New to site and boating!!!

Hows it going everyone.

I recently came back from the Parker River Float (My first time to the river actually) and I have decided that I want to get a jet boat. I actually always wanted one.

I'm trying to find out all the information I can before I buy one. I'm looking to buy one between 3k to 5k. Most likely a 19 footer.

Any information you guys can provide for me would be greatly appreciated since I have never owned a boat before.

I'm a hands on type of learner and I'm located in Buena Park, Ca and I was hoping I can actually meet up with one of you guys to show me around a jet boat and point out how different things work.

The most important one is to make sure you take the time to buy what you want...

What I look for when inspecting a boat before I purchase.

What I look for when inspecting a boat before I purchase.

so many different things,

The most important one is to make sure you take the time to buy what you want...

this is the best advise, there are a ton of different makes and models.. your best bet is to start looking at the site for pics of different kinds of boats and pic what suits you and your familly (if you have one)
here are some manufactures in no paticular order
hondo
eliminator
sanger
rogers
sleek craft
hornet
tahiti
liberty
nordic
beismier (sp?)
im drawing a blank now... shit any way search craigslist and post up what you find and we can help you weed out the junk

Dont forget... Ultra 

I have a hondo and a challenger. And have had eliminator. No problems with any of them. But just make sure you're happy with it and remember, boat means bust out another thousand.

I have a buddy who has a Rogers that he would most likely get rid of. He payed $5000 and would want $5000 if hes ready. Get this, he wants a harley so he will get rid of the boat to get it  Nice boat. Pretty fast its a 74 with a 468 but i think only 17'6"

My brother has a Kona he may get ride of for $3000 maybe less. Runs good and had the pump redone last year but it has a 455 (slower but has never given him a problem) and the gel and interior are rough. But it runs and floats. Also only 17'6"

so many different things,
this is the best advise, there are a ton of different makes and models.. your best bet is to start looking at the site for pics of different kinds of boats and pic what suits you and your familly (if you have one)
here are some manufactures in no paticular order
hondo
eliminator
sanger
rogers
sleek craft
hornet
tahiti
liberty
nordic
beismier (sp?)
im drawing a blank now... shit any way search craigslist and post up what you find and we can help you weed out the junk

Thanks I was actually going to start posting what I found in Craigslist to see what u guys think


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Yeah start posting up what your looking at. We will steer you right.

hondo
eliminator
sanger
rogers
sleek craft
hornet
tahiti
liberty
nordic
beismier (sp?)
Southwind
Ultra
Bahner
Hallet
Miller
Challenger
And so many more... I search "jet" in Craigslist, yeah you get a lot of jetskis but it's the easiest way I found to refine the search without cutting to much out.



Sent while day dreaming...

The most important one is to make sure you take the time to buy what you want...

I'm still looking haha, I'm pick what can you say......but the photo I attached is one I been looking at.

When I was looking for my boat, I was in the market to spend 1200-1500 on it... Obviously something that would need work, I also like to do all of the work myself. Only things I really wanted it to have was an interior and a pump. I spent about 3 months looking for the right deal on Craigslist.

I kept checking everyday figuring eventually the right deal would show up. I ended up finding a complete boat for $600. It didn't run when I picked it up but it turned over so I figured I could probably get it going. Paint was and still is a disaster but I'm on the water now so whatever. All in all I got just under $2200 invested in it to date including registration and trailer plates.

I know it's summer now and I'm sure you want to get out ASAP but I would say make sure you look throughly and I'm sure you'll find a deal that suits you.


Life is uncertain. Don't sip.

I generally find a lot of stuff searching "jet boat" a lot of decent stuff 3-5k for a first time boat and search "Berkeley"

When I was looking for my boat, I was in the market to spend 1200-1500 on it... Obviously something that would need work, I also like to do all of the work myself. Only things I really wanted it to have was an interior and a pump. I spent about 3 months looking for the right deal on Craigslist.

I kept checking everyday figuring eventually the right deal would show up. I ended up finding a complete boat for $600. It didn't run when I picked it up but it turned over so I figured I could probably get it going. Paint was and still is a disaster but I'm on the water now so whatever. All in all I got just under $2200 invested in it to date including registration and trailer plates.

I know it's summer now and I'm sure you want to get out ASAP but I would say make sure you look throughly and I'm sure you'll find a deal that suits you.


Life is uncertain. Don't sip.

I would like to buy now, but if I have to wait till the off season to buy one then so be it. Only thing that will suck is waiting till summer lol.

Shameless plug, but I've got a 18' Tahiti for sale. Turn key ready to haul an ice chest 

Hows it going everyone.

I recently came back from the Parker River Float (My first time to the river actually) and I have decided that I want to get a jet boat. I actually always wanted one.

I'm trying to find out all the information I can before I buy one. I'm looking to buy one between 3k to 5k. Most likely a 19 footer.

Any information you guys can provide for me would be greatly appreciated since I have never owned a boat before.

I'm a hands on type of learner and I'm located in Buena Park, Ca and I was hoping I can actually meet up with one of you guys to show me around a jet boat and point out how different things work.

Also since it has been about a year since I posted this thread some of my preferences have changed......

-Looking for 21 footer +
-Preferably open bow
-I/O would be nice
-Willing to spend up to 10k

Wow, I/O. Why ?

Also since it has been about a year since I posted this thread some of my preferences have changed......

-Looking for 21 footer +
-Preferably open bow
-I/O would be nice
-Willing to spend up to 10k

 Nice!!!! buena park?? I'm in buena park to... Off valley view/la Palma lol... Nice to have someone else local to me into boating....

 Nice!!!! buena park?? I'm in buena park to... Off valley view/la Palma lol... Nice to have someone else local to me into boating....

Dude I'm off dale and Lincoln,  small world. 


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welcome to the boating life, just curious why the i/o and not a jet?

welcome to the boating life, just curious why the i/o and not a jet?

Well over the past 2 years I have driven and ridden in only I/o style boats. Never driven a boat with a jet, I need some convincing I guess.

Well over the past 2 years I have driven and ridden in only I/o style boats. Never driven a boat with a jet, I need some convincing I guess.

in my opinion its all on where you are gonna use it, i have a carrera 202xr bowrider jet and i wouldnt change it for the world, i you outta drive a jet to see the feel theres other guys with a lot more knowladge about jets than me, especially on this site that can word things a lot better than I can. but pros of a jet- shallow water,rooster tail, i dont have the sharp prop with lil ones to worry about. theres tons more im sure of so guys if you read this please help out. basically from what i was told its basically a big jet ski. but like i said im no expert all i can do is tell ya what ive been taught/told, make any sense?

i might have sounded like an idiot    but hey theres my opinion

Jets are easier to work on, cheaper to maintain or rebuild...  A jet you can take just about anywhere .. 

What he said. Depends on where you use it.

I bought a 21' Ultra jet because I go to Laughlin. I used to live in Buena Park near Beach Blvd and La Mirada Blvd.

Now I live on Lake Norman near Charlotte, NC. Living here having a Bravo 1 over the dominator pump would be beneficialand. Probably 8 mph faster with less RPM and less fuel. (395 hp bbc)

But... I'm not going to do a conversion and I'm not selling the boat. It's the only rooster tail on the lake and I drive it like it's a big jet ski. It's scientifically proven that jets are just more fun to drive.