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Choosing A Jet Ski

By John Funk, July 16, 2018

Looking to grab a new PWC for some summertime fun? Then you’ve come to the right place for advice. We’re going to break down the pros and cons of each PWC category and leave it to you to decide which one fits you best.

Every Jet Ski Is Different There’s been long debate on which jet ski does it best. It’s always been a huge duel between the three jet ski titans, Sea-Doo, Kawasaki, and Yamaha. All of them are capable of leaving you with some of the most memorable experiences to be fair, but real jet ski enthusiasts will tell you what the competitive edge is on each one. So hopefully this guide leads you the purchasing a jet ski that will serve you for many years to come.

What’s Your Budget? On the lower spectrum of things you can purchase a jet ski for around $5000, but if you’re looking for the Rolls Royce of jet skis you can expect to spend as much as $60,000. However, the general pricing is $5000-$17,000. Like all things there are going to be different levels of quality you can expect from the amount you spend. Generally speaking the categories of jet skis are rec lite, tow sports, recreational, performance and luxury.

Are You Looking For Rec Lite?

This is the entry level category. For a buyer who needs a jet ski to get the job done. A surprisingly new category. The first jet ski under this category was the Sea Doo Spark released in 2014. Average retail price on jet skis in this category range from $5,000 to $9000. Performance wise you can expect to see jet skis in this category average reach up to 50 mph. Which is more than enough for someone new to jet skis to have a fun time.Yamaha recently entered this market with their 3-seater EX, creating competition for Sea-Doo. Kawasaki doesn’t have a product available in this category.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Lightweight
  • Nimble

Cons

  • Uncomfortable seating, since they lack cushioning
  • Smaller size
  • Lack of stability

Rec-Lite

This category is relatively new to the scene, created with Sea-Doo’s introduction of the Spark in 2014. Rec-lites are the economy version of personal watercraft, starting at $5,399 and going up to $8,699. Rec-lites can handle speeds between 40 mph to 50 mph, which will seem fast to beginners. 2-seater and 3-seater versions are available, and they make an excellent choice for first-time buyers who are just starting to explore the world of jet skis.Yamaha recently entered this market with their 3-seater EX, creating competition for Sea-Doo. Kawasaki doesn’t have a product available in this category.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Lightweight, especially the Spark
  • Nimble

Cons

  • Uncomfortable seating, since they lack cushioning
  • Smaller size
  • Lack of stability

Recreational

This next category is the most popular. Recreational level jet skis are by far the hardest category to choose from because of how great of a selection there is to choose from. Sea Doo Models.. Sea-Doo’s options include the GTS, GTI, GTI SE 130, GTI SE 155, and GTI Limited 155. Yamaha has the VX, VX Deluxe, VX Cruiser, VX Cruiser HO, and VX Limited. And Kawasaki offers the STX-15F and Ultra LX.The recreational-category watercraft have top speeds ranging from 42 mph to 62 mph.

Pros

  • Stability
  • Nimbleness
  • Storage space

Cons

  • Doesn’t handle chop as well as larger models
  • Not as fast as some buyers are looking for

Tow-Sports

These personal watercraft are designed for people who enjoy pull sports like tubing and wakeboarding. Sea Doo has two of the best jet skis for this purpose. You can choose from the The Wake 155 is built for hobbyists, while the Pro 230 provides more stability and a more powerful engine.

Pros

  • Average Speed 60 mph
  • Ideal for pull sports
  • Special design raises the rope away from the pump
  • Slow speed mode
  • Wakeboard holder
  • Strong resale value

Cons

  • The Wake 155 isn’t much cheaper than the Pro version ($11,999 vs. $14,699) — we recommend the Pro, which has a better seat and engine.

Ultimate Luxury & Performance

Mansory is without a doubt best known for its luxury car modification and specifically for wrapping already insanely expensive super sports cars in a full carbon fiber layer inside-out. Now the design firm is taking things to the water with the Black Marlin Jet Ski. Based on the Sea-Doo RXT-X 260 RS, the jet ski has been given an overall more aggressive design, as well as a full carbon fiber makeover, resulting in over 10 kg of less weight. Furthermore the engine has been converted and now comes with 550 hp. Priced at $62,000, look out for Mansory Black Marlin Jet Ski soon.

Pros

  • Comfort
  • Stability
  • Power
  • Aesthetically Superior
  • Sporty
  • Luxurious

Cons

  • Expensive

Where To Find The Best Jet Ski Covers? Now that you have a broad idea of what to look for. We can certainly direct you to the best place to get a cover for the jet ski you choose. Seal Skin Covers focuses on Seal-Fit jet ski covers. Our mission is to provide a great fit for your jet ski at an even better price than a custom cover. Our focus is on helping customers save hundreds of dollars on fully custom covers that are overpriced, un-returnable, hard to install and sometimes made from poor quality fabrics. We manufacture high quality covers for just about every brand jet ski out there, especially well known brands like Polaris, Honda, Sea Doo, and Yamaha.

Seal Skin PWC Cover Features

  • Great cover for Hail Protection.
  • 10 year warranty.
  • 5 Layers of protection.
  • Ultrasonically welded seams for 100% waterproof cover.
  • Micro-porous film promotes breathability and prevents mildew and rotting.
  • Soft fleece interior lining protects your car's exterior finish.
  • Treated with advanced UV inhibitors for protection against harmful UV rays & heat.
  • Multiple layers help protect against dings and scratches.
  • Superior all-season indoor and outdoor protection.
  • Protects against extreme weather elements like sun, rain, snow, and ice.
  • Protects against bird droppings.
  • Protects against tree sap, dust, dirt, and other harmful pollutants.
  • Prevents damage from smog, over spray, tree sap, and bird droppings.
  • Reinforced grommets on both sides of the cover.
  • Free lock and cable kit included.
  • Elastic hem cord around the perimeter of the cover ensures a snug fit.
  • Free storage pouch and antenna patch included.
  • 10 year warranty.
  • Installs easily in under 60 seconds.