Top 10 Jet Skis For First Timers in 2023 | Watercraft Zone

Here is the latest instalment of WatercraftZone's list of the Top 10 Jet Skis and personal watercraft for first-timers and anyone new to the sport.

Buying your first new Jet Ski or personal watercraft can be daunting given the choice of more than 50 models across three brands – Sea-Doo, Yamaha WaveRunner and Kawasaki Jet Ski.

With a range of new models for 2023, we’ve updated our Top 10 list of Jet Skis for first-timers – or anyone considering a Jet Ski as a stepping stone to a boat, downsizing from a boat to something more nimble, or looking for a watercraft that is more capable in shallow waters.

While many of the Jet Skis on our 2023 list carryover from 2022 – but with new colour schemes and options – there are a some new models for 2023 that are definitely worth a look.

We held back publishing our 2023 Top 10 list so we could consider every model available this year.

As a general guide, Sea-Doo and Yamaha have three sizes of Jet Ski and personal watercraft: small, medium and large.

Kawasaki's sit-down Jet Ski line-up has medium and large options.

We’ve selected non-supercharged skis for this video, because they’re fast enough already, more fuel-efficient than supercharged Jet Skis, and are a great way to get into the sport.

We have covered Jet Skis from the cheapest to the dearest, to make sure there is an option for every budget, and included prices in Australia and the US where possible.

Some other handy hints: as this video was published, in Australia Sea-Doo has two-year warranty coverage, Yamaha has three-year warranty coverage, and Kawasaki has industry-leading five-year warranty coverage.

If buying a Jet Ski in the US, Canada, Europe, or Asia, please check with your local distributor.

Most personal watercraft manufacturers recommend an inspection by the selling dealer after the first 10 hours of operation.

After that, routine maintenance for most models is recommended every 100 hours of operation, or every 12 months, whichever comes first.

All prices listed in this video are in Australian dollars – unless otherwise stated – and exclude trailer and registration which typically add about $2500 to $3000 to the price.

While care has been taken to ensure these prices were accurate as this video was published, please check with your nearest Jet Ski dealer for the most up-to-date information.

A reminder, this is not sponsored content, and as always we aim to highlight the pros and cons of each Jet Ski or personal watercraft based on our real-world testing experience.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

01:01 Warranty

01:20 Servicing

03:12 Sea-Doo Spark and Spark Trixx

04:33 Yamaha EX

05:31 Yamaha JetBlaster

06:15 Kawasaki STX 160

07:44 Kawasaki Ultra 160

09:51 Sea-Doo Fish Pro Scout

11:15 Yamaha VX 1050

12:54 Sea-Doo GTX 170

14:03 Yamaha FX HO

16:46 Sea-Doo Fish Pro Sport and Trophy

19:12 Sea-Doo Explorer Pro

[darius]

I would be so good at spending money, too bad Im not good at making it

[georgeboros]

Thanks. My family just got into PWC's last year when we purchased a GTX 170 and a Spark Trixx. Both have been excellent but for completely different reasons. This year we added a GTI 170 and another Trixx. The GTI is a lot more maneuverable than the GTX but the latter is better in chop. I'd recommend the GTX for cruising, the Spark for maneuverability and fun and the GTI for a little of both.

[NoNopeAndNo]

Well put together video, great effort 👍

[xylol]

Great job of giving us a ton of info for so many of these skis, all in one video!

[Wavelover]

Kawasaki stx160 for the best power to price ratio / strong hull / super reliable.

[ExplorerPWC]

Love your Explorer Pro review in this medley!!! Love that Sea Doo is catering to such niche markets!!! We bought ours a couple weeks ago and absolutely love the comfort, range and storage. The WINDSHIELD is a game changer if you don't like the wind, water and salt in your eyes!!! #SeaDooExplorerForTheWin

[lemon]

I bought a 2023 seadoo spark 60hp. Best purchase i've ever made. It may seem weak, but 40 MPH on water seems like 60MPH on road. These things are moddable. With a simple ECU flash you can double the horsepower.

[XF_Chaos]

I feel like the GTI 130 / 170 should have been on this list. Affordable, versatile, and plenty powerful. What's weirder is that the FishPro Scout is here (along with the Sport and Trophy), and it's just a GTI 130 with a cooler and Garmin system, which I would argue are not necessary for people new to the sport. I know it's not my list to make, I'm just sharing my opinion.

[seekter-kafa]

How reliable are jet-ski's for long distance (solo) cruising???
Now, i never owned one, but i do all my maintenance alone and i have a car, motorcycle, atv, lawn-mower and so on, and i am thinking about buying a Jet-ski but they are way expensive for my budget, all but the cheapest models, yet if better models are much more reliable then off course i would rather buy them, hang the expence, however i have to be able to use it for cruise at least 7 days or more at any point, alone, up to 500 miles there and 500 back and all in between... so any info or recommendation are welcome, ta...

[ahmadfikri]

I have a plan to buy this seadoo jetski, but I'm confused about choosing the type, can you please give me a suggestion? I want the type with the highest performance in which type GTX, RXP X or RXT whichever is the highest variant

[abelxossf]

Guys i had ride in the past and this summer the Yamaha VX With the 110-120 hp 1100 or 1200 i dont remember properly And i love it! The whole jetski especially how the boat its been crafted and how its moving turning etc i just need some more hp they told me about yamaha VFX Which has 180hp i loved it but does anyone know anything else with same hull as the yamaha VFX? thank you

[joerjgrnana]

Kawi 310 lx is the fastest ski on the market

[kylew]

Should also include the belassi burrata

[davidbalan]

I will buying a JetSki SVHO Cruiser Yamaha GP1800, Kawasaki JetSki Ultra LX- 5 310 and also RXP - 300 Sea Doo JetSki with price RM 86, 00 0, RM 76, 860 and also RM 46, 000 . When I having a job's worked as ♎ government with allowance 🏠 rm600 .

[ljw]

Yamaha and Bombardier do not make Jet Skis…Kawasaki makes Jet Skis. Yamaha makes Wave-runners and Bombardier makes SeaDoos. The generic term for these craft is PWC. Personal Water Craft. Just saying.

[lelzi-]

Hey, cool Video 👍.
Can u help me find best jetski for me? Where can i contact you?

Thanks

[davidheitman]

we used to have smaller boats that are way better for the size. and not a boston whaler!

[GhstHackr.]

Not a single Electric one, kind of what you buy today. Ban on fossil driven wheicles are coming fast.. and fuel stations are going extingt !!