Ok, the hard part is over. You got the jet ski you love and you’re ready to hit the open water and play! Before you go out and ride you’ll need a few jet ski accessories to keep you legal, safe, and having fun!
It doesn’t matter if you have a Sea-Doo, Yamaha, or Kawasaki as these accessories for PWCs will work for you.
1. Jet Ski Life Jackets
One of the most crucial jet ski accessories to have is a life jacket. Not only are life jackets required by law but they could also save your life. A life jacket will keep you afloat if you get hurt and fall off the watercraft.
Getting the right size life jacket is very important – too big you’ll slip out of it when in the water or could put your head below water and too small doesn’t have enough buoyancy to keep you afloat.
You’ll also want a couple of vests in a variety of sizes for when guests come over and for passengers that ride with you.
The O’Neill Men’s Superlite USCG Life Vest* is what I like to use.
2. Dry Box For Your Phone
With phones getting more expensive every year it only makes sense to get the correct protection for it when on your jet ski.
They make waterproof pouches and they work okay but I say stick to the small dry boxes like the Plano Guide Series Waterproof Case*. The Plano box will have soft padding inside of it to protect your phone from the bumpy ride. Throw a rag with your wallet + keys in and you’ll be ready to ride.
If you think about it, your smartphone is one of the most important jet ski accessories you can have. You can make a call from it if you get hurt or need a tow. You can use Google or Apple Maps to plot where you need to go by water. You can even use the “Find My Friends” app if someone is lost on the water and you have to find them.
3. Jet Ski Dock Line
Marine dock line such as double braid nylon dockline is used by most for tying up to the docks.
I prefer Bungee Dock Line* because it’s the easiest to use when wrapping around cleats. The bungee dock line also works great because it has the slack that is needed if the water is choppy so your PWC can freely move. Bungee dock link is for sure something you should put in your shopping cart.
If you want to learn how to tie up a jet ski or any boat here is a great video showing you how.
4. Jet Ski Anchor
If you plan on hanging out in a cove, fishing, or exploring the water, then you’ll need a jet ski anchor. Not any anchor will do as many won’t fit in most jet skis, so that is why I created this guide here to help you find the best anchor.
Sandbag vs. folding anchors vs. all the other types of anchors do get confusing. To keep it simple check out my guide above.
Anchors are great watercraft accessories to have so you can securely beach your PWC.
5. Solar Battery Charger
A solar panel battery charger is one of the smartest jet ski accessories you can buy. Let me explain.
Driving your car every day keeps the battery charged and active for years.
You don’t drive your jet ski as often, and its battery goes flat quicker because of this.
Keeping your jet ski battery charged and active for years is easy with a solar battery charger.
You’ll want to stay under 5-watts for solar chargers, anything more will damage the battery. Solar chargers are meant to trickle charge and also maintain batteries which is perfect to use for the offseason to keep your battery from dying.
I’m a fan of the ALLPOWERS 18V 5W Portable Solar Car Battery Charger* for my watercraft but anything that charges a 12-volt battery and is under 5 watts will do. These solar panel chargers will work for any Kawasaki, Yamaha, Sea-Doo, Honda, Polaris, or even a Stand-up Jet Ski.
6. PWC Fenders/Bumpers
Fenders (also called bumpers) are a must-have accessory when you dock your watercraft and don’t want to damage the hull.
Even though many PWC’s have thick rub rails it’s still a good idea to get fenders. A PWC can take a nice beating in a rainstorm from the wakes if you don’t have any fenders on it if left in the water.
Fenders for the front and rear on one side are all you need. The kemimoto PWC Boat Fender* works great because of its hinged design.
Tip: Before docking, you’ll want to have the fenders out and on the side you plan on docking at.
7. Shock Tube for PWC
Sucking stuff up in your jet ski propulsion system is the same feeling as getting a flat tire in your car. Both are not fun, and both leave you stranded until you get the problem fixed.
What if they made a tool that lowered the chances of getting a flat tire, I bet you would buy it. That is what a shock tube or also known as an impeller protector* does; it’s a tool to keep you from sucking up your towing lines.
I would put the shock tube on the definitely buy jet ski accessories list because sucking up a rope is a pain to fix and time-consuming. If you’re wondering why it goes by shock tube that is because it doubles as a damper in the off chance the tow rope breaks it doesn’t smack the person being pulled.
If you have sucked something up, I have a guide on what to do here.
8. Towable Tubes That Work With Jet Skis
Being pulled on a tube is the best experience you can have on the water! There is nothing else like it, and it’s a perfect activity for the whole family to do. This is why it made it to our must-have jet ski accessories list even though it’s more of an add-on.
If you needed a reason to buy a jet ski, you have found the reason in towable tubes!
Every tube is different, so it’s essential to get the one that fits your style of riding.
Airhead Rebel 54 Inch 1 Person Durable Towable Tube Kit* – A great starter tube that is a playful one-seater. You’ll have more fun on a single-rider tube like this one than many of the bigger and heavier tubes.
SPORTSSTUFF 53-2213 Big Mable Towable* – A personal favorite of mine, the Big Mable is easy-going and perfect for someone new to tubing. You’ll still have a blast with this tube but it has more handles and a plusher ride than other tubes. One of the best-selling towable tubes I’ve seen.
SPORTSSTUFF 53-2030 4K Booster Ball for Towables* – This is not a tube but something you add if you want to enhance the experience.
AIRHEAD AHM2-2 Mach 2 Towable* – A 2 person tube that allows you to sit in a cockpit which gives you a more secure fit especially for the kids.
WOW Watersports Thriller Deck Tube Water Towable Tube* – Not for the faint of heart but instead for someone who wants a real tubing experience. All I can say is hold on tight as you’re in for a wild and fun ride!
Check out the 8 Craziest and Oddest Tubes on the Market!
9. Accessories For Towable Tubes
Let’s not forget about the accessories that go along with towable tubes.
- 12-Volt Inflator.
- Tow Rope.
- Booster Ball*.
10. Telescoping Paddle For Jet Skis
A paddle is something you’ll never need until you really need one. A paddle falls under the jet ski accessories that everyone should buy! You may never have any problems listed below but if you do you’ll be glad you got a paddle.
You could use a paddle…
- if you run out of gas.
- if you sucked up rocks.
- if you sucked up a rope.
- if your battery is dead.
- if you need something to wave down passing boaters.
- As a tool to extend to someone hurt and floating in the water.
A paddle even makes a great Christmas or Birthday gift for the boater in your life!
The Attwood Emergency Telescoping Paddle* is what I use. I like it because it’s telescoping so it stores neatly and compactly in the vessel.
11. Jet Ski Cable Lock
So you got your Jet Ski home and on the dock. You might be asking yourself, “how do I lock this thing down”? The best way is with a cable lock around the front bow hook.
Most drive-up docks have a place for you to wrap your cable lock around. Be sure to still use dock line for holding the watercraft along with the cable lock.
The cable lock will also work for trailers, lifts, and any other way you want to lock down your vehicle. If you don’t want your jet ski stolen this is a solid investment! Don’t forget the cable lock at checkout!
I recommend the Master Lock Python Adjustable Keyed Cable Lock Here*
12. Whistle/Air Horn
Most states require you to have a whistle or an air horn within reach.
What I do is buy a bunch of whistles and attach them to every life jacket I own. This way, no matter what I always have a whistle and so do my guest.
Most states want you to have a safety whistle* because of its high visibility. I might be a little paranoid, but I also carry an air horn too when I ride my ski.
13. Dry Bag For PWC
A dry bag works great to keep your phone, wallet, registration, insurance papers, spare clothes, a towel, and everything else you carry dry.
I’ve always been a big fan of bags like this* for the color and quality of the bag. A great feature with dry bags is that they’re buoyant enough to float if you drop them in the water.
Important: It’s easy to lose your wallet, keys, phone, and other important and valuable things when jet skiing. This is why it’s important that you secure these things in your dry bag and store it safely in your personal watercraft before you ride.
14. Clothing & Gear For Jet Skis
Here is a list of recommended clothing and gear you should have when riding a jet ski.
- Riding Gloves.
- Rash Guard*.
- Sunscreen (Got to stay protected from the UV light!).
- Sunglasses.
- Water Shoes (keeps you from slipping and hurting your feet).
- Wetsuit/drysuit (A must if you ride when the weather is cold or crummy).
- Wetsuit bottoms (Read the warning stickers at the rear of the PWC for why).
- Towel.
To see the complete list of what to wear on a jet ski click here.
15. Jet Ski Cooler
When it comes to jet ski coolers you want one that is flexible and not a hard body. Storage compartments on jet skis are oddly shaped openings and a hard cooler won’t work.
I recommend getting a cooler that collapses like the CleverMade SnapBasket Soft-Sided Collapsible Cooler*.
A cooler is a must-have to keep your food and drinks cold. Many lakes have islands where you can beach the watercraft and get out the cooler and have lunch. One favorite spot of mine is a restaurant on the water and having a cooler where you can bring back leftovers is a nice plus.
16. Jet Ski Fishing Accessories
If you plan on using your PWC for fishing you’ll need a place to put your rods. Sure, you could lay your fishing rods in the footwells of the watercraft but why do that when they have fishing accessories that work better.
You can buy fishing racks* and rod holders that fit on the back of many watercraft.
Sea-Doo came out with the Fish Pro which has the racks, rod holders, and even GPS with fish finder from the factory. Worth a look at if you’re serious about fishing.
17. Jet Ski Ladder
Boats come with ladders but some jet skis don’t. It’s easy to overlook a ladder in the buying process but it’s one of those things you come to find out you really need. You might also find that the ladder you have now isn’t long enough or simply doesn’t work for you.
If you don’t have a ladder or the one you have now won’t cut it then you can get the Hardline Products EZ Riser Boarding Ladder*. It does have a 300-pound weight capacity and is easy to store away too.
18. PWC Sound System
Nothing better than listening to your favorite music while riding on your jet skis. Many jet skis don’t have a built-in stereo system but there are wireless Bluetooth speakers available. Check out the Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker on Amazon*.
I also have a guide here to cover the options you have for jet ski speakers and Bluetooth systems.
A sound system on your jet ski is one of those jet ski accessories you don’t know what you’re missing until you get one installed.
19. Jet Ski Lanyards
It doesn’t hurt to keep an extra lanyard around as it’s a good chance it’ll get lost in the future.
If you’re not sure what Lanyard to get then the universal style like the JET LOGIC UL-3 Ultimate PWC Safety Lanyard* will work for Kawasaki, Yamaha, Polaris, Honda, and some Seadoos. They are tethered to either your wrist or your life jacket and are the kill switch if you fall off your jet ski.
If you have a modern Sea-Doo with the DESS key then you can’t buy just any lanyard, you will need to program your keys and we go over that here.
20. Jet Ski Covers
Of all the jet ski accessories listed in this article, a cover should be something you need no matter where you live. The sun is not your friend, especially if you don’t wax your jet ski constantly. Even a universal cover like this one* is better than not having a cover at all.
If you’re not going to be using your watercraft for a few days then it’s best to keep a cover on it.
A cover keeps the sun, water, and bird poop away. The sun will fade your jet ski if you don’t keep it covered. A faded jet ski is hard to resell and faded fiberglass damages easier.
I have a guide here on the best jet ski covers and I also have another post on the common questions and tips someone might have about covers.
21. Jet Ski Trailer Accessories
Here is the list of must-have jet ski trailer accessories.
To see more trailer accessories check out our post here.
Tongue Jack: Trust me, you want to get a tongue jack; it’s a real back saver! Installing a tongue jack is not hard and only a few tools are required. This video does a great job of showing you how to install a tongue jack.
Ratchet Straps: There is a learning curve for ratchet straps but you need them on the rear of your jet ski when hauling on the road. This video does a great job of showing you how they work.
Trailer Light Adapter: Most newer trucks need the trailer light adaptor as jet ski trailers still use the older rectangle plug and newer trucks have the larger round plug.
22. Safety & First Aid Kit
You never know what can happen so a safety kit is nice to have.
You can build your own kit by getting the items below and putting them in a dry box.
Jet Ski Saftey Kit List
- Screwdriver, phillips and flathead.
- 10mm and 13mm wrenches.
- Needle-nose pliers.
- SOS flashlight.
- Extra whistle.
- Extra dockline.
- The number to TowBoat or any boat towing services.
- Spare cash.
- A small first aid kit*.
- Knife (There have been a few times that I needed to cut rope or something to get my ski freed).
- Bookmarked my website in your phone for the times you suck up ropes or your jet ski won’t start.
The 10mm and 13mm are the most common bolt sizes you’ll run into. There have been a few times I’ve had a jet ski not start because the battery cables were loose and using the 10mm wrench had me back running.
More than likely you’ll never need this safety kit but it’s nice having one especially if you do long rides.
23. Jet Ski Cleaner and Polish
Cleaning a jet ski can be different than cleaning a car. You should avoid cleaners and especially waxes made for cars as the fiberglass/gel-coat is very different than the metal/paint on a car.
I’m a big fan of 3M Marine products, no joke I’ve had this stuff work miracles.
- For waxing your jet ski stick with 3M 09009 Marine Cleaner and Wax.
- For cleaning the seats and other vinyl areas stick with 3M Marine Vinyl Cleaner And Restorer.
- For mildew, the little black spots you get on your covers and seats, use 3M Mildew Stain Remover*.
For general cleaning, you can use any marine soap like Meguiar’s Marine/RV Boat Wash. Stick to the marine stuff as it’s biodegradable.
To finish it all off, my secret is to use SC1 Spray*. There is nothing like this stuff and really makes your machine look better than new. Not only that but it helps protect the surface of the jet ski!
If you want the step by step on how to clean a jet ski I go into great detail here. After cleaning a few thousand jet skis you learn some very useful tricks and I share them all.
Do You Need These Items…?
Jet Ski Helmet? No, but there are cases where it does make sense to get a helmet. The problem is that there is not an official “jet ski helmet” and getting the wrong one could be really bad. You’ll want a helmet that is breathable and won’t get waterlogged. I have a guide on helmets and what to buy if you need to get one.
Goggles? It won’t hurt to get goggles for when you ride. I usually stick to sunglasses and so do most people, but if you’re serious about jumping waves a helmet and goggles are a must.
SeaScooter? While a SeaScooter is cool it’s not something you would need for a Jet Ski. These are more for divers and snorkeling in the ocean. They do great in clear water but not so great in rivers and lakes. Another downside is that many of them are too big to fit in the storage of your jet ski.
GoPro? While it’s not a “need” it sure is great to have one. You’ll be amazed at what you catch with these cameras when you ride. I’ve gotten to the point where I turn my GoPro on for every ride to not only catch all the fun things I do but as a dashcam, in case I or someone in my group gets in a wreck. You can get a GoPro here*.
One More Thing… Even though the word “jet ski” refers to Kawasaki these accessories will work fine for Sea-Doo, Yamaha, Polaris, or Honda watercraft too.
While some of these jet ski accessories are not for everyone there are a few that every jet ski owner should have. Accessories like the life jacket, first aid kit, cover, solar charger, and proper clothing should be something you buy right away.
Let me know if I missed any accessories or if you have any questions about jet skis in the comment section below. Don’t forget to share this post on Facebook or Twitter!
Steve – I have found that the rearview mirrors on my Yamaha WaveRunner are bordering on useless for me – mostly because they sit so low. Have you ever come across an after-market rearview mirror that I could attach that would be more elevated? I found some that attach to motorcycle handlebars that would fit the bill but the mounting hardware would not work because of the shape and size of the WaveRunner handlebars.
Thanks!
This is very common with all manufacturers, especially on the newer bodies. It used to be that you could get adjustable side mirrors but it seems they’re all going to fixed and almost useless mirrors. The problem with adding bike mirrors is that you attach them to the handlebars and that takes away grip for your hands and it’s never in the same spot as the handlebars are always moving. I’ve had a few people have good luck with round blind spot mirrors, some have even found square ones that fit way better inside the mirror and makes the view angle a lot better. You can also try clip-on tow mirrors but they can be tricky and bulky to put on.
Quick question Steve. Many of the reviews for the shock tubes available on Amazon suggest the 24 inch tubes (the only ones that seem to be available) is too short. Do you agree? Could I just whip up a homemade shock tube with a pool noodle?
A pool noodle will work, it won’t last long but it’ll work. A shock tube is not perfect, it’ll help but the best thing to do is avoid going in reverse and knowing where your line is.
Hi Steven, long shot question but I’m looking to use my future Seadoo to scuba dive in a lake. Only issue is carrying a dive tank. Have you ever seen a jet ski used for diving? Do you know where I might look for something to secure one tank ? Thanks!
I had one lady who would scuba dive off an old Seadoo Explorer but this was years ago. It’s not common to see people use jet skis for scuba diving. Here is what the Sea-Doo Explorer looked like, it was cool. https://watercraftjournal.com/score-a-custom-restored-sea-doo-explorer/
The only other people I’ve heard doing this build their own racks like this guy here. http://greenhulk.net/forums/showthread.php?t=214824
Hi Steve. Thank you for all the valuable information you’ve put together on this site.
Regarding general maintenance, do you recommend any particular lubrication products be applied to the IBR and/or other areas each time the ski is taken out if the water?
The iBR should have all the needed grease on it and it should last a good long time. It mostly uses nylon bushings for rubbing points as grease will dissolve in the water. I sometimes spray WD40 on the metal in the rear before and after going to saltwater but that is more to do with corrosion.
I have 2 SeaDoo 2013 RTX-X AS 260 – we recently found a new jam which is on the river (for hours). Our last day was 7 hours and burned almost all the gas lol. One issue, storage. I am finding out that the LinQ system doesn’t fit this model until 2016. I’d like to get a cooler on the back which would free up the front. Anyone have any ideas on a sturdy way to add a cooler or storage b box?
Shock tube or Booster ball- which one is better to ensure the rope doesn’t get sucked up in the impeller?? Thanks so much!
A shock tube is what you want to use for keeping rope away from the impeller.
Thank you for writing a very informative article. My wife and I are planning on purchasing a Yamaha Waverunner FX CRUISER SVHO. Do you have any recommendations on an all aluminum trailer?
In the beginning of my jet ski research, I had my heart set on a Sea Doo Fish Pro. I loved the idea of caring a hard cooler on the rear of the ski. Until I watched a video on maintaining the Sea Doo. I realized that the engine compartment has petitions, which resulted in poor drainage. It left a small amount of water on the bottom of the engine compartment. I plan on using the ski for fishing in saltwater.
All jet skis will retain a small amount of water but they all have bailer tubes that suck that water out. This normal operation for any jet ski. For aluminum trailers, I like Triton over the many other options. Not only do they look better but I’ve seen those suckers last the longest of any trailer I’ve come across.
Wonderful article!!
Very helpful!!
I even saved this in my notes!!!
Thanks!!?
Been a few years, still think Big Mable is the best towable?
I sure do but you’ll need a jet ski with 155hp or more to pull it as it’s kind of big. It is the best all-around tube I’ve ever used.
Huh. I’m right on the cusp there, I think my 2011 Kawi STX-15f has 150hp. I think anyhow, I bought it used last fall and do not have a lot of original docs.
You’ll be fine with that model.
Hi Steven, Love your posts! We used the things to consider before buying a used jet ski guide when we recently purchased a 2005 seadoo GTX 155 with 91 hours on it. We love it so far! Two questions though…
When we are in idle in a no wake zone, it makes kind of like a grinding or vibrating sound… any thoughts on what that could be? The weird sound stops as soon as we accelerate out of idle.
Second, we have a small chip, about 1.5” long in the gel coat that went down to the fiberglass. It is on the top of the ski on the back right side. The dealer wants to charge $300 to fix it. Since it’s not below the water line, and small, would using something like Marine Tex to cover up the ding be ok? Mainly wanting to cover up the exposed fiber glass and protect that.
Thanks!
Some slight vibration is fine at idle, but some new spark plugs wouldn’t hurt. The Spark plugs could be bad or the ignition coils going bad and not firing when they should. The pump itself floats a bit and at idle is more likely to bounce around until you give it more power and it straightens out. Something in the pump or the impeller being damage could cause vibration too. The Marine Tex won’t look as good but will be fine. You want to fill in the spot to stop the fiberglass cracks from spreading and to keep water out.
Great article
I’m learning more about what I need for my jet ski and safety too
Thanks
Hey Man, Thanks for all the info. The reason for my search regarding this subject is that I just purchased two GTX 155s and they are OTW to Andros Island in the Bahamas as we speak. I plan to do some pleasure/sport riding but my primary interest is exploring. I want to do long overnight rides. Camping on the beaches and exploring inlet waters. Other than fuel, camping gear and standard safety gear do you recommend anything that I may not be thinking about?
Wow, that sounds so cool! I do have another post that is a massive accessories post that covers everything and anything that I can think of… https://www.steveninsales.com/pwc-accessories/
in regards to the bungee dock lines, I understand how they are tied off to cleats on the dock, but how you are attaching them to the PWC? Are you using the cleat and looping them through or with another device like a clip?
If the cleat is big enough on the jet ski I loop it through its self. If its small I use a carabiner clip.
Fantastic! This is such a great guide thank you for taking the time to complete this.
Any recxomendations for waxes and cleaning etc?
I’m a fan of 3M Marine Waxes and products. To make the jet ski look really good after washing it I use SC1 Spray – this stuff is the best around.
Steve I am thinking of buying 2 Yamaha VX deluxe jet ski. They say it is good for pulling a skier but I thght they said it only has 115 HP. Please advise they are either 2017 or 18’s and new.
It’ll pull tubes and such but not as strong at the bottom end as something with 150hp or more.
How do I attach my expandable paddle to my Honda aqua trax 2 seater?
It should fit in the front storage compartment.
Really appreciate the time you took to put this together. I know little about jet skis, however your buying guide and detail review has made my job incredibly easier in determining whether and what I should buy. Thanks!
Are there stabilizers or something that you can add to a jet ski to make it easier to ride? I have a 1996 Yamaha WaveBlaster 2 that is hard to balance on when trolling or floating compared to the new model units. If there is something out there that would improve its balance that would be great.
I’m not aware of anything that could stabilize a jet ski. I will say that the WaveBlaster 2 is a very unstable machine but they do go stabilize more the faster you go kind of like a bike.
So informative! Thank you so much! I live in Florida on a lake. Right before Hurricane Irma hit, I pulled my JetSki up on the grass ( instead of keeping it on my floating dock) . The waves were so unbelievable on the lake during the hurricane that a lot of water filled with sand and debris crashed into the rear of my JetSki. Even though I Had it in reverse in hopes of preventing debris from crashing in, there is still a lot of sand and weeds that I keep pulling out of it. What is the best way for me to ensure everything is cleared out of it, short of sending it to the shop? P.S. I did unscrew the drain plug no water came out, so I don’t think there’s water damage to the engine, however I have not started it since the hurricane.
Hope everyone is okay! The best thing to do is take it to the shop if you’re unsure. If it was me I would put it back in the water and shake it up a bit to loosen any debris that may be stuck. I doubt any water got into the engine but if you’re unsure you can take out the dipstick and check to see if the oil looks like a runny milkshake. If the oil is not runny and looks black or a dark amber then you should be fine.
The foldable anchor you recommend. I recently got it, and it works great. One question though, is there a way to quickly dry it, or do you just stow it wet and forget it? Seems like it would grow mold, etc. Any tips for after use care?
I fling the water off the paddle and store it away. I don’t worry too much about mold as every season I clean all the accessories and the jet ski.
We recently purchased 2-3 up sparks for our cabin. We tie them off at the dock and use the fenders to protect them. However, we would like to get lifts for them. Any recommendations? Also, is it a good idea to cover them while they are tied up? Thanks in advance.
I highly recommend getting lifts, the drive up kind, if you plan on keeping any jet ski in the water. I talk a little bit about the lifts and such in the bonus section of my e-book here https://www.steveninsales.com/used-jet-ski-buyers-guide/
but try to get the ones you drive up on. EZ Dock makes some that will work fine, here is their site http://www.ez-dock.com/
Depending on where you live you can find some local spots that sell these lifts if you google “jet ski dock” with your area code. I recommend letting them install them as they can be a pain unless you know what you’re doing and don’t forget the permits if your lake requires them.
Is there a good site to purchase used Jet Skis?
Craigslist, PWC Trader, or your local dealership’s website. If you don’t know where you local dealer is then go to Sea-Doo or Yamaha’s website and do a dealer locator, many dealerships that sell new also sell used.
Just bought a Sea-Doo RXT-X 300, Red and Black. 300 HP. Cant wait, 0-60 in 3.8 seconds.
Think it will pull a wake board or tube?
LMAO, cant wait to ride it!
You’re going to love the RXT-X 300, one of the best looking Sea-Doo ever! And it’s quick too, like stupid quick!
By law, what items are required to be carried on the jet ski?
Every State is different but the big ones are 1) life jacket 2) Whistle 3) Registration Numbers. Many States require you to have some form of identification on you and it’s best to keep that in a dry bag like we mentioned above along with your other personal items. Above all else see what your state requires you to have while on a Jet Ski.
For the Seadoo GTI SE is the ski module or X Module better? I would only tow tubers. Is the retractable ski pylon worth the cost?
Also, what about the bilge pump kit? Is that necessary?
Handles with palm grips?
Last question, is there a big difference in trailers? I am only going to start with one PWC and maybe get a second one the following year.
Sorry, this will be my first purchase and just want to make sure I am only buying what I need for accessories.
Get the Ski-Module, it’s way better and more useful. Is it worth it to have the Ski Pylon? Yes, but it’s not needed. The ski pylon will make your ski a little bit more valuable when you go to sell it. It’s only useful for pulling Skier’s as it gets the line higher for them and it also helps to keep the rope out of the water more and lowers the risk of sucking it up. You don’t need it if you just pull tubes, but I highly recommend getting the Shock Tube if you do pull anything.
The bilge pump is merely personal preference. These things are not like a boat and don’t take on much water if at all. They do have bailers tubes that suck water out but only work when the engine is on. If you plan on keeping the craft in the water 100% of the time then yes get the bilge pump. But if you keep it on a floating dock or on a trailer then it’s not worth the money.
Any 2016 and up Sea-Doo will have the palm grips and yes they are worth it. If you get an older model Sea-Doo I would recommend putting them on.
I recommend getting an Aluminum trailer. If you plan on having 2 but one for right now then looks at getting a double trailer now to save you in the future. The prices of trailers go up every year just like watercraft and not having to worry about trading in a single next year is worth it. Plus, aluminum double trailers hold their value very well if you ever want to upgrade it in the future. I go into more detail about what accessories to get for your trailer to make sure you’re good to go here.
First purchase? I’ve been getting a lot of these. I think I’ll create a guide for the first-time buyer soon. Let me know if you have any more questions you would like answered.
A few Sea Doo Spark related questions since you are owner:
A few details I just purchased a 3up HO and a Trixx
Are they powerful enough to pull a skier?
Any Spark specific accessories you recommend?
Yes, a Spark with a 90HP engine is powerful enough to pull a skier. Here is a video of a guy being pulled with a Spark while on a Wake Skate. Just make sure to follow your State laws, you might only use the 3-seater with a spotter to be legal but each State is different. Ask your local dealer what the law is for your State. As for accessories, I would start off with getting the Cover and the Snap-in Fenders. If you can look into the retractable dock line as that can be useful when you go to the docks for a short stop. Don’t forget the basic must have accessories we mention above like life jacket, whistle, dock line, and waterproof phone box. If you plan on doing a lot of towing then make sure to get the Shock Tube we mention above as that can help to lower the chances of sucking up tow rope. —One more thing, you’re going to have a blast on that Trixx!
What type of protectant should I put on the bumpers and grab handles to keep them looking new?
I’m a fan of Maxima SC1 Silicone Spray.
Will most of the things fit in a Honda 1100 storage bin?
Yes, most of this stuff will fit. The bigger accessories like the Towable Tubes might not unless it’s small and deflated. Sometimes on long jet ski trips or rides, I have a dry bag hanging off a tow hook or something that I put items in.
Steven,
I have a question concerning the 155 wake edition. Can you really use to ski an adult behind or better just to use them for wakeboarding and tubing?
Thanks
Yes. The 155HP is more than enough power for pulling an adult. Here is a video of people wakeboarding behind a Wake 155…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqqxkWQaEVY
It was not possible with a 135hp SeaDoo rental model with 2 skis (forget mono skiing). To be legal there must be a spotter on the back too, adding weight. Getting the ski on the plane and pulling the skier up at the same time wasn’t possible. As an experienced skier, it was getting somewhat close, but bogged down trying to get on the plane and left you in transition way too long to hold it. 215hp or higher is needed. 155hp would be borderline at best. With 3 big dudes, maybe not. Tubing is fine and takes much less power. I don’t wakeboard, so I don’t know the requirements.
Cool guide, thanks ???
Amazing! Just bought a sea doo gti se today and I was looking for things to complement the fun!! Thankful for this amazing article! Tks
What an awesome guide ?
Thanks, I am going to be purchasing a jet ski this year and this information is very helpful.
No problem. If you have any questions about Jet Ski’s feel free to contact me as I’m always looking for things to write about when it comes to Jet Ski’s.
Hi can you help I need to find out what amp battery I need for my seadoo Bombardier gsx jet ski it’s a 800 rotax thanks Andrea
You need an ETX16L battery.