When you first look at buying a jet ski it can seem a bit overwhelming and daunting as there is so much choice in the market. This series of guides seeks to provide a simple overview of the jet ski market and hopefully help make your choice of jetski a little bit easier.
Types of Jet Ski
Firstly, there are two basic kinds of jet ski, a sit down jet ski and a stand up jet ski. The main difference between the two is that a stand up jet ski has a pivoting handlebar which rises and hence lets you stand up while you are riding. This type of jet ski is also known as a solo model while the sit down version is also known as a sports model.
Jet Ski Manufacturers
Secondly, there are four main jet ski makers in the market today, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Polaris and Sea Doo. The first two should come as no real surprise given their motorcycle heritage and the obvious similarities between motorbikes and jetskis. Sea Doo is the brand name of Bombadier Recreational Products, a Canadian company and the name derives from their popular snowmobile brand Ski-Doo. Polaris is another snowmobile manufacturer who also entered the personal watercraft market and used their experience in snowmobiles to make jetskis.
Buying a Jet Ski
While the choice of jetski can seem overwhelming there are a few major criteria to consider which will immediately help to narrow your search results. These are as follows:
- Size - Jetskis can carry anywhere between one and four people depending on the construction and engine size. They can also be used to tow inflatable tubes and rings . It is therefore important to decide who will use the jet ski and therefore which is the best size.
- Safety - If you are considering buying a used jet ski make sure it comes with a lanyard. This will ensure that the ignition will cut off if you fall off of the jetski. This is not an issue for new jetskis as lanyards come as standard.
- Engine Size - Jetsksi are classified by their engine sizes and as you would expect the more horsepower an engine has the faster the jet ski will go, although hull specification is also a factor in the speed of a jet ski.
- Hull Specifications - The general rule here is that the broader and longer the jet ski is the more stable it will be in the water. Beginners should generally stay away from short, narrow jet skis which are highly manoeuvrable (read difficult to control). The longer, broader models also tend to carry more than one person at a time.
We hope you have found this articles useful. The two other articles in our buying guide series consider the main styles of jet ski which are available and also the essential kit which you should buy together with your jet ski.