rate of growth in freeride jetski?

[Balduccimoto]

Cost limits growth. Someone browsing youtube finds flatwater freestyle. He thinks it's kool so he takes a look around, but then finds out to do what they do it's easily going to cost $15k+. So he asks on a forum what he should do. We recommend a ROUND NOSE superjet that costs $3500+. "What do I have to do to flip?" We tell them "Spend $15k".

Motorcycling grows because homeboy goes on craigslist and in a hour he has a 90's sport bike for $1500. It's still blistering fast and way out of his abilities. Or he walks into the dealer and bends over to the tune of $400/month so he never feels that $12k purchase.

It's not simple and alot of people give up after not finding a good deal on a Superjet after a little bit. Problem is this is really not a easy sport to get into. People who are really serious can't even buy a new superjet because after $8k they are not even close to freestyling/freeride. If some powersports dealer were able to build *REASONABLELY PRICED* ready to roll freestyle/freeride ski and offer competitive financing. Guess what would happen? Yeah, i'd be trading in my ski. Think Rickter XFS with motor options. I know there's few who offer this already, but without financing options

 

[masterblaster]

very good point,cost does very much slow down growth of a not necessary commodity,especially in a down economy.IF there were a very affordable powerful motor and light capable hull,wonder what the rate would change to at that point,especially for a single craft that was truly capable dual purpose machine,affordable enough the "salt water" cries would no longer be heard...

 

[Waveblaster Tokyo]

Here in Tokyo the surfers hate the freeriders.

 

[makejetskiinggreatagain]

I think rickter really could pull off a RTR ski for sale to the public for under 15K if they ordered large quantities of all components and had them assembled in Thailand with the lower cost of wages, rent, basically all overhead. Engines and all would have to be purchased by Rickter at wholesale prices. I think if that were to happen the cost of each build would decrease dramatically. Think Henry Ford....assembly line....mass quantities....limited factory options. Maybe I'm just way off base....

 

[kevbo]

It seems like rider interest has shifted a bit from racing to freestyle. Overall participation in DFW is flat over the last 10yrs.

 

[JetManiac]

I think rickter really could pull off a RTR ski for sale to the public for under 15K if they ordered large quantities of all components and had them assembled in Thailand with the lower cost of wages, rent, basically all overhead. Engines and all would have to be purchased by Rickter at wholesale prices. I think if that were to happen the cost of each build would decrease dramatically. Think Henry Ford....assembly line....mass quantities....limited factory options. Maybe I'm just way off base....

RRP planned to do just that, but the problem is regulations. If you try to sell skis in any quantity, then you must navigate an army of regulations which are cost prohibitive for all but large manufacturer and even then 2 strokes are a emissions problem.

 

[JetManiac]

It seems like rider interest has shifted a bit from racing to freestyle. Overall participation in DFW is flat over the last 10yrs.

Understatement of the year.

 

[OCD Solutions]

I think rickter really could pull off a RTR ski for sale to the public for under 15K if they ordered large quantities of all components and had them assembled in Thailand with the lower cost of wages, rent, basically all overhead. Engines and all would have to be purchased by Rickter at wholesale prices. I think if that were to happen the cost of each build would decrease dramatically. Think Henry Ford....assembly line....mass quantities....limited factory options. Maybe I'm just way off base....

That's a great idea, I wonder why others like Yamaha and Kawasaki haven't jumped on that golden opportunity...oh wait...

 

[JRock637]

I'm pretty new myself ( going on 3rd season ) and from what I seen its growing for sure. Here in Maryland alone over 15 ppl I know got skis in the last year from never having any. They are into surf/large yatch chasing. Since that's what we have tons of and easy access to.

All the cool videos coming out on the large events helps promo the sport. As well as the smaller personal vids of a group of friends riding like oside crew and Florida guys make. Def give cred to them guys for making vids to gather new faces.

Next look how alive Craigslist is again with all the older skis selling that have been sitting since the 90s. So that's a stride back out of the slump forward.

At our local public marina we show up as a group to ride and everyone loves to come chat and look at the skis. Kinda cool to see so much general people interested. Even get alot of couch rides saying " dude I want one of them. That looks way more fun "

 

[OCD Solutions]

Why must everything be cheaper? Why can't work harder or smarter ever be the solution? Why must everything come to you?

RANT: I worked a 16hr shift yesterday, got 4 hours sleep and was back at work at 6am this morning. I ran in to Walmart at 1:30am this morning to grab some supplies and there was a guy in the parking lot begging for change. I work hard for the things I have and nothing pisses me off more than people trying to coast thru life looking for a handout so they can get away with doing the absolute bare minimum. Everyone wants what everybody else has but are seldom willing to do what it takes to actually earn it. We all have an obligation to add value to this planet or get the F off it!

I pity the person I ever catch in my home with their hands on any of the things I have worked so hard to obtain.

 

[MADMAT]

40-45 hours a week is PLENTY!! F 16 hour days!!! Always and forever! Anyone doing them has their priorities wrong IMO. I would quit and be toyless before working 16 hour days.

 

[OCD Solutions]

16hrs is not a typical workday. I pulled a double because my counterpart had to fly to another customers site for an emergency repair. I never argue with triple time, especially when I mostly sit and babysit running equipment.

 

[MADMAT]

I suppose some very rare exceptions! LOL. I just remember being hit for forced doubles when I was a Sheriff due to losers not feeling like coming in! It left a mark on me and I will never let myself get in that position again.....maybe when I'm really old and just want something to do rather that lie around in pain....lol.

 

[makejetskiinggreatagain]

That's a great idea, I wonder why others like Yamaha and Kawasaki haven't jumped on that golden opportunity...oh wait...

You really don't think Yamaha would sell ten times the skis if they released something worth a damn? No one wants to spend 9 k on something that really doesn't fit their style of riding. Freestyle is the market right now. If they, or anyone else, released an affordable freestyle ski I doubt they would have trouble with sales.

 

[makejetskiinggreatagain]

Why must everything be cheaper? Why can't work harder or smarter ever be the solution? Why must everything come to you?.

Wanting affordable options isn't the same as wanting a handout. Some of us are at a point in our lives where we just can't make any more money. I'm a machinist and work 50-60 hours a week. Factor in taxes and i barely bring in enought to be in this sport in the first place. Dropping 25k on a ski will NEVER be feasable for me. I like my job and don't want to switch careers. I don't think that makes me lazy. I don't want a handout. I want options. I disagree with everyone who says this sport is inherently expensive. It can be affordable if a big manufacturer believed in it and came out with a popular design. The superjunk is designed for a market that is dead and gone, and then Yamaha wonders why they can't sell more. Maybe ford shoul release the model t this year and complain when only 6 people buy them

 

[jason184]

You really don't think Yamaha would sell ten times the skis if they released something worth a damn? No one wants to spend 9 k on something that really doesn't fit their style of riding. Freestyle is the market right now. If they, or anyone else, released an affordable freestyle ski I doubt they would have trouble with sales.

For large companies like yamaha it's all about percentages. The percentage of stand up sales is very low to begin with, the percentage of "freestyle" ski sales is even lower. Yamaha is not going to design and build a ski that they will only sell 50 of in the United States a year. Most people spending money on a freestyle ski want one custom detailed to their preferences, Yamaha can not produce a ski that suits everyone. Look how many options you have in the aftermarket world; material, weight, length, width, foot holds, trey size, rocker, pole, etc etc are all the deciding factors that go into which hull you buy. Each and every hull from each manufacturer has something different to offer.

And that's not to mention that regulations would not allow yamaha to produce and advertise a ski made for freestyle use. Look at all the warnings that come on a brand new superjet, I'm surprised the government even consider it safe to produce a jet ski that you have to stand up on.


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[OCD Solutions]

^^ couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[TheBuzzard]

TC sells complete rickters and they are a chunk of change. that means after the cost of all the parts, he makes some money on his labor and what ever. no matter what something costs to build, the builder is not going to sell it for a measly profit, just so some broke dick dog that hasnt earned it, can afford it. i see plenty of complete skis on here up for sale for less than the build cost. most end up getting parted. the bottom line here is, this is a cheap game if you want to ride slow junk off craigslist. if you want the best, you have to pay for it.

 

[OCD Solutions]

Wanting affordable options isn't the same as wanting a handout.

Ever heard the phrase "champagne taste on beer wages"?

Not a handout, and that wasn't what I was implying, but what you are asking for is a Corvette for the price of a Mustang.

Besides, whats wrong with the Superjet? Up until just the last few years the Superjet was the gold standard to which all freeride skis were compared to. Now suddenly it's an overpriced POS, when the F did that happen?

 

[TheBuzzard]

[quote="OCD Solutions,
Besides, whats wrong with the Superjet? Up until just the last few years the Superjet was the gold standard to which all freeride skis were compared to. Now suddenly it's an overpriced POS, when the F did that happen?[/quote]

it happened as soon as all these cheap AM hulls started being slapped together, making everybody think thats what they need to be a superstar.