newb looking for ski buying advice.

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clintopher

Location
Virginia
I've got a couch (Yami FXHO) and it's just got me wanting a Superjet even more than I did before I had anything at all. Only way I'm going to be able to fund it though is to ditch all of my kitesurfing gear...that is if I buy a RN. I could sell one kite and one board and probably have enough for a SN all the while having a very manageable hole in my kite quiver. Best of both worlds perhaps...thoughts on that???

And on to the rest of the questions.

First, how much am I looking at spending to get a used superjet in good shape with standard mods? RN vs. SN...would a beginner notice? Will I want more than a SN has to offer down the road? How much would a used stock ski go for? Are there even any of those floating around?

Second, how much wrenching is involved? I know things are gonna break, especially in the surf...what breaks the most? How much do you spend a year on replacement parts? What do you keep spares of? What's the ratio of wrenching on things that break vs. general maintenance? How often do you rebuild the top end? What's your source for parts...ebay?...OEM?...both?

Third, for those of you who've got a couch and a stand up on a double trailer...how wide is your trailer? Just wondering if I need to rebuild the gate on my fence.

Fourth, what am I looking for when I go to look at a used ski?...common problem areas and not so common ones as well. How much compression is in the cylinders of a good running stock engine? On that note, I only want to run pump gas...where's the cut off for that if the engine is modified.

Anything else ya'll can thing of that's important to consider when buying a ski?

Thanks in advance guys.

Clint

p.s. Selling the couch is not an option. The old lady likes it as do I...plus, it's my fishing boat too. LOL.
 
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sflsurfrider

youll quickly learn that the couch will collect dust after you get a standup.

so, you can either sell a kite and buy a SN, or sell the couch and buy 2 RNs and a john boat for fishing.

thats the best advice i can offer. sorry.
 
tipafew

tipafew

Location
Grand Rapids, MI
You listed 4 questions there, but it looks more like 40 questions to me!

Only you can decide how much you like Kite boarding and if you want to give that up. Certainly there is nothing wrong with a square nose. Keep in mind I would strongly suggest a 701(94/95). There are more hood options and other stuff available for the RN though.

Expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $1500 for a fairly stock SN. Anything below $2,000 would be a good deal on a RN. Just doing some basic mods like a pipe, prop, intake grate and footholds will easily add another $1,000.

I don't really spend much on annual repairs........most of my money on my ski is buying stuff I really don't "need". Best source for parts is right here on the X.

The widest trailers are 102" wide. Build your gate at least 10' wide.

Stock engine will be right around 150psi compression. Pump gas is still good up to around 180 depending on other factors.

Look for stress cracks on the hull.

Sell the couch.
 
Shadow7874

Shadow7874

Location
Ocala, FL
A round nose has the same bottom deck as a square so if you can find a square with a clean 701 then go for it. Alot of people prefer Rns because of their look and the more options as far as poles hoods and such. Keep an eye out in the sale section of this site and if your patient you can find a good deal. My fx1 was on craigslist for 1500 and it's in great shape. Atleast you have the right idea and your starting with a yamaha. My 550 just collects dirt now
 
Big Kahuna

Big Kahuna

Administrator
Location
Tuscaloosa, AL
Shadow7874 said:
A round nose has the same bottom deck as a square so if you can find a square with a clean 701 then go for it. Alot of people prefer Rns because of their look and the more options as far as poles hoods and such. Keep an eye out in the sale section of this site and if your patient you can find a good deal. My fx1 was on craigslist for 1500 and it's in great shape. Atleast you have the right idea and your starting with a yamaha. My 550 just collects dirt now
Click to expand...

Even though they share the same bottom deck the handling is night and day difference.
 
Proformance1

Proformance1

Liquid Insanity
Site Supporter
Vendor Account
Location
New York Crew
My couch is useless now, except for long trips with the wife, so I understand. Kite boarding rocks, and a good modded RN costs about 3500 with everything you need to get started, SN is much cheaper. Make some extra cash somehow!
 
slickchaos

slickchaos

Chaos on a SJ
Location
Mass/NH
since i bought the SJ 2 years ago.. my couch got used only 5 times each year.. just to take it out in the spring and few times to give nieces/nephews a ride..

keep the kite stuff and sell the FX sho.. if u sell that you can grab a cheaper sitdown and a roundnose SJ...

i had the seadoo for 8 years.. now that i ride a standup, i regret not buying one sooner..
its a blast.though i ride mostly lake...
 
wydopen

wydopen

onthepipe
Location
Goleta the Goodland
clintopher said:
Only way I'm going to be able to fund it though is to ditch all of my kitesurfing gear...t
Click to expand...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO...sell any kite bigger than a 12 and any twin tips you have and then buy a square and ride a surfboard without straps...problem solved..the difference between a rn and a sn isnt worth giving up kiting..honestly i dont know how you can even consider that :squint:
 
C

clintopher

Location
Virginia
wydopen said:
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO...sell any kite bigger than a 12 and any twin tips you have and then buy a square and ride a surfboard without straps...problem solved..the difference between a rn and a sn isnt worth giving up kiting..honestly i dont know how you can even consider that :squint:
Click to expand...


We haven't had any wind worth a crap in over a month...it's got my brain all junked up. But I think you're on to something. I've got a Flysurfer Silver Arrow and a couple of boards that I think are gonna go up for sale soon. I love that kite, but if I've got a superjet I'm thinking I won't miss kiting in 10 knots.
 
wydopen

wydopen

onthepipe
Location
Goleta the Goodland
Yea ditch the pillow kite and get a sn. Kiting is frustrating when the wind is borderline anyways. I just have two boards and only have a 6, 9 and 11 and just don't kite when it's lite. I rode a square for awhile. They are good skis. Just get one with a 701.
 
Maxumflux

Maxumflux

Location
Knoxville, TN
if you are looking to buy a heavily modded fun freshwater rn sj i have one with RIVA gofast parts. 46mm carbs and a riva pipe. also has quik steer, skattrak, extended ride plate, and scoopgrate asking $3700 its a 1999..... has a the riva race kit on a 760 engine
 
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