Sea Doo vs. Yamaha-gctid392619

[itsabowtime2]

I have always been a Sea Doo Guy. (XP & GTX currently in the fleet)

I'm going to purchase a new ride this week. Either a left over 2011 or a 2012.

For Yamaha it is the VX Cruiser:

http://www.yamahasuzukikawasakiofcoolsprings.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=7900417E-03X6K18K2012J4I59I00JAMQ1469R0&veh=254740&CatDesc=Watercraft&ModelYear=2012

For Sea Doo, the contestant is the GTI SE

http://www.americasmotorsports.com/new_vehicle_features.asp?veh=257837&CatDesc=#detail

I know that there are many fellow BOC'ers with PWC's. Especially the Yamaha owners, what has been your experience?

Thanks,

Phil

[MidnightSun]

I cannot compare since I do not own or have I owned a Sea Doo. I can say I researched this throughly back in 2008 and my criteria was reliability, fuel economy and comfort. The VX cruiser came out on top in all and this is what I own now. Not a lick of trouble and I am extremely pleased with my purchase.

[Guest]

In general, the BRP units will have the performance edge and be more sophisticated technically. And almost always lighter. Yamaha's units will be more reliable, have a longer life and better resale value. This holds true for PWC's, sleds, quads...

[Guest]

Yamaha... never had a problem, love it.

[Guest]

I have owned both, and the Yamaha is the better bet for reliability and build quality. The SeaDoo may have a bit of an edge in some performance or styling regards. My Yamaha was bullet-proof. My SeaDoo was not.

[mrbigsea]

Just to throw another bone in the pile but we have had great luck with out Kawasaki STX-15f. Sure doesn't have all the bells and whistles but has been very good to us.

Roger

[itsabowtime2]

WOW! A lot of positive responses on the Yamaha.

Keep the opinions coming.

[smitty477]

"Keep the opinions coming."

We have had all three over the years as well as ridden many more within our cruisng group.

The Sea doo was the fastest and slightly more agile of the bunch.

If we were buying one now based upon overall performance, lack of problems and bang for the buck it would run this way....

1. Kawasaki (we had the 12F , 15F is better)

2. Yamaha

3. Sea Doo

Hope this helps

[Guest]

We have a Yamaha 2006 VX deluxe 1100 and a 2011 VXR HO 1800.

Had them both about 2 months, we are crazy about them. My VXR is a rocket with no supercharger. And very light weight. Easy oil change too.

[itsabowtime2]

I can get the Yamaha for $8599 (MSRP $9599) and $799 for a trailer.

Here is where it gets difficult.

I called the dealership I purchased the GTX from. The Sea Doo MSRP is $9799. Over the phone I got them to $8822 and $599 on the trailer. And that would include them installing cruise control on it as well.

[itsabowtime2]

mrbigsea wrote:
Just to throw another bone in the pile but we have had great luck with out Kawasaki STX-15f. Sure doesn't have all the bells and whistles but has been very good to us.

Roger

I can get a rocket ship if I like in the form of the Kawasaki Ultra 300X. 300HP in a PWC. I found a left over 2011 $11,600 on a trailer.

[Guest]

We own a Yamaha VX cruiser, and have previously owned two Sea Doo's, a 2002 GTX RFI (2 stroke) and a 2004 GTX 4-TEC SC. Here are my observations, all from personal experience.

The GTX SC was by far the tastest and most powerful, but also the heaviest and largest. After we bought it, we regretted it and missed the older GTX RFI. That ski was a reatively small and light ski that was generally more fun to ride. The GTX SC just seemed to be a lil too big and heavy and more boat-like than bike-like if that makes sense. One other observation, the GTX SC was a very wet ride in a chop, much more so than the smaller GTX RFI was (this really surprised me).

When it was time to once again get a PWC after not having had one for a few years, we went with the Yamaha for two reasons. 1: It was the closest one in size, weight, and style to that old GTX RFI and 2: It did not have any very high tech components such as superchargers or intercoolers to maintain.

I am very happy with my choice, I feel like I have that old light 2-stroke ski again, but without the 2-stroke drawback of smoke and oil. If I were buying a ski today, I think I'd get the Yamaha VXS which is the same hull as my VX cruiser but with the larger engine so it'd be a bit faster. Oh, and that cruiser seat is awesome!

Let me know if you have specific questions about the VX Cruiser and I'll do my best to help.

[itsabowtime2]

My wife liked the seat on the Yamaha.

The Sea Doo has more toys on it, yes more to go wrong but VTS is nice to have. XP has it and I wish the GTX did. I like the brake feature on the Sea Doo and I also believe when at idle to Sea Doo is in neutral. I also like the idea of closed cooling.

No matter which I get, I am not getting a unit with a Super Charger.

[Guest]

I have two SE seadoos... abuse them alot... they take it... internal cool.... advantage compared to the same model yamaha I think the SE is better... you look at the turbos.. they do have issues... but the SE is a fortress and I would go anywhere on mine.. including the Bimini run..

[itsabowtime2]

Lazy D 88 wrote:
I have two SE seadoos... abuse them alot... they take it... internal cool.... advantage compared to the same model yamaha I think the SE is better... you look at the turbos.. they do have issues... but the SE is a fortress and I would go anywhere on mine.. including the Bimini run..

I am leaning towards the Sea Doo. Hope to make the decision in the next 48 hours and have a new ride for the weekend.