Reaching top speeds of 70mph, shooting through waves with unbelievable power and bracing twists and turns, jet skis, also known as PWCs (personal watercraft) and marine jets, require durability and resilience, so a reliable brand is the key to keeping costs down and ensuring longevity.
The innovative, revolutionary Yamaha is universally known as the most reliable jet ski brand, with both Kawasaki and Honda jet skis are both renowned for their dependability.
Founded by Torakusu Yamaha in 1887, Yamaha has proved itself as the crème de la crème for speed, performance, and reliability, a mix which other brands have had trouble achieving. This is not unique for Yamaha, who for the last 3 decades has led the way in terms of innovation and revolutionary designs and technology.
What makes Yamaha the most reliable?
Yamaha’s WaveRunners are known in the industry to be dependable, but they also help avoid hidden costs due to their easily worked on engine. All jet skis require maintenance and winterization, so with an easy-to-fix engine, Yamaha models will help you keep maintenance costs down.
Tried and tested, Yamaha’s high-quality products and experience in the industry mean they are at the forefront of the reliable, dependable Jet Ski market, with its Ride technology securing its place as one of the safest models out there.
Jet skis designed for cruising have much more longevity than performance models, of which Yamaha has both, so whatever your needs you can probably find the perfect product in a Yamaha showroom, although it may be worth avoiding the Yamaha Superjet due to its rare 2-stroke engine.
What are some other reliable jet skis?
The common responses to this question are Kawasaki and Honda, although the latter stopped producing jet skis in 2009.
While Kawasaki PWCs are renowned for their speed, power, and stability, they tend not to last as long as Yamaha models. Kawasaki engines are known to be difficult to work on, and because they are built for the purpose of speed and racing, they lack the longevity Yamaha is renowned for.
Just like in the car industry, Honda is known for making long-lasting, reliable engines. Honda’s jet ski, or ‘aquatrax’ as they are known, had a similar USP to their land counterparts – ‘simple, reliable, and honestly boring products that just work’, although this would then play a part in their demise, as naturally, this approach didn’t enthrall adrenaline-junkie jet skiers.
Although back in the day, Honda jet skis were recognized as a more reliable option, it may be worth a second thought now that the parts will be over a decade old. As they have been out of production for so long, coming by maintenance parts may prove difficult, as well as the advanced age of the engines and out of date technology proving potentially problematic.
Sea-Doo is another brand that often crops up in the reliable Jet Ski debate. Sea-Doo models are a favorite with beginners because they are family-friendly and relatively inexpensive, particularly when compared to Yamaha and Kawasaki models.
Popular, reliable Sea-Doo options include the Spark – Sea-Doo’s cheapest and most popular option, the Spark Trixx – perfect for most experienced riders who can perform tricks, the GTI Series is a recreational model and boasts plenty of storage and even an ‘eco-mode’ for even more fuel efficiency. Finally, the most expensive is the Sea-Doo RXP-X 300 – made for racing, the powerful engine comes with a deep V-shaped hull to guarantee precise turns.
How long do jet skis last?
Jet skis with a 4-stroke engine lasts about 350 hours, while a 2-stroke engine will last around 150 hours, however, there are various factors that may affect this; how well you take care of it, as well as the make, model, and year of your jet ski.
The year the Jet Ski was made is a pretty obvious factor in determining how many hours it has done, however, maintenance is just as important. Lack of maintenance on the Jet Ski will affect its longevity, so asking to see all of the oil change records when purchasing a used Jet Ski, as well as any other maintenance paperwork, will ensure you avoid purchasing an issue-ridden jet ski.
Maintenance should be inexpensive, with the main focus being on an oil changed, replacing spark plugs, and properly winterizing the Jet Ski. Winterizing is one of the most important things that a jet ski needs, and should be done by a trained mechanic.
A rule of thumb is that jet skis over 13 years old or over 400 hours on the clock are nearing its limit, however, it is advised to steer clear of supercharged engines because they do not last as long and require more maintenance.