Freeride and distance capable runabout suggestions?

Pro-pulsion

Pro-pulsion

Location
Ontario, Canada
I have been considering this for a few months now that maybe next year I will look into buying a second ski. I'm sure there are guys on here that have toyed with runabout hulls and managed to make them quite decent freeride skis while still keeping with long range cruising use when desired. My question is, what skis out there can do a decent balancing act of both purposes. I know Wax has built an 1100 triple Blaster :D but I'm not keen on the handling and reboarding of Blasters. My thoughts are to look for a newer-ish machine, something that has no issues with running between mid and max speeds for a few hours at a time. I'm not interested in getting long ranges quickly, but reliably. A buddy of mine had to retire from the standup industry due to rather severe knee problems. Now he runs a Kawi STX-15F if I recall. I don' lie to see him doing these 30 plus mile rides on his own even if there are usually boaters to help out. Plus it's just not the same to be out there alone. I have to do it because if I didn't go on my own, I would never get out on the water anymore. All my ski guy groupies only want the autumn waves and they MIGHT get out once even then. Back to the skis, as for brands, I wouldn't leave the Yamaha line up personally, but also not interested in getting into turbo charged anything...I don't trust the turbos to last a 10 year plus life. Does Yami make anything say in the 5-10 year old range that can be fun in the surf but still be a good long hauler? I would probably like to find something 4 stroke for this purpose and keep my 2 stroke love purely for the SJ. Part of me thinks I should consider something like a Raider or WB2 but I'd hate to get 30 miles away from home and have a blow up or something like that happen. Plus I would like to keep away from doing carb rebuilds on multiple carbs. I already have two to take care of...adding 3 more is not catching my interest :p
 
Mike W

Mike W

Infidel
Location
North Florida
I ride with a group of guys that have Yamaha FX HO cruisers. Super reliable, very comfortable and fast. I’m stuck with a buddies Seadoo GTX which is also very comfortable in rough water but not nearly as fast. If you’re wanting a two stroke Yamaha cruiser then I would look for a GP 1200.
 
x2mafia

x2mafia

Maximum effort
Location
WA
yamanube said:
Freeride runabout? If there was ever such a thing, the Spark would be as close as you could get, and even then...
Click to expand...


That’s what I’m saying. I can not confirm or deny that I may or may not have possibly ridden one in the surf... plus when it comes to rebuilding the thing it doesn’t get any easier.
 
mikidymac

mikidymac

Location
California
No such thing as a Freeride runabout especially a 4 stroke.

You can try a spark but the reliability is questionable.

And from Yamaha it doesn’t exist.
 
Pro-pulsion

Pro-pulsion

Location
Ontario, Canada
Not specifically freeride, just something that can be used in surf somewhat like a freeride hull. I understand it will never be dedicated as such but it would be nice to find something that can at least catch some decent air rather than plow through the waves. When I worked for Polaris, surprisingly both the Genesis and Virage were quite a good bit of fun in the bigger waves. But like SD, Polaris had no reliability. In fact, I'm rather certain Polaris made their crank shafts out of chocolate...never seen a brand be able to throw a crank out of phase with such little effort. I have recently heard that the GP hull has been the standard that Yamaha still uses. I wonder if a slightly older GP is the way to go? I just have no faith in forced air induction.
 
Kaylee.S

Kaylee.S

Location
Redondo Beach, CA
There's a big guy out here in Ventura that nose stabs a gp1200. One of the coolest things I've seen in the surf! hahaha

A couple of them ride Blaster 2's and seem to have a ball. They can make the long distance rides up the coast when we're stuck riding close to where we launch. But then again, I ride my flatwater ski in the surf...so...
 
Pro-pulsion

Pro-pulsion

Location
Ontario, Canada
Mid to higher throttle. The long runs are more of cruising runs just to give my buddy company and support. 4 stroke was the preferred idea just because of the lower maintenance aspect...carb kits etc. that all come with the 2 stroke life. Blaster 2's are rather rare to come by up here. I think I have only ever seen one around here just a few years ago but if one popped up for the right price I might consider it. Does the Blaster 2 ride the same as the B1? I didn't like the B1 for the way it slants you forward and forces you to tweak your neck up to see ahead. My neck isn't great anymore having some muffed up discs in there. The B1's that I rode, after a while started to really bother those discs. I'm also not a fan of the nearly impossible to re-board hull design lol.
 
Big Kahuna

Big Kahuna

Administrator
Location
Tuscaloosa, AL
It is not as agressive as a B1. We had one for years. It is not the smoothest ride for long distance crusing if it is rough, but it is a hell of alot of fun to ride, rip turns and jump waves.
 
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