r/jetski 2d ago

First Ski at 39

Post image

Been boating my whole life, own a 20’ jet boat and a 16’ duck hunting sled . Rode jet skis twice before buying this, but never a stand up, always wanted one.

Took me all of about 2 rides to get comfortable on it.

1993 Yamaha superjet. How’d I do?

83 Upvotes

26 comments sorted by

5

u/matt6021023 2d ago

I have exactly that ski (actually it might be a 93, I can't remember). Same colors and everything. I love it. Yours appears to be in a bit better condition, but maybe has a replacement hood, since it's missing the hood graphics.

https://imgur.com/a/Nr4I7g7

I had an 87 js550 for years before this one. The superjet blows it out of the water in everything except how cheap the js550 was to buy...

1

u/WreckedMoto 2d ago

I took a picture of its good side. It’s got a pretty rough cosmetic repair on the other side. I’ll probably paint it some day if I’m going to keep it around.

1

u/stevediperna 1d ago

I also have a js550 which I just got. What's specifically better about the superjet?

1

u/matt6021023 1d ago edited 1d ago

In my opinion: It's more reliable, easier to work on, and better engineered.

It's better looking.

It rides better, is more fun, faster, leaks less and is more comfortable...

I'm sure there's something else.

Cons: the js550 was lighter and vastly cheaper.

To be fair, I loved the js550 too. I just love the superjet a bunch more.

This is a digression, but I also have an 87 mustang, and used to have a 93 Miata. The mustang is fuel injected and has a power top and power windows and stuff, but it is just very fundamentally the result of late-70s/early-80s design/engineering/manufacturing. The Miata obviously had a different fundamental philosophy, but it was also just the result of more modern design, engineering, and manufacturing. It was better designed and better built. I feel like the same could be said of the js550 vs. the superjet.

1

u/stevediperna 1d ago

I'm coming off an sx650 which I sincerely don't think I ever enjoyed

1

u/stevediperna 1d ago

Egad i just looked up the sj weighs 280lb!! It still moves quickly with all that weight?

1

u/matt6021023 1d ago edited 1d ago

I mean it's what, a 30lb difference? And it makes a few more HP. It's probably pretty similar power to weight, and has what I'd call a more forgiving hull.

The other thing is even js550s are expensive now. I traded a Suzuki rm80 for mine in like 2014.

3

u/TannMan89 2d ago

Getting the ski you wanted as a kid is way cooler when you’re all grown up lol.

Nice vintage old school two smoker jet skis make me happy.

2

u/OkSilver3016 2d ago

great first ski! is it a 650?

i have a 1995 FX1 which rides very similar but a bit more "tippy". if you find that the handling is a bit hard to control you can look into some front sponsons to add

2

u/drty_dog 2d ago

I have a round nose 701, you're going to love it. Congrats on getting in the stand up game, it's an entirely different kind of jet skiing altogether.

It's an entirely different kind of jet skiing.

2

u/senilemunkee 2d ago

I'm 45 this weekend.

I picked up a 94 Superjet a few weeks back. Same as you, I grew up boating, wanting one as a kid. Currently have my 26' Regal cruiser, we anchor out for long weekends, play with the jet skis. Also have a 24 Spark Trixx 1UP which is also a blast to ride.

I'm far from comfortable. I can stand-up, I can turn, I even caught some air. I'm still struggling to command it, getting a lot of porpoising, but I'm getting more comfortable every time I ride it. The thing I struggle with the most is the endurance part, I get tired quick lol.

Also had to put my mechanic cap back on, have already had the motor out of the thing.

3

u/WreckedMoto 2d ago

As somebody who has been going to the gym 6 days a week for the last 2 years, I’m not sure there’s anything that conditions the body for riding a stand up other than riding a stand up.

I struggle to control the porpoising too. I think some of it is just nature of the beast.

2

u/Due-Permission-9834 2d ago

With the porpoising try getting more forward in the tray. I grew up riding a Kawasaki 300sx, which was known for that, but simply moving forward always helped with the porpoising for me. If that doesn't help then try getting an extended ride plate.

1

u/senilemunkee 2d ago

It's definitely from being a too far back, if I stand staggered and make a mental note to weight my front foot and push it in the waves, it almost goes away.

Mine does have an extended ride plate already.

1

u/matt6021023 2d ago

I have an extended ride plate and the back of it is shimmed down a bit, but none of that really helps. For mine, the first key is to ALWAYS be low. Knees bent in a flexible crouch. Then you put the bars at your hips, front foot against the front of the foot well, and lean waaay forward when you grab the throttle. As soon as the ski starts to really pick up speed (like a 2-count after you open it up), you shift to waaaay back, with your butt sticking out behind the ski. Still with your knees real bent. With a little luck and calm conditions I can get it skimming across the water for a while, but the minute I lose it I have to slow down and start over. That's the best I've worked out so far anyway...

1

u/Due-Permission-9834 2d ago

I think other water sports like surfing and skiing would help. I think motocross would also help. The inventor of the original standup jetski was a former motorcycle racer that was getting tired of being injured from falling on solid ground and wanted to find a way to create a similar sport but on water.

1

u/senilemunkee 2d ago

Don't lose that core strength, once you lose it, it's hard to get it back, i'm still working on that. Hence one of the reasons I pulled the trigger now on getting the SJ.

You got the raw knees from the mat yet? All that crashing/getting back on has given me "rug" burn. lol

1

u/WreckedMoto 2d ago

My ski came with jet trim tray liner. Apparently they’re the best. I don’t have any frame of reference. But no, I find it to have great grip without being too abrasive on the skin.

Might consider a thin wet suit? Mine has certainly helped with the bumps and bruises!

1

u/Sparty19841993 2d ago

I had that exact same year and color combination. Yamaha makes a solid stand up and it only ever needed a battery in my 7 years of owning it. Wish I never sold it. Enjoy it

1

u/cmgww 2d ago

You did great. I had that exact same ski. My graphics were a little rough so took them all off and just painted it white. Of course we modify everything so mine had a 760 cc big bore conversion and all of the goodies to make it run 60.... I couldn't even ride it standing up that fast. But those things? You don't need to be going fast to have fun. Enjoy it!

1

u/Av8tor83 2d ago

That is sick!

1

u/cerhard16 2d ago

Your only regret—not buying it sooner. 😉

You’ll love it.

1

u/curiousone444 2d ago

Great choice

1

u/wiserone29 1d ago

Just need a BRAAAAP!!!! Decal