Once you fall in love with seadooing there's no turning back. It's in your blood forever. Shopping for a new Sea-Doo can be challenging. So many decisions to be made and so many things to consider.
PURPOSE OF THE Sea-Doo - Decide what your main purpose(s) for the Sea-Doo will be. Are you riding by yourself or will you be riding with one or more passengers? Do you want towing capabilities? What type of power will you require?
WARRANTIES - Extremely important. No matter how new your Sea-Doo is, warranties can vary tremendously. This is an area in which you should do a lot of comparison shopping. If purchasing a new Sea-Doo be sure to go with a manufacturer that stands firmly behind their product and is going to rise to the occasion when things go wrong. Boatbuying.com outlines things to consider when dealing with warranties.
NMMA & CCG CERTIFIED - Make sure the boat is certified by the National Marine Manufacturers Association. The NMMA standards exceed the basic regulations set by the U.S. Coast Guard. Most boats but not all will have the Canadian Coast Guard Certification in addition to the U.S one if they have been constructed in the States. Make sure that if you are using the boat in Canada that it carries both certifications.
DEALER REPUTATION - Extremely important. This could make or break your boating experience. Make sure their service department is reputable and have quick turn around on repairs. Check the store out in person and do not rely on a great looking web site or a flashy ad. Take a drive and visit the location. Chances are that if the dealer looks after his premises, they most likely will look after your investment. Meet the people that are employed here, keeping in mind that after the initial sale is completed you are still going to need the services that the dealership provides. Get to know the parts and service personnel not just your salesperson.
WORD OF MOUTH - Find other people who own or have previously owned the brand or model of the Sea-Doo you are considering purchasing. They can shed light on areas you may have never considered. Other owners will tell you the truth but keep in mind to speak to someone who has owned this particular brand. Most owners are very loyal to their particular brand and can be biased towards different products.
BOATING SAFETY - Take a safe boating course BEFORE you hit the water. The Water and Boating Safety Resources links page is an excellent source of boating courses and has great links to start instilling boat and water safety in your mind. Make sure that everyone who will be operating or just riding in the boat takes a safety course as well. Don't overlook knowing the proper way to tow a skier and how to retrieve a downed skier safely. Also see Drivers Corner, Boating Tips, and the article, "How Fast Should You Go?" which explains boat speeds for different boat towed sports.