http://baltimore.craigslist.org/boa/3339083715.html
This one looks like a good way to go. It looks pretty clean. It has a pipe. The price is fair. You need to look over it real good for signs of wear and make sure you are buying something that has been well maintained. There are plenty of posts on the forum about how to select a ski that wont break quick.
A starter is not a big job. You may not know how to work on a jet ski but if you are mechanically inclined you should be able to handle it. You just have to remove that pipe to get to the starter. You should be able to replace it w/ only removing the pipe. At least that is the way it is on my Kawi, I haven't had my SJ pipe off yet.
http://www.reachoo.com/ads/79256699?utm_source=yakaz This one isn't a bad gig either. A pipe and a head. The pole looks funny because it is from a 96+ RN SJ. It's not a SN pole. Usually you have to buy a bracket to make that pole fit. I do not know what the SN pole bracket looks like, but there's a good picture of what is on the ski. Maybe someone can tell you from there.
That would be a tough decision. The 1st one is simple and ready to go. The second one is a bit more expensive but looks like it has better parts. Again, I would say make the decision on which one is MECHANICALLY cleanest. When I say buy something clean, I don't mean pretty paint. Look at sit down ads, they always post pics of the hull and none of the motor. I want the up skirts, because the mechanical parts are what are important and most expensive. You can ride a ski with a
paint job, but you will be wrenching on a ski with a
motor.
I would lean towards that second one with the blue pole for $1600. On the outside it looks rough, but it reminds me of a car covered with bondo because someone is always trying to tune it to perfection and not wasting any money on paint. Power is performance, and you don't get any power from paint. Stickers however, they give mad HP, so buy the nicest motor and slap a protec sticker on the hull scratches.
Edit: Second one does say aftermaket pole bracket, water box, prop, etc. I'm liking that second ski.
http://www.reachoo.com/ads/79256699?utm_source=yakaz Lots of good parts that look real clean. All those parts installed on the cheaper ski would end up costing you way more than $400. I just spent almost $300 to get a similar AM head. That $1600 with a coat of paint, foot holds and some turf would be a sweet ride. If that thing is as mechanically clean as it is in the pics, grab it up, rock it out, and when you decide to take some down time, foot holds, turf and paint.
