A lot has changed since I wrote my last “must-have” jet ski accessories post. There are many new PWC accessories I wanted to add to that list but I feel like a whole new post on it will be more useful.
I’ve added new PWC accessories to consider and some helpful tips you won’t find anywhere else. Along with that, I’ve included many helpful posts I’ve written since then to really give you an Ultimate Post on PWC accessories and Tips for watercraft.
The Must-Have PWC Accessories
These PWC accessories below are what I consider the “must-haves” by any jet ski owner. Not only are these items great to have but some are required by law in many locations.
1. PWC Life Jackets
A life jacket is the number one thing to have on when you’re on a jet ski. I don’t care if you’re the best swimmer in the world you need to wear a life jacket. The life jacket is made to keep you afloat if you get knocked out, or something happens where you can’t swim to safety.
There are life jackets for Kids, Women, Men, and even dogs. I have a guide here where I talk about sizing and what life jackets to get.
Here is a quick glance at the life jackets I recommend for each person…
Kids (Make sure to get the correct size!)- Stearns Youth Boating Vest (50-90 lbs.) (Amazon Link Ad)
Women’s Life Jacket (Amazon Link Ad)
Men’s Life Jacket (Amazon Link Ad)
Dog Life Jacket (Amazon Link Ad)
2. Dry Bag
Riding a Jet Ski is a very wet event, and keeping your stuff dry is ideal. Plus, it’s nice to have a bag to carry stuff from your jet ski and back.
You want dry bags that are bright in color and float. I’m a fan of the Earth Pak Dry Bag here. (Amazon Link Ad)
A dry bag has become such a vital PWC accessory to have with the rise of the REC-LITE category of watercraft. The REC-LITE’s don’t have much storage, but you can clip a dry bag on your REC-LITE Watercraft to give you some.
Remember: Many REC-LITE PWCs don’t have dry storage and a dry bag is vital if you carry anything you don’t want to get wet. Make sure to secure the bag properly so it doesn’t come loose.
3. Towel
Don’t forget to bring a towel! Sounds silly but a towel is often the most overlooked PWC accessories to bring. It’s nice being able to dry off before leaving the jet ski to eat or to get the water off your feet.
Another perk of a towel is that it serves 2 purposes, you can dry off with it and use it to wrap anchors and other pointy objects as to not damage the inside of the watercraft. The more you can dampen the movement of things like anchors when riding in a bouncing jet ski the less likely they will get damaged in the storage compartment.
4. Spare Phone
This one is going to sound odd, but your jet ski needs a smartphone. To better explain this I recommend checking out my post on it here.
Trust me; it makes sense when you consider how cheap smartphones have become + prices of plans + GPS + finding the location of the phone/PWC.
5. PWC Solar Panel Charger
It’s not that the jet ski batteries are not great, but the fact they don’t get driven often enough to keep the battery in good shape. A Solar Charger will help to maintain the battery when you don’t ride it.
I do want to make it clear that a Solar Charger is more of a maintainer and not a “recharge a dead battery when stuck in the middle of the lake.”
6. First Aid Kit
Not very many people keep a First Aid Kit in their watercraft. I find this odd as I’ve been cut and hurt before from regular riding.
But riding and getting hurt is not the biggest concern as most accidents seem to happen when you dock or loading onto the trailer. A good First Aid kit like this here (Amazon Link Ad) is just nice to have around.
7. Whistle / Air Horn
Most States and Countries require you to have a whistle, and not only have one but easily access it. I like to get as many (bright color ones) as I do life jackets and clip them all onto them.
The Whistle or Air Horn is to get other boater’s attention if you need help. A whistle for sure is one of the most needed PWC accessories.
8. Paddle For PWC
A paddle is something you don’t need until you really really need one. I’ve had to use one 2 times, but I was very grateful I had one.
With a Folding Paddle like this one here (Amazon Link Ad), it makes perfect sense to have one in your jet ski. It’s one of those PWC accessories that you should really get.
To give you an example of why a Paddle is so nice to have. If you suck up tow rope, the engine usually completely shuts off, and you’re a floating tub out there with no power. If you had a paddle you could make it home.
9. Shock Tube / Impeller Protector
Talk about sucking up tow rope. A shock tube or often called Impeller Protector (Amazon Link Ad) can help keep that tow rope away from the pump.
You got to bear in mind that you’re riding a very powerful vacuum and it’s not a matter of “if” you’ll suck something up but a matter of “when.” A shock tube can help to lower those chances as it allows the rope to float and extend it a little bit away from the pump.
Tip: Avoid backing up when pulling tubes as that is for sure a great way to suck up tow ropes. Once it sucked up the Tow Rope usually needs to be cut out. You can learn more about what to do when sucking up stuff here.
10. PWC Numbers
From what I can tell, most places require you to display Boat Registration Numbers on the side of your PWC. It doesn’t matter if you live in USA or Australia, you’ll need them.
Boat Numbers are like license plates for boats and wave runners.
Don’t get “Mailbox Numbers” as they don’t hold up very well especially if you have a Sea-Doo Spark. The best option is to get custom numbers made or pre-cut numbers.
Here are a few options of Boat Numbers here.
11. PWC Bungee Dock Line
You’re going to need dock line for when you’re at the docks. Why not get the Bungee dockline like this here? (Amazon Link Ad) It stores better and has some flex to it and works wonderfully for jet skis.
Dockline is one of the first PWC accessories I mention to new jet ski owners.
12. Waterproof Phone Cases
Even if you have a Dry Bag and your phone is waterproof, you still need to get a waterproof case. It’s to add protection to the phone and keep it away from other items like sunscreen your flip-flops inside the dry bag.
13. PWC Covers
There is an old saying that goes “the 2 worse things for your boat is sun and water”. The funny part is that it’s true.
The best thing about jet ski covers is that it keeps the Sun off the watercraft. The Sun can fade your watercraft and crack the Vinyl of the seat. Let’s not forget nature and her friend’s (birds) like to make messes on our nice and shiny watercrafts.
I highly recommend checking out my post on jet ski covers to get a good idea on what you should get.
Things That Could Save Your Life / Safety Gear
This part is just as important, if not more important, then the must-haves mentioned above. The PWC accessories here are things that could save your life or general safety gear. You don’t need all these things, but some make sense to have.
14. Fire Extinguisher
I’m surprised by how many jet skis don’t have a Fire Extinguisher or have one that is out of date. If you bought a used jet ski, then buy a new one. If your jet ski is over 3 years old, then get a new one.
And I know many people are like “if my jet ski is on fire I’ll jump in the water.” While that maybe true but the fire extinguisher could save your life or the person you’re riding with if there ski is on fire. Jet Skis are made of fiberglass which is highly flammable, and there is a reason why all jet skis sold have a spot for a fire extinguisher.
15. Emergency Flashlight
An Emergency Flashlight is In case you get stuck after dark which is not legal and need to flash SOS. Or you get home late and need to see the docks better.
16. Knife
It’s rare, but sometimes you may need to cut a line or help someone that is hung up on rope or wildlife(weeds). Make sure the knife is secured away and that it’s not easily available to children. If you can store the knife in a box out of the way and always be safe when using it.
A knife is one of those PWC accessories that no one ever remembers but can get you out of the most sticky situations.
17. Skier Down Flag
If you plan on pulling Skiers or Tubes, a Skier Down orange flag is what you display on the craft to let other boaters know you have a person in the water.
Shop PWC Electrical Accessories
18. PWC GPS
They make a GPS that you can use on your jet ski, and they work amazingly if you’re like me and get lost easily.
There is another option, and that is your Phone. You know how earlier in the post I was talking about why your PWC needs a Smartphone? Well, this is one of the reasons and here is that post to explain it more.
19. Portable Jump Pack
If you can’t or don’t want to keep your battery charged with either the Solar Charger we mentioned earlier or a wall charger, then a Portable Jump Pack is a must-have.
A portable jump pack will allow you to jump the battery of your jet ski. You need to use a jump pack and NEVER a running car to jump the battery of a jet ski. Where the Jump Pack shines is that you don’t buy it for the jet ski, you buy it for your car. Your car might need to use it before the jet skis do and so you keep it in the car, but when you trailer the jet ski to the ramp, and for the rare chance, you need to jump start your jet ski, you’ll have the jump pack ready to go.
The best jump starters are the super capacitor ones (Amazon Link Ad) as you don’t need to keep it charged, will charge itself from your dead battery, and they last for a good amount of time. I covered super capacitor jump packs in my post about jump-starting a jet ski.
20. PWC Bilge pump / Bailers
Just about every boat has a bilge pump, but not every jet ski. Do you need one? Not really. Unless you keep the watercraft in the water all the time.
I don’t recommend keeping your jet ski floating in the water all the time and go into great details here. If you do plan on keeping your jet ski in the water you’ll for sure need this PWC accessory.
If you do get a Bilge Pump I recommend letting your dealership install it for you as it can be a handful if you never installed one before.
21. A 12-Volt PWC accessories Plug
You’re starting to see 12-volt plugs popping up on new watercraft these days. The 12-volt plug works perfectly for charging your phone or powering an air pump to inflate towable tubes.
Make sure to get the plug that works with your model jet ski if you do get one. Also, talk to your local dealer about getting a plug installed if you don’t have one.
22. PWC Depth Finder
If you fish or ride where there is plenty of shallow water, then a depth finder is something you should look into.
The trick with depth finders is to get one from the same manufacturer as your jet ski. Installation is a lot easier and cleaner as the built-in display will show the depth.
It’s best to check with your local dealer to see if they have options for depth finders for you and the cost.
In all honesty, a depth finder is cool but it’s not one of the must-have PWC accessories.
PWC Clothing and Gear
23. Clothing
I have a great guide on what to wear on a jet ski here. But let’s talk about some of them…
24. Rashguard
A rashguard is a shirt you wear to keep the sun off of you while you ride and to keep the life jacket from rubbing too much on your skin.
A rashguard is one of those hidden gems of PWC accessories that everyone should have but no one ever gets.
25. Sunglasses
It’s bright out there with the sun above you and the water below you glistening. Plus, sunglasses keep the water out of your eyes when you’re splashing in the waves.
Make sure to get some floating sunglasses just in case you drop them in the water.
26. Wetsuit Bottoms
This one can be awkward to talk about. You need them and if you want to know why check your watercraft’s warning stickers.
27. PWC Gloves
Riding Gloves use to be a thing I thought was stupid until I started getting blisters. You don’t realize it but when riding a machine with greater takeoff power than most cars you’ll get a death grip on the handlebars.
You don’t want to let go, and all the jumping around starts to wear out your hands and can causes blisters.
Some old watercraft handles are worn out or have those stupid ripple grips that cut into your hand over time and make wearing gloves a must-have.
Check out my whole post on jet ski gloves here.
28. PWC Shoes
There are some Do and Don’t when it comes to footwear on a jet ski. Too much to cover here, but this guide will help greatly.
29. Compact Rain Jacket / Poncho
I never really talk about getting stuck in the rain, but sometimes a summer shower can come out of nowhere. And I know what some people think, you’re on a jet ski so expect to get wet.
But then the same individuals get stuck out in the middle of a downpour and realize that it’s a very different game. Driving in the rain hurts – feels like little needles hitting you when you go over 20mph. And if it’s thundering the last place on earth you need to be is on a watercraft in the middle of the water.
So having a compact rain poncho that you can whip out and race home is very needed. In a heavy downpour, you need to get somewhere safe and any protection can help.
The key take away is not to drive a jet ski when raining, but sometimes it happens, and a little rain jacket can go a long way.
PWC Coolers and Waterbottles
30. Coolers
You can’t just buy any cooler for your jet ski. The storage compartments are usually too small to support the fixed body coolers.
I recommend getting AO Coolers Canvas Soft Cooler with High-Density Insulation (Amazon Link Ad).
You can buy Cooler Racks but mostly fisherman buy them to keep the fish in. Cooler Racks are not for the average person as it gets installed in the back where it makes it hard to get back on the watercraft if you fall off. Also, you have to drill into the body of the craft, and not many people want to do that, and once installed those holes are there whether you like the cooler rack or not. I say stick to the simple coolers instead.
31. Water Bottle Holders
I know many Yamaha Waverunners come with bottle holders which are really nice.
But you can add some to your watercraft if you like. But I think the best method is to just place the bottle in the glove box with a towel to keep it from bouncing around.
You can get some water bottles that mount to your back by use of a backpack, but that doesn’t work well when you have a life jacket on. I would also avoid the handlebar mounts as jet skis don’t have much handlebar space and it can become a safety issue.
Docking / Beaching
32. Fenders / Bumpers
If you don’t want your watercraft to get scratched or damaged when docked, you’ll need to get Fenders. Fenders are one of PWC accessories that is the second thing I tell people to buy when they start out.
You can either get the standard Fender style here. (Amazon Link Ad)
Or get Jet Ski Style Fenders made for watercraft like this here. (Amazon Link Ad)
33. PWC Anchors
If you want to anchor your jet ski you’ll need the correct anchor. Every location is different and requires the correct anchor to go along with it.
Check out my guide on Jet Ski Anchors and which one to get here.
34. Floating Dock
If you’re not going to be towing your jet ski all the time and not have marina storage, then you should get a floating dock to place your jet ski on.
I talk more about this in my post about keeping your jet ski in the water here. But the main thing is that you want one that fits your Personal Watercraft. Go for good used ones as they hold their value and get them installed. In the post link, I talk about where you can get them too.
PWC Tow Sport Accessories
35. Towable Tubes
The best part of owning a jet ski has got to be the tubing! But I bet you’re wondering if your jet ski can pull a tube? Well, guess who has a link to another post that answers that question? This GUY!
You’ll want to stick to tubes that are 2 or 1 person for Jet Skis because of laws in most States. I’m a big fan of the SPORTSSTUFF Big Mable Towable but there is many to choose from.
After owning a jet ski for a few weeks you’ll find yourself getting a towable tube because it’s a must-have on the PWC accessories list!
36. Wake Boards
If you want more of a challenge, then you can also wakeboard behind a jet ski. A jet ski won’t have the weight to create big waves, but it’s a lot quicker to hop on the jet ski and wakeboard than on a big boat.
Sea-Doo even makes WAKE Edition watercrafts if that is more your style. They even have the wakeboard holders which is super helpful. You also get SKI-MODE with those crafts which make tow sports so much easier for the driver and the person being pulled.
37. PWC Tow Rope
If you’re going to be pulling people, then you’ll need the tow rope to do it.
You have tow rope for Tubes – AIRHEAD AHTR-22 Tube Rope 2 Section with Float, 2 Rider (Amazon Link Ad)
And tow ropes for Wakeboards – Airhead AHWR-1, 2AHS-1100 or 1200 Wakeboard Rope (Amazon Link Ad)
38. Booster Ball
If you ever had the tube go underwater or the unwanted jolt, then you need a Booster Ball.
Learn more about the SPORTSSTUFF 53-2030 4K Booster Ball for Towables here. (Amazon Link Ad)
39. Tube Inflators
With many waverunners coming with 12-volt plugs it makes it easier to inflate tubes on your jet ski with a Tube Inflator like this one here. (Amazon Link Ad)
Tip: Try to get the inflators that also deflate, so it’s easier to store the tube away when you’re done with it.
Shop Sea-Doo PWC Accessories
Sea-Doo has so many cool PWC accessories for their watercraft that I thought they deserve their own section.
I do want to be clear, most if not all of the jet ski accessories in this Sea-Doo section will only fit Sea-Doos and only certain model Sea-Doo’s. Make sure to read which model it fits before buying.
40. Ski Pylon
When I was selling Sea-Doo’s the most common PWC accessory to add was Ski Pylons. This thing mounts in the rear and gets the tow rope up and at a more level angle for the wakeboarder. This comes on the WAKE Series Sea-Doo. The best perk is that it has handles for the spotter to hold on to.
If you do a lot of pull sports, then a Ski Pylon is a must-have if you ask me. The only downside is that I recommend getting a dealership to install it for you as you do have to drill into the fiberglass. But boy is it worth it!
41. Retractable Dock Line
Retractable Dock Line is one of those things where we ask “why was this not invented sooner?”.
It’s dock line that you pull out quickly and tie up and retracts back in when you’re done. It’s dock line that is ready to go when you need it.
I wouldn’t use it for long-term storage but only for going to the gas docks or for a quick tie up. I would still use regular thicker dock line for all the other times. I would also get these installed by a dealership too.
42. Snap In Fenders
Fenders or bumpers should be easy, and Sea-Doo figured it out with these Snap-In Fenders.
Like the 2 other Sea-Doo PWC Accessories I recommend you get the dealer to install them but if you have a Sea-Doo Spark, then you should already have the holes for it. If you have an older body watercraft (2010 or below), then there is a good chance they won’t fit. Make sure to check to see if your watercraft can fit them before you get them.
Click Here to learn more about Sea-Doo Snap In Fenders. (Amazon Link Ad)
43. Sea-Doo Depth Finder
Like we talked about earlier in this post, Sea-Doo makes a depth finder that you can install, and it will display the depth on the Gauge.
You’ll want to ensure your Sea-Doo can use the Depth Finder before getting one. It’s best to contact your local dealer about the options and the price of a depth finder for your Sea-Doo.
44. Seadoo Reboarding Ladder
A reboarding ladder is a must have. The good news is that many PWCs already have one. The bad news is if you don’t have one it will require some drilling to install it.
Once again I recommend letting the dealership install it for you and make sure they put some waterproof sealant on the holes since it’s below the water line.
45. Seadoo Palm Grips
Ever since Sea-Doo came out with these new Palm Grips, I’ve been in love with them. They do make a difference, and if your model Sea-Doo supports them, they’re super easy to install. In most cases, all you need is a 10mm socket to install them and to get the old ones off.
You don’t realize how much of a beating your wrist take when jumping waves and these Palm Grips really help with that.
46. Ski Mode
If you do a lot of tow sports and have a Sea-Doo that can have Ski-Mode installed, then I highly recommend looking into it.
Ski-Mode allows you to set the speed that the person being pull likes and also lets you pick the takeoff power too. All the driver has to do once activated is hold the throttle in, and the computer does all the work for you. This also makes it repeatable for the person being pulled as the computer will take off and cruise at the same speed every time in Ski-Mode.
This feature is on the Wake model Sea-Doo’s too. If you know a bit about electronics, then it’s not too hard to install, if not get the dealership to do it.
Shop Sea-Doo Spark PWC Accessories
This is an overview of the Spark PWC Accessories, for the full guide click here
47. Tow Pro for Spark
Just like the Ski Pylon the Spark has its own towing accessory. This one also can hold a wakeboard and also only for the Sea-Doo Spark.
The Spark Tow Pro is only for 3-seater models. To learn more about the Tow Pro check it out on Sea-Doo’s site here.
48. Spark Registration Numbers
Since the Spark is not the standard fiberglass body, registration numbers can be a tricky affair. Sea-Doo makes some numbers that stick the best to the body that you can find here. (Amazon Link Ad)
49. Spark Step
Not all Sea-Doo Sparks come with a reboarding step and having one makes it easier to get back on the craft from the water.
You can get the Spark RE-Boarding Step here (Amazon Link Ad) and it’s not too hard to install but make sure to put some waterproof sealant in the holes. The instructions will say what sealant works the best. Be sure to allow the sealant to dry for 24 hours before putting the PWC in the water.
50. Spark Key
The Spark Key can be different than the other Sea-Doo models. Many of the Sparks that were sold only had the magnetic Spark Key which can start any Spark.
But many of the latest models (iBR ones) have the digital key which needs to be programmed by a dealership.
No matter what you have it’s nice to have a spare key.
Shop Yamaha Waverunner Accessories
Here is a list of Yamaha PWC Accessories.
51. Pull Up Cleats
This is one PWC accessories I wish Sea-Doo had. You can pull up the cleats to tie off at the dock or to tie off your fenders. When done you just tuck them away – so simple and easy.
Make sure to call your local dealer and ask them if your model waverunner works with these cleats.
52. Yamaha Jet Ski Cover
Every jet ski should have a cover, and I find the ones from the manufacturer to fit the best.
Check out Yamaha Covers on Yamaha’s Website Here.
53. Yamaha Fenders
Yamaha has their own fenders and bumpers that will match nicely with your new Yamaha.
54. Storage Pack
A clever idea to store things in your Yamaha Waverunner.
55. Handle Bar Pack
The handle bar is right there in front of you so why not use it for storage. Very clever Yamaha!
56. Reboarding Step
57. Yamaha Towable Tubes
Yamaha has their own towable tubes like OEM Yamaha Torpedo Watersports Tube 12 Riders SBT-TORPE-DO-11.
58. Yamaha Wakeboards
You can even get Yamaha Wakeboards too.
59. Yamaha Wakeboard Bags
If you wakeboard, then you’re going to need a bag to keep it in to keep the board and the watercraft from scraping on each other. Plus, it keeps the dirt and other items that can get it dirty off of it.
60. Yamaha 12-Volt Adaptor
It’s nice being able to charge your phone or GPS when riding your jet ski. Yamaha has an adaptor that can be installed. Make sure your model watercraft will fit before buying. A very convenient jet ski accessory to have for any craft.
61. Yamaha Flush Hose
Winterizing and flushing the Yamaha jet ski and most watercraft is a normal thing. Some model Yamahas will need the flush hose like this here (Amazon Link Ad) to be able to flush. It’s critical you follow the owners manual closely when flushing to keep from hydro-locking your engine.
62. PWC Kill Switch Lanyard
Yamaha uses a Kill Switch Lanyard that attaches to your wrist or life jacket. If you fall off the engine shuts off when the safety lanyard is pulled from the switch. It’s nice to have a spare one as they get lost easily from my experiences.
Click Here to see JET LOGIC UL-3 Ultimate PWC Safety Lanyard. (Amazon Link Ad)
Kawasaki Jet Ski Accessories
63. PWC Covers
Every jet ski should have a cover, and I find the ones from the manufacturer to fit the best. Out of all the jet ski accessories, a cover is something that should be standard on all watercraft but they’re not so it’s wise to get one.
64. Kill Switch Lanyard
Just like Yamaha, Kawasaki uses a kill switch safety lanyard too but in its own design. You can get a multi-purpose safety lanyard for many jet ski models.
Many of the standard stuff we talk about above and below will work on most Kawasaki Jet Skis too.
Cleaning Your Jet Ski
I have a great post on my method I used to clean 100’s (if not 1,000’s) of Jet Ski’s Here. But here is a few items from that post to help you keep your jet ski clean.
65. PWC Vinyl Cleaner and Protector
Often overlooked, Vinyl Cleaner is a must-have if you want your jet ski seats to last. Just like your skin, Vinyl can crack and wear out without the proper protection.
Vinyl can also be tricky to clean so make sure to get some vinyl cleaner or vinyl protector (Amazon Link Ad) for your jet ski.
66. Simple Green
I like using Simple Green to clean the really nasty parts of the Jet Ski. Like when the footwells fill with water and if it sits too long, it gets really nasty. I also spray the engine compartment with simple green to clean it along with cleaning the storage compartments with it too.
Click Here to learn more about how I use Simple Green.
The trick with Simple Green is to dilute it 50/50 with water. Never use it on Aluminum (jet ski trailers) or oxidized fiberglass. You’ll know your jet ski is oxidized if the finish is dull or chalky.
Once you spray on the Simple Green, you need to spray it off with water. Don’t let it sit too long.
68. PWC Cleaner
To clean a jet ski I use some boat wash. You can use car soap but don’t, it’s not fully the same stuff, and the boat cleaner is made for fiberglass.
69. Long Handle Scrub Brush
Having a long handle scrub brush is great for cleaning those hard to reach areas like the footwells and storage buckets.
70. SC1 Silicone Spray
Everyone has their favorite finishing spray and mine is SC1. It’s silicone, and I find it to hold up better than most sprays. It makes the black plastics look good and gives the body a nice smoothness to it. You can get some SC1 Silicone Spray.
Just make sure you don’t spray it anywhere that you need to grip or place your feet as it can be slippery. Also, don’t forget to follow the directions on the can too!
Shop Jet Ski Trailer Accessories
71. PWC Trailer Tongue Jack
Out of all the accessories for a jet ski trailer, a tongue jack is a must have. You want some weight on the tongue of the trailer to keep it from bouncing around. To make life easier, a tongue jack can be used to crank the trailer off the ball of your truck.
Try to get a tongue jack like this one (Amazon Link Ad) where it goes up and down and also has a wheel to make it easier to move around your garage or driveway.
72. Wheel Chocks
If you have a trailer, you’re going to need to chock the wheels off. I recommend blocking off both sides of the tire and maybe even going as far as blocking both sides of the trailer off.
I like to use wheel chocks for my trailers. Make sure to pay attention to where the trailer is sloping down and block off the correct side of the tire.
To be safe, if you don’t know get 4 chocks and block off both sides of the tire and both sides of the trailer.
73. Trailer Locks and Locking a Jet Ski
A tongue lock is a great way to keep people from driving away with your jet ski.
Just because the trailer has a lock on it doesn’t mean someone can’t still steal the ski. I go into greater detail about ways to protect your jet ski here.
74. Trailer Straps
Most, if not all, jet ski trailers will have a front strap that you use to ratchet the ski on the trailer from the water. When towing your jet ski its best to also strap down the rear too.
As someone who has had many of those front straps break on them, I highly recommend strapping down the rear of your watercraft. I like using ratchet straps like these here (Amazon Link Ad) to keep my jet ski tied down in the rear.
I know ratchet straps have a learning curve to them but it is what you should use. Here is a great video you can watch on YouTube about how to use ratchet straps
75. Spare tire
Even if you only go a few miles to launch your jet ski a spare tire is a must for your trailer.
When the tire goes, you’re stuck.
You either leave the jet ski and hope no one takes it while you try to hunt down a spare tire which for some odd reason are hard to find when you need one. Or you stay with the ski and have someone else look for that hard to find the spare tire that the only place that has them seems to be closed at the most inconvenient times. (You can tell I’ve been through this before).
It is vital you get the correct spare tire for your trailer. You’ll have 4-Lug or 5-Lug spare tire options. Along with the lugs, you’ll also have the tire size too. A single jet ski trailer tire is smaller than a double size tire and putting the wrong size tire on your trailer can be very bad. If in doubt visit your local dealer about getting a spare tire.
76. Trailer Jack
I would get a Jack to keep in my car in case you need to replace the tire of your trailer.
Even if your car has a jack it sometimes not tall enough or is annoying to use. Also, many cars these days don’t even have a spare tire and jack so bringing your own Jack is a must have jet ski trailer accessory.
77. Trailer Guides For Backing Up
Backing up a jet ski trailer is not easy, I have a guide on that here to help give you some pointers.
To make it easier you can use Trailer Guides like this here (Amazon Link Ad) that will show you the ends of the trailer. These rear guides purpose is to help guide you in from the water to the trailer and to keep the rear from swinging away from you. But they also work great to let you know where the left and right ends of the trailer are when it’s hard to see from your car.
The thing with trailers is that the smaller it is the harder it is to back up. But with practice it becomes easy.
Maintenance Items
78. Oil Change Kits For PWCs
If you plan on changing your own oil, then get the oil change kits. Every manufacturer is different so make sure to get the correct one and make sure to follow the directions closely.
What I recommend is letting the dealership do the oil changes for you because you will need some special tools for some watercrafts.
79. Oil Extractors
One Special tool if you do your own oil changes will be an oil extractor. Where a car you have a drain plug that drains the oil out but on a Jet Ski you don’t have such a thing.
On a jet ski, you must suck the oil out of the engine, and an Oil Extractor like the Hydro-Turf Oil Extractor 6-Liter OIL01 (Amazon Link Ad) is needed.
80. Spark Plugs
If you have a 2-stroke jet ski you need to keep extra spark plugs with you at all times. 2-Strokes are bad about fouling spark plugs, and that could make the ski run rough or not at all. The way you can tell if you have a 2-Stroke is that you add oil to a tank or you DON’T have a dipstick.
You do not see many 2-Strokes anymore, in fact, Sea-Doo’s last 2-Stroke was in 2007. Most PWCs now are 4-stroke where you change the oil every year or sooner if you ride a lot.
I’ve noticed that many manufacturers say you can go 2 years without changing the spark plugs but I think that is just stupid. I recommend changing your spark plugs every year or when you do an oil change.
81. Load Tester
A load tester is just a nice tool to have around the house. A load tester will determine if a battery is strong enough to start an engine.
When someone has trouble starting their jet ski they would often pull out a voltmeter as its more common to have and tell me that the battery reads proper voltage. But I have to say to them that it’s not the volts that start a jet ski but the amps. The only way to tell if you have enough amps to start a jet ski is to put a load on it which a load tester works perfectly for.
If you ever have starting issues with your jet ski, I have a guide here that can help.
82. PWC Battery Charger
If you’re not using your jet ski for a month or more, then it’s best to keep the battery on charge. A jet ski battery is small and goes stale quicker than a car battery. Combine that with the fact that people don’t ride their jet skis as much as their cars – a jet ski battery can die sooner.
But if you keep a battery charger or the solar charger that I really recommend getting then the battery can last a little bit longer.
Stay under 2 amps for a battery charger for a jet ski. I like to use Battery Tender 021-0123 Battery Tender Junior 12V, 0.75A Battery Charger. (Amazon Link Ad)
Storage
83. Jet Ski Stand
If you like to keep your jet skis in the garage but the trailer takes up too much room then you need to get a jet ski stand.
I have a guide on what are the best jet ski stands here.
84. Winterizing and Fogging PWCs
If you live somewhere that gets cold, or you plan on not using your jet ski for months then it’s best to winterize it or do storage procedures on it.
I think a video on that topic is better than writing about it..
85. Stabil
Gas goes bad. If you don’t use your jet ski for months, then it’s best to put some Stabil for boats and jet skis into your gas tank. Make sure to read the directions to know how much to put in.
Bad gas can make a jet ski not run right as it is a high-performance engine and needs the optimal fuel. You might even get a check engine light on some models with bad gas in it.
The Little Things Often Forgotten About
86. Extra lanyards
Pick up some extra safety lanyards because you will lose the ones you have now, that’s just the way it goes. And the jet ski won’t start unless you have the safety lanyard in place. Lanyards are one of the PWC accessories you should have spare of.
If you have a Sea-Doo, then your safety lanyard is your key, and you would need to get each key programmed to your jet skis. It’s a little bit more work for you, and I have a guide on what to do about keys here.
87. Action Camera
It’s just cool to capture the adventures on your jet ski with a camera. There are so many action cameras around that it makes the perfect gift (Christmas and Birthday’s hint-hint) for someone you know.
I’m a fan of the GoPro HERO5 Black. (Amazon Link Ad) Make sure to get an action camera that is waterproof and takes great video.
88. PWC Bluetooth Speakers
You can get some portable Bluetooth speakers just about anywhere these days, but I like the Cambridge SoundWorks OontZ Angle 3 Next Generation Ultra Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker. (Amazon Link Ad) Make sure to look at ones that are waterproof as you will be on the water.
You can get a custom speaker job done on your jet ski, but it’s best to let a pro do that for you.
Avoid speakers made for ATVs. They don’t fit right and don’t stay on for long. I’ve seen people on YouTube put them on, and it looks fine but they use straps, and I can tell it won’t stay put after a few waves.
I’ve found that if you want music just get a big Bluetooth speaker that fits in the front storage of your jet ski and just crank up the music. Then you can take it out when you dock and bring the music with you.
89. Floating Keychain
Sometimes you got to bring your keys with you. And sure you may keep them in the dry box but also sometimes you’ll pull them out or they’ll slip out and fall in the water.
If you have a Floating Keychain you’ll be able to get them back. It’s better to be over prepared. It may seem like one of those funny PWC accessories but it so worth it.
90. Jet Ski Insurance
Not a PWC accessory but something that is so much more vital! No one is perfect, and things do happen. You would be a fool not to have jet ski insurance even if your state doesn’t require it.
As someone who has been in many jet ski accidents and seen many damaged jet skis from the act of nature, I highly recommend getting jet ski insurance.
Try calling up your current provider for your home or car as they might already have options for you before searching for jet ski only insurance.
Consider: Look into umbrella insurance if you have other people ride your jet ski. I’ve found that jet skis tend to ride in places where there are expensive boats, houses, and docking areas and your regular insurance will only cover so much. So ask your insurance agent about umbrella insurance to protect you.
91. PWC Cable Locks
If you keep your jet ski on a floating dock, then I recommend the PWC accessories Master Lock 8417D Python Adjustable Locking Cable. (Amazon Link Ad) This lock will allow you to secure your watercraft to the dock and keep people from pushing it off and towing it away.
The lock is not meant to replace the dock line but to work with it. I’ve seen some heavy rainstorms break regular dockline and set a jet ski free. Having that extra cable with the dockline will help. But more importantly, keep people from stealing it.
Even if you have a jet ski with a digital key, or locked by a fob people can still push it off the dock and tow it away.
There are many more factors to consider when it comes to locking your jet ski that I cover here.
Jet Ski Fishing Equipment Catalog
- Kool Stuff Jetski Fishing Rod & Cooler Rack Combo (Amazon Link Ad)
- YETI Roadie 20 Cooler (Amazon Link Ad)
- Fishing Rod Holder
- Marine GPS Navigator (Amazon Link Ad)
Jet Ski Parts
- Watercraft Lift Sling (Amazon Link Ad)
- Jet Ski Grips
- Watercraft PWC Dolly Boat Jet Ski Stand (Amazon Link Ad)
Not Everyone Needs These PWC Accessories But Something To Consider
Buying a jet ski is confusing, it gets even more complicated when you’re told to get things you might not need. Here are some examples of things the average person might not need to get.
92. PWC Hoist Straps
Sometimes you need to transfer your jet ski to another trailer or stand. You would use Hoist Straps to do that. But these straps will also need a device that can pick up the jet ski with the straps.
With some jet skis weighing over 1,000 pounds, you have to be careful.
The places that should consider these straps are dealerships, repair shops, or maybe the backyard mechanic. The average joe doesn’t need them and could hurt themselves if they don’t know what they’re doing.
If you’re wondering what a jet ski or trailer can weigh, then I have a post for you here.
93. Sea-Doo Sea Scooter
A Sea-Doo Sea Scooter is one of those really cool PWC accessories to have if you play in the pool or a diver. You can easily carry it in your jet ski storage compartment and pull it out when you anchor to putt around on.
A Sea Scooter is something to consider if your lifestyle calls for one.
94. Jet Ski Helmet
You don’t need a helmet for your jet ski unless you’re a racer or want to be very cautious.
With jet skis, you should not be close to each other and should maintain a safe distance. But in racing, you’re really close to each other reaching insane speeds so a helmet is a must-have for that.
Make sure to get a helmet for your jet ski that dries quickly and allows you to breathe well.
I go over if you need a jet ski helmet here.
Helpful Info
95. Owners Manual
Losing your owners manual to your jet ski is easy. Here are some links to some manufacturers to download a new one.
Yamaha – https://www.yamahawaverunners.com/boating-resources/
Sea-Doo – https://www.sea-doo.com/owners/guides-and-information.html
Kawasaki – https://www.kawasaki.com/ServiceManuals/ChooseVehicle
96. Starting Your Watercraft
Only start the watercraft in waist-deep or more water. Your jet ski is a powerful vacuum, and it will suck up anything that gets in its way. To learn more and what to do if you suck something up, I have a guide here.
Steven,
First of all , thank you for this website…. As a newbie, I’ve absorbed so much info from your website…I have a few questions… I’ve picked up my new 2021 SeaDoo GTI SE 170 from my dealer around a month ago… I have some winter storage questions… (St. Louis, Missouri)… I was at the dealer today talking to my tech and he says to put the battery on a trickle charger for the winter…. I have not put any hours on the unit yet… What plug in model charger do you recommend and what is the best procedure for keeping the battery like-new over the winter ? The unit will be stored in my second garage (unheated)… Second, should I put the cover on PWC over the winter??? Tech says I really dont need to… Lastly, The PWC has a little over 1/4 tank of gas…. Should I fill and add stabilizer or leave the fuel level where it is and just add a small amount of stabilizer..??? Thank you very much and feel free to let me know of any more winterizing tips you may have for me….
You’ll want a smart battery charger at 12 volts, stay at 2 amps or lower. I talk more about this here https://www.steveninsales.com/how-to-charge-a-jet-ski-battery/
If you can, take the battery out and keep it out of the wind (not outside) and on the smart charger. The smart charger will turn on and off as the battery needs it. I would put the cover on it even if it’s in the garage. Keeps the cover fitted and bugs from building nests in the folds. Also, it keeps the dust off the jet ski. I like leaving the fuel level low and putting a little bit of stabilizer in the gas. Then the first ride I put 93 octane in the tank and go for a ride.
Steven,
Once again, thank you for this site…. I have a question about a factory depth finder for my 2021 SeaDoo GTI SE 170….. I believe the actual part is available on the SeaDoo/BRP website…. I have also watched several vids on installation, It looks like something I would undertake…. However, I don’t want to do anything that will cause a problem with my extended warranty I have on the unit…. I assume this is a project that my dealer would be able to handle for me…. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated…
I’ve installed several depth finders and learned that it’s well worth the cost the dealership charges. The epoxy, blue gel pads, and the messing with the fuse box were a nightmare. 8/10 times, at least for me, the blue gel pads never worked right and I had to use something else. This is one of the few things I would let the dealership handle.
Steve –
Ever use a flyboard? I believe I saw 250hp is minimum they recommend for use?
Do you have any machine requirements or suggestions if we anticipate owning a flyboard? I have yet to buy a jetski, but am in the market asap for a machine. Any thoughts are appreciated.
On that note, I have 2 little kids I’ll be pulling on a tube/skis, so anticipate needing a 3-seater with some power. I also weigh 220# and like to ride fast.
Suggestions for an overall machine? Thank you, sir!
https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-iba-1&hsimp=yhs-1&hspart=iba&p=jet+ski+fly+board#id=4&vid=80978f1c0a985920f57e393c45391a62&action=click
I’ve never been on a Flyboard before but have talked to the people who run them. You need a powerful jet ski, 250HP will be fine. Many of them like to use Yamaha because they have the open loop cooling which is ideal since the craft will be sitting still most of the time. Your best bet is to talk to your local Flyboard people and see what they say and what gear you need. Your local watercraft dealer will know who to call or might even sell them. You’ll also need training on them too which many of the Flyboard people teach. If you do go with a Flyboard it’s not always easy to swap the jet ski back over to normal so you might need to get a second one for the pull sports and normal jet ski stuff. While the Flyboard is cool and all I usually see people convert the craft back to normal after a few years – they tend to get bored with it. If you do a lot of pull sports on the second machine you’ll want something with at least 155hp or more. Sea-Doo makes the Wake Series and The Wake Pro is the best of the best if you ask me if you need to do any pull sports.
This is a great list. I just put a down payment on a GTI SE 130 and had a question. What are the dealer install prices on something like the Ski Pylon or the Snap in Fenders? I know it may be different from dealer to dealer, but I am trying to get an idea. Thanks!
This is really hard to answer as every dealership is different. Every dealership has a different per hour price and some installs are harder than others. I know for a fact that the Ski Pylon is not an easy job (I’ve installed many) and that will be the bulk of the cost. The Snap-in fenders are not hard but there’s a good chance they’ll charge for it. But if you want a rough idea I would say around 200 installed plus the cost of the parts.
These pages are so helpful,Im purchasing two next week and learning so much from reading about what to do etc .I’m getting two sparks