I have the Seadoo GTX 155, great on gas and stable with two riders.

gtxrider wrote:I have the Seadoo GTX 155, great on gas and stable with two riders.

I was going to get that one instead of the RXP215.. the body work didn't appeal to me so I opted for the beefier looking one.

o cool.
i have a honda aqua trax f 12x

and its reall good for fishing and its like a tank.

rides smoothly out near brick waters.

New to site and JetSki fishing, but I have a Yamaha VX Deluxe and I love it. It has a large rear platform for mounting your rig and is stable enough to fish from. Not to mention quite affordable for a dependable intro ski.

Hi, I am based in NZ and use a Yamaha 2010 FX HO, very stable and has the necessary range for long distance trips with the 1.8 engine.

What do you think about a 2001 GTS? Its gutless but I have one with about 20 hours on it (no wonder it was never riden).

Do you think it is a worth while ski to set up for off shor runs out of San Diego or should I drop a few bucks on a new ski. I would rather not drop the money in this economy so if you think it would work I'll go for it with the GTS.

Thanks for the help!

Ryan
Newbie to the sport

I have been jet ski fishing now for about 9 years. I already had a boat and a smaller polaris pwc. It started by me using my pwc to run out and catch croaker and spot to use for the next days cobia trip on my boat. I gradually started going further and further and fishing from it in the same places as I would my boat. It was nice to be able to run at 45-55mph and get to the places I like to fish fast at a fraction of the cost.

About three years ago I decided to rig a PWC just for fishing. After a lot of on line research a decided on the Yamaha SUV 1200, primarily because of its size and storage. It is the largest and only 4 person PWC made by yamaha from 1998-2004, with over 115 gallons of storage of items up to 6 feet long. Size equals stability and a better ride in rough seas. I wish yamaha would bring something like it back, except with a 2 stroke of course. With a few modifications I have turned my PWC into a jet ski fishing machine.

As I get older I have less time to do the things I want. My jet ski saves me time getting out and back.It is easy to clean up and maintain and can be kept on my dock or in my garage.

I think jet ski fishing is different not just because it on a pwc but also because it is a fun. I love being 30 or 40 miles offshore and feeling each wave below me and being focused on what I am doing and where I am going.

I do not think it is for everyone, just like kayak fishing is not for everyone, nor is surf fishing. But it can take you to that near or distant spot and enable you to drift or troll like a kayaker or anchor or beach it and surf fish a remote favorite area.

There are pros and cons to any mode of transportation, I think it jet ski fishing just adds another option that I think a lot of people are learning to appreciate.

Here are a couple of before and after shots of my Yamaha.

I think the question really being asked is which ski provides the enthusiast with the best balance of both worlds; with the ideal blend of stability, reliability, storage and limited fuel consumption while altogether being still fun to ride and not a complete and total dog on the water?

Although Brian lists all of the best characteristics, there's a couple problems with the Yamaha SUV 1200, namely the two-stroke plant. Unfortunately, two-strokes leave that tell-tale "snail trail" of an oil slick in its wake. While many don't care, the environmentalists who seem to have the biggest sway with hungry-pocketed politicians do care. It's all but impossible to ride a two-stroke PWC anywhere in California that isn't the ocean and - if I'm not mistaken - the same goes for New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey with several more states in tow.

The Yamaha SUV 1200 is also a toad. Much like your parents Ford LTD station wagon that they piled you in to go to Sunday church services, the Yamaha sacrifices fun for utility. Storage, yes, can't be beat, but at the cost of not being all that fun to ride when the fish just aren't biting. Of course, I make this point when Brian's ski is so obviously 100-percent committed to fishing and - from the looks of it - not much else.


2008 Yamaha VX Cruiser

All the units mentioned here are good candidates. The Yamaha VX and FX units (sans the 1.8-liter SHO series) are great economical and pretty-damned-near-bulletproof skis. Storage is decent and the boarding platform is broader than most in their classes...except the platforms are slightly convex, which may interfere with securing a rack properly. Oh yeah, and Yamaha still insists on mounting its reverse levers directly beneath the throttle on the right hand side.


2007 Sea-Doo GTX Limited

Sea-Doo's previous GTI, GTX and RXT series (pre-2010) are all lightweight, reliable units, even the *gasp* supercharged versions. But the aforementioned complaints are justified, fuel consumption verses that of a naturally-aspirated ski is drastic. Sea-Doo's offer a class-leading water-resistant removable front storage bin that can be fully watertight with the addition of a factory-available lockable lid. This is almost a must because of its convenience.

Sea-Doo's rear platform is perfectly flat and nearly as level, making rack securing a breeze. GTis are the smaller, more nimble units and are best for lakes and rivers while a larger three-seater GTX or RXT would characteristically be more stable and smoother a ride.

Kawasaki's STX series, either the smaller two-stroke 12F or the four-stroke 15F, are both good, hard-working units; save that the two-stroke runs into the same problems with Brian's suggested SUV. STXs are comfortable, simple units that carry plenty of fuel and consume every last drop if you're heavy on the throttle. Front storage can get wet like the Yamahas, but at least the reverse is on the left hand side for better docking maneuverability.


2008 Kawasaki Ultra LX

Kawi's larger Ultra LX, Ultra 260X and Ultra 260LX are are more enjoyable rides, exceptionally comfortable in both smooth and rough, feature removable front storage bins with even more storage beneath, massive fuel tanks and other amenities missing most notably on the Honda-brand PWC. But be warned: the supercharged 260X and 260LX devours fuel, especially if you're a hot dogger.

Honda's skis are what you'd expect from Honda: not the fastest, not the most dashing, but definitely some of the most reliable when properly maintained and left the hell alone. Hondas typically don't take well to aftermarket performance products. The smaller F-12s and turbo-enhanced F12Xs are a rough water nightmare but are fun and "playful" on smooth.


2009 Honda F-15X

The larger F-15 and turbo'ed F-15X is a far more attractive unit and is - bar-none - one of the single-most stable skis on the water today (also with a removable front bin). Honda, though, is pretty proud of its larger F-15 series, pricing way out of logic's reach. Best go to a dealership and purchase a heavily discounted '07 F-12 for half the price of a current model; most dealers are still sitting on several brand-new "overstock" units.

Frankly, I'd lean more towards "fun" than pure, dedicated "functionality." After all, there will be a point when I'm not hauling my rods and tackle out with me and I'm going to want to have a good time with my ski, and the only time I had a good time doing donuts in my parents' old stationwagon was when I didn't know there was anything cooler or faster out there.

I've read a few post w/comments about the RXT platform gulping gas: I guess I'm lucky... I haven't noticed it. Last spring, two friends and myself took an extended day trip (153 miles round trip). We had my two 2006 SD supercharged RXTs and a Kawi Ultra LX. We didn't stop for a refuel until 80 miles into the trip. The Kawi only had about 2 gallons more gas than the SDs, but it's tank is that much larger. We all got about 5mpg +/-. Not bad in my estimation. Also, from what I understand, on the SD, the supercharger doesn't kick in boost unless your gaining speeds over 50mph. I'll ride/fish off my RXTs any day...

Now, if I had the buck$ to throw away: I'd find me a Yammie SUV OR SD LRV hull and throw a 4Tec,supercharged 260HP power plant inside. It would make the ultimate beast to fish and frolic off of.

Gator, I totally agree.


2009 Sea-Doo RXT 215

The RXT 215 is a great supercharged plant, although boost does come in about 3,000 rpm, which is significantly sooner than 50 mph. Fuel consumption is always incumbent upon riding style and conditions, so "written-in-stone" numbers have a nasty habit of conflicting. That's why you don't see any PWC publications posting mpg numbers.

Now, Sea-Doo's 2009 RXT-X or even the wickedly cool 2010 RXT-X 260 is a totally different matter. Both skis push big boost through the torque curve and are all about getting your fanny as quickly up to 70 mph as possible. If you're looking for "riding it like a bat out of hell," go with these guys, not the tamer RXT 215 or a naturally aspirated ski.