While the jet ski is one of the most adrenaline-inducing vehicles out there, it can also be a source of relaxation for many who love to cruise around the open waters. Whatever your reasons for wanting to buy one though, it is important to educate yourself on the maintenance and operational costs you’ll have to bear, and knowing how much fuel your jet ski will consume is a big part of that.
On average, a jet ski can hold up to 16 gallons of fuel in the tank. This number varies between different models owing to the differences in design and size. In order to estimate the mileage of a jet ski, there is a need to factor in aspects like the riding speed, water conditions, and the type of engine used.
Even though we now know that 16 gallons is the fuel capacity of an average jet ski, this will not be enough for you to estimate fuel expenses over time. For that, we need to look at how long each of those 16 gallons will last while you’re riding your watercraft.
How Far Will One Tank Take You?
Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to this seemingly simple question because there are many factors that affect the mileage of a jet ski such as how fast you ride it, how many people are on it, what the conditions of the water are, and how powerful the engine is.
On average, if a jet ski is ridden at its absolute full speed, then the average ‘gallons per hour’ value is somewhere around 10. That equates to 1 hour of use for every 10 gallons of fuel.
But that is not how people usually ride their jet skis. Normally, one would ride a jet ski at varying speeds, depending on the water conditions as well as their mood. That is why you should consider another way to determine the fuel consumption of your shiny new jet ski; calculating the ‘miles per gallon’, or ‘MPG’.
How to Calculate the MPG of a Jet Ski
There are a few simple steps you can take to find out how far your watercraft can travel per gallon of fuel and then use this information to get a fairly accurate idea of how far one full tank will take you.
Fill up the tank of your jet ski completely and then reset the odometer. Ride the jet ski the way you normally intend to – keeping in mind that different speeds will likely produce different results – until you use up at least half of the fuel and then fill the tank back up again. Now simply divide the number of miles you had ridden by the gallons of fuel you just refilled, and you have your watercraft’s MPG.
Once you know the MPG value of your jet ski, you will have a better idea of how far you can ride it before you need a refill. Note that your MPG value might not be the same as that of someone else who uses the same jet ski as their riding style will be different from yours, so it is a good idea for each user to figure out their own MPG value.
Can You Carry Extra Fuel With You?
Can you? Yes. Should you? Probably not.
Carrying extra fuel on your jet ski is generally not recommended because it can be very dangerous. On hotter days, fuel cans have the possibility to explode. They can also simply fall off your watercraft and be lost in the sea forever, also contributing to water pollution.
That’s not to say that there are no ways to carry extra fuel with you. There are various bolt-on fuel cans that you can attach to your jet ski when you ride out on longer routes and don’t want to take the risk of running out of gas while away from any human presence.
Try to Maximize Fuel Usage Instead
Keeping in mind that jet skis are generally not very fuel-efficient vehicles, you can try to make the most of the fuel you have in the tank rather than having to carry extra fuel with you which could be potentially dangerous. To maximize fuel usage, drive your watercraft at lower speeds, try to ride on days when the water is calm, change the oil regularly, and invest in a lighter jet ski if possible.
And when you want to feel that high-speed adrenaline rush, just don’t forget to fill up that tank!