Looking to buy first AM complete ski

Hello,

I have been looking through the forums and complete skis that are up for sale to get an idea of what is out there and to figure a budget.

I have a few questions and would greatly appreciate input from anyone willing to give honest feedback and experiances.

I am in south florida. I grew up on lakes and around watersports. I have been riding standups since I was a teenager (now 32). Mainly superjets and I had an 89 kawi 750 about 12 years ago that i got running and eventually gort rid of... my point is that I understand the fundamentals of riding and driving a ski but never adventured into any arial tricks beyond jumping wakes. Certianly no flatwater tricks and never been on any AM hull. I am setting my budget at $12,500.

Now, I am starting to look for a complete package that is capable of flatwater backflips, rolls, etc... I will be chasing boats and even the occasional trip to the surf (very rare occasion but possible). I have seen many recommendations for new buyers to test ride a variety of hulls to get a feel for what they might like... brings me to my questions:

Where in south florida are there gatherings of people that would allow someone to test drive their skis?

I am 6’ 2” and 190lbs. Are there hulls I should stay away from with my size?

Are there hulls to stay away from in general?

i have ridden built up superjet factory hulls with 701s, the kawi 750 i mentioned earlier but never anything beyond that. I want a ski that hits hard and has a ton of power for my budget. Is there a good powerplant that has a proven track record?

What is the life expectancy of engines? How many hours before they need to be gone through? Are there engines with longer life than others? Are there engines to stay away from?

Lastly, why or why not a RTP Krash 50 caliber flatwater? There seems to be little info on the site as to reasons for not going with them. The appeal is a turn key setup with a warranty for $12,500. The downsides I have read are that they are new and therefore parts may be scarce, there seems to be mention of inferior billet used for components, and you have to go through all of the mounting hardware in the ski to keep it from rattling apart. Is this true? Is the biggest reason for turning people away from them; because you can pick up a higher quality/ better performing used ski for the same money or even less? Does the warranty make up for this?

I plan on looking around for a couple of months to see what comes and goes as well as hopefully get into a tray or a few to feel different ski combinations. I am absolutly going to end up buying one but I want to make sure what I pay for is well worth the money spent.

I appreciate the feedback.

Jesus loves you because He knows how awesome and amazing you truly are!
 

Christian_83

Xscream
Location
Denmark
1. If you set on mainly flatware freestyle, you want a light well build and well designet hull.
If you ask me, a flatwater setup should always start with a good hull.
2. you will save alot of money buying a used complete setup.
3. the RTP Krash 50cal at 12.5K is glass. the carbon one is 16.5 if i remember correctly and is still almost 20lbs heavier than a similar "full spec" carbon flatwater ski.
The hulls i would looks for is:
Xscream, KDX, DVX; Helium.
Phantom carbon
Rickter XFS carbon (2015->)
LSP Revolver carbon (super short and wide hull. might be to short for you)
Hurricane C3.

Whats your budget?
 
Location
Illinois
Selling my hybrid havoc.
Has a 950 DASA
148 SKAT set back
I have it posted as Freestyle Havoc on here for a more complete build list. If you are riding salt i would be more than happy to convert it to a charging system with an msd enhancer (also on the original thread). I will sell it $11,800 with the charging system. Will also sell with the msd. See my other pist also, i have a 2 jet ski package available on here titled Havoc and 750 package deal20180903_154259.jpg
 
Location
Phoenix
Might be pretty difficult to find a nice flat water freestyle ski for $10,000. Used skis are still $20K for a decently strong ski to really blast you out of the water.

If your looking for a 1200cc mag pump etc, $28K+ used all day long.
 

Roseand

The Weaponizer
Site Supporter
Location
Wisconsin
Gentlemen, Thank you for the feedback. It has been decided that my budget needs to go up a little to get into something that will do what I want it to.

Thanks again!
I disagree. You can build and/or buy one heck of a ski for 12.5k. You don't need a billet PV motor to have fun on flatwater. I'm running an 800cc 5mil with oem 44s, a 144 mag, enhancer in a glass hull and flatwater flips and spins are a breeze. However nothing beats launching it off of a boat wake. You could buy @DAG s KDX, build it with a new/used but rebuilt 800cc motor, 44 or 46mm carbs, stock electronics with new cdi(Enhancer or zeeltronic).. Honestly close to any variation of pipe/pump/carbs and still come out for 12k or less. Just depends exactly what you want.
@yamanube is asking I believe 9500 for a ski that is easily capable of a single flip and a double with the right rider if not more.
 
Location
USA
I agree with Roseand. I was shocked what SS97 was willing to sell his ski for. You could never build a ski with that engine, pump, exhaust, and charging system he offered you for much less then $18,500.00. I learned the hard way you don't to spend allot for your first flat water ski, buy a ski that you can easily perform all the tricks on, perfect your riding and then build that next ski.
 
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