A jet ski is the closest many of us will get to a motorcycle without as many dangers that come with a motorcycle. A jet ski is 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 jet skis.
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 weight and other things you carry? Let’s answer these common questions about weight limits below!
What is the weight limit for jet skis?
The weight limit for a jet ski varies from 350 to 600 pounds, with fitting 1–3 riders.
When considering the weight limit, you need to not only consider rider weight, but also the weight of the gear and fuel. Going over these weight limits can cause issues with sinking, damage or other hazards that we cover next.
Why does the weight limit matter?
I’m often surprised by other jet ski riders being so care-free with the limit number. The limit is there for a reason, and it’s not a suggestion!!!
Here is why you should not go over the weight limit.
- The jet ski becomes unstable and more tippy when you add more weight.
- It is harder to steer and control.
- You’re more likely to get hurt getting on and off when over when it’s over the weight limits.
- A jet ski could sink, especially if you keep flipping it.
You’re more likely to flip the jet ski!
Being over the rated weight limit 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. A blown engine will limit your fun for the summer, for sure!)
It’s simply more dangerous for you and the other riders!
Being over the weight limit can cause the jet ski to roll more easily, especially on turns.
This is dangerous for you and the passengers as you can lose control and someone can get hurt.
Falling off doesn’t mean it will turn around and come back to you, either.
Weight Limit Chart For Most Jet Ski Models
Below I’ve listed all jet ski weight limits in pounds so you know what to stick to.
| Manufacturer | Model | Weight Cap. |
|---|---|---|
| Sea-Doo | 2 UP Spark | 352 lb |
| Sea-Doo | 3 UP Spark | 450 lb |
| Yamaha | EX | 485 lb |
| Sea-Doo | 1 UP Trixx | 352 lb |
| Sea-Doo | 3 UP Trixx | 450 lb |
| Yamaha | EX Sport | 485 lb |
| Yamaha | SuperJet | 1 Person |
| Yamaha | EX Deluxe | 485 lb |
| Sea-Doo | GTI | 600 lb |
| Sea-Doo | GTI SE | 600 lb |
| Yamaha | VX | 530 lb |
| Kawasaki | STX-16F | 496 lb |
| Kawasaki | SX-R | 1 Person |
| Yamaha | VX Deluxe | 530 lb |
| Sea-Doo | GTI SE | 600 lb |
| Yamaha | VX Cruiser | 530 lb |
| Yamaha | VX Limited | 530 lb |
| Kawasaki | Ultra LX | 496 lb |
| Yamaha | VX Cruiser HO | 530 lb |
| Sea-Doo | Wake | 600 lb |
| Yamaha | VXR | 530 lb |
| Sea-Doo | GTR | 600 lb |
| Sea-Doo | GTI Limited | 600 lb |
| Sea-Doo | GTX | 600 lb |
| Sea-Doo | GTR-X | 400 lb |
| Yamaha | FX HO | 530 lb |
| Sea-Doo | RXT | 600 lb |
| Yamaha | FX Cruiser HO | 530 lb |
| Sea-Doo | GTX | 600 lb |
| Yamaha | GP | 530 lb |
| Sea-Doo | Wake Pro | 600 lb |
| Yamaha | FX SVHO | 530 lb |
| Kawasaki | Ultra 310X | 496 lb |
| Sea-Doo | RXP-X | 400 lb |
| Sea-Doo | RXT-X | 600 lb |
| Kawasaki | Ultra 310X SE | 496 lb |
| Sea-Doo | GTX Limited | 600 lb |
| Yamaha | FX Cruiser SVHO | 530 lb |
| Sea-Doo | Explorer | 600 lb |
| Yamaha | FX Limited SVHO | 530 lb |
| Kawasaki | Ultra 310LX | 496 lb |
For more info on the limit from each jet ski manufacturer, please click on them below:
Please don’t confuse the weight of the watercraft with its “weight limit”. The weight of the jet ski is how much it weighs, but the limit is how much it can hold, which is 350 to 600 pounds.
The Weight Limits include All Gear And Riders!
This weight limit includes all gear and rider weights combined. If everyone and everything on the jet ski goes over that number, it will not be safe and risk sinking, damage, or personal injury.
How Does Seating capacity and Weight Limits affect each other?
Even if you have a 3-seater, it doesn’t mean you can ignore the weight limit.
The weight limit includes of all the riders, and if all 3 people weigh more than the weight limit, you can’t ride safely.
The same is true the other way around, even if 4 people are under the weight limit, you CAN NOT have 4 people on a 3-person jet ski.
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 jet skis look like 2-seaters but fits 3 people. The honest truth is that most 3-seater jet skis fit two normal-sized and weight 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 Sea-Doo Spark by myself.
I’ve even ridden two of me with my weight on my 3 seater Spark jet ski, 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 on the limit with that; it felt a lot more stable than the 3-seaters Spark, that is certain.
Does weight limit also count the weight you are towing such as tubes?
Yes, you need to stay under the weight limit, even counting tubes and people. https://steveninsales.com/jet-ski-seating-capacity/
I’m 315lbs. I’ve been able to get onto a jet ski in shallow water using the step on the back, but I’ve never had to do it in open water. My question is, on a 3up Spark with a step, would trying to get on it in open water cause it to sink in the back or would it be able to support me pulling myself up into it.
Great articles by the way!
I’m 240 and when I try to get on a 3up Spark from the open water it’s quite hard. The rear end does take a dive and getting up is only half the battle as you have to balance it when getting up. It requires a lot of upper body strength because you’re soaking wet. The bigger models like the GTI’s or GTX are less of an issue, those Sparks can be tricky.
Does the weight limit (ie. 600 on RXT300) include the weight of the fuel? I thought it was just humans and cargo.
The weight limit is for human and cargo weight.