Jet skis are super fun to ride. Whether you’re riding it alone or with a partner. It doesn’t matter if you’re just learning it or have been riding for years – the feeling is exhilarating each and every time. One thing many new riders may not be aware of is how badly saltwater can affect your precious machine.
The Yamaha Waverunner EX is the top choice thanks to its durable build quality and powerful engine. Riding it on the water is one of the best feelings since it can zoom across with ease. Then there are also some extra perks like the ability to carry multiple people and more.
Of course, not everyone will feel a connection with my top pick. Don’t worry, I have more options you can choose from. Some offer very high horsepower if that’s what you want. There is a budget option as well. So, let’s get into the review.
5 Best Jet Ski For Saltwater Review
When shopping for a jet ski to ride on saltwater, you will come across a lot of machines. But which one do you go for? Well, there are the only 5 models you need to care about. I went in-depth with the review. So, at the end of it, you will emerge with the knowledge to choose for yourself.
- Yamaha Waverunner EX
Yamaha is a brand that doesn’t really need any introduction. They make some fantastic machines and enthusiasts of the brand love it for its performance and quality. This one from the guys over at Yamaha is a classic model and is a great choice for beginners.
It comes with a large enough fuel tank and a 110HP 4-stroke engine that can rev like a monster. This one moves through water so smoothly that you will fall in love with it. Might I say it does rev my heart? If you didn’t get the joke, Yamaha’s tagline is ‘Revs Your Heart’.
And this Jet Ski does that to me in every sense of the word. It’s exciting to ride on and you will get superb control as well. That isn’t something I can say for every model out there.
Specification
- Brand: Yamaha
- Engine: 4-stroke
- Horsepower: 110
- Color: White and Blue
- Holds Passengers: Yes
Features
Powerful Engine: The 4-stroke 3 cylinder produces an impressive 110 horsepower. That’s enough to get your heart racing. Although it might not be record-breaking, it still will be enough for most riders.
Durable Build Quality: The build quality is top-notch as well. This is something you would expect from a brand like Yamaha anyways. So, I am not surprised to see that’s the case here as well.
Carries Passenger: You can configure one to carry up to 3 persons. That’s great news for someone who doesn’t want to ride alone and would have a fun time riding with the company. Maybe you want to take your significant other for a spin on the water.
Pros
- Powerful engine
- Durable build quality
- Carries multiple people
- Cool color finish
- Tried and tested
Cons
- Not the best jet ski for hardcore riders
- Kawasaki Jet Ski STX 160
Kawasaki is a brand that has quite the fame and recognition like our previous one, Yamaha. They make some high-quality bikes and jet skis as well. And this one doesn’t veer from that reputation.
It’s one of the highest-end jet skis you can buy. This little beast is quite powerful too! Oh boy, is it powerful! The 4-stroke and 4-cylinder engine can produce a whopping 160HP of raw power. That’s enough to get you excited, isn’t it? Well, I am not done, there’s more.
The seating position of this one was surprisingly very comfortable actually. And it isn’t comfy just for the passenger. Kawasaki’s STX 160 can sit 3 people at maximum and all of them would be just as comfortable.
On top of all that, the large fuel tank means you don’t have to keep refueling it as often as you might with other jet skis that have a small tank. It has a 20.6-gallon fuel tank capacity which should be enough to keep it going for a while.
And since the build is quite durable, it should deal with saltwater just fine. I included a whole section about Jet Ski maintenance when riding on saltwater. So, keep on reading.
Specifications
- Brand: Kawasaki
- Engine: 4-stroke
- Horsepower: 160
- Color: Red and Black
- Holds Passengers: Yes
Features
Very Powerful Engine: The 160HP engine produces enough oomph which makes riding very fun. You won’t feel deprived of power with this one.
Comfortable Seating Position: A comfy seating position might be one of the most underrated things about jet skis. But trust me, once you experience it, you wouldn’t want to go back. And the seats on this one are a treat.
Cruise Control: The adjustable electronic cruise control makes it easy to ride when you want to take it a bit slow. That’s also something I am sure you will absolutely love.
Pros
- Lots of power
- Durable build
- Very comfortable seating position
- Holds multiple people
- Nice-looking graphics
Cons
- A bit pricey
- Yamaha Superjet
Another jet ski, another Yamaha. Let me tell you a secret. Most of the jet skis worth buying are from a handful of brands. Yamaha and Kawasaki happen to be two of the top ones. This one comes with a super futuristic design that I adore.
The 4-stroke engine with 100HP also makes it quite the zippy little trooper. You won’t feel that this lacks power by any means. And due to the sleek and aerodynamic design, all of that horsepower is put to good use. It’s just a very efficient jet ski overall.
More sensible riders amongst you will like the fact that this is also very fuel-efficient. Of course, it won’t give you hybrid levels of fuel efficiency, but it’s still plenty efficient to impress you. I sure was.
Specifications
- Brand: Yamaha
- Engine: 4-stroke
- Horsepower: 100
- Color: White
- Holds Passengers: No
Features
Super Sleek Design: Its design is one of the best things about it. I love the sleek and modern look of it. There are aggressive lines and crazy swoops all over the place.
Fuel-Efficient Engine: The fuel-efficient motor means you don’t have to spend a fortune on fuel either. That means more fun riding and less time checking your bank balance.
Pros
- Superb design
- Durable build
- Fuel efficient
- Powerful engine
- Big fuel tank
Cons
- Sits on 1 person
- Sea Doo Spark
If you don’t want to spend a fortune, and let’s be honest, a lot of people don’t, then this one from Sea Doo is one of the best budget options you can go for. It has a smaller engine compared to others but is still powerful enough to get the job done.
It gives you a choice. You can either go for a 60HP or 90HP model. If you aren’t that concerned with speed and want to save a bit, the 60HP version will do just fine for you. The fuel tank isn’t that big but is adequate. At 7.9 gallons, I don’t think it will be much of an issue.
Where the Sea Doo one shines is in the value department. It has cool features and a reliable engine with a durable HULL to tackle saltwater conditions. What more can you ask from a budget jet ski?
Specifications
- Brand: Sea Doo
- Engine: 4-stroke
- Horsepower: 60/90
- Color: Multiple
- Holds Passengers: Yes
Features
CLCS: This stands for ‘closed-loop cooling system’ and will keep the engine and other internals working properly. It’s not a refrigerator, of course. So, don’t expect it to keep the jet ski chilly.
Affordable Price Point: The price point is its main draw. For the features and power, you get, it couldn’t have been a better value.
Multiple Passenger: I really like the fact that even though this is a budget option you can still sit more than 1 person.
Pros
- Durable hull
- Very good brakes
- Nice color finish
- Comfortable handle grip
- High fuel capacity
Cons
- The HP might be a little low for some
- Taiga ORCA Electric PWC
This one is quite special and futuristic. Why do you ask? Well, because it’s an electric jet ski. And it won’t break the bank either since it comes at a reasonable price point as well. For starters, the power is very impressive. With 180HP at your disposal, you can easily pick up some serious speed.
The carbon fiber hull will help this one deal with wear and tear like a champ as well. Durability is important for a jet ski that you want to ride on saltwater. I also like that the charge lasts up to 2 hours. That’s impressive given how fast it is. Other things like handling and comfort are very good as well.
Specifications
- Brand: Sea Doo
- Engine: 4-stroke
- Horsepower: 60/90
- Color: Multiple
- Holds Passengers: Yes
Features
Electric Motor: The electric motor is quite innovative and also environmentally friendly. You don’t need to spend money on gas. That’s always a plus.
Powerful 180HP Output: The powerful engine can produce 180HP which will give you superb speed and thrill. It will reach 37mph on water.
Great Handling: Maneuvering this beast is very seamless as well. A good handling jet ski is a testament to the design and engineering of the machine. Given how well this one handles, I can say the Taiga did a fantastic job. It’s very fun to ride and easy to control. Even if you’re a beginner, you shouldn’t face much of a problem.
Pros
- Electric engine
- Very high horsepower
- Superb handling
- Charge lasts a long time
Cons
- Needs to be charged
What to Consider Before Buying a Jet Ski for Saltwater
If you want to make the right purchase, you must know the features to consider before pulling the trigger. Knowing what to look for will help you make a more informed decision. Everyone’s needs aren’t the same as I already mentioned. So, here are some of the important features to look out for.
Power
Power is most definitely one of the most important things you should consider before you buy a jet ski. Getting one that isn’t quite as powerful will leave you wanting more. Jet skis with a little bit of extra oomph are much more fun to ride.
Zooming across the water at high speeds is a thrill and you want to make the most out of that experience. So, get yourself something that has adequate horsepower. This will also depend on your budget. The higher the power the higher the cost of the ski. So,
If you’re shopping on a budget, you might not be able to get a very powerful one. I recommend not to go below 60 HP though.
Durability
Then comes durability. This is also a very important consideration especially if you’re going to be riding your jet ski on saltwater. A poorly built jet ski won’t handle saltwater that well and will be damaged over time.
There is some maintenance you can do to tackle saltwater damage. But getting one that’s built well from the start will set you up for success. Besides, jet skis are an investment in every sense of the word.
You certainly want them to last as long as they can. And getting a high-quality ski from a reputed brand is the only way to go.
Comfort
The world’s most powerful Jet Ski won’t be that fun to ride if it isn’t comfortable to sit on. Check out for a good comfortable seating position.
This will help mitigate fatigue and you can keep on riding for longer without feeling uncomfortable.
Handling
Even if you’re the most skilled rider in the world, a good handling jet ski is still important. It will give you much more precise control and maneuvering will be that much easier.
Get yourself a jet ski that’s nimble and responsive. Proper handling is a part of Jet Ski safety and you should not overlook it.
Capacity
Not all jet skis allow more than 1 rider. So, if you like having company or riding with your significant other, get on that can sit more than 1 person at a time.
Most of the ones I reviewed can seat up to 3 people. But, if you do prefer to pick something else, checking the weight limit is essential. Especially for heavier people.
Brand and Price
Lastly, you have the brand name and price point. Choose one that has a reputation for producing high-quality machines. Brands like Yamaha, Sea Doo and Kawasaki are all highly recognized names for their performance and quality.
Deciding on price will be more personal. Set a budget and shop for one that fits within that budget. Just make sure you keep an eye out for the features I mentioned. There are some pretty good high-end and budget options out there.
Jet Ski Maintenance Tips
Saltwater can do quite a number on your jet ski if you don’t take proper care of it. It’s corrosive and will cause serious damage over time. The worst part is saltwater is hard to avoid since most of the water bodies on the earth’s surface aren’t freshwater. Fortunately, there is something you can do to mitigate the damage. Here are some tips to help you keep your brand jet ski pristine.
- Clean Your Jet Ski After Riding
After each riding session on saltwater, make it a routine to clean your jet ski thoroughly. You don’t need to go super technical with it.
Just using a hose and washing your machine’s body will do the trick. If you leave the saltwater on your jet ski for too long, it will start the corrosion process. And that’s something neither of us wants.
- Flush Saltwater from the Interior
Another must-do is flushing saltwater from the interior. You can use the water injection port for this by connecting a hose to the port and running freshwater through it.
This will help remove saltwater very effectively. Using a salt dissolver is another good way to do it.
- Don’t Forget the Engine
Don’t forget the heart of the Jet Ski. You need to clean the engine bay just as well. And if there are any vinyl parts on your jet ski those need to be cleaned with extra care.
Follow these simple steps and you should be able to take care of saltwater damage without any worries. Just remember to make it a routine. I can’t stress this enough, the best thing to do is clean your jet ski after each ride on saltwater.
Final Words
There you have it. Now that you know what is the best jet ski for saltwater, you can go ahead and choose one that’s just right for you. This review is a handpicked list of the top jet skis you can buy right now. Keep in mind the features I mentioned to look out for and you should be all fine.
