Screaming Penguin - Source Does Matter

The other day we were hanging out in suburbia, you know drinking a beer in the cul-de-sac in lawn chairs, and my neighbor says "do you want a jet ski"?

To which I replied, umm, yes.

Long story short, the neighbor gave me a 1990 Kawasaki 650SX stand up ski. He was tired of the old thing in the garage taking up space (with no trailer), and just wanted it out of there. So like a good neighbor I was there for him.

It's an old ski, but it is in great shape. All stock, hull is nice, paint is excellent, everything looks like it was only ridden a few times in its lifetime.

I spent about half a day taking out the gas tank, the gas lines, taking off the head, so on. I made sure we had no fuel gunk around, cleaned out what little there was (neighbor actually did a great job storing the ski, removing fuel and so on), checked the oil injection pump, inspected seals and plugs and the like. Then I put it back together, got some petrol, bought a battery at the local box store, built a flush kit (garden hose and some vaccum tubing), and cranked it up. Old school 2-stroke smoke and noise ensued - the thing runs like mad.

Then another buddy came over with his truck and we hauled it to the water. A stand up is tricky at first, but I got the hang of it after 10-15 tries (my friend did not succeed on our first trip, but that just means we need to make more trips). The thing has plenty of power (even with a clydesdale like me) and starts/runs perfectly. Riding a stand up is a lot of fun, but it is also a bit of work. You can ride on your knees pretty easily, kneeboard style, or you can stand. It seems to cavitate a lot at high speeds, but apparently that is normal on choppy water with stock parts (great, now I need an aftermarket intake grate and impeller, another hobby is exactly what I needed - sarcasm intended).

So I was into the project for about 50 bucks and had a nice ski (sans trailer) and had learned to ride. Then I wanted to complete the package and went and bought a craigslist trailer. Now about 400 bucks (total) invested, but ready to roll to the water anytime. My only problem now is how to get my boat and my ski to the lake in one trip ;). I know, life is tough.

Anyway, if any of my friends in the Atl area who happen to see this want to ride the ski and hang out at the lake, were I have been lately instead of posting anything useful here (or getting the book, or anything else, finished), just let me know. Game on.