break anything ;D
I know what I can sell my gear for, I know I'll make a profit off of my last purchase. When you do lose a little money, just consider the amount that was lost and how much fun you had on it. Most often it's worth it.
I know what I can sell my gear for, I know I'll make a profit off of my last purchase. When you do lose a little money, just consider the amount that was lost and how much fun you had on it. Most often it's worth it.
Great explanation. Put in what it's worth to you and it's not to much. I have friends that race cars there's some serious money there, one has over 30k just in carbs on one engine. He has several engines and cars. I couldn't imagine spending that kind of money on a hobby.
Half flip95
Formerly pondracer95
- Location
- Lake Havasu City AZ
DAG,
thats the video game mentality. looking at it like its a challenge to complete objectives. for lack of a better word ill say that i think most of us have a surfer mentality. we're just out there getting wet and shredding with our bros.
thats the video game mentality. looking at it like its a challenge to complete objectives. for lack of a better word ill say that i think most of us have a surfer mentality. we're just out there getting wet and shredding with our bros.
makejetskiinggreatagain
Brandon
you've got your priorities straight. but me, I would take out a second mortgage on my house for a footrocket with a TPE 964 if it wouldn't cause me to get divorced lol
onlyFX-1
Jace Forest...BRAP!
- Location
- Lake Travis,Texas
Gotta pay to play. It's the same as any other motor sport.
I can have just as much fun on a limited SJ as I can on my DVX1200
I can have just as much fun on a limited SJ as I can on my DVX1200
swapmeet
Brotastic
- Location
- Arlington TX
I have to agree with the statement about always upgrading, mastering your equipment.
My problem is I have "the" equipment, but I seem to be unable to master it. I seem to lack the talent and balls for a BF, and that was my whole goal ever since I saw Lenzi do a BF off his own wake on YouTube some 6-7 years ago.
So now I have a ~14k boat that I KNOW can flip, and is a blast to ride 85% of the time. But my interest is dwindling... I'm hoping I actually get my replacement hull, so that it might revive my interest in the sport. I can't justify buying better equipment, there's no point.
I don't regret the money though. I never would have thought that I would have spent so much. I could have 8 used SJ's for what's in my Chan.
It is crazy that my Chan is still entry level for FW.
This topic comes up every couple years, but I've enjoyed reading the opinions and comments in here. Very good points. Especially about selling one hobby to get into another. I do that constantly.
My problem is I have "the" equipment, but I seem to be unable to master it. I seem to lack the talent and balls for a BF, and that was my whole goal ever since I saw Lenzi do a BF off his own wake on YouTube some 6-7 years ago.
So now I have a ~14k boat that I KNOW can flip, and is a blast to ride 85% of the time. But my interest is dwindling... I'm hoping I actually get my replacement hull, so that it might revive my interest in the sport. I can't justify buying better equipment, there's no point.
I don't regret the money though. I never would have thought that I would have spent so much. I could have 8 used SJ's for what's in my Chan.
It is crazy that my Chan is still entry level for FW.
This topic comes up every couple years, but I've enjoyed reading the opinions and comments in here. Very good points. Especially about selling one hobby to get into another. I do that constantly.