[Cory MacSween]

I just picked up my new Orange Crush 3-up 90hp spark. So far I love the machine. One question I have, does anyone else notice it very unstable at low speeds near it's capacity? My wife and I are bigger people and combined we weigh in at about 440 lbs. I find it very unstable off of plane. To the point where we bailed off of it once coming to a stop. Anyone else run their sparks near its capacity and feel this? I bought the three seater with intention of only being a two seater. I mainly only ride it by myself but the odd time my wife wants to join I find it very uncomfortable.

 

[Kyle]

I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes i take my brother for a ride and together we weight about 500lbs. It is very easy to tip going slow until you get on plane, but then it's all good from there. I also find the more you ride with two people the easier it gets. I guess you just get used to it.

 

[Sarge707]

I just picked up my new Orange Crush 3-up 90hp spark. So far I love the machine. One question I have, does anyone else notice it very unstable at low speeds near it's capacity? My wife and I are bigger people and combined we weigh in at about 440 lbs. I find it very unstable off of plane. To the point where we bailed off of it once coming to a stop. Anyone else run their sparks near its capacity and feel this? I bought the three seater with intention of only being a two seater. I mainly only ride it by myself but the odd time my wife wants to join I find it very uncomfortable.

The throttle is your friend? If you feel your about to tip give it some gas in the other direction (As long as its safe to do so!) and you will pull right out of it without falling in the drink?

 

[Rthonb]

As long as you are giving it gas and you hold on your good

 

[sparkdream]

I haven't picked up a spark yet. Waiting for the 2015. Love the 3up but only rode it by myself. With my wife we are at 450 but would really only be cruising when together. Do you guys that are pushing the limit feel that this is a deal breaker?

 

[Cory MacSween]

To be honest, it's disappointing. The only thing that recovers it for me is most of my riding will be solo. If I was going to be riding 2-up for the majority with that kind of weight it would be a deal breaker if it wasn't too late. Like I said into the gas it's great. The two of us lean into turns and it's a great time. It's just in no wake zones and slowing down. I'm sure we will get better.

 

[Poedic603]

@sparkdream
Personally I think 450 is a no go
We and my wife are 310 and its fine but there are times it gets a bit unstable at slow speeds
I had 3 ppl on it at 450 and it was a mistake we alnost tipped multiple times and it wouldnt power up very well.
On that thought get 2 sparks and have a blast!

 

[Rthonb]

We are near the limit and the 2 of us went on a 2.5 hr trip down river into grand lake with a 5 gal fuel jug full tied to the back and while I wouldn't bring the jug again we made it without too much difficulty. You need to maintain 35 mph to make sure you stay on a plane especially with the weight on the back.

 

[serpent710]

That would be the only downfall I see with these skis. Even back in the day, with two people on it was unstable until you got used to it. Also, though you 110hp to help you.

 

[Cory MacSween]

It's just disappointing because you would assume if they say it can handle 450 it should be able to handle 450. As far as I'm concerned it can't handle 450 off of plane. On plane it's manoeuvreable and stable. Just the second you're off plane it's a fight to stay on. I know it will get better as my wife gets more comfortable because at the moment she is a little twitchy. I need to get her out on a calm lake and relax. It's her first time on a ski so she needs to get the feel for it. I purposely bought the three up model knowing my wife and I aren't the most fit people. All in all I'm happy with it because the majority of my riding is solo and it performs great.

 

[Cory MacSween]

On a side note it's got plenty of power to get all of our weight on plane in a flash so it's just the stability that I wish could be a little better.

 

[Eric Demaline]

My wife and I have the same problem. Going through no wake zones it feels like a can not maneuver it well. I have no problem with me and my son or other kids, but a second adult makes the 3 up feel wobbly at slow speeds....I wonder if the Sea doo gt130 would have similar stability problems?

 

[RunItTwice]

It's just disappointing because you would assume if they say it can handle 450 it should be able to handle 450. As far as I'm concerned it can't handle 450 off of plane. On plane it's manoeuvreable and stable. Just the second you're off plane it's a fight to stay on. I know it will get better as my wife gets more comfortable because at the moment she is a little twitchy. I need to get her out on a calm lake and relax. It's her first time on a ski so she needs to get the feel for it. I purposely bought the three up model knowing my wife and I aren't the most fit people. All in all I'm happy with it because the majority of my riding is solo and it performs great.

They say it will handle 450 pounds, and it will, but it does require some skill when loading to max capacity. There is a learning curve to riding 2 up on a small craft, you just have to get up it. You'll be fine.

 

[Paula]

My husband weighs 250 and we decided to get two. he got the 3 up and I got the 2 up. He had no issue with his being unstable but ironically my light weight, 5'2" and 100 lbs, I have trouble getting on it in deep water and I also felt unstable especially in making turns at first.

I did however get used to it and now feel completely in control. I am concerned that so many here have fallen off and even capsized their skis.

I have been riding jet skis for 6 years and have never fallen off or capsized and hopefully never will! But even at my light weight, I also felt a difference between the Spark and my other jet skis.

So it is not only bigger people. I now think I will never take a passenger. Too much responsibility. Thanks for sharing this as I thought I was being weird!

 

[RunItTwice]

I have been thrown, and capsized, I assure you, in both cases, I was pushing things to the limit. Riding aggressively is not a fault of the ski. Trying to find the limits where they capsize, will eventually lead to a capsize. It is really no big deal. You should go out and do a bunch of low speed turns, and capsize it once. It will eliminate the fear when you realize the worse thing you can possibly imagine is not even remotely scary.

 

[Paula]

I prefer to have a great ride and stay in control rather than risk doing damage to my equipment just to see if I can.

I love riding fast and jumping wakes, but at age 50 I am well past the take it to the limit mentality! LOL

I will leave hot dogging to the young ones who heal faster!

 

[RunItTwice]

I'm almost 46, I'm not that far behind you.

 

[Cory MacSween]

It's only at low speeds. It's not that I find it unstable with two at low speed, it is unstable. Only with two on at its limit. I find it's a fight to keep it upright. No doubt we will get comfortable with it. It doesn't scare me I just find it inconvenient to climb back on when all I want to do is travel to a dock in a no wake zone. With a single person I toss it around and find it extremely stable.

 

[RunItTwice]

I have watched 3 different sets of riders ride mine in either 2up or 3up fashion. Only 2 have capsized, and only once each. They make it through the no wake zones, and are near capacity weight wise.

I agree it is less stable with more bodies, but have the person on the back hold the driver and lean on them, like on a motorcycle. Keeps the center of mass balanced better if the driver can control both of their positions.

 

[Cory MacSween]

We can make due. It's just not a very nice ride. In order to keep it from tipping we had to hold tight and stay center. It wasn't a relaxed ride. The slightest move off center I would have to gun it to straighten out. I'm not saying if you ride the limit it's going to tip. It just feels like a fight to keep it from tipping.