So: no, not all jet skis are the same. The term "jet ski" is actually the name of a vehicle manufactured by Kawasaki anyway, but it has now become a general term when it comes to, well, water motorbikes.
Yamaha was not the first company to manufacture such jet skis, but it has been on the market for decades: in 2016, the WaveRunner celebrated its 30th anniversary. In 1986, the company began producing the first WaveRunner and, according to the manufacturer, it was the first sit-down style open-tail personal watercraft. It opened up the market that we know today. There are also models that you don't sit on, but stand on, which are called "Super Jet"; they first came onto the market in 1990.
Jet ski lines from Yamaha to click through:
Three jet ski ranges for different preferences
The "Recreation" models of the WaveRunner are also suitable for beginners, while the "Cruising" range, which is divided into FX and VX models, is designed to enable greater adventures with more comfort. The "Sport" segment is of course all about maximum performance.
The 3.14 metre long "JetBlaster", for example, is a three-seater weighing 250 kilos with 115 hp from three cylinders. It costs around 14,000 euros and is intended to attract new customers as well as fans of Yamaha's original "WaveBlaster"; however, the new edition has a somewhat more discreet styling.
The latest FX Cruiser SVHO with supercharging and 250 hp from a displacement of 1.8 litres for just under 26,000 euros is the top model. It is available in fire red with black details as standard, but is also available in a limited edition with carbon and mint colours. It weighs 390 kilos and now has an integrated audio system, which is housed in the footwell, is waterproof and shockproof, and offers a 7-inch colour touchscreen as well as Bluetooth. The jet ski is suitable for GPS chart plotters and even has a glove compartment.
The streamlined, lightweight SuperJet in "Pure White" delivers a combination of rapid acceleration and top speed thanks to its lightweight construction. "It not only offers full power on fast straights, but also ensures extreme agility and control when cornering aggressively," advertises Yamaha. For riders who don't want to go the whole hog straight away, there is a riding mode that reduces the speed to around 35 knots. With a length of just under 2.5 metres and a weight of 170 kilos, the vehicle, which costs around 12,000 euros, also fits in the boot of a van or a large SUV. It can therefore also be carried on the deck of larger yachts.
What rules apply to jet skis?
According to the Waterways and Shipping Administration, jet skis may only be used on inland waterways on routes approved for this purpose; outside of these routes, they may "only be used for travelling from A to B" and must "maintain a clearly recognisable straight course". However, jet skis may only be used on the open waterways between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., but not before sunrise or after sunset, and only in weather with visibility of more than 1,000 metres.
