Why are Water craft so expensive to fix?

[Nate Surveyor]

I mean, I see and hear about machines with 75 hrs on them, with a blown piston. (ebay etc) they advertise that they have had it fixed, ran it for a day, and now it is PERFECT and for sale!

My question is this: Most cars last alot longer than that!

Why are there so many expensive repairs required of a simple motor, hooked to an impeller?

Will the move to 4-stroke improve this? Or make it worse?

What is the best value in powered skis, for the lake?

Like, around 100 hp, and never needs much work?

I have a 1998 Polaris 500 4-wheeler, with 4300 miles on it. Besides routine maintenance, it has needed a water pump seal and a flywheel, as the magnets fell out, and damaged the charging system. But, the motor is fine.

But, how many Sea Doos have blown motors, with very few hrs on them.

Can anybody tell me why, and if this is par for the course?

Maybe it is not such a good idea to buy one of these!

We have 6 kids, and the oldest is 9 yrs old. My 8 yr old boy has been working with me full time since he was 3-1/2 yrs old.

I don't want to waste money, if this is money pit!

Nate

 

[seadoosnipe]

Money pit......

Almost anything "marine" related is considered a "money hole"......but, it seems, any hobby you have becomes a money hole.

When I first got my 1997 model Challenger, my wife was on me about the money I was spending. I convinced her, that once I got it up to par, I wouldn't have to spend nothing more except for maintenance. Well, she's happy now and even gone to the school to get her boaters license. She's taken it out (to my displeasure, it's MY toy!) and now, appears to be hooked.

The point is, what your reading is all the negative stuff associated with boating/PWC's.

The problems associated with these craft are not related to the craft but the lack of maintenance and the type of riding being done. In any product that has an internal combustion engine, you must respect and reward your hours of fun, by putting some TLC back into the craft. If you just go out and use and abuse, ..........guess what? It will be a headache.

My 787 has given me two seasons of fun now. My two girls (6 and 7) love tubing and kneeboarding........They've even driven a jetski (with me aboard of course) and I'm in the process of re-building one that sank last year for their use. I got the motor running last month, but still needs more work and $$$$.....so to keep the wifey from noticing, I have to get a little bit at a time.:rofl:

It's what you make of it.............:cheers:

 

[blkscorpion]

Almost anything "marine" related is considered a "money hole"......but, it seems, any hobby you have becomes a money hole.

The point is, what your reading is all the negative stuff associated with boating/PWC's.

The problems associated with these craft are not related to the craft but the lack of maintenance and the type of riding being done. In any product that has an internal combustion engine, you must respect and reward your hours of fun, by putting some TLC back into the craft. If you just go out and use and abuse, ..........guess what? It will be a headache.


It's what you make of it.............:cheers:

SO TRUE.
I have two hobbies and they can be expensive if, you neglect the tlc they deserve.

<--------MONEY PIT FROM HELL 1987 Mustang GT w/ a 408

 

[xrider]

you understand that most of these jet skis run at 7-8K rpms, not all the time but for good part. when was the last time your car ran at that rpm? Most dont even redline near it, so yeah you see why would it break if it was not taken care off.

 

[blkscorpion]

you understand that most of these jet skis run at 7-8K rpms, not all the time but for good part. when was the last time your car ran at that rpm? Most dont even redline near it, so yeah you see why would it break if it was not taken care off.

The car in my sig gets close to those numbers fairly often.

 

[Jmonk]

I have had our 2000 challenger, for 3 seasons and have not yet had any engine problems. I don't WANT problems (lol) what exactly can we do to give this boat "tlc" or maintanance to help us STAY problem free. I can't say we are very mechanical, but willing to give it a try if we need.

I have read posts where people say they "flush" their motor after use. Is this neccessary?? Have no clue how to even do that.

I would appreciate your wisdom.

Thanks,
jmonk