Many people don’t lose money selling a jet ski because it’s in bad shape. They lose money because they sell it at the wrong time or list it the wrong way.
A few small decisions can make the difference between quick lowball offers and buyers who are ready to pay.
This guide breaks down how to sell smarter, not harder.
Choosing the Right Time to Sell
Timing matters more than most people realize.
A watercraft listed at the wrong time of year can sit for months, even if it’s priced good. Buyers are emotional, and demand spikes when people are dreaming about riding, not when they’re winterizing.
Late winter through early summer is when interest starts climbing, and by spring, people are actively shopping. So, around spring is when you should be listing your jet ski if you want the most money.
This is when people have tax refunds, warmer weather on the horizon, and weekend plans forming. Selling too late in the season means competing with people looking to lose money on the craft because they got Christmas or some kind of emergency come up.
It’s just a fact; people are emotional.
How Prices Fluctuate Throughout the Year
Prices on jet skis do tend to be not static, even for the same model in the same condition.
Prices typically rise as temperatures rise and drop sharply once summer winds down. In peak season, buyers expect to pay more because options are limited and demand is high.
In the off-season, sellers outnumber buyers, which pushes prices down fast. Dealers clearing inventory in fall and winter also drag down private sale prices.
This is why listing in October almost guarantees weaker offers. At least for the US market.
Understanding these seasonal price swings helps you avoid selling during a market low. The goal isn’t just to sell, it’s to sell when buyers are willing to pay a premium. But if you don’t have the luxury of waiting, you may need to settle for less.
What Affects the Resale Value?
Resale value is driven by more than just age. Hours matter, but condition and maintenance matter more.
A higher-hour jet ski with clean service records will often sell faster than a low-hour ski with no history. But people are not stupid, and a high hour jet ski will have some friction to being sold. In general, people want to see that you took care of the jet ski.
Brand reputation plays a big role, especially with Sea-Doo, Yamaha, and Kawasaki. Some people value a Yamaha over a Sea-Doo and vise versa.
Four-stroke engines generally hold value better than older two-strokes. With many lakes banning 2-strokes, it’s simply best to avoid them or find a wholesaler who will part your old 2-stroke out, as most of them are only good for parts.
Accessories or addons
Accessories like trailers, covers, and sound systems can help close deals, but they –rarely– add full dollar-for-dollar value.
Clean visuals and proof of care create trust, and trust leads to stronger offers.
I will say double jet ski trailers are like gold, and people really want them, and they’re often difficult to find used. But throwing in a used cover is like throwing in used socks. Thanks, but they’re going to need to buy their own to replace yours.
How should you price your watercraft, where do you go?
Pricing has been getting harder these days as many big players have left the game, like for example, KBB doesn’t do used watercraft values anymore.
You still have JD Power here.
I’ve also created my own used PWC pricing tool here. With many backing out of the game of pricing used watercraft and how slow and annoying they can be, I decided to make my own. It’s not perfect; it’s more to give you an idea of pricing and do so quickly and give a little bit of tidbit of information. I made the tool I wanted to use.
Where to List Your Jet Ski for the Best Offers
- Facebook Marketplace – Usually the fastest option for private sales. High visibility, local buyers, and quick responses when demand is strong. But can be the most annoying to deal with.
- PWC Trader – Website for selling jet skis, the best option if don’t like Facebook Marketplace.
- Craigslist – Still around, but I find it more annoying to use than Facebook.
- Dealer Consignment – Often, your local dealership will sell or buy it off of you. The most hands off, but you get the least amount of money.
- PWC Forums & Niche Groups – Many forums let you list your watercraft for sale. Often free, too.
Overall, the more eyes you get on your jet ski, the better. Local and in spring will be the best and least hassle from my experiences.
Get your PWC ready to sell!
Getting your watercraft ready is where most sellers leave money on the table. A deep clean alone can dramatically change how buyers perceive value. You’ll be amazed how many people I see trying to sell their jet ski when the footwells are full of water and gunk. You need to clean it!
Small fixes like replacing worn grips or cleaning corrosion pay off quickly. If you have worn out seats, see about getting them reskinned. Damaged seats are the first thing people see when buying and are the biggest complaint.
Service records, receipts, and a clear title reduce friction and build confidence.
Take photos in good lighting and show details, not just wide shots. A well-prepared jet ski feels “ready to ride,” which buyers love. When buyers feel like they won’t inherit problems, they’re willing to pay more.
Make It shiny
People like shiny things, so make all the black plastic look shiny with the proper cleaners. I like using SC1 spray to make things look like new again.
Common Mistakes
The biggest mistake is selling in a rush. Urgency shows, and buyers exploit it.
Poor photos kill interest before a message is ever sent. Only take photos on a bright, sunny day, never on a rainy day!!! A bright sunny day gets people wanting jet skis, while rain depresses them, and shady clouds hide details that they’ll complain about when they come to check it out in person.
Overpricing without justification leads to stale listings that lose credibility. No one cares about the decals you added or the thing you did that seems cool to you. The honest truth is the more stock your jet ski is, the easier time you’ll have selling it.
Fill out the descriptions and everything you know about the jet ski on the websites you sell it on. We live in the future, you can simply ask ChatGPT or Gemini AI to create a description for your jet ski along with all the details about it.
Always be ready to answer questions people have about Your PWC
Here is a list of 20+ questions I see people always ask me. Answer these before hand in a note so you’ll be ready for most people that message you. You could even add it to the descriptions when you sell it so they don’t have to contact you.
- What year, make, and model is the jet ski?
- How many hours are on the engine?
- Is it a 2-stroke or 4-stroke?
- Does it start easily and run well?
- Are there any mechanical issues or warning lights?
- Has it ever been used in salt water?
- When was the last maintenance or service done?
- Do you have maintenance records or receipts?
- Has the engine ever been rebuilt or replaced?
- Any cracks, damage, or repairs to the hull?
- Has it ever been in an accident or sunk?
- Does it come with a trailer?
- Is the trailer titled and in good condition?
- Are the title and registration clean and in your name?
- Are there any liens on it?
- Does everything work (gauges, reverse, trim, electronics)?
- What accessories are included (cover, life jackets, rope, etc.)?
- Why are you selling it?
- Is the price negotiable?
- Can I see it run or water-test it before buying?
- Does it have a supercharger, and if so what is the maintenance on it?
Test Rides?
Running on the hose is not always trusted by everyone, and a real water test in the lake is ideal. Make sure you trust the person or they leave behind something so they don’t run off, like if they drove here and there care is still there then they won’t obviosuly run off. It also doesn’t hurt to put an AirTag in the jet ski just in case so you can track it if they do run off with the jet ski.
