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How Fast Do Jet Skis Go In 2024, And Why Are Some Limited?

Before we get into the post, I need to cover the US Coast Guard and how they set limits for all watercraft sold in the US.

This limit was set in place because watercraft were getting faster and faster every year. People were getting crazy with them and something needed to be done.

Today, even the highest horsepower watercraft (325HP) will only hit 70 MPH. The Watercraft Journal talks about this more here.

The good news is that the manufacturers are more about who can get to 70 MPH the quickest. You can bypass this speed limit, and I’ll cover that in this post, but it’s an overall good thing to have. Most watercraft still have driving modes and slow keys to limit power if you’re concerned.

Also, if you’re outside the US, you don’t have these limits, but your max speed isn’t that much higher either. Going quickly on water is so much harder than on land, water has greater friction.

You need to keep in mind that going 40 MPH on a jet ski feels like doing 80 MPH in your car. Many new riders rarely go much faster than 40 MPH, as there is no other feeling like it. So a cap of 70 will feel like a cap of 140 to most people new to the sport. I know this may sound silly to some, but you’ll understand once hit the throttle for the first time.

How Fast Are Jet Skis?

The max speed is between 40 to 70 mph (64 to 112 kph).

Most watercraft average around 57 mph, and I see newcomers usually stay below 40 mph. I tell people, 40 mph on the water feels like 80 mph in your car. It’s a totally different feel that most people don’t realize until they hit the throttle on their jet ski.

Some modified watercraft can even reach speeds over 140 mph (video below).

Chart

2024 Sea-Doo, Yamaha and Kawasaki max-speed (MPH), price (USD), and horsepower rating.

MakeModelPriceHPMPH
Sea-DooSpark 2UP 60HP$6,9996040
Sea-DooSpark 2UP 90HP Convenience$8,3999050
Sea-DooSpark 3UP 90HP$8,2999050
Sea-DooSpark 3UP 90HP Convenience$8,9999050
Sea-DooTrixx 1Up$9,0999050
Sea-DooTrixx 3UP$9,6999050
Sea-DooFISH PRO SCOUT$15,09913050
YamahaEX$7,79910050
YamahaEX SPORT$9,09910050
YamahaEX DELUXE$10,19910050
YamahaEX LIMITED$10,79910050
YamahaJETBLASTER$10,89911051
Sea-DooGTI 130$11,49913052
Sea-DooGTI SE 130$12,29913052
Sea-DooGTI SE 170$12,89913052
Sea-DooFISH PRO SPORT$17,39917052
Sea-DooFISH PRO TROPHY$20,49917052
Sea-DooExplorer Pro 170$18,89917052
YamahaVX-C$10,19912553
YamahaSUPERJET$10,69910053
YamahaVX DELUXE$12,39912553
YamahaVX CRUISER$12,79912553
YamahaVX LIMITED$13,99912553
Sea-DooWAKE 170$14,09917054
KawasakiSTX 160$11,99916057
KawasakiSTX 160X$12,59916057
KawasakiSTX 160LX$14,29916057
Sea-DooGTX 170$15,19917058
KawasakiSX-R$11,99915059
Sea-DooGTR 230$14,09923063
YamahaVX LIMITED HO$15,29920064
Sea-DooWAKE PRO 230$18,39923065
YamahaVX CRUISER HO$13,59920065
YamahaFX HO$15,69920065
YamahaFX CRUISER HO$16,99920065
Sea-DooGTX 230$16,19923066
YamahaGP HO$14,49920067
YamahaFX SVHO$19,29925068
YamahaFX CRUISER SVHO$19,79925068
YamahaFX LIMITED SVHO$20,39925068
Sea-DooGTX 300$17,89930070
Sea-DooGTX Limited 300$19,69930070
Sea-DooGTR-X 300$16,99930070
Sea-DooRXP-X 325$19,19932570
Sea-DooRXT-X 325$19,99932570
YamahaGP SVHO$16,79925070
KawasakiULTRA 310X$19,19931070
KawasakiULTRA 310LX-S$20,19931070
KawasakiULTRA 310LX$21,19931070

These numbers come from my personal experiences and research.

It may vary 5+/- mph with weight, altitude, fuel quality and water condition.

The Fastest Production Watercraft

All manufacturers have their top of the line, fastest models, from the factory as listed below.

These models are the fastest, not just in top-end, but also in how quickly they go from 0 to 60 mph.

RXP-X & GP SVHO

The Sea-Doo RXP-X 325 and Yamaha GP SVHO have smaller hulls designed for racing.

In the US, all three watercraft are limited to 70 MPH, but outside the US, they can exceed this speed limit by a few MPH.

RXP-X & RXT-X

These are racing watercraft, and some models share the same engines.

For example, the Sea-Doo RXP-X 325 has a larger counterpart called the RXT-X 325 with the same engine but a bigger body.

The larger body handles rough waters better and performs better in straight-line racing. If you prefer versatility and towing, I suggest the RXT-X.

If you want raw power and quick turns, choose the RXP-X.

RXT-X & Ultra 310X

If you want the fastest straight line watercraft, then I suggest the Sea-Doo RXT-X 325 followed by the Kawasaki ULTRA 310X!

How To Go Faster!

There are several ways you can make your PWC faster, from easy to hard, let me cover them!

Easy Speed Increases

  1. Use the correct key or driving modes.
  2. Remove extra weight.
  3. Make sure the wear ring and impeller are not damaged.
  4. Make sure the supercharger is working if you have one.
  5. Run premium, non-ethanol gas.
  6. Get race sponsons.
  7. Speed control bypass, some models computers won’t let you go over a certain speed, so you need a module that bypasses the GPS signal.
  8. ECU Tuning. It may require you to ship the ECU out or go somewhere to get it reprogrammed.

Hard Increases

  1. RIVA kits.
  2. Buy a faster model, some will only go so fast.
  3. Replace intake grate.
  4. Get a new impeller.
  5. Cold air-intake.
  6. Performance exhaust system.

If you have a supercharged model like a Sea-Doo that uses GPS for speed, consider getting a speed control bypass for the easiest and quickest way to increase your max speed.

Keep in mind that some of these modifications may void your warranty.

Go Slower?

Most models today have speed limiters that allow you to restrict the max-speed.

ECO

For example, the max MPH of a Sea-Doo with ECO mode is 45 mph.

Learning Modes

Many models offer a learning mode or key that can be set between 32 to 50 mph.

I used to advocate for learning keys, as they limited power for new and younger riders.

However, newer Sea-Doo models tend to exclude them in favor of diving modes like touring and ECO. While not quite the same, these modes allow you to go slower.

Most New Riders Never Go Past 40MPH!

People new to the sport are always shocked when I tell them that most new riders never go past 40MPH.

To them, that is not that fast, but they’re used to their car. Your car has a cabin, with AC, and music blasting, you’re not a part of the elements anymore. A PWC is different, especially since you don’t have a helmet.

Doing 40MPH on PWC feels like doing 80MPH in your car.

Watercraft Feels Slower Than Normal?

If your machine feels slower than it used to be, it could be many things.

Most often, the problem is that you sucked something up. If the machine doesn’t feel like it won’t catch when you give it gas, then that is cavitation, and you’ve sucked something up.

If you have a supercharger then when it fails you won’t get full throttle, your RPMs will reflect a lower number too.

If it’s a few MPH, then it could be scum build up on the hull of the craft. The more rough the hull, the slower it will be. It’s why the Sea-Doo GTI’s with the Polytec hulls took a slight speed decrease, as fiberglass was more slick.

The last reason is that the gauge is lying to you. Many PWCs use a paddle wheel to tell the speed. Some use GPS, but a cloud in the sky could throw it off. Seeing 5MPH+- difference is nothing to worry about. I focus more on keeping track of the RPMs as it’s more reliable and less likely to lie to you.

Oh, and I can’t forget this one, but make sure the MPH or KPH wasn’t changed. I had a guy say his GTI went 100MPH stock, but it was set to KPH and caused him all kinds of confusion.

Don’t forget About Insurance

If all you care about is going fast, then make sure to get some insurance. I’ve seen the aftermath of jet ski accidents. I’ve even been in a few myself, causing me to go to the hospital.

Things happen, get the insurance.

Most states don’t require you have insurance on your vessel, but you would be a fool to not have it. This is especially true when you can bundle it with your other plans. I don’t have anyone to recommend, I just want people to be careful and be prepared.

Author

Steven

I started working at a power sports dealership in 2007, I worked in parts, service counter, and as a technician before moving to sales in 2013. I created StevenInSales.com in 2014 to answer common watercraft questions I would get from people. Now managing the site full-time, I continue to provide advice and web tools for my readers about watercraft. I've owned several watercraft, with a Sea-Doo Spark as my current main PWC.

Comments

  1. I agree. At 45 mph on water, I feel like I am flying. 99% of my time on the water is spent going 35-40mph tops.

    I realize there is a segment that is solely focused on speed. But when I am on a lake, most jet ski riders I observe are not going wide open. Most are cruising around, especially if they have a rider with them.

    Reply

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