Jet skis are great fun and owning one can be a hugely rewarding experience.  However, with new models selling for thousands of pounds it can sometimes be best to buy a used jet ski first to see if ownership is the right thing for you.

As with any used purchase its always best to be as through as possible before committing your cash.  In a way buying a jetski is now different to buying a car so follow similar principles to protect yourself.   The following are the top 5 tips when buying your used personal watercraft.

Look for jetskis with few owners and low mileage

This tip is really common sense.  If you're buying a used jet ski, then avoid buying one that's been run into the ground and will ultimately cost you a fortune in repairs.  A couple of owners isn't a problem but avoid ones which have had several as it probably suggest their is an underlying problem with the PWC.

Look for a full service history

Jet skis, just like a car, require routine maintenance and repairs.  It's always best, though not always possible, to look for one where the owner has been diligent about maintaining the service records for their personal watercraft.  Otherwise you will have no way of knowing what work has been done or when, or worse have no way of knowing if no service has been done on the PWC.

Inspect the jet ski before you buy

If you can try to buy locally so that you can inspect the jet ski before you buy it.  Don't think that the picture you see is necessarily what the PWC looks like.  Buyers will always try to show their jet ski in the best possible light.  If you aren't comfortable inspecting a jet ski due to a lack of knowledge, consider approaching your local jet ski club and ask if a member would be prepared to inspect it with you.

Test drive the jetski

Unfortunately having a test drive isn't always possible. But if at all possible, definitely take the craft out onto the water before you buy it.  This will immediately let you see if it exactly what you are looking for.  For example, is it comfortable?  Does it have enough power?   Can you control the ski well?  A ride will also let you listen to the engine to see if their is any misfiring or other unusual sounds.

Cheapest isn't always best

When a used jet ski is cheap its cheap for a reason.  Every so often there will be a fantastic deal to be had, but 99.9% of the time you get what you pay for. So before you start looking for a used craft decide on your budget, maybe ask at your local club as to what a decent second hand ski would cost.

Follow these simple tips and you can be having great fun on the water for years to come.  And if you are currently looking for a used jet ski then have a look at those which are currently listed on our website.  We have the following for sale used kawasaki jet ski, used seadoo jet ski, used yamaha jetski and used polaris jet ski. ]]> http://jetskis.org.uk/buying-guide/used-jet-ski-top-5-buying-tips/feed/ 0 http://jetskis.org.uk/jetski-care/tips-to-keep-your-jet-ski-looking-as-good-as-new/ http://jetskis.org.uk/jetski-care/tips-to-keep-your-jet-ski-looking-as-good-as-new/#comments Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:49:14 +0000 http://jetskis.org.uk/?p=826 After you have purchased your jet ski you want it to look as good as possible for as long as possible.  To help you do that just follow these simple tips.

Keep your jet ski cover on

One of the first accessories you should purchase is a jet ski cover and use it often.  Sounds basic, but it will help keep your personal watercraft (PWC) looking great longer.  It doesn't take a lot of sun exposure for the paint on your jet ski to start fading.  So cover your PWC when its on the trailer or in storage whether that be long term or short.  In fact, your jet ski should be covered every time its not in use.

The best jet ski covers not only protect from UV rays but also allow air to circulate around your jet ski through a special venting system.  The circulating air will evaporate any condensation stopping it from being trapped under the cover and causing damage to your jet ski.

Maintenance is a necessary evil

If you use your jet ski for recreation only it can be easy to overlook regular maintenance.  However, this really is  necessary evil, regular preventative maintenance is always better and cheaper in the long run than waiting until something breaks down.  And it will keep your jet ski running like new so you won't have to worry about it when you hit the water.

If your technically minded its pretty easy to maintain a jet ski and we stock a huge range of jet ski parts and accessories to let you do this.  If you aren't technically minded then book into your local jet ski dealer for a service just like you would a car.

Clean your jet ski after every ride

Turn the hose on your PWC every time it's been in the water.  This will help to wash off all the grit, salt and marine debris you have picked up and cut down on the amount of time you need to spend rubbing it down properly.

Failure to hose it down can result in your wax and paint job getting scuffed up which in tun can lead to rust and oxidisation on your jet ski.  So if you want your PWC to continue to look good then always give it a quick clean.

Types of Jet Ski

Firstly, there are two basic kinds of jet ski, a sit down jet ski and a stand up jet ski.  The main difference between the two is that a stand up jet ski has a pivoting handlebar which rises and hence lets you stand up while you are riding.  This type of jet ski is also known as a solo model while the sit down version is also known as a sports model.

Jet Ski Manufacturers

Secondly, there are four main jet ski makers in the market today, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Polaris and Sea Doo.  The first two should come as no real surprise given their motorcycle heritage and the obvious similarities between motorbikes and jetskis.  Sea Doo is the brand name of Bombadier Recreational Products, a Canadian company and the name derives from their popular snowmobile brand Ski-Doo.  Polaris is another snowmobile manufacturer who also entered the personal watercraft market and used their experience in snowmobiles to make jetskis.

Buying a  Jet Ski

While the choice of jetski can seem overwhelming there are a few major criteria to consider which will immediately help to narrow your search results.  These are as follows:

• Size - Jetskis can carry anywhere between one and four people depending on the construction and engine size.  They can also be used to tow inflatable tubes and rings .  It is therefore important to decide who will use the jet ski and therefore which is the best size.

• Safety - If you are considering buying a used jet ski make sure it comes with a lanyard.  This will ensure that the ignition will cut off if you fall off of the jetski.  This is not an issue for new jetskis as lanyards come as standard.

• Engine Size - Jetsksi are classified by their engine sizes and as you would expect the more horsepower an engine has the faster the jet ski will go, although hull specification is also a factor in the speed of a jet ski.

• Hull Specifications - The general rule here is that the broader and longer the jet ski is the more stable it will be in the water.  Beginners should generally stay away from short, narrow jet skis which are highly manoeuvrable (read difficult to control).  The longer, broader models also tend to carry more than one person at a time.

We hope you have found this articles useful.  The two other articles in our buying guide series consider the main styles of jet ski which are available and also the essential kit which you should buy together with your jet ski.