787 or 951? gsx or rx?

[jammin777]

hey guys, i'm looking at buying a seadoo after a 9 year hiatus when i sold my beloved 97 GSX. which i bought new and owned for 5 years. Ive been doing a lot of reading and have learned a wealth of info here. how much more unreliable is the 951 vs 787? from reading it seems the 787 is a very reliable motor and ive personally has zero issues with it when i had my gsx. it seems like i would like the power of the 951 for the added fun but dont want the hassle or expense if the 951 is troublesome. the hulls that i'm looking at is a gsx, gsxl, rx or 97 and up xp-xpl (probably be better to stick with carbs and not rfi right?)
but leaning more towards a gsx-l or rx. anyone with riding experiance of the gsx or rx please chime in on the difference in ride. and details on weather or not i should go with a hull with a 951 or stick with a 787 please chime in. the 787 was ok but want more hole shot without losing top end but also want to make sure i have a nice reliable and playful machine.
btw i intend on keeping whatever i get stock with the exception of maybe an impeller upgrade.
i almost considered a 4x hull but after riding a Kawasaki 4x i hated it! dam thing wanted to yank my arms apart when doing spin outs and rode very rough over chop. maybe the seadoo 4x is better? or should i consider a last gen xp?
please help and wish me luck!

ps yes i will have my compression tester on hand and will ride first before i buy.:thumbsup:

 

[Dr Honda]

Since you are looking at older skis... there are no guarantee's. But, statistically... if you want the most reliable... find a carbed 720 or 800 powered ski. (whatever model you like)


FYI... I have a '96 XP 800 that is running strong on the factory engine.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

doc is right, used is used, so reliability is more of a general thing that is dependent on the PO's maintenance, hours, and just general all around good luck, but with that aside, all things being equal the 787 will outlast a 951.

personally i never thought a 951 had more holeshot but more midrange thrust, allowing you to shoot from 30mph to 50 easier than with a 787 but i don't have any facts, thats just my opinion from riding various ski's.

the right impeller on a 787 with the right hull (x4 or gsx, not GTX) will give you acceptable holeshot IMO.

the x4 is my favorite SD hull, but its not suited for two up, and no it doesn't handle chop well, its designed to jump chop not barrel thru it... the gsxl is my second favorite, because it holds two riders well, handles chop better, but it doesn't jump as well. (you can't have everything )

so i'd rank them as far as overall fun factor, suitability

X4 787 personal choice, I like to be silly when I ride but its not for everyone.
gsxL ranking it higher because of top end regardless of dependability
gsx gets the #3 because it lacks the top end of the gsxl, and slight edge over rx due to dependability.
RX, gets the nod over XPL and GTXL because IMO its better looking (but lacks the storage capacity of the GTXL)
XPL a little tippy, but a nice cruiser, the only ski i've fallen off of when I wasn't trying to be silly, i just fell off...
GTXL gets the nod over the gtx, top end... but its not as sexy as the RX.
GTX sluggish IMO but quite reliabile, more of a family ski IMO.

in a perfect world you'd like a well maintained ski with lower hours on the engine.
You also must find a hull that fits your riding style and rider capacity... if you plan on riding two up a lot, then the x4 should be eliminated.
if your not worried about top end or keeping up with 4 strokes, then the 787 models are just fine...

and the 717 is generally known as the real workhorse of the SD family, but lacks the power that I personally want..

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

the 951 has more power and I think it's a simpler design (no rotary valve) however there's also a shorter expected engine life.

The GSX is a wicked fun hull that's fairly stable, light weight, and slides in the turns. The RX is more stable, but longer/heavier.

IMO the GSX is a more fun hull. It works well with either the 110HP or the 130. The 130 obviously having more GO.

the GSX hull is NOT one I'd suggest for long trips. It's shallow V and short length make for a 'harsher' ride than the GTX or RX would be.

however it does fit 2, and is wicked fun. the RX also adds reverse which is nice for low speed maneuvering.

 

[jammin777]

thanks for all the very helpful info! I agree that the gsx is very fun. i know in a perfect world that a ski can only be as reliable as well it is taken care of. after riding the gsx i had i found my self wanting more power and speed. silliness is what it's all about! but also like cruising in between the chaos. all responsibly of course. at the time i was very curious of how how i would like the latest gen xp for even more playfulness/power but never had an opportunity to ride one. i was intrigued about the 4x for its playfulness but i remember riding 94 Kawasaki zxi which i believe is a 4x hull but beat the hell out of me! that thing turned on a dime and would not slide at all which result in me hanging on for dear life while nearly yanking my arms off or get thrown off! plus you need a kidney belt while riding in any chop at all even at low mid speeds! are the seadoo 4x's like that?
i guess the key here is all about how well you take care of what you have so i wont rule out the 951 after all. I'm a auto mechanic by trade so i will do most of the maint/repairs myself and knowing water crafts are a different animal so you will see a lot of me and eventually will sign up for the premium membership.
i have my eye on a 2000 rx carbed. add say very low hours but being sold as a pair with a 99 gtx rfi with trailer for 4900. i will call and see if they would sell just the rx with no trailer.
my hardest decision is between the rx and gsxL but unfortunately they are a hard find near where i live but are plentiful back east. go figure. wish me luck and thanks again.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

Why choose? I currently own 4 skis with 3 hull types. (all 951s)!

Only thing left is a 951 3D! - I rode a 787 3D last night, and man was it just CRAZY silly fun.

My fav though is still my XP... the way it turns, jumps, and just handles... without question, always the XP is my fav.

 

[jammin777]

hehehe.. budget and and space wont allow me to have multiple ski's!
rx is gone so back to searching:facepalm:
yes the newer gen xp is on my list.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

OP.. if your a car mechanic by trade,, don't let a 951 scare you at all...
you have enough background and likely tools or access to them to have no fear...
IMO:
717 noob that will never maintain anything, just gas & oil & go...
787 average guy that maintains minimally but has access to a computer or mechanic
951 average guy that maintian's ski regular and has access to tools, ability to learn how to wrench on SD's and keep them running

in other words... i like to think that to own a 951 you should either wrench, or have deeper pockets so that repair bills won't shock you...

if your #3 go for it !

i just generally advise people with no mechanical background, shallow pockets, to steer away from the 951..

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

hehehe.. budget and and space wont allow me to have multiple ski's!
rx is gone so back to searching:facepalm:
yes the newer gen xp is on my list.

It's actually easier to use and backup a double trailer than a single

just sayin

 

[jammin777]

thanks for all the replys guys, much appreciated! ive been ferociously searching and nothing yet so patience must be a virtue. heck im on vacation for a few days and living near boise id i was willing to take a road trip to portland or any area within 400 mi radius and nothing catches my eye worth the trip! but i'm also being picky which is a good thing. thanks again guys and will keep you posted on my findings.

good point sabrtooth, single placed trailers jackknife easily. my 19 ft boat is much easier which is being sold to fund the seadoo:coolgleam:

 

[Ryan331]

For my opinion, I'll put it this way..

I have 2 800 GSXs..

And one 951 GSXL

And a 720 95 X4 hull

The 800s seem to do a lot better in chop, and my 97 GSX now accelerates right with my GSXL up to about 50 MPH, then the L starts pulling (and obviously has higher top speed) though in rough water, the GSX hangs right with it (flame arrestors, worx grate and prop)

Also, the 951 has had a lot more downtime for repairs with only 115 hours on it, the 97 is at 260.. (actually it's down now.. It's got an oil leak and the bendix is broken.. that won't be fun)

I don't ride the 95 much unless I'm going to a smaller lake

 

[jammin777]

For my opinion, I'll put it this way..

I have 2 800 GSXs..

And one 951 GSXL

And a 720 95 X4 hull

The 800s seem to do a lot better in chop, and my 97 GSX now accelerates right with my GSXL up to about 50 MPH, then the L starts pulling (and obviously has higher top speed) though in rough water, the GSX hangs right with it (flame arrestors, worx grate and prop)

Also, the 951 has had a lot more downtime for repairs with only 115 hours on it, the 97 is at 260.. (actually it's down now.. It's got an oil leak and the bendix is broken.. that won't be fun)

I don't ride the 95 much unless I'm going to a smaller lake

very interesting post and thanks! i figured the 951 would pull harder at take off but seems that with the right prop i can achieve that similarity with the exception of a few mph top speed. the 97 gsx i had , had only 60 hours on it when i sold it and had zero issues with it! just winterize/De-winterize, new plugs and battery and off i went. i would rather spend more time on the water and less time wrenching. when i find one i will make sure first off that the grey fuel line are replaced and all is in tip top condition before i ride
to try and avoid other issues. thanks to this forum with wealth the info, patience is key.

 

[motox25]

Don't think twice about the 951 (unless its a direct injected) I bought my first used ski last years its an 01 GTX with a carb 951. For me that is my personal choice, big with lots of storage and can comfortably carry 2 and uncomfortably 3. I love having storage both in the front and the back. It is larger and more stable but it is plenty fast enough for me with plenty of acceleration.

 

[Ryan331]

Don't think twice about the 951 (unless its a direct injected) I bought my first used ski last years its an 01 GTX with a carb 951. For me that is my personal choice, big with lots of storage and can comfortably carry 2 and uncomfortably 3. I love having storage both in the front and the back. It is larger and more stable but it is plenty fast enough for me with plenty of acceleration.

I've had my 951 GSX for quite a bit longer now than the 800s.. how many hours do you ride in a season? I love my 951 when it's running, but for wake/wave hopping, turning, just messing around the 800 is just as good and honestly, I've owned the 951 a long time, the 800 has always been rock steady reliable, just expected failures, even the boat's sinking at the dock, it had split o rings on the drain plugs and the carbon ring wasn't pretty..

If you want to fight a 4 stroke in straight line speed, yeah the 951 tops it, but in my riding conditions I get a lot of opportunities to jump, hole shot, turn, just make use of a light hull with lots of torque..

as it is, I have a hull full of oil (2" worth of oil" and the bendix is messed up on a 115 hour 951.. my 97 starts/runs/has like new compression, and I've abused the 800 a lot more.. Had it since 60 hours, its at 260 now.. had the 951 since 60 hours and it's spent more time off the trailer being worked on.. Maybe I got a lemon