So how are you all finding these great deals?

[soccerdad]

Been reading about these awesome deals you guys are getting. I watch Craigslist and use search tempest, but rarely see anything that is not listed overpriced. So where do you dig these deals up?

 

[snikwad003]

Im in the same boat. I dunno if me and soccerdad's aera just sucks for good deals or what, i found a blown up 97spx with a trailer with an asking price of $2000.......wasnt even a nice trailer.

 

[Ankeneyou]

I look on CL about 15 times a day as they go quickly. I have specific searches saved which remove most junk ads so I can quickly go through 7-8 CL sites in a minute or so.

Actually on my way to pick up a 98 speedster now lol.

 

[WhiskeyD]

I individually search the major cities in NC, SC, TN on craigslist. Search tempest seems to miss a lot of ads for some reason.

 

[Ankeneyou]

Yeah same here but I do it on the CL pro app. Then mainly remove stuff I don't want rather than search for specifics. Examples being setting a price range then something like
"-outboard -pontoon -boat -kayak -canoe"

You can really narrow things down with a few search operators.

 

[mikidymac]

I think it is the area too.
Here in California every idiot wants $1,200 for a crappy trailer and broken ski.
I have had my best luck driving the neighborhoods and politely knocking on doors asking if they are interested in selling a ski I have seen that looks a little rough. Be prepared with cash in hand.

 

[DanSquires]

Craigslist, swap and shop pages on facebook, and friends passing on good deals.

 

[Jasonv]

I personally call a lot of the dummies with crazy prices and then tell why it's a crazy price, then I offer a low ball and it just depends on the guy if he takes it.

 

[Matt Braley]

Remember to the uninitiated it's just a "jetski" or a "jetsky" or a "wave runner" or a "waverunner" (different searches see?). Seadoo, Sea Doo, seadoos, sea doos, waverunners, wave runners, pwc, jet ski, jet skis, jetskis, rotax, seedoo, etc.

 

[DanSquires]

Remember to the uninitiated it's just a "jetski" or a "jetsky" or a "wave runner" or a "waverunner" (different searches see?). Seadoo, Sea Doo, seadoos, sea doos, waverunners, wave runners, pwc, jet ski, jet skis, jetskis, rotax, seedoo, etc.

You failed to mention the autocorrect version, "seafood"

 

[Mekanix]

You failed to mention the autocorrect version, "seafood"

:agree:
In my area I use kijiji and facebook.
On kijiji I set up notifications. If anyone posts Sea... anything, I get an email. By far the quickest way to be first to jump on a good deal.
Facebook is the same way. But I also post wanted adds and wait for responses.
Never used CL. Its not so big here i wouldn't think.

 

[gti 130 wow]

I know the normal thing to do is to take a test ride but with a poorly maintained ski that's been siting along the side of the house , that might not be safe that in turn poses a problem .
Here is an an example of two women going for a ride on poorly maintained ski one mile from my house.

http://wavy.com/2014/07/18/two-injured-in-virginia-beach-watercraft-accident/

Note : one of the women eventually died a horrible death. I was thinking about this when I decided to go new .

 

[snikwad003]

That could happen to yer 4sploder just as easy

 

[gti 130 wow]

That could happen to yer 4sploder just as easy

For sure but buying new and document everything you do so you know what needs to be replaced how long its been in service etc and when sure helps. !
I guess it would not cost much to replace ever ware item in a older boat like fuel line hoses clamps etc just for your own piece of mind .

 

[snikwad003]

Any thing is possible, accidents happen, people, including professionals, make mistakes while wrenching. Any kind of fuel leak can start a fire, but to make a ski go boom and bring the neighbors out is a large ammount of fuel in the bilge aera, who knows what they were doing when it went off.

 

[mikidymac]

An unfortunate accident but pretty unrelated to buying a used ski. As we always say go through everything on a new to you ski.
Also the reason we are buying them so cheap is because they are on the side of the house in poor condition and we completely rebuild them.
Seadoo did have a recall on fuel tanks that leaked and caused explosion hazard.
In the end it is preventable with good maintenance and checking the bilge. Keep in mind skis have fuel and spark in an enclosed space and no blower to remove fumes so any ski could potentially explode old or new.

 

[Croz]

I found my awesome deal on an app called "offer up" also use Facebook a lot and Craigslist. Watching a lot being able to contact people quickly and having cash in hand.

 

[hotrodssnova]

I use my sea doo radar. Actually, I am all over Houston and see a lot of back yards. Knock on doors and get my fair share of good deals. I won't pay over 250.00 for a ski. I have never bought a running ski. After a fuel system rehab, the majority have fired right up.

 

[jahman182]

I know the normal thing to do is to take a test ride but with a poorly maintained ski that's been siting along the side of the house , that might not be safe that in turn poses a problem .
Here is an an example of two women going for a ride on poorly maintained ski one mile from my house.

http://wavy.com/2014/07/18/two-injured-in-virginia-beach-watercraft-accident/

Note : one of the women eventually died a horrible death. I was thinking about this when I decided to go new .

The fun part of buying a used ski is restoring it and bringing it back to life, so not everyone wants to just run out and buy a new ski. The urge is similar to restoring an old car you don't want to just drive it you want to bring it back to its former glory thats why it's called restoration.