When most people go shopping for a jet ski, the first questions they ask are:
- “How much do they cost?”
- “How fast can a ski go?”
- “How much horsepower do I need for a jet ski?”
- “Do I really need a 325 hp model?”
Totally valid questions! But let me fill you in on something many new riders don’t realize—speeds in the U.S. are capped at 70 MPH, regardless of the engine specs or tweaks.
Even the high-powered 325 horsepower jet skis can’t surpass that limit without adjustments to the speed limiter.
So, does engine power even matter? Well, yeah, but maybe not in the way you think. Let’s break down the current 2025 jet ski horsepower chart numbers.
A Little Background About Horsepower
To start us off, horsepower (HP) is a unit of power used to measure the rate at which work is done. It was originally developed by James Watt, an engineer who needed a way to measure the output of his steam engines.
It’s interesting to note that one horsepower is defined as the power needed to lift 550 pounds (250 kilograms) of weight one foot (0.3048 meters) in one second. When it comes to vehicles like cars, boats, or watercraft, horsepower is used to measure engine output. Engines with higher horsepower ratings can deliver more power, enhancing the performance of the connected equipment. Speed and acceleration, hp plays a significant role!
2025 HP Chart
How Much Horsepower Does a jet ski have?
The horsepower rating on a jet ski will range between 60 and 325 hp for Yamaha, Sea-Doo and Kawasaki.
| Make | Model | MPH | Horsepower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea-Doo | Spark 2UP 60HP | 40 | 60 |
| Sea-Doo | Spark 3UP 90HP | 49 | 90 |
| Sea-Doo | Spark 2UP 90HP iBR | 49 | 90 |
| Sea-Doo | Spark Trixx 2UP | 49 | 90 |
| Sea-Doo | Spark 3UP 90HP iBR | 49 | 90 |
| Sea-Doo | Spark Trixx 3UP | 49 | 90 |
| Yamaha | EX | 50 | 100 |
| Yamaha | EX SPORT | 50 | 100 |
| Yamaha | EX DELUXE | 50 | 100 |
| Yamaha | EX LIMITED | 50 | 100 |
| Sea-Doo | FISH PRO SCOUT | 50 | 130 |
| Yamaha | JETBLASTER | 51 | 110 |
| Sea-Doo | GTI 130 | 52 | 130 |
| Sea-Doo | GTI SE 130 | 52 | 130 |
| Sea-Doo | Explorer Pro 170 | 52 | 170 |
| Sea-Doo | FISH PRO SPORT | 52 | 170 |
| Sea-Doo | FISH PRO TROPHY | 52 | 170 |
| Yamaha | VX-C | 53 | 125 |
| Yamaha | SUPERJET | 53 | 100 |
| Yamaha | VX | 53 | 125 |
| Yamaha | VX DELUXE | 53 | 125 |
| Yamaha | VX CRUISER | 53 | 125 |
| Yamaha | VX LIMITED | 53 | 125 |
| Sea-Doo | WAKE 170 | 55 | 170 |
| Sea-Doo | GTI SE 170 | 56 | 170 |
| Kawasaki | STX 160 | 57 | 160 |
| Kawasaki | STX 160X | 57 | 160 |
| Kawasaki | STX 160LX | 57 | 160 |
| Sea-Doo | GTX 170 | 58 | 170 |
| Yamaha | FX HO | 58 | 180 |
| Yamaha | FX CRUISER HO | 58 | 180 |
| Kawasaki | SX-R | 59 | 150 |
| Yamaha | VX CRUISER HO | 62 | 180 |
| Yamaha | VX LIMITED HO | 62 | 180 |
| Sea-Doo | GTR 230 | 63 | 230 |
| Yamaha | GP1800R HO | 65 | 180 |
| Sea-Doo | WAKE PRO 230 | 65 | 230 |
| Sea-Doo | GTX 230 | 66 | 230 |
| Yamaha | FX SVHO | 68 | 250 |
| Yamaha | FX CRUISER SVHO | 68 | 250 |
| Yamaha | FX LIMITED SVHO | 68 | 250 |
| Yamaha | GP1800R SVHO | 70 | 250 |
| Sea-Doo | RXP-X | 70 | 325 |
| Sea-Doo | GTX 300 | 70 | 300 |
| Kawasaki | ULTRA 310X | 70 | 310 |
| Sea-Doo | RXT-X | 70 | 325 |
| Sea-Doo | GTX Limited 300 | 70 | 300 |
| Kawasaki | ULTRA 310LX-S | 70 | 310 |
| Kawasaki | ULTRA 310LX | 70 | 310 |
Why Horsepower Matters?
While a 70 MPH limit exists, hp isn’t just about how fast you go. It’s also about how quickly jet skis can get you there.
More HP means better acceleration, which is essential for activities like pulling a tube or racing your friends. But jet ski engine output also influences other factors like:
- Fuel efficiency: High-powered jet skis burn through gas faster.
- Weight-to-power ratio: This determines how nimble a jet ski will feel.
- Towing capability: More power makes towing water toys a breeze behind your jet skis.
Horsepower ranges For Jet Skis
Here’s a cheat sheet to help you understand where the modern jet skis stand:
- Entry-level models: 60–90 HP (casual rides or beginners).
- Mid-range models: 110–170 HP (family, tubing, and towing).
- High-performance models: 200+ hp (think racing, extreme tricks, or adrenaline junkies).
Fun fact: Today’s mid-range, like the Kawasaki STX160 or 170 HP Sea-Doo GTI, would’ve been considered absolute monsters for the day.
Are High-Powered Jet Skis Worth It?
If you’re eyeing a top-tier ski (like the 325 HP Sea-Doo RXT-X), here’s what you should know:
- Fuel type: Premium gas is typically required, adding up at the pump.
- Superchargers: Most high-powered ski use supercharged engines, offering insane acceleration but requiring more maintenance and fuel.
- Break-in period: New jet skis often limit their power the first few hours to protect the machinery. Don’t worry, the ski unleash its full potential once broken in.
Do You Really Need All That power?
For most people, you don’t need a 300 horsepower “overpowered” ski to have fun on the water. If your main goal is towing a tube or cruising around, a model in the 110–170 hp range will suffice.
For example, the Kawasaki STX160, Yamaha VX or Sea-Doo GTI 170 strikes a perfect balance.
These jet skis have enough muscle to pull Timmy on a tube without guzzling gas or overwhelming a beginner.
Plus, many skis offer “Sport Mode,” it can still deliver thrills when you’re in the adrenaline mood.
The Big Players
If you’re curious, here’s where the top brands stand:
- Kawasaki and Sea-Doo: Kings of high horsepower, with models like the RXP-X 325 and Kawasakis 310 HP Ultra series.
- Yamaha: Tops out at 250 HP. They focus less on raw power and more on reliability and fuel efficiency.
A Little History Lesson
Back in the 1960s, jet skis had engines with a modest 18 hp.
By the 1980s, jet skis got bumped up to 55 horsepower coming out the jet pump.
For the jet skis we have today, we see models up to 325 hp, as if the manufacturers are competing in a never-ending arms race. It’s more or a less a “pissing contest” if you ask me. The models with 150 hp or there about is more than fine.
The Bottom Line
When shopping for, don’t get caught up in the numbers game.
Sure, 300+ hp sounds cool, but a mid-range model will provide all the excitement you need—without the added cost, maintenance, or fuel consumption.
So, ask yourself: what do you actually want to do?
Chances are, you’ll find your perfect match somewhere in the 110–170 HP range. And trust me, after helping many beginner riders, doing 40 MPH on a jet skis feels like doing 80 MPH in a car. You don’t need a high horsepower speed demon of a jet ski to have an unforgettable ride.
