Moving from 2 stroke to 4-tec. Horsepower question.

[PaulDoo]

Hello all. I have been a long time Sea Doo owner (98 GSXL, 2000 GTX and 2001 RXDI). All three of these skis had the 951 130hp 2 stroke engine. One of the things that I occasionally did with my GTX was pull tubes and skiers. I am looking at moving into a much newer ski, and therefore I am looking at the used 4-tecs. I see that some of them have 130hp. These new 4-tec skis are at least 100lbs heavier than my current GTX. Will I notice a difference in the 130hp that I experienced compared to the new 4-tec skis with the same power, or would it be better to look at the 155+hp skis? I'm content (and would probably prefer) not having a supercharged ski.

Also, are there any bad years for non-supercharged skis in the 2004-2018-ish years? I saw in some of the posts that there were exhaust issues that were hopefully resolved.

Thanks in advance for the information!

 

[mkov608]

Yes. Yes. You'd be better off with one of the 155 skis.

Skidoo can advise on what years to avoid.

Will you be doing your own maintenance?

 

[PaulDoo]

Thank you. My research has shown that the 155 seems to be a pretty reliable engine, especially around 2008. Yes, I'll be doing my own maintenance. I realize winterization is different than the 2 strokes, but I'm willing to learn.

 

[lamajama]

2008 year are excellent skis..depending on age you are ok with.

 

[kmarts]

the exhaust issue, are you talking about the hollow valve stems and them breaking? They were replaced mid 06 year.

Stick to non-supercharged, maintenance is pretty simple. i got my dad an 08 GTI SE 155 and he's happy coming from a 97 GSX with a 787.
He wanted something with reverse and for 'easy lake riding' as he put it lol.

 

[PaulDoo]

That sounds right. Good to know that was fixed after 2006.

Thanks for the insight. I think I'll look for something with the 155 engine. It sounds like a lot of people are happy with it.