GTX Limited is 260 vs GTX S 155

[apreni]

Well I've decided to go for one of this 2 PWCs now... I have some questions if you guys don't mind...
Is it really worth the $4000.00 difference???? As much as I can understand the only difference between them is the HP +100 extra and the intelligent suspension of 6inches on the is 260. the s 155 is 155HP and with suspension too but manual and 5.5 inches.
The question is, is the intelligent suspension much better then the manual wrench suspension? I don't really think that only 0.5 inches would make a big difference, but again I am not an expert... And second, is 155HP enough for me? As I said before all I will use my PWC is to cruise with my wife, and maybe 3 ppl sometimes, do some tubing every other time, and basically take me to nice spots for spearfishing...
Again I know that 155 HP its a lot, but that damn thing is 960lbs dry weight, I am 200lbs and lets say 300lbs for my wife and our friend??? The husband of our friend being pulled in our tubing?? LOL
I mean this is the worst scenario, but will it sink??? I cant afford to flush 13g or 17g in the toilet....
But again that's why I need an experts or an actual owners opinion... Maybe 155HP is more than enough for all I will be doing, so i don't have to spend 4g extra..
Thanks, Roni.

 

[strake]

Well, I can tell you from experience I would ONLY consider a model with the iS floating suspension. With that said, I'm not a kid any longer and really appreciate the entire deck, seat, etc floating so my back doesn't take a pounding. The entire suspension really does float up and down about 6" while riding and hitting boat wakes, etc. You don't need to set anything up, or crank any dials. Floats like on air.

When I replace our GTX iS 215 (2010) next year, it will be with another iS model. Likely the 260 hp. I am very pleased with the HP and output of the 215. They don't make the 215 HP any longer, or I would buy another one of those as it's quick and powerful. Our neighbor has the 155 without the floating suspension and he has no trouble pulling a large tube or water skier. Keep in mind, you can only have a total number of people on the tube and ski as the ski is designed for. We ride 1 on the ski, pulling 2 in the big tube as the ski is legal for up to 3 people. Our's is quicker off the line and pulls easier than the 155, but the 155 seems to do perfectly fine.

 

[red2blue]

I ain't an iS fan...but the drive alone would be worth the extra scratch to me.

strake...welcome to the board. I put in around R11 maybe see you on the water next year.

Just noticed...in va....you are required to have a set of eyes on those being towed...excluding those driving the boat...meaning....you are legally only allowed to pull one on the tube with a watcher and driver on your ski.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

..........Just noticed...in va....you are required to have a set of eyes on those being towed...excluding those driving the boat...meaning....you are legally only allowed to pull one on the tube with a watcher and driver on your ski.

you beat me to the punch on safety. I know in Michigan you must have a spotter. Therefore like R2B states that = 1 tuber, 1 spotter+1 driver.

All 2 seaters can not legally pull a tuber in Michigan

 

[apreni]

Strake, so basically you are saying that GTX S 155 is good enough, but you arent sure about the manual suspension???
Any1 else has tried them both??

 

[strake]

So I've asked, as well as looked up the law in VA and I can drive the ski and be the spotter as long as I have 2 mirrors. Our ski is legal for a total of 3 so I can pull 2 in the tube.

Just a month ago, we had the police boat riding up and down our cove while I was driving the ski and pulling 2 in the tube. No issues.

Red2Blue, we are at R25 on the Franklin County side of SML.

Apreni, I have to admit, my buddies GTX 155 does fine pulling my big tube with 2 people in the tube. He also pulls his son in law on water skies.

 

[apreni]

Strake, what year is your buddy's GTX 155?

 

[strake]

I believe it's a 2006, or possibly 2007. He bought it used this summer with only 16 hours on it and it looks like brand new. I know his doesn't have to be winterized, unlike mine.

Depending on your budget...... I would personally go for the 260. I've not tried one of the manually adjusted suspensions.

 

[Coastiejoe]

I own two skis. RXT-X 255 and GTX 155.

GTX rides like a caddy and the RXT is like a BMW. I LOVE my 255 hp. I will never own another ski without that kind of power.

It is so nice to go 40 or 50 MPH and the engine is barely working compared to the GTX going 50 and it is not to far from max RPM and Speed..

 

[red2blue]

So I've asked, as well as looked up the law in VA and I can drive the ski and be the spotter as long as I have 2 mirrors. Our ski is legal for a total of 3 so I can pull 2 in the tube.

To be honest...I tried to look up the regs...couldn't find any. Only one coming close says a pwc may pull "a" skier with a rope shorter than 50'. We all took our tests year ago...maybe things have changed. Makes you wonder why the wake edition has handles for a spotter to face the rear...huh? Anyhow....I'll give a shout out when we're ready to brave the first cold water next year.

 

[bell99man]

For cruising, I would have a hard time paying that much extra but I rarely see very rough water.

 

[Michael211_2000]

More ponies is always better, better to have the power and not need it than need it and not have it! If you buy the 155hp model and find it lacking, there's not alot you can reasonable do about it except sell it and put the proceeds towards something with more power. The superchargers are a PITA, but they cannot be beat for pure fun and pulse pounding excitement! Winterizing isn't that big a deal once you learn how you're only talking 30 minutes or less from start to completion.

That said, I don't care of the iS concept one way or the other... if the water is too rough for you then it's too rough for your ride also either go boating when the water is calmer or go find calmer water. There are also the sinking issues people have had with the iS models that would make me very leary indeed. I like my hull's solid all the way from deck to keel.

Regards.

- Michael

 

[Coastiejoe]

I agree about the iS concept.

I like the theory of it, but have read enough issues about it that I know I don't want it. Things from a bad design causing a serious rubbing from the upper to the lower half all the way up to the lower hull having some sort of a flaw creating a lean while coming up to speed and a few comments that the skis tend to sink easier than solid hulls.

I can't confirm any of these issues, only repeating what I have read... Which is enough for me.

I do love my super-charger though and will never not own a ski with that kind of power...

 

[apreni]

What about gas consumption?? I think the is 260 spends 3.9gal to run 1 hour.... Any exact information? Thanks

 

[Coastiejoe]

Not sure of the actual figures, but I'd be lying if I told you it is great on fuel..

My GTX can ride all day and still have 1/3 tank of fuel. That said, my girlfriend normally rides it, leaves it in the economy mode and does not do aggressive playing. So all that adds up to great fuel economy.

I ride my RXT-X and I play. In 4 hours I am low on fuel but still have plenty to ride for another hour and safely get back to the dock or buy fuel from a marina.

If I rode my RXT like she rides the GTX, I am certain it would last all day and be just fine.

Basically, like most toys, if you "play" you will "pay",,,

 

[Michael211_2000]

What about gas consumption?? I think the is 260 spends 3.9gal to run 1 hour.... Any exact information? Thanks

How you ride 'em makes all the difference... you can cruise around at 35mph all day long and barely sip fuel, or you can do hard high speed turns and make 'em go submarine doing donuts and slam down on the throttle from a dead stop till you max out ~70mph then do hard high speed turns and repeat... it's gonna suck on the fuel cell HARD! However, the lower the horsepower the less likely you are to ride it like this because you don't have the power needed to do these things sooo...

Obviously if you're towing inflateables or have the watercraft fully loaded with passengers you're going to suck hard on the fuel cell also no matter the horsepower (higher horsepower models might even be better on fuel economy when towing, as the engine isn't straining quite as hard as lower horsepower models would). So there just aren't *exact* numbers anybody can give you on fuel economy, it's all in how you ride it.

Luke! You don't know the power of the Dark Side! Hehehehe! Power corrupts... and costs! $-)

Regards.

- Michael

 

[SMLaker]

So I've asked, as well as looked up the law in VA and I can drive the ski and be the spotter as long as I have 2 mirrors. Our ski is legal for a total of 3 so I can pull 2 in the tube.

Just a month ago, we had the police boat riding up and down our cove while I was driving the ski and pulling 2 in the tube. No issues.

Red2Blue, we are at R25 on the Franklin County side of SML.

Apreni, I have to admit, my buddies GTX 155 does fine pulling my big tube with 2 people in the tube. He also pulls his son in law on water skies.

Agreed...I am also frequently pulling tubers and boarders and I think either the law is different for the PWC or they allow more leeway to a single driver to pull 2 riders on SML. I tend to sit sideways when pulling, probably committing another offense! I do agree they enforce the spotter rule in the boat much more aggressively.