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 items to keep you legal, safe, and having fun!
It doesn’t matter if you have a Sea-Doo, Yamaha, or Kawasaki as these will work for you!
1. jet ski Life Jackets
One of the most crucial items to get 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.
Getting the right size life jacket is critical – too big you’ll slip out of it when in the water or could put your head below water, and too small doesn’t give enough buoyancy to keep you afloat.
You’ll also want a couple of vests in various sizes for when guests come over and for passengers that ride with you.
- The O’Neill Men’s Superlite USCG Life Vest (Amazon Link Ad) is what I like to use.
- I’ve been liking the JetPilot’s new life jackets, they’re worth taking a look at here.
- Please DO NOT wear the orange throw life jackets, it’s illegal and will get you a ticket if the police see you wearing one!!!
2. Dry Box For Your Phone
With phones getting more expensive, it only makes sense to get the correct protection.
They make waterproof pouches, and they work okay, but I say stick to the small dry boxes like the Plano Guide Series Waterproof Case (Amazon Link Ad). The Plano box has 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 vital thing you can carry with you. 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” app if someone is lost on the water, and you need to find them. Or keep an Apple AirTag hidden in your jet ski in case it’s lost, stolen, or the kids take it out!
3. Bungee Dock Line For Jet Skis
Marine dockline such as double braid nylon ones are used by many for tying up to the docks. Of all the items you can get, I strongly suggest you getting this to make your life easier.
I prefer Bungee Dock Line (Amazon Link Ad) 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.
If you want to learn how to tie up to a dock, here is a great video showing you how.
4. Jet Ski Anchors
If you plan on hanging out in a cove, fishing, or exploring the water, then you’ll need an anchor. It’s one of those items that many people forget to get when new to the sport.
Not any anchor will do, as many won’t fit inside, so that is why I created this guide here to help you find the best anchor.
5. Get A Solar Battery Charger!
A solar panel battery charger is one of the smartest accessories you can buy!
Let me explain.
Driving your car daily keeps the battery charged and active for years.
You don’t drive your PWC as often, and the battery goes flat quicker because of this.
Keeping your 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 maintan batteries, which is perfect to use for the off season to keep your battery from dying. (Don’t expect them to fully charge a dead battery, but they will keep a good battery good…er)
I’m a fan of the ALLPOWERS 18V 5W Portable Solar Car Battery Charger (Amazon Link Ad), but anything that charges a 12-volt battery and is under 5 watts will do. (I really should be selling my own brand of these with how often I recommend them to people)
6. Jet Ski Fenders/Bumpers
Fenders (also called bumpers) are great when you dock and DON’T want to damage the hull. This makes it a no-duh accessory to get!
Fenders for the front and rear on one side are all you need. The kemimoto PWC Boat Fender (Amazon Link Ad) works great because of its hinged design.
For more fenders, West Marine is the place to go.
Tip: Before docking, you’ll want to get the fenders out and on the side you plan on docking at. For more driving tips, see my post here.
7. A Shock Tube
Sucking stuff up in your 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 (Amazon Link Ad) does; it’s a tool to keep you from sucking up your towing lines! Is it perfect? No, but it’s better than nothing.
The only thing I wish is that they made the shock tubes longer… and that is where pool noodles come into play. The pool noodle is better, but a pain to thread the rope through, but there is a thing called foam pipe insulation covers that have the slit down the middle to make putting on the rope easy (+ it’s super long)! It won’t be as pretty, but put tape around it, and you’ve got a cheap shock tube that is super effective!!!
8. Towable Tubes
Being pulled on a tube is the best experience you’ll do on the water! There is nothing else like it, and it’s a perfect activity for the whole family to do.
All tubes are 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 (Amazon Link Ad) – A great starter tube that is a playful one-seater. You’ll see more fun on a single-rider tube like this one than many of the bigger and heavier tubes.
- SPORTSSTUFF 53-2213 Big Mable Towable (Amazon Link Ad) – A personal favorite of mine, the Big Mable is easy-going and perfect for someone starting out with tubing. It’ll still be 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 (Amazon Link Ad) – This is not a tube, but something you add if you want to enhance the experience.
- AIRHEAD AHM2-2 Mach 2 Towable (Amazon Link Ad) – 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 (Amazon Link Ad) – 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. What To Get With Pull Sports
Let’s not forget about the gear that go along with towable tubes.
- 12-Volt Inflator – Here lately I’ve been using battery powered inflators like this one from Ryobi as it’s easier.
- Tow Rope.
- Booster Ball (Amazon Link Ad).
10. A Telescoping Paddle, Just In-Case
A paddle is an accessory you’ll never need until you really need one! You may never see 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!
The Attwood Emergency Telescoping Paddle (Amazon Link Ad) is what I use. I like it because it’s telescoping, so it stores neatly and compacty in the front storage of my Sea-Doo.
11. A Cable Lock For Your Jet Ski
So you got your machine 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 do use a place for you to wrap your cable lock around. Be sure to still use dock line for holding it down, along with the cable lock.
The cable lock will also work for trailers, lifts, and everything in-between.
I recommend the Master Lock Python Adjustable Keyed Cable Lock Here (Amazon Link Ad)
12. A Whistle On ALL PFD!
Most states require you to keep a whistle or an air horn within reach when riding on the water.
What I do is buy a bunch of whistles and attach them to all the life jacket I own. This way, no matter what, I always keep a whistle and so do my guests.
Most states want you to keep a safety whistle (Amazon Link Ad) because of its high visibility. I might be a little paranoid, but I also carry an air horn too when I ride.
13. A Dry Bag For All The Stuff You Carry
A dry bag works great to keep your phone, wallet, registration, insurance papers, spare clothes, a towel, and everything else you carry on your jet ski dry.
I’ve always been a big fan of bags like this (Amazon Link Ad) for the color and quality of the bag. (You want bright colors so it’s easy to spot if it falls in the water) A great feature with dry bags is that they’re buoyant enough to float if you drop them in the water.
14. The Clothing I Suggest You Wear
Here is a list of recommended clothing you need to get when riding.
- Riding Gloves.
- Rash Guard (Amazon Link Ad).
- Sunscreen (Got to stay protected from the UV light!).
- Sunglasses.
- Water shoes (keeps you from slipping and hurting your feet).
- Wetsuit/dry suit (Cold weather riding).
- Wetsuit bottoms. (Here is why wetsuit bottoms are needed)
- Towel.
To see the complete list of what to wear click here.
15. A Jet Ski Cooler
When it comes to coolers, you want one that is flexible and not a hard body. Storage compartments 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 (Amazon Link Ad).
A cooler is a nice way to keep your food and drinks cold. Many lakes will have islands where you can anchor and get out the cooler and eat some 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 doing some fishing, you’ll need a place to put your fishing rods. Sure, you could lay your fishing rods in the footwells, but why do that when they got rod holders?
You can buy fishing racks (Amazon Link Ad) and rod holders that fit on the back of many.
All 3 major brands got their own fishing classes, Sea-Doo, Yamaha and now Kawasaki.
Fishing gear is a whole new deep dive that I’ll explore in a future post.
17. A Re-boarding Ladder
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 got now isn’t long enough or simply doesn’t work for you.
If you don’t got a ladder or the one you got now won’t cut it, then you can get the Hardline Products EZ Riser Boarding Ladder (Amazon Link Ad). It will be a 300-pound weight capacity and is easy to store away too.
To clear up some confusion, these reboarding ladders are for getting back on the craft, not getting into the water. You only use them when in the water.
18. Jet Ski Sound System, Stock And Aftermarket
Nothing better than listening to your favorite music while riding. Many models don’t come with a built-in stereo system, but there are wireless Bluetooth speakers available.
Check out the Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker on Amazon (Amazon Link Ad).
I also got a guide here to cover the options you got for speakers and Bluetooth systems.
19. An Extra Kill-Switch Lanyard
It doesn’t hurt to keep an extra lanyard around, as it’s a good chance the one you got now will 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 (Amazon Link Ad) will work for Kawasaki, Yamaha, Polaris, Honda, and 2-stroke Sea-Doos. They are tethered to either your wrist or your life jacket and are the kill switch if you fall off.
If you got 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. A Jet Ski Cover
A cover protects your craft from the sun and water, it’s two worst enemes!
The best covers are the ones you get from the manufacturer, but even a basic universal fitting one (Amazon Link Ad) will be fine for most people.
For more info on covers, I got a guide here.
21. Jet Ski Trailer
Here is the list of trailer gear I suggest:
- Tongue Jack
- Ratchet Straps
- Coupler Lock (Amazon Link Ad)
- Spare Tire
- Trailer Light Adapter (Amazon Link Ad)
To see more trailer items 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 to 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 adapter, as PWC trailers still use the older rectangle plug and newer trucks use the larger round plug.
22. Kits & First Aid
You never know what can happen, so a safety kit is nice to keep around.
You can build your own safety kit by getting the items below and putting them in a dry box.
Jet Ski Safety Kit List
- Screwdriver, Phillips and flathead.
- 10mm and 13mm wrenches.
- Needle-nose pliers.
- SOS flashlight.
- Extra whistle.
- Extra dock line.
- The number to TowBoat or any boat towing services.
- Spare cash.
- A small first aid kit (Amazon Link Ad).
- Knife (There was a few times that I needed to cut rope or something to get my PWC freed).
- Bookmarked my website in your phone for the times you suck up ropes or your PWC won’t start.
The 10 mm and 13 mm are the most common bolt sizes you’ll run into. There have been a few times I’ve had one 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. The Cleaner and Polish I Recommend
Cleaning a boat can be different from cleaning a car. You need to avoid cleaners and especially waxes made for cars, as the fiberglass/gel-coat is very different from 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, 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 (Amazon Link Ad).
For general cleaning, you can use any marine soap; stick to the marine stuff, as it’s biodegradable.
If you want the step by step on how to clean, I go into great detail here. After cleaning a few thousand you learn some very neat tricks and I share them all.
24. A Jet Ski Drive-Up Lift
If you live on the water and want to keep your PWC on the water for easy access, I suggest getting a drive-up lift.
You want to keep them out of the water when you’re not using it, or you can do some damage.These lifts also help to protect against the elements, so your machine is not banging up against the dock in a bad storm.
Make sure to get one that fits the length of your vessel, as you don’t want the rear of the machine touching too much of the water. To learn more about drive up lifts from one of the manufacturers, go here.
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://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://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.