Freestyle Is pre 08 better?

[makejetskiinggreatagain]

I'm fairly new to the sport and am looking to upgrade from my 650sx to a superjet. I miraculously convinved my wife that it would be in our best financial interests to buy a newer ski, arguing that it would save money if we didnt have repair costs. lol. anyways, I want a freestyle ski and noticed online that most people agree that the pre 08's were better for freestyle skis than the new 2013's. why is this (if indeed it is true)?

 

[FearMyWrX]

A pre 08 is going to be much less expensive and a higher availability of hull/pump parts. Other than that... Theres not too much difference. A 96-07 would do you just fine.

Generally, the newer skis are just more ascetically pleasing, less scratches blah blah. But, there are many well taken care of older skis. At the end of the day, if your looking to get the best bang for your buck A pre 08 is going to be the best way to go.

Guys can say all they want about bolt on's and reliability. But pretty much from the second you start putting on all these aftermarket parts, your decreasing the reliability and increase potential maintenance costs for the most part.

 

[Scraggly]

I personally don't like the 08+ on flatwater never rode one in the surf so can't say there. But for flatwater it's a flat riding hull IMO and just not what I like.

 

[makejetskiinggreatagain]

i'd be riding flatwater too so thats something i'll need to take into consideration for sure. thanks

 

[escore]

Search me on the yamaha section of PWC today if your on there. I asked this question here and there. Not much reply here but one guy had great feedback over there. Overall sounds like pre 08 is the way to go all the way but especially in surf. I just bought a sweet 07.

 

[Balduccimoto]

I have a 2008 and I love it. It rips and does everything I want it to but very difficult to get the rear to slide like I used to with my 750sx. I rode a pre 08 only briefly , it had tubbies, although more aggressive, they felt very similar to my 08. In my opinion the 08+ works good in the surf and at the buoys. I would say just find the best deal, dont worry about the year, newer the better.

 

[makejetskiinggreatagain]

thanks guys, escore im not on there yet anyway. ill try and look it up. curbyourho i read somewhere the new hull on the 2013s is modified so that its almost like it has tubbies? is that true? I've never ridden anything with those though so i dont even know how they would feel. ha ha that last sentence taken out of context could sound rather r rated.

 

[Vumad]

I'm fairly new to the sport and am looking to upgrade from my 650sx to a superjet. I miraculously convinved my wife that it would be in our best financial interests to buy a newer ski, arguing that it would save money if we didnt have repair costs. lol. anyways, I want a freestyle ski and noticed online that most people agree that the pre 08's were better for freestyle skis than the new 2013's. why is this (if indeed it is true)?

For the most part, yes, the '07- was better for freestyle than the 08+

The 2008 model year brought several changes. All of these changes are raced inspired. It incorporated mild front sponsons, a slightly more narrow rear, a set back pump and deeper chines.

Of these changes, the only one that matters really is the deeper chines. They improve traction and handling for racing but make the ski slide less for freestyle. As for the rest, it's kind of negligible. The sponsons most people add to the 07- hulls are larger and more aggressive than the 08+ incorporated sponsons. People still add sponsons into the 08+ because they are small. The set back pump isn't necessarily bad, because it can give you longer hook up. Some people set back the pump on the 07- model for this. It may hurt your back flips but will probably improve your surf ride. The most major and most important change was to the chines, which hurts free ride.

There were other changes. These include a shorter handle pole, different steering cable, stainless prop, etc. It's easy to shorten a 07- pole, and you probably wouldn't keep the stock prop anyway. The steering cable on the 08+ has less throw so there's actually a 08+ mod to change back to the 07- cable. The changes to the top deck are irrelevant.

So, to summarize, the only real freeride down side to the 08+ SJ is the chines and the price. There are almost no advantages to buying a 08+ boat except it will be unmolested and you can start with a clean slate. The deeper chines can be over came and the 08+ boat will be just as capable. If the deeper chines on the 08+ SJ will ruin it for you, you should look into an aftermarket hull instead.

I vote to buy any 96-2013 SJ that is in the best condition/parts that you can comfortably afford, with money left over to upgrade. The most important part of the boat you buy is the condition, something that is going to make it so you only pick up a wrench for upgrades. Ride > Work.

Edit: Lastly, remember that "better" is a subjective term. Tornado filters are 'better' because they give you like 0.25 more HP, but imho stock airbox is better because it keeps your motor dry and the extra tiny HP isn't worth that risk. I ride bouy's, surf and flat water with my SJ, so the 08+ may actually be a better platform for me. Price made the decision for me, and if price is the deciding factor for you, got 07-, because you wont know the difference.

 

[iangdesign]

I don't know how you convinced her there would be less repair costs with a Yami hull, but good job.

Just an FYI for ya, the bottom deck of a SN is the same as 96-07 RN. Although the looks are little nicer on the RN. I was in the hunt for a RN as well but got a very SWEET deal on my SN. Changed a few things on it and I love the heck out of it now. My engine and pump are rebuilt and I have been riding the piss out of it without any issues since. Put it away, and next trip she starts and runs all day, no issues.

 

[Bcrow]

Personally i like unmolested skis thats why i have a down payment on a new 2013, i like the fact of putting all my own upgrades on something rather that buying one with them on. There is alot of things that can be wrong with a ski that wont show up for a couple rides. Its hard to trust people and what they say any more. Buy whatever ski you like but i would say the 2013 is gonna be less hassle than any other ski and gives you the option to make it your own and not buying into someone elses abortion

 

[makejetskiinggreatagain]

Wow vumad, Thank you for taking the time to explain it so thoroughly. Thats exactly what i needed to hear. I like the idea of a 2013 because it hasnt been messed with by anyone. I would one day like to learn to do a backflip so the set back pump concerns me a little bit but im sure it will be years before im to that level. From what i gather from your response is that a post 08 isnt going to be too terrible of a freestyle ski. I was concerned at first from what i had read online that a newer model was going to be absolutely terrible for freestyle. I can live with the deeper chines. most of the riding i do right now with my limited skill set is just cruising around. I think i'd rather have an "unmolested" ski. am i correct in assuming it will still do fine for most freestyle tricks? I'd like to do minimal modding to whatever i buy. I know people hold to the belief that mods dont affect reliability but im just not sold. Every car I've modified has had problems and im scared that the same will carry over in the jetski world.

 

[Bcrow]

The superjet was designed to be a great overall ski its good at everything but not great at anything lol. From my experience if you want to do a backflip or anything crazy you need a am hull with alot of motor but the more motor tue more expenses and reliablity is at risk. When i started riding standups i thought backflips and barrel roles where soon in my future untill i realized how much money it takes to build a ski thats capable. Water is not as forgiving as it seems the superet hull is not designed for it. This is not your first ski and its not gonna be your last either so just take it little by little

 

[KTM434]

I've never been in the market for an 08+ SJ but was unaware of the deeper chines, good to know. The 08+ SJ also has a longer rideplate, and 62t nozzle setup (CATS) but the trim ring is fixed from the factory. The handlepole is 2" shorter. Having a pump setback actually helps with backflips since it adds more leverage. I don't know if the pump intake was set back as well but either way it's beneficial... Leaving the pump intake in the same spot and setting the pump back further allows more water volume in the pump tunnel. On the other hand if the pump was setback and the pump inlet was also setback then this is also a benefit because having the pump intake further back on the hull allows it to stay in the water better even on sharp turns or a ski that rides nose high. So basically the only drawback to the 08+ in my eyes would be the long rideplate and the deeper chines. I prefer surf riding so those negative examples would be a positive thing for a racer or bouey runner.

 

[dmpus]

I own 2010 SJ and all buds around me have pre 08. They (post/pre 08) do ride different. For flat water no 701modedSJ will backflip ever .. for surf any ski will flip, just 3-4ft steep wave and balls needed.
You will adjust with either ski and will bond with the way it rides. I feel much more comfy with my post08, my bud feels much more comfy with his pre08. I do believe the pre 08 is more stable on turns, and it feels great with big destroyer sponsons in the ocean and rough conditions. The post 08 turns slower than the pre08 but carves stronger. I changed on mine the exit nozzle and cable with pre08 and got rid of that "trim" thingy. Everything is upgraded and aftermarket, but still pre-08 turns sharper and its more stable when turns. Again, you should not care much choosing between two, they both are fun and great hulls, but a/m hull is much more fun after couple of years riding and when you are ready for it

 

[makejetskiinggreatagain]

Ok so in the future (probably long distant future lol) what should i plan on doing to either ski in order to do backflips? In other words what is the bare minimum modifications needed for each ski to be capable of pulling flat water flips. I watch all these videos and im jonesing to get that good. Its gonna take a LOT of practice

 

[kawasaki9]

Great guys , thanks for the write up ! i have always been a kawasaki man ,
Starting to build a pre 08 superjet out of carbon fiber , great to get other peoples feed back !
Thanks again for the posts 1!!!!!

 

[Bcrow]

FPF i was in the same situation as you were watching all the you tube videos of backflips and barrel rolls and wanted to do the same. I soon ran out of motovation,money, and just enjoy rec riding and messing around out on the water. As far as mods to do a flatwater flip on a sj i dont even know if its worth it. You would have to do alot of hull mods like shaving weight,reinforcing, cut the hull shorter, a whole new 12 vein pump setup with trim,prop,bored nozzel a then you would have to have a serious motor. All that beeing said its almost cheaper and less time to pick up a used hull or a new am hull like the bob hull if you want a flatwater ski. They call it the bob hull becase it stands for backflip on budget. You can also check into the eme hulls eric malone has a website he sells a hull that he claims can be fliped with stock yamaha and kawi running gear. Just take it steps at a time a superjet is great to start out on and a good foundation for an am hull. Good luck i hope this helps

 

[makejetskiinggreatagain]

thanks bcrow! I appreciate the help!

 

[socal750]

Ride them all and choose accordingly...I was a die hard kawi guy and built several skis that I believed to be pretty awesome then I got to ride a full built round nose that was nicknamed the sledgehammer cause the power hit so hard...I never looked back,sold all-repeat all of my kawi stuff and picked up a roundnose and a square...hated the skis at first cause they actually handle well but after 3 rides I was pleased with my choice

 

[Vumad]

Ok so in the future (probably long distant future lol) what should i plan on doing to either ski in order to do backflips? In other words what is the bare minimum modifications needed for each ski to be capable of pulling flat water flips. I watch all these videos and im jonesing to get that good. Its gonna take a LOT of practice

Don't worry about backflips. Unless u have clean sur and massive cajones, you won't be inverting this year. All of your free ride mods will work for backflips when you get there. Get a boat. Enjoy it and worry about reinforcing and upgrading it later when u know how to ride it.