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Fiveslide · 28-08-2017, 05:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Interesting, if I were to buy a small(ish) boat I would not expect anything to go wrong with it. The 4 cycle outboards are bullet proof.

Now if I buy a PWC I am thinking it will be a matter of time before something breaks.

Is that thinking correct. Are boat engines / electronics more reliable than PWC engines / electronics? If so, do you know why?

I think PWCs are just abused more. Generally, the owners of them want to go fast, so they spend their lives at higher revs and higher temps. The companies manufacturing outboards, Yamaha excepted, are not the same companies manufacturing PWCs, so there has to be a difference.

I think a reasonably ridden and maintained PWC can remain reliable, it's just harder to find. I live on a lake, I see how the majority of these things are ridden.

valhalla360 · 28-08-2017, 07:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Interesting, if I were to buy a small(ish) boat I would not expect anything to go wrong with it. The 4 cycle outboards are bullet proof.

Now if I buy a PWC I am thinking it will be a matter of time before something breaks.

Is that thinking correct. Are boat engines / electronics more reliable than PWC engines / electronics? If so, do you know why?

I've yet to come across the bullet proof boat.

While I dislike inflatables in general, if you want both speed and capability consider a tunnel hull inflatable. I had a Dux Hammer Head inflatable (google it) but there are several brands.

I had a 40hp tiller steered outboard (they make steering stations) and I could run down most jet skis. I clocked 62mph with my handheld GPS. I could run faster in rougher water than a jet ski. Plus when you stop you have a large stable platform if you want to fish or just hang out. Or if you want to take 4-6 people and just tool around the canals (it did have trouble getting on plane with 4 or more people not due to power but keeping the prop in the water). Very smooth ride up to around 2' waves (you skip across the tops). I could run flat out in about 10-12" of water. It would do a 90 degree turn in it's own length at full throttle.

You could cut back to a 15-20hp and still get decent performance but probably more like 30-40mph top end.

tuffr2 · 28-08-2017, 13:15

My friend had a used 2005 50HP 4 cycle yamaha engine on his pontoon boat. All that he did for 7 years was change oil and lower gear lube. That is what I mean by reliable.

I have an easy launch site 8.5 miles from the house. I plan to use the PWC 3 - 4 times a week. That means 8 hrs of use per week. I hope if I change oil and take it in for regular schedule maintenance it will last 10 years.

BandB · 31-08-2017, 13:06

In my opinion, outboards are more reliable and outlast PWC's with less maintenance required to do so. Some outboards get run very hard-think of bass boats and center consoles. They are just more stock in nature and refined over the years.

tuffr2 · 31-08-2017, 20:19

On my boats, in fresh water I would run my outboard at 3,700 - 4,200 RPM. That would push the boat between 28 to 35 mph. Every time out I would run WOT for a minute or two at 5,500 RPM.

Correct me if I am wrong but I think a PWC engine will run up to 8,000 RPM and cruises at 5,500 RPM.

BandB · 04-09-2017, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

On my boats, in fresh water I would run my outboard at 3,700 - 4,200 RPM. That would push the boat between 28 to 35 mph. Every time out I would run WOT for a minute or two at 5,500 RPM.

Correct me if I am wrong but I think a PWC engine will run up to 8,000 RPM and cruises at 5,500 RPM.

Our engines on our gas inboard jet ribs do the same. 100 hp Weber/Textron WOT is 8000 RPM.

GLS · 04-09-2017, 20:33

My first boat was a jetski.

tuffr2 · 06-09-2017, 05:08

Do you guys think that since Yamaha builds a reliable 4 cycle outboard that they might also build a reliable 1.8 litre Waverunner engine?

Sea Doo uses a smaller 1.5 litre engine but they super charged it which I read will shorten engine life.

tuffr2 · 22-09-2017, 07:29

The latest, yesterday I was in Jacksonville and stopped at a Power Sports Shop. They had lots of motor cycles, quads, and side by side ATV's. They only had 5 PWC's. Anyway they were starting to get the 2018 models in. The salesman tried hard to sell me a Yamaha VX with only a 1052cc 3 cyl. engine. They did not have a Yamaha FX Cruiser HO which is the Waverunner I am leaning to.

Now, I am going to wait until the boat shows as it seemed the prices were better and more PWC's came with a trailer.

tuffr2 · 19-10-2017, 15:55

Anyone see the changes to the 2018 Seadoo? New hull shape supposed to be better in rough water.

Please take a look and let me know if you think 2018 Seadoo with the T3 hull would be a better all day ski then the Yamaha FX Crusier HO.

Fiveslide · 20-05-2018, 08:10

I said earlier in this thread that of the right deal popped up I would buy, well it did. Got a 1991 Yamaha 650 for $200. I've already gotten my money's worth out of it. It runs great, simple 2 stroke. It didn't come with a trailer and you couldn't test ride cause it needed a battery so that limited who would take the risk on it. Here it is pulled up on my dock.