Personal watercraft have come a long way from the pint-sized play toys that defined the early years in the 1990s. Then, a healthy top speed was in the low 40s. Now, the three-passenger flagship models routinely hit 68 mph, with much better hulls for long-distance cruising. The latest craft also have digital displays and Bluetooth sound systems; features like electronic reverse and deceleration provide low-speed maneuvering and exceptional stopping power at speed. This once-cumbersome, one-dimensional craft has become an increasingly fast, precise and versatile machine on the water.
Here are the most thrilling models from Kawasaki, Sea-Doo and Yamaha, as well as a Jet Ski standup for tradition’s sake. And three luxury speed demons that provide a glimpse into the not-so-distant future.
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Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra 310 LX
Image Credit: Courtesy Kawasaki Kawasaki’s Ultra platform has long been a favorite of offshore racers who value its combination of power and stability, but its luxury touring appeal has suffered from a lack of technology. That all changed in 2022. The most practical additions are the electronic reverse and deceleration systems, activated via a thumb-controlled lever on the handlebars. Other standout features include a 7-inch full-color digital display with analog control knob, Bluetooth sound system featuring four speakers, a handy rearview video camera, LED daytime running lights, gullwing storage on each side of the console and an extended aft deck, complete with rail system to mount accessories like coolers and fuel caddies. $19,999
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Yamaha FX Limited SVHO
Image Credit: Courtesy Yamaha Yamaha’s FX Limited SVHO features the only touchscreen display from a major industry player. Upgraded to 7” for 2022 and featuring GPS mapping, its most intriguing feature may be geofencing, which allows owners to designate specific riding areas when turning over the controls. Venture outside the boundaries and an alarm sounds until the craft returns. Additional display-accessed functions include acceleration profiles, top-speed governing and trim automation. A Bluetooth sound system adds additional functions like hands-free calling and on-screen text notifications. Other highlights include electronic reverse and deceleration and a Limited package of extras including a Garmin GPS Fishfinder and watersports extras. The ride? Classic Yamaha, with abundant power and excellent rough-water handling. Price $19,099
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Sea-Doo GTX Limited 300
Image Credit: Courtesy Sea-Doo For all its abundant horsepower and impressive handling, Sea-Doo’s GTX Limited 300 also stands out for its at-rest stability. Take advantage of it to stretch out while floating in a cove, or use the aft deck to stand and cast while fishing. Extra fuel or cargo can be secured to the deck via pop-up cleats. Additional features include a 7.8-in. Bluetooth color display that can connect to a smartphone app, unique front storage that opens directly in front of a seated driver, and Sea-Doo’s pioneering electronic brake and reverse system. Limited package extras include Bluetooth sound system and practical items like storage cover, storage organizer and depth finder. Bonus for those who venture into weed-prone areas? A pump-cleaning system that reverses the driveshaft to push debris out the way it came in. $18,299
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Jet Ski SX-R 160
Image Credit: Courtesy Kawasaki And then there was the Jet Ski. Kawasaki launched the personal watercraft market way back in 1972 with its first stand-up model. Fifty years later, the Jet Ski is still the most common name for personal watercraft—think Coke for soft drinks—and Kawasaki’s standup has evolved into a much larger, more stable platform with four-stroke power. The one-person SX-R 160 is slightly under 9 feet long, designed for tight turns and wave-jumping. Its four-stroke engine displaces 1,498cc. The green-and-black hull are traditional Kawasaki colors, but with a 2022 update. $11,399
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Cigarette E-Jet
Image Credit: Courtesy Cigarette Racing The newest Cigarette was announced last February at the Miami International Boat Show. Slated for 2023, the E-Jet will come with two different power options: a gas engine that will give it speeds of up to 75 mph or an electric motor that delivers 64 mph with a ride time of about two hours. The electric version will also have a quick charge feature of two minutes that provides 30 minutes of ride time. Both versions have dual-high definition displays, fully exposed carbon fiber construction, front and rear lighting and a collision-avoidance system. The svelte profile, courtesy of Alberto Mancini yacht design in Italy, retains Cigarette’s sharp, racing look, with the front white stripe resembling a grinning shark. The E-Jet promises to set a new bar in the personal watercraft world not only with standard features and electric power but also with its price. $39,900
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T3MP3ST Maverick GT Jet Rib and Energy Platform
Image Credit: Courtesy T3MP3ST Envisioned as a carbon-hulled personal watercraft tow-in vehicle used to sling surfers into big-wave spots like California’s Mavericks, the Maverick GT features a deep-V running surface and 350-hp H3X 3-D-printed electric motor that produces speeds up to 70 mph. It also boasts additional torque, vital to get in and out of surf that can run as much as 100 feet high. Modular, 100-kWh batteries are swappable to increase operating time and are claimed to recharge to 80-percent in just 45 minutes. When not providing a surf assist, the PWC can be docked into a rigid-hull inflatable with twin 25-hp motors or, incredibly, used as an energy platform to power a modular home. The company recently hired Stefan Whitmarsh, one of the minds behind the Aston-Martin AM37 speedboat, as its COO. The first vessels are in the early stages of production. $150,000 to $500,000, depending on PWC/Rib Combo.
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Supermarine MM01
Image Credit: Courtesy Bouvet Frères Marine If production models from the major PWC industry players aren’t quite your style, the Supermarine MM01 promises to represent the opposite end of the spectrum…if, that is, you’re willing to wait several years to throw a leg over the futuristic-looking craft’s saddle. A project of France’s Bouvet Frères Marine, the MM01 is currently expected to launch in early 2024 in a limited, 30-unit production run. Power will be provided by an electric motor producing 300 hp (220kW). Expected top speed should be in the neighborhood of 75 mph. Unique ideas expected—at least for now—to make it onto the production craft include a front-end cowling that slides aft to increase aerodynamics and shield a rider’s legs and torso from wind and spray, a leather-lined storage trunk and a champagne holder. The official price hasn’t been released, but it could range from $600,000 to $1 million.
