I’ve written hundreds of posts about jet skis for ‘Steven In Sales’. While that’s an accomplishment, it can be overwhelming for those new and need to sift through all those articles.
That’s why I created this post, listing the 10 must-read articles for ‘Steven In Sales’. I aim to provide a resource, for new jet ski owners or those considering entering the sport, guiding them on the right path.
If you want to know my background and why StevenInSales.com came to be, I cover that here.
1. Must Have Gear
One of the original reasons I started StevenInSales was that I had many customers, after buying a jet ski, ask me what are some accessories they needed to buy.
There are so many jet ski items that are not so obvious, and even many websites that sell the gear don’t even mention. One such item was using a solar battery charger to keep your jet ski battery active when not using it.
Before that, I had customers buying new batteries every year or installing battery switches that made things worse. A solar battery charger is so simple and effective that I’m surprised more websites that sell jet ski accessories don’t talk about it more.
2. Jet Ski Starting Problems
Looking at the comments on all my posts, the ones that have the most tended to be posts about customers having a hard time getting their jet ski running.
When repairing jet skis, the most common starting problems I encountered were either a dead battery or a faulty starter relay. My original post covered those issues and delved into others, such as the intake of rocks. However, as jet skis continue to become more complex, I find additional issues to address. This article is valuable to bookmark, as most jet ski owners will inevitably face some kind of starting problem.
3. Guide For Buying A New Jet Ski
More of a personal post, a place to rant, was my post about buying new jet skis and some tips to go along with it.
I’ve worked at a jet ski dealership, selling both new and used jet skis, and have observed a variety of buyers and their negotiating tactics. While some strategies were effective, many weren’t, and occasionally these tactics backfired on the buyer. I was also privy to the tactics dealerships employed and understood what they disliked when customers tried certain strategies.
I’ve detailed all of this, providing invaluable advice and tips for those looking to purchase a new jet ski. I highlighted outdated tactics that no longer prove effective and suggested better approaches to secure a fair deal. The tricks that might work at car dealerships often don’t apply to jet ski purchases. In fact, many of those strategies don’t even work with modern car dealers. This article is especially useful for newcomers to the sport who are thinking about buying a new jet ski.
Given the wealth of information in that post, I’m always surprised at how many potential buyers are unaware of it. One of my motivations for creating this “best of” page is to make posts like this new jet ski buyer’s guide more accessible.
4. Buying Used Jet Ski Guide
Buying a jet ski is hard, but buying a used one is even harder.
Not a lot of info on them like you have with cars, not many protections, and the way people ride jet skis makes the whole market a mess. A guide is needed, and I feel my used jet ski guide delivers that spectacularly.
This post has years of experience in selling and buying jet skis complied into a mega list of things to watch out for. Not only that, but comments from others where I answer their questions on certain models. The comments are still open, so feel free to ask your questions on certain jet ski models.
5. Financing Calculator
Many people aren’t aware of the additional fees associated with buying a jet ski. It’s not just the dealerships that have charges, but local governments can also add their own fees. Additionally, it’s beneficial to have an idea of the potential monthly payments for that dream jet ski and trailer.
That’s why I developed a calculator to give you an estimate of both the out-the-door cost of a jet ski and the estimated monthly payments. Although every dealership and location may have unique ways of determining the out-the-door price, this calculator can provide a general idea.
The standout feature of this calculator is its ability to highlight what most dealers will attempt to charge and which fees they might try to add. It equips you with initial knowledge and an advantage before setting foot in a dealership. For more detailed information, such as dealer markups, you can refer here. Being informed about profit margins and using this calculator is an advantage many wished they had before making a jet ski purchase.
6. Beginners Guide
If you’re new to PWCs, there are a few things you need to know and do before you go out for a ride.
I created a guide that listed the 18 things and more you need to know before you ride any jet ski. Some of it’s common sense, but a lot of it is stuff people don’t know about, so it’s a vastly important article.
7. The Cost of Owing A Jet Ski
Jet skis are not cheap, but they’re not as expensive as some might have you think.
There are cost to owning a jet ski that I break down in this guide here. What might surprise many is that jet skis are generally simple machines, requiring less maintenance compared to cars and boats. However, certain models have features that can increase costs. I recommend this post to new jet ski owners.
8. Maintenance On Jet Skis
Jet skis need to be serviced at certain times and intervals.
Doing maintenance on your jet ski is one of the most important things you’ll do, and you’ll be amazed at how many people don’t do it.
Your owner’s manual will provide many guidelines, but most people misplace them, and the manuals often omit crucial details or don’t recommend certain actions. My guide is based on my personal experiences and observations over the years, ensuring you maximize the lifespan of your jet skis.
9. Jet Ski Storage Ideas
One roadblock for many people, preventing them from getting a jet ski, is uncertainty about where to store it.
You don’t need a trailer, or live on the water, there are a ton of storage ideas that I cover in this post.
10. Shallow Water
If you were to ask me about the most common problem every jet ski owner encounters, I’d point to the issue of sucking up debris.
Many don’t realize that a jet ski essentially acts like a massive vacuum, drawing in anything that’s in front of its pump. While there are protective measures in place, there are also straightforward steps one can take to prevent the intake of rocks, ropes, sticks, and more.
Given how frequent this issue is, I’ve written a post addressing the next question many have: why isn’t there a mesh over the intake?
Bonus: Cleaning Your PWC
I could have listed 50 more posts, but I want to max out at 10 to keep it simple. Though, having a bonus is nice, so my post about how to clean a jet ski was the one to pick.
Cleaning a jet ski is more unique than many realize, but I detail all the necessary steps and recommend the right cleaners.