Jet Ski Weight Limit and What It Means for You

A jet ski is the closest many of us will get to a motorcycle without as many dangers that come with a motorcycle. It’s a unique experience, often with power and speed found in supercars.

It’s no wonder more people keep joining the sport or testing it out by renting a few machines.

As the more people join the jet ski world, they may have certain questions. Things like, what is the weight limits? Are they and the passenger too heavy? What about the gear they need to carry? Let’s answer these common questions below!

What is the weight limit for jet skis?

Far too many people don’t realize one importnt factor about jet skis. There is a weight limit for all models that you must not go over! This limit varies between 350–600 pounds per jet ski, with fitting 1–3 riders.

When considering this number, you need to not only consider rider weight, but also the weight of the gear and fuel.

Why does the weight limit matter?

I’m often surprised by other riders being so care-free with the weight limit. It’s there for a reason, and it’s not a suggestion!!!

Here is why you should not go over these numbers:

1. The ski becomes unstable and more tippy.
2. The ski is harder to steer and control.
3. You’re more likely to get hurt getting on and off when over.
4. It could sink, especially if you keep flipping it.

You’re more likely to flip the jet ski

Being over the limits means it’s more likely to flip over, or it can sink. A jet ski that flips over or sinking raises the chances of the engine hydrolocking or getting damaged! (Fixing a hydrolocked engine is expensive – it requires a lot of oil changes so long the engine didn’t blow)

It’s simply more dangerous for you and the other riders

If you do get the PWC out on the water while it’s being over the weight limits, taking a turn too sharp will cause you to roll over.

You can also lose control of the steering, causing you to get hurt or damage your PWC.

Falling off a jet ski doesn’t mean it will turn around and come back to you, either.

Sea-Doo – Yamaha – Kawasaki Chart

What is my jet ski rated for? Below I’ve listed all models’ weight limits numbers in pounds so you know what to stick to.

For more info from each manufacturer, please click on them below:

• Sea-Doo
• Yamaha
• Kawasaki

Please don’t confuse the weight of the watercraft with its “weight limits”. The weight of the watercraft is how much it weighs, but the limits are how much it can hold, which is 350 to 600 pounds.

It includes All Gear And Riders

This weight capacity includes all gear and rider weights combined. If everyone and everything on the machine goes over that number, it will not be safe and risk sinking, damage, or personal injury.

How Seating capacity and weights affect each other

Even if you have a 3-seater, it doesn’t mean you can ignore the max capacity.

The max capacity includes of all the riders, and if all 3 people is more than the max capacity, you can’t ride it safely.

The same is true the other way around, even if 4 people are under the capacity, you CAN NOT have 4 people on a 3-person craft.

Water patrol takes the seating number very seriously, especially when it comes to pull sports.

It’s also a bit tricky at times because many look like 2-seaters but fits 3 people. The honest truth is that most 3-seaters fit two normal-sized adults, and a 2-seater fits one normal-sized adult.

I’m a 240-pound man, and I feel very confident riding a 3 or 2 seater spark by myself.

I’ve even ridden two of me on my 3 seater spark, it’s possible, and no one fell off

But I would not dare put any more beyond that. I’ve also ridden 2up on a 3 seater GTI and had no issues with that; it felt a lot more stable than the 3-seaters Spark, that is certain.