When looking for a jet ski, one of the most common concerns from most riders is how stable it will be. Sure, some people like to get wet when they ride a jet ski, but not every second needs you getting soaked.
In this post, I want to cover the most forgiving, comfortable and stable new and used jet skis on the market and go over why having a stable new or used jet ski is important.
Why A Stable And Comfortable Jet Ski Matters
To really drive the point home for jet skis and why stable matters, I’ve written each one out below.
- Safer – I routinely find that the more predictable and stable the ride, the safer it is, especially with multiple riders. When it comes to modern jet skis, they’re more versatile than in the past, accommodating towable tubes, wakeboarders, and achieving greater speeds. A larger ride provides security, visibility, and easier access from the water or dock.
- More Confidence – It can be scary for new riders, but when there’s less likelihood of flipping, it builds confidence. More confidence facilitates quicker learning, adaptation to quirks, and increases enjoyment while on their jet ski.
- Comfort – With rising prices, people are opting for personal jet skis over boats due to cost. A few seek a comfortable and easy alternative to boats. A larger sit-down jet ski offers a bigger seat and better handling in choppy waters. These vehicles are becoming increasingly more comfortable, with long-distance models designed for exploration.
- Can Do More – You can do various activities like pull sports, drag racing, cruising, and trips with a more stable PWC. You’ll have less fatigue and more courage.
- Can Go More Places – A larger jet ski enables exploration of more places and engagement in diverse activities. For long-distance trips, ample storage space for luggage and fuel is crucial. In challenging ocean conditions, larger jet skis outperform smaller ones.
- Carry More People – You can carry more people on a longer and more stable modern PWC with confidence. While some have a standard seating capacity for three people, there are also options for two or single-seater configurations. However, not all three-person jet skis are equal. Despite claiming to seat three individuals, some may be more suitable for two adults and a small child due to size constraints. Thus, it’s crucial to carefully consider seating capacity when buying, as not all three-seaters comfortably accommodate three adults.
The Most Stable New Jet Skis
The PWC market keeps going towards a more stable ride, so here are your options from the main manufacturers on the most comfortable and stable jet skis you can get:
- The most stable Sea-Doo jet skis – GTX, RXT, and anything with ST3 Hull (Wake Pro, Explorer Pro 170 and Fish Pro & Trophy).
- The most stable Yamaha jet ski – The FX line-up.
- The most stable Kawasaki jet ski – The ULTRA line-up.
The reason why Sea-Doo has multiple models listed is that they all share the same larger ST3 hull. Manufacturers tend to have 3 or 4 different hulls, but may sell 10 to 20 different models. When it comes to rough water, the Kawasaki ULTRA hull is the best option due to its weight and size.
The Most Stable New Jet ski Has The ST3 Hull
In the jet ski world, stable and comfort are a good mix, and there is one hull that truly stands out from the competition. The Sea-Doo ST3 hull, featured on popular models such as the GTX, RXT, Fish Pro, WAKE Pro, and Explorer Pro 170, takes the title as super comfortable. Sea-Doo goes above and beyond in prioritizing ergonomics, offering a seat meticulously molded to conform to the human form.
Additionally, the handlebars are thoughtfully adjusted to accommodate riders, ensuring a personalized and comfortable riding experience. With the added convenience of quick access storage, the Sea-Doo ST3 hull exemplifies meticulously designed modern jet skis that truly cater to the needs of riders.
The level of comfort that Sea-Doo delivers allows them to come out with models made for long rides, like the Explorer Pro 170.
The Most Stable Used Jet Skis?
The great thing about the jet ski market is that they don’t change names that much.
The Sea-Doo GTX, RXT go way back and have always been the most comfortable and stable jet skis they’ve made. The same goes for Yamaha FX and Kawasaki Ultra jet skis.
It’s just that the jet skis keep getting bigger as time goes on. For example, a modern Sea-Doo GTI, which is not the most stable Sea-Doo jet ski, is just as stable as the 2007 GTX Limited that was super stable for it’s time.
About the only thing that doesn’t get more stable is the Sea-Doo Spark and Yamaha EX/JetBlaster jet skis.
The Market Demands Larger Sizes
The market demands larger jet skis, so the manufacturers are listening, and you’re seeing them get bigger and more stable. Not only does the market want a very stable jet ski, but there are still people who want nimble and quick models. It’s the middle that some manufacturers seek out, and why we have so some models to pick from today.
Even the smallest models, like the Sea-Doo Spark, remain relatively large compared to older ones.
Stable Now Vs. Then
For instance, let’s consider the Sea-Doo Spark 3up, which measures 120 inches long. In comparison, the 1996 GTX, known as one of the larger luxury Sea-Doo during its time, had a length of 122 inches. Notably, the Sea-Doo Spark’s width is only 1 inch shorter than that of the 1996 GTX. The difference is so minimal that the “small” Sea-Doo Spark available today is approximately the same size as the “large of its time” luxury Sea-Doo model from 1996. Moving up in size, the current Sea-Doo GTI body is actually slightly larger, and weightier, than the top-of-the-line Sea-Doo model of 2007, the GTX Limited.
These comparisons extend beyond Sea-Doo alone; similar trends are evident across other manufacturers too. They have steadily updated the size, weight, and a balanced of the ride over the years. This indicates that newer models generally offer improved comfort due to their larger sizes. But if you want to improve your current ride’s balance, see the next section.
How To Make Your Jet Ski More Stable In The Water
If you already own a sit-down jet ski or are considering one that may not provide the level of comfort or stable you want, there are several things you can do to enhance how stable your jet ski is:
- Ride fewer people – The more people riding, the more unstable the jet ski becomes. Stick to the weight capacity, instead of the seating capacity rating.
- Avoid Standing Up – When you or the passengers stand up, it makes the jet ski more top-heavy and more likely to roll. Avoid standing up too and stick to staying low when riding.
- Carry Fewer Items – Adding more items to the jet ski affects its overall balance and reliability to stay upright. To maintain optimal balance, it is best to only carry the needed items and avoid unnecessary weight. For example, don’t carry sand in your sand anchor; refill it every time you anchor.
- Learn To Ride In Chop – The way you approach a wave can determine if your jet ski will flip, so make sure to know how to handle riding waves. If you’re worried about having a steady ride, avoid going out on rough days and rough water conditions.
- Learn To Trim – Not every model has trim, but the ones that have it, make navigating rough water easier. In rough waters, you want to trim down a little, as the front is more sharp than the rear, so you cut through the water.
- Understand How To Drive & Dock – It’s important you understand how to drive and how to dock a jet ski. You should also practice where you can, go in an empty cove and get a feel for the jet ski. You’ll quickly learn the quirks of the vehicle when you practice.
- Go Slow – Reduce your speed when encountering choppy or rough waters. Slower speeds allow for better control, minimizing the impact of waves.
- Avoid 2-strokes – The era of 2-stroke jet ski is fading due to environmental concerns, leading manufacturers to halt their production. These models, typically smaller due to their engines, are being phased out. I suggest you stay away from 2-stroke models if you’re wanting a stable ride that doesn’t get you wet. Some 2-strokes were so un-stable that they required starting in the water.
Video On Why To Avoid 2-strokes
Today, you have to try to get wet on the bigger jet skis. The Sea-Doo Spark and Yamaha EX are still playful, but not anywhere near as unstable as the Sea-Doo HX back in the day.
Is This Common?
Generally, jet ski manufactured within the last 15 years boast significantly improved comfort and balance compared to older models. The Sea-Doo HX was a one-time thing in the 90s; you don’t see models that unstable these days.
The industry trend towards larger models with each new iteration and design update prompts comments like “these things are the size of boats!” from some buyers. As a large guy, I can personally attest to the balance of smaller and modern jet skis like the Sea-Doo Spark, which I own. Despite its compact size, I can confidently stand on its side without it flipping. While it is still possible to deliberately flip it, it requires more effort than with older models, unless you max the weight of the vehicle.
Larger Models
The larger models such as the GTI and GTX provide an even more stable ride and give me encouragement when riding them. However, it is important to note that the stability can be lessened when adding more people and weight to it.
Jet Ski Suddenly Wants To Roll?!?!
If you’re finding your jet ski is normally stable and recently has been wanting to flip or roll over more easily, then it’s often a sign you’re taking on water. Another reason why it will all of a sudden become unstable is that you have too much weight, either gear or riders.
There is also the possibility that it’s not being driven correctly, some have a racing hull that wants to go fast, and if you’re constantly going slow, the hull can dart and feel unstable. It’s important to buy models that fit your riding style and not because it’s the fastest model they sell.
Sum Up
The most stable new or used jet skis are the luxury and touring models, built on the largest personal watercraft (PWC) platforms from each manufacturer.
The watercraft of today are a lot bigger than the ones of the past. Today’s entry-level watercraft will tend to be more stable than the same model from 20 years ago, or even 10 years ago in some cases. The market wants larger, more stable machines, and that is what the manufacturers keep pushing towards.
We do have outliers like the Sea-Doo Spark or Yamaha EX/JetBlaster, but overall, a stable ride is what people want. Even these models would have been pretty stable if they came around 20 years ago.