The Yamaha Waverunners take home the trophy for the most reliable jet ski, but there are some good runners-up. Both Kawasaki and the now-defunct Honda jet skis are renowned for their reliability. The most reliable jet ski on the market is the WaveRunner FX. Overall, I consider the Sea-Doo GTI and Yamaha VX models to be the most reliable jet skis.
Reliable and stable, the Sea Doo GTI SE models (130 and 170) provide an excellent jet ski touring and leisure experience. Designed for comfort and relaxation, these jet skis are ideal for those looking for a safe and lightweight jet ski that is easily transportable and ideal for holidays. Opt for more HP if you can. This information is based on the experience of technicians who maintain and deliver hundreds of personal jet skis and personal watercraft across all three brands each year.
Striking and incredible for performing tricks, this jet ski is one of the best products on the market. The type of jet ski you need will depend on the features and specifications you want the jet ski to have. If you buy a cheaper new jet ski and compare it to an older, higher-performance jet ski, you may find that the older jet ski is more reliable. If you have an unlimited budget and don't care if you're going to have to pay to have your high-performance jet ski fixed and repaired, do it.
But are there simpler jet skis on the market with simpler features? The good news is that yes, you can usually find these models in the Rec-Lite and Recreation categories. If you're just starting out or renting, you might want to consider a jet ski that offers less horsepower to minimize the learning curve. Most jet skis are made so that two adults can travel in comfort, however, on many models there is the option of having a capacity of up to three passengers, including the driver. With an engine of between 100 and 200 horsepower, recreational jet skis have a top speed of between 50 and 65 miles per hour.
As mentioned, Kawasaki, Yamaha and Sea-Doo are easily the best brands of jet skis, and a compelling case can be made to keep Honda in the mix despite having been out of production for more than ten years. The three most popular brands of jet skis are the Kawasaki Jet Ski, the Yamaha WaveRunner and the Sea-Doo. You may have heard terms like PWC, jet ski, wave racer and Sea-Doo that are used to describe what you think of as a “jet ski”. Seadoo has the largest line of jet skis from all the major manufacturers and has some of the most affordable models.
With two versions of the Rotax 1630 ACE engine available, these jet skis provide excellent acceleration while saving fuel. Lack of maintenance on your personal watercraft will affect its longevity, so asking to see all oil change logs when buying a used jet ski, as well as any other maintenance paperwork, will ensure that you avoid buying a problem jet ski. Aimed at experienced riders, this jet ski has excellent maneuverability and the adjustable handlebars add comfort for longer trips.
