Old thread but since it got bumped....being I used to race and just go all out freestyle like lol, Yamaha all the way. I like the hulls better, the motors better and easier to work on with big aftermarket, and reliable as hell. 5-10 years ago when I used to go hard all out in the ocean it was always the Sea Doos having trouble. Their newer models still don't do anything for me. But all the new ski's have gotten heavier and larger.
If you want a raw balls out fun ski, find a well kept Yamaha Waveraider 1100, had a couple including one that I had Riva build the engine for. Seriously that ski was knucking futz, more like the old school power boats vs the new stepped hull powerboats. Wasn't really designed for ocean running but I could kick a GP1300Rs ass out there (I know b/c I had a modded one as well lol). Waveraider is the best/most fun ski ever made. Here's some quotes:
"Great ski but be very carefull untill you learn to ride it . I knocked my self out on two seprate trips before realy learning this ski ."
"Great Ski, but very scary for amature riders"
"its not for the faint of heart or newbies.it can handle well ,but you have to ride it or it will kick the s**t out of you. like a wild bucking bronco. the absolute most fun ski i have ever rode.but also maybe the most dangerous"
This is me on my modified Waveraider some years ago, going to get another to build as the new ski's even from Yamaha have gotten bigger and heavier this ski was light which is why it was so tossable and hauled ass. I remember a friend took it out who had plenty of experience with ski's and he came back said dude this ski is crazy it chucked my ass right off lol:
