After stalking this forum for a few years, it's official.....

[Sidarousmg]

I've literally been vising this forum for about 3 years, ever since i rented an sx190 in the florida keys. This forum is absolutely fantastic, it has become a habit to check this site about as often as i do my motorcycle forums (FZ09 and Burgman 650). it had been a pipe dream for some time to get a boat, but living in Richmond, VA, i didn't think there was many places to use it to justify owning one. anyways, i don't know if it's cabin fever, or the fact that last week we were supposed to be down in the keys (i had a 212 limited rented for a few days), but for whatever reason, the boss...err...wife, decided we should get a boat so we can "social distance" this summer on something other than the motorcycle. Didn't have to tell me twice and after water testing last weekend, i'm going to pick up an 08 Seadoo Challenger 180. I'll call it an experiment, either we will fall in love and become avid boaters, or it won't work out, in which case, i don't think i'll lose much money ,but will certainly gain some memories and knowledge in the process. I look forward to hopefully meeting some of you out on the water, even if it's from more than 6 feet away....

 

[BigAbe75]

Awesome.

 

[GTBRMC]

Welcome aboard! Best wishes with the new obsession. LOL
Make as many memories as you can, as soon as you can.

 

[Julian]

Congrats and welcome (officially)....post up some photos!!!

 

[Hoyt]

Congrats and welcome.

I'm from Hampton Roads, VA. Look up Chickohominy camp ground. Gorgeous river, sand bar, and boat ramp. It's up in Northern williamsburg so not far at all drive for you. We go there ALOT to the party cove. Great place

 

[J-RAD]

As an official member here who lacks any authority, I officially welcome you (unofficially)!

 

[4x15mph]

Welcome and my story was similar with the lurking for about 3 years when I picked up a Yamaha LS2000. It required some maintenance over the 5 years that I owned it as an older boat/technology (2 stroke) does... loved all of it and this forum had a number of us that helped each other. When I started looking at jet boats it was because of the Sea Doo's and then I learned about other options as well (e.g. Yamaha).

I have a Yamaha FZ8 and also ride. Few others on this board do as well. You will see that the boat is like the moto only you can fit a lot more people.

Welcome aboard!

 

[Sidarousmg]

Congrats and welcome.

I'm from Hampton Roads, VA. Look up Chickohominy camp ground. Gorgeous river, sand bar, and boat ramp. It's up in Northern williamsburg so not far at all drive for you. We go there ALOT to the party cove. Great place

Thanks Hoyt, I will take a look at that spot. i did the water test on the James just east of Richmond, and the water was about as brown as i've ever seen, but i know heading more east towards the Chesapeake it gets better. I was on the Rappanhannok last year and the water was great, so good to the know the James gets better the farther away from the city.

 

[Sidarousmg]

Welcome and my story was similar with the lurking for about 3 years when I picked up a Yamaha LS2000. It required some maintenance over the 5 years that I owned it as an older boat/technology (2 stroke) does... loved all of it and this forum had a number of us that helped each other. When I started looking at jet boats it was because of the Sea Doo's and then I learned about other options as well (e.g. Yamaha).

I have a Yamaha FZ8 and also ride. Few others on this board do as well. You will see that the boat is like the moto only you can fit a lot more people.

Welcome aboard!

That's my sentiment exactly, i love riding but recently i'm not putting many miles on any of the bikes, mostly because everyone i used to ride with has given it up for one reason or the other, so it's just me solo or the wife and I on the burgman. i'm anticipating doing maintenance on a 12 year old boat. i will start with oil and plugs, if it looks like we're enjoying the boat, i've budgeted for a super charger rebuilt after the summer. i haven't even picked up the boat yet and i've already found about a $1000 worth of accessories i want to get.....

 

[Weeb]

Welcome

 

[tdonoughue]

Welcome and congrats on the new boat!

Don't worry that you have only found $1k in accessories. We will add to that list in no time...

 

[pmustico]

I've literally been vising this forum for about 3 years, ever since i rented an sx190 in the florida keys. This forum is absolutely fantastic, it has become a habit to check this site about as often as i do my motorcycle forums (FZ09 and Burgman 650). it had been a pipe dream for some time to get a boat, but living in Richmond, VA, i didn't think there was many places to use it to justify owning one. anyways, i don't know if it's cabin fever, or the fact that last week we were supposed to be down in the keys (i had a 212 limited rented for a few days), but for whatever reason, the boss...err...wife, decided we should get a boat so we can "social distance" this summer on something other than the motorcycle. Didn't have to tell me twice and after water testing last weekend, i'm going to pick up an 08 Seadoo Challenger 180. I'll call it an experiment, either we will fall in love and become avid boaters, or it won't work out, in which case, i don't think i'll lose much money ,but will certainly gain some memories and knowledge in the process. I look forward to hopefully meeting some of you out on the water, even if it's from more than 6 feet away....

Welcome to boat life! I'm from Richmond VA as well and love the James, Chesapeake Bay, Lake Chesdin and Lake Anna. Lots of water. Boat up to The Boathouse or Conch Republic for dinner and drinks. Big fun boating to dinner instead of driving.

 

[Sidarousmg]

Welcome to boat life! I'm from Richmond VA as well and love the James, Chesapeake Bay, Lake Chesdin and Lake Anna. Lots of water. Boat up to The Boathouse or Conch Republic for dinner and drinks. Big fun boating to dinner instead of driving.

Thank you. I think the maiden voyage will be this weekend, most likely lake Anna as i'm pretty familiar with it (and i can always pay to have the boat put in the water if i completely blow it my first time). I will definetely ask you to show me around the James, I did the water test around Kings Landing boat ramp, but was not very impressed with the water. are there boat ramps around Rockett's landing? is it relatively easy to navigate around the city by boat?

 

[pmustico]

Ancarrows Landing is across the water from Rocketts Landing and you can put in there. It's steep and I have never put in there. I use Osborne Landing alot. It's got 3 nice ramps and is in a little protected area so the current isn't a big factor. It is 30 minutes (by boat) east of Richmond and provides access to lots of places on the river.

Lake Anna is fun and your boat will be great on that water. Lake Chesdin just south of Richmond has less boaters and a free, nice ramp.

If you haven't, go practice backing up in an empty parking lot for an hour. Helped me a ton. Make a checklist of pre-launch items - like the drain plug - because it's easy to miss with the stress/thrill of the launch.

Good luck!

 

[PJ73]

 

[Sidarousmg]

took it out for its maiden voyage over the weekend(twice). didn't sink and didn't wreck, so that's a plus. found a couple of issues that need to be addressed, but all in all, great little boat. and because pics or it didn't happen......

 

[J-RAD]

Congratulations and welcome to the party!

 

[pmustico]

took it out for its maiden voyage over the weekend(twice). didn't sink and didn't wreck, so that's a plus. found a couple of issues that need to be addressed, but all in all, great little boat. and because pics or it didn't happen......View attachment 117891

Congrats!