Chad... you are missing the point. If you have a GPS, pre-drilled holes, a stereo, and want to get into the upper 50's... then it's going to be expensive. Something as simple as 4 extra holes, and the threaded inserts will add $300 to $400 by the time it gets to the dealers floor. I know that seems expensive... but I'm a manufacture, and I know what a couple extra holes cost.
I think you missed what I was saying. Obviously a 'base' model wouldn't have all those 'extra' features.
I am saying I would like to see a 'base' model at an affordable price, like the $5,899 MRSP SeaDoo GS model was.
You are one of a very small group who wants a 2 seater anymore. People like the 3 seaters because they can tow a tube, and take more friends out. Also, they need the size because of the weight of the newer engines, and all the extra crap they put on a ski these days. One thing most people don't think about is that a modern 3 person ski weighs as much as the simple Sportster boat in my avatar. (it only weighs 950Lbs dry) SO... if you take that same drive system, and all that support gear, and stick it in a 2 person hull, you still need to displace enough water to make it float. Oh... also, people what to be able to move around on a ski without it falling over. (they want a small boat) I have a little Si that I restored last spring. It's officially a 2 seater, but with one person... if you get off center, you fall over. (FIY, it only weighs 380Lbs)
My GS & GSX are both 2-seaters, with PLENTY of room for 2 adults, the only people that ride with me on my ski is one of my kids. I couldn't imagine riding around with 3-4 adults on a ski, what fun would that be? Get a boat!
I did test ride a '96 Yamaha 3-seater with an 1100 tripple and I didn't have much fun at all! My wife was zipping around in her SeaDoo GS, doing spin outs and I'm driving this limo around the water. When we got back to the dock, we switched and she road the Yamaha, less then a minute on the water she tells me "If you want this one that's fine, but the SeaDoo is mine!", After playing on the SeaDoo, we went back to the dock again and I told the sales guy, We'll take the GS, but were not interested in the Yamaha. Thankfully they had my GSX.
I buy a Jet Ski to take out on the water and jump waves, do spin outs, splash around and get wet. If I wanted a boat, I'd take my boat out! From my understanding, you don't even get wet on a modern ski unless you fall off, which as you mention is hard to even do now.
I know the late 90's SeaDoo XP was like you are saying, under power it was fine, but the second you let off the throttle if you get off center at all you were in the water. THAT is NOT fun, but the GSX/GS hull is great! Plenty stable, yet still very nimble.
OK... with all that said... (and pleas don't take this the wrong way) but both Chad and evan are the perfect example of why my idea won't work. You guys both agree with me, but you both want features, and speed, but you want a cheap price tag. If SeaDoo built a ski like I an suggesting, no one would actually buy it because people don't want a stripped down ski.
Again, I think you misunderstood me... On a base model I don't want features.. The features I suggested would be for the $8k-$15k models, not a $5000-$6000 base model.
What will never make it happen is the 4-stroke engine.
There use to be no problem making a ski for $5000-$6000 that would do 50MPH, weigh 500lbs and be stable-enough..
But thanks to the heavy 4-stroke engine, and all the crap that goes with it, you need 150+ HP and superchargers on a limo sized ski to get it's but out of the water.
-TheChad
