Any jet-ski enthusiast will sing the praises of this thrill-seeking sport, which is an adventure in agility, power, and speed all in one package.
Models such as the Sea-Doo spark and Yamaha EX offer between 60 and 100 horsepower, both costing under $7000. Sea-Doo also offers models at 155 and 230 horsepower. The most powerful on the market is the Kawasaki ULTRA-310, with a 310 horsepower engine and costing over $15,000.
Basic jet skis come with lower horsepower but are perfect for the casual rider. Models with more horsepower tend to come with more sophisticated features, giving them greater versatility.
What does horsepower mean for a jet ski?
The term horsepower was coined by the inventor of the steam engine, James Watt, as an easy way to explain this new technology to the public.
Horsepower describes the output of energy; an engine at 1 horsepower produces 745.7 watts per minute.
The more horsepower, the more energy per minute, and the more powerful the engine.
Generally speaking for watercraft, the more powerful the engine the better the performance, and manufacturers have been steadily increasing the horsepower of their jetskis for decades.
In the late 1980s, the Sea-Doo SP came in at 55 horsepower, while the current Sea-Doo RXT-X comes in at 300.
Jet ski enthusiasts look for a combination of power and agility when buying a watercraft, and the competition between manufacturers is fierce.
What is the average horsepower for a jet ski?
Jet skis offer different levels of horsepower depending on the intended use of the vehicle – purely recreational models will offer less than performance models.
Jet skis in the most basic rec-lite category, have non-supercharged, naturally-aspirated engines and typically produce 60-100 horsepower.
They reach speeds of between 40 and 50 mph and are a perfect introduction to the world of jet skis for first-time buyers.
Mid-range recreational models, larger and faster than the rec-lite options, have engines between 120-180 horsepower and will reach speeds of around 60 miles per hour.
Performance jet skis have supercharged engines and boast between 230-310 horsepower engines. These can reach up to 70 miles per hour and are highly maneuverable.
Spending between $5000 and $9000 will buy a basic model at 60-100 horsepower which can reach speeds of 50mph.
Models costing between $9,000 and $12,000 provide up to 230 horsepower, offering a smoother ride and cruising speeds of 60 mph.
Options upwards of $12,000 offer over 230 horsepower, more sophisticated controls, and speeds of up to 70mph.
Which model has the most horsepower?
The most basic models of jet-ski will offer an upper limit of 100 horsepower and reach a maximum speed of around 50mph.
The most affordable within this range is the Sea-Doo Spark, offering a base 60 horsepower engine with costs starting at $5,499.
It is possible to upgrade to a 90 horsepower engine on this model, but the price tag increases to just under $10,000.
The Yamaha EX offers a better deal, providing a 100 horsepower engine for just under $7,000.
In the performance category, Sea-Doo offers the Wake 155 and the Wake Pro 230 (at 155 horsepower and 230 horsepower respectively).
Designed for tow-sports such as tubing and wakeboarding, the Wake 155 is built for hobbyists while the more powerful Pro 230 can handle speeds of up to 60 mph.
Offering a hefty 300 horsepower engine is the Sea-Doo GTX, costing $17,099 and additionally featuring a watertight phone box, built-in swim platform, and optional premium audio.
Models boasting this much horsepower will reach speeds up to 70mph.
Additionally featuring all-digital instrumentation and smart-steering mode, the jet ski offering the most horsepower on the market is the Kawasaki ULTRA 310.
Powered by a supercharged 310 horsepower engine, this luxury model carries an equally powerful price tag, costing between $15,299 and $17,999 depending on the model.
Different types of jet ski offer different levels of horsepower, and the amount needed depends on the buyer’s needs and intentions.
Any beginner should look at basic models such as the Yamaha EX which offers the most horsepower available for a reasonable price.
These models don’t have such high-speed capability as more powerful models, but this is perfect for a beginner learner.
More seasoned riders looking for a heady mixture of power and advanced features should turn towards the Kawasaki Ultra and Sea-Doo GTX, offering the most horsepower on the market.