2006 Kawasaki STX 15F or 2003 Seadoo GTX

[ZXIINNJ]

Hello Friends,

We've been really enjoying two Kawasaki ZXI skis and now it's time to go to add a 3-up ride. We want to be able to pull a tube or skier, and maybe handle chop a little better. I'm relatively new to the PWC community and appreciate "local knowledge" and prior experience, particularly known issues with the skis that should be addressed, or that make a ski something to steer clear of. I don't have a negative opinion of any of the major manufacturers. I have the Kawasaki's because they were available when I was looking and the seller was a good human. They have performed really well with no failures out on the water.

I'm gathering some info and will include photos as soon as they come in. Both skis have been run in salt water and the seller is offering testing out in the open water. Here's what I have so far:

2006 Kawasaki STX 15F - 127 hrs. N/A and I believe is 1500 (1498cc) 4 stroke. Recent service includes a new battery and fuel pump. New stock wear ring and impeller 2 years ago. Includes single trailer. Seller says he has all records, registration for trailer, etc. Asking: $4,600.

2003 Seadoo GTX - 140 hrs. Supercharged. Recent service includes new batter, oil change. New starter, exhaust manifold, new stock wear ring and impeller. Seller says he has all records. Asking: $4,200. No trailer.

Thanks for sharing opinions and perspective. I appreciate any tips on "what to look for" or what questions to ask the seller. For instance, what's the service interval for the Seadoo supercharger, and what would that involve? Also, when these skis are out on the water, I'm not out there to have fun, I'm trying to gauge their performance or lack of it. Any tips there are appreciated.

Thanks everyone for jumping in!

-Scott

[steve45]

Good questions! Check that the Kawasaki has had the bearing upgrade, if you can. The STXs were not nearly as prone to failure as the supercharged models, but it's still possible that the pump shaft could move forward and push on the engine, destroying it. Outside of that, the real weak spot on the Kawasakis is the exhaust cooling. It must be flushed religiously. They are designed to corrode.

I can't tell you about the SeaDoo except that they had major problems with the early superchargers. I think they've been upgraded now, but I'd suggest you ask in the SeaDoo forum about that.

Finally, I'd really suggest that you look at the Kawasaki Ultra LX. I think they're the most underrated 'Ski on the market. Same big, stable, dry riding hull as the supercharged 'Skis, but without the supercharger hassle & expense. This is a true 3 person model that can pull a skier with ease. More storage than a station wagon, same engine as the STX-15F. The pumps on the early years also need to be upgraded.

[Astrofizix]

I'm with Steve on this one, the Ultra hull is the go to for riding in chop or ocean swell. With more hull in the water it will take a little more power and fuel to push it, but that is the price you pay for rough water abilities. For me it was a no-brainer as I ride almost exclusively in ocean swell. But of course you will need to assess that trade off for yourself.

If I was testing a ski on the water now, I would do the following - after a quick warm up, do some power pulls of various throttle settings, so you can determine that it runs good at all RPMs at all throttle levels. I would also try to hit an appropriate size swell or wake at full speed, and just hold the throttle on and make sure its ok hitting the limiter and behaving normally as it returns to the water at full throttle. Even if you don't plan on doing that when you own it, the thing is a jet ski and should be able to handle that no issue. Then make sure it turns well at both high and low speed, and all this time keep an eye on temperature. I would also run through all the settings on the dash whilst you are out on the water, and make sure everything there works ok. Pull the seat and check the basics and look for hull leaks. Turn it off and on a couple of times in the water, make sure it starts without drama. Check that through all the shenanigans water isn't getting into dry storage compartments, and check how much is getting into the main storage as well. And also check any features it has on the water, such as trim and/or cruise control if applicable.

Others with more experience might have more specific suggestions as well.

One more thing that has generally served me well - if something really good comes up a little above your budget but you can stretch for it if need be: stretch for it.

[ZXIINNJ]

Oh man! Thanks for the great tips and guidance!!

Astrofizik: The tips for assessing the ski on the water are awesome!

Steve: Thanks very much for the background on the Kawasaki 'ski in general and the bearing issue. I'll ask about that.

I'll circle back when/if I do some water testing. Cheers!

-Scott

[ZXIINNJ]

Update:

After many unreturned phone calls I finally heard back from the seller that the Kawasaki STX sold. My kingdom for a returned phone call! Jumped over to C-list and found this:

2008 Kawasaki Ultra LX
40 hrs

Talked with the seller (Jersey shore) who contacted me within an hour and plan to see and ride the 'ski tomorrow. Looks very clean in the photos. I don't have much more info other than it was a customers 'ski that was maintained at the marina that is now selling the ski, winterized and stored every year. Ridden a little this year but shrink-wrapped and stored the previous two years.

Any specific issues or peculiarities with this year of Ultra LX? I believe that it has been ridden primarily in salt water and in season stored on a pwc dock.

Seller is asking $5,500 with trailer, but stated that the ad is incorrect and there is no trailer included. Too much without trailer and paying cash?

Appreciate feedback. Thanks!

[steve45]

Given today's market, the price is probably about right. This 'Ski will require a larger trailer than the STX. I would certainly be concerned about saltwater use and corrosion is a big concern. The early 'Skis had problems with corrosion of the hose nipple where the cooling water enters the engine (I believe). Mine have the later design, so I can't tell you for sure, but there are threads about it here. Corrosion in the 4 to 1 section of the exhaust pipe is also a big concern. If the 'Ski was properly flushed after each use, it may be OK. If not, I'd knock off about $1500. Of course, it's hard to tell by just looking at it, especially if you're not accustomed to inspecting them. In general, I'd look at the other hardware on the engine. If you see a lot of rust, it hasn't been cared for. If you see oily preservative sprayed on everything, it probably has been cared for.

[ZXIINNJ]

Thanks!

I'll look as closely as possible at those areas. I have not seen many with only 40 hrs. On cars, that is not necessarily a good thing for gaskets and rubber components that do better with regular use and lubrication. But 40 hours over 12 years, and with two of them in storage, that's about 4 hrs per season. Seems like the 'ski should be pretty fresh. We'll see....

[nmpeter]

go with the Kawasaki for sure and follow the excellent advice here

its fortunate that there is a great body of info available on those skis, here.

[ZXIINNJ]

I got the 2008 Kawasaki Ultra LX. 45hrs. Found out a new jet pump was installed last year, along with a new battery and a Kawasaki cover.

I took her out at Sea Bright, NJ, today, and went through all of the tips and suggestions from nmpeter, Astrofzix, and Steve. Thanks, guys!

Water was like glass today. Top speed was 50mph in a little bit of headwind. I like not having to worry about a trim system that might fail and be expensive to fix. Seems unnecessary in this jetski. Feels very "fresh" and pulls pretty hard out of the hole. Huge difference from the ZXI jetskis we have, especially the 1100, which is much faster. Big turns and lots of grunt. Not as easy to slide as the ZXI's and difficult to tell when the slide would start. I churned it up a bit and rode through the chop and the Ultra just plowed through it where the ZXI could have caught air, lol! It will be great for towing a tube or skier, which will be it's primary assignment. Comes with single trailer. Seller and owner of the marine shop, Chris, was great, and so refreshing to have phone calls and texts returned without an "I am doing YOU a favor" attitude that can be really off-putting. He ordered the missing black corner trim piece and will install it and wash and wax the ski and get it loaded on the trailer for me. (Is it rude to say the price?). Here are some photos.

[nmpeter]

I'll guess 5000-6500 on price, in any event a solid buy

good luck with her

[ZXIINNJ]

Good guess!

I had a chance to sit on an STX like the ski I was considering before finding this one. Steve suggested I look for the Ultra LX and he was right. Great advice on this forum!

I compliment the seller, Chris, for offering it at $4,800. I will surely go back to him for service!

[steve45]

Great! It looks like it's been well cared for. I hope it continues to run well for you and do the job you need it to do.

I really like this model. With just a minimal amount of instruction, you can put just about anybody on one and they feel safe and confident riding it.

You did well!

[ZXIINNJ]

The Ultra LX jetski is on a new Triton aluminum trailer - seemed like the last one available for a while! It took a small hit from the forklift and needs a repair before I put her back in the water in a few months. See photo. I didn't see the damage until after I brought it home.

The seller offered to do the repair gratis but I am now about 3 hrs from him and wondering if my West System epoxy will do the trick, or if the black hull material over the fiberglass is more of a plastic that needs a different material.

Thanks for any suggestions, and Happy New Year 2022!

-Scott

[steve45]

Bummer! If it were mine, I'd fill it in with epoxy fiberglass resin, perhaps a little non-directional fiberglass. Let it cure, sand smooth, paint with black epoxy refrigerator paint and go have fun with it.

[ZXIINNJ]

Update for Saturday, 5/21/22

After a long wait, the Ultra LX finally hit the water in Barnegat Bay, NJ. We put in at Trixie's Landing, in Bayville.
My oldest, Elli, turned 16 in April and took and passed the boating safety exam yesterday. We trailered down to Tom's River Elks parking lot, where they have a contactless testing procedure. Pretty cool that Boat Ed convinced the NJ State Police to keep the testing going through COVID. By 9:30am we were done and rolling to the bay, about 15 minutes away.

About 96F air temp, but the water was refreshing. As usual, the wind comes up around midday from the south east and produces some chop. The Ultra LX takes light chop in stride. Just plows through. Very stable and beefy.

My girl took the ski out a few times, including on and off the trailer. She started gaining a bit more confidence and by the time we had to roll, she was turning pretty well. With the "SLO" key she couldn't get in too much trouble speed-wise, as the ski tops out at about 30mph. With the un-governed key, the ski tries for 50mph but gets to about 47mph, which is plenty fast on choppy waters.

It does tend to submarine a bit at the bow at slow speeds. Without a trim adjustment I'm not sure how to address this. The battery is forward of the handlebars, which may contribute to the plowing tendency. Feel free to chime in with any suggestions.

Cheers!

Scott