Where can I buy a Jet Ski?

A day out on the lake or in the bay on your is soothing and relaxing; but who wants their experience on the water to be soothing? There’s lots of time to relax when there isn’t actual fun to be had, and nothing is more pure, unadulterated fun than a jet ski. Call them a personal watercraft (PWC), call them a waverunner, just be sure you call them. Hopping aboard a water steed is the closest you can come to a hydro-based motorcycle and a good way to get your blood pumping. However, choose your jet ski unwisely, and you’ll be bobbing along the briny like a sad little buoy.

There isn’t much to choosing a quality jet ski. You pick a brand that has a reputation for quality and durability. You find one that suits your cruising style, be that fast and furious or peaceful as a Zen master, get the features you want in a screaming style, and you’re ready to hit the waves. From two-seaters for going tandem to lone wolves made for handling and maximum mph, we tracked down the 7 best jet skis for your summer fun.

Sea-Doo Spark

Pro: Low top speed
Con: Tight, responsive handling

Packed with Pep: When the economy tanked, jet skis were one of the first things to fall by the wayside since they are pure luxury devices. Rather than allow this downturn to injure them, Sea-Doo constructed the Spark. It’s a light, affordable, and fun little personal watercraft that revitalized the industry and allowed buyers to get their jollies without cashing out their 401(k). With 60 ponies under the hood, it won’t break any speed records, but you can get it up to around 50 mph or more depending on build. Weighing a scant 400+ lbs. this is a fairly solid output from the upstart Spark. Chuck it sideways, spin it on its nose, and enjoy maneuverable performance at a low price.

Yamaha Waverunner SuperJet

Pro: Comfortable, ergonomic handlebars
Con: Stand-up model

Standing O: The stand-up jet ski is a dying breed. They’re too hard to ride, too difficult to control, and have an annoying learning curve that keeps the average rider from getting the most out of them. With that being said, anyone looking to really get some traction on the waves, fly solo, perform tricks, and generally just prove why stand-ups should always have a place in our hearts will love the SuperJet. 74 horses are crammed into a body that is barely over 300 lbs. for a very tight speed to weight ratio that lets you get into race level mph. A 2-stroke, dual cylinder engine with 701cc worth of displacement and a couple of 38mm Mikuni carburetors give it a screaming throttle.

Kawasaki STX-15F

Pro: Four-stroke, four cylinder engine
Con: Retro-style body and deck

All-Purpose: While the competition was adding gimmicks and features to their lower and mid-tier products, Kawasaki just put its head down and kept churning out quality with slight out-of-sight improvements that would make the machine work better, not differently. Their craftsmanship has culminated in the STX-15F which has 160 horsepower and delivers speeds up to 62 mph, assuming good conditions. Kawasaki continues their long tradition of highly reliable merchandise, making this machine nearly impossible to break this or even hurt, no matter how inexperienced you are on the stick. The body is certainly a throwback, no-frills design, but when performance is the watchword, this is the jet ski you want between your knees.