Curious if your car or trailer are capable of pulling your PWC? We cover all things weight in today’s guide.
Jet ski weight is a very important detail that many people overlook when purchasing a PWC.
The weight of a PWC is an essential part of deciding if your vehicle can tow a jet ski or even which jet ski trailer to go with. Typically a jet ski weighs between 400 pounds and 1,200 pounds.
Currently, the lightest jet ski on the market is the Sea-Doo Spark, weighing in at 405 lbs / 184 kgs.
The heaviest jet ski is the Kawasaki Ultra 310 LX with a weight of 1,074 lbs / 487 kgs.
The average weight of a jet ski is usually between 700 and 800 pounds, but there are a lot of variables that can make a watercraft lighter or heavier.
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How much does a jet ski weigh?
The average jet ski weighs 850 pounds.
But, if you’re looking for weights of specific PWC models then check out this list:
If you’re looking for something that hasn’t been included on the list then it’s best to either visit the manufacturer’s website or contact your local dealer.
Sea Doo, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and most other major PWC manufacturers usually have the weight of all their current models listed somewhere on their websites.
If you’re looking for the weight of an older model, you may have to do some heavy digging and ask around the PWC community.
Sometimes this means checking online forums, or looking for similar models for sale and asking the seller about the weight. Most of the time you can at least find some sort of ballpark estimate.
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To give you a general rule to go by, most jet ski weights can be assumed based on their category and price. The main categories of jet skis are rec-lite, recreation, performance, and luxury.
For the most part, a rec-lite or recreation jet ski is going to cost and weigh less than a performance or luxury jet ski. The more a jet ski costs, the more it’s going to weigh. Jet skis in the rec-lite and recreation categories usually weigh 500-700 pounds.
If a jet ski is in the performance or luxury category, then you can expect it to weigh 700-1,000 pounds.
It is important that you have a jet ski lift that can support the weight of your jet ski.
Factors that affect jet ski weight
There are a lot of contributing factors to the weight of a jet ski. Things like storage, fuel capacity, jet ski accessories, and more can all have an impact on how much a jet ski weighs. Keep in mind that some manufacturers only advertise dry weight, which is how much a jet ski weighs when it’s sitting on a showroom floor.
Filling up the fuel tank and storage compartments can add on a lot of extra weight, so be sure to leave some wiggle room on any estimates you make.
Remember that these general estimates provided are by no means 100% correct. They’re just guidelines you can follow that will typically give you a good approximate number.
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Jet ski trailer weight
Jet ski trailer weight should always be factored in with a jet ski’s weight and vehicle towing capacity before transporting any personal watercraft.
Normally a jet ski trailer weighs 200-300 pounds and has a load capacity up to 1,000 pounds.
Of course, these numbers vary depending on the material, size, and a few other factors. If you need to tow multiple PWC, then you may require a larger, heavier trailer.
The type of vehicle you’re using to tow a jet ski isn’t necessarily as important as its towing capacity. You can tow a jet ski with a car, truck, or SUV. It’s really the type of jet ski trailer, PWC weight, and towing capacity that matters.
Make sure you do your math properly when factoring in how much a PWC trailer can hold, how much it weighs, how much your jet ski(s) weigh, and your vehicle’s towing capacity.
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Here are a few trailer accessories that you may find helpful:
Jet ski trolley: Getting a PWC from the trailer to the lake is one thing, but sometimes it can be a battle to just maneuver it around the garage. A jet ski trolley makes it much easier to transport within a small space.
Hitch: Depending on the type of vehicle you have, you may or may not need a hitch. If you have a truck or an SUV then you more than likely own one, but if you drive a car then you might need to pick one up.
Ball: Other than the hitch, the main piece you need for a jet ski trailer is a ball. Again, if you have a truck or SUV then you probably already own one.
Winch: Although it isn’t a necessity, you may want to consider picking up a jet ski trailer winch. Although you can load most personal watercraft on and off a trailer without one, they can definitely come in handy.
Receiver Lock: If you want to make sure your jet skis don’t sneak away in the middle of the night, you should invest in a quality receiver lock. They’re relatively inexpensive, and they can save you from not only losing you jet ski trailer but any watercraft you have stored on top of it.
Ratchet Straps: It’s always good to have a few ratchet straps lying around. They’re great for securing you jet ski (or just about any other large item) on a trailer.
Jet ski weight limit
Often people get the jet ski weight limit confused with the jet ski weight, but these are two completely different numbers.
Be very careful not to misread a jet ski’s weight limit for its actual weight. A jet ski’s weight limit is the maximum amount of weight it can hold, including passengers, fuel, storage, and any added on accessories.
Most jet skis have a weight limit of 500-600 pounds. With a rider capacity of 1-3 people, this equals an average weight of 200 pounds per person at the most. Of course, that doesn’t include any added weight from fuel, storage, and accessories. Never surpass the recommended weight limit of any watercraft under any circumstances.
Keep in mind that although a jet ski’s weight limit may look similar to the overall weight of a jet ski, they can be very different. Always double-check the numbers to be sure you know the correct weight limit.
Summary
So just to sum things up for those who may have skimmed over the details:
– An average jet ski weighs between 400 and 1,200 pounds, with most weighing in at approximately 750 pounds.
– The lightest jet ski is the Sea Doo Spark, and the heaviest jet ski is the Kawasaki Ultra 310 LX.
– To find a specific jet ski models weight, check the manufacturer’s website. If it’s an older model, look around for people selling the same model and ask the owner.
– Rec-Lite and recreation jet skis weigh 500-700 pounds. Performance and luxury jet skis weigh 700-1,000 pounds.
– Most jet ski trailers weigh 200-300 pounds and have a weight limit of around 1,000 pounds.
– Cars, trucks, and SUVs can all tow PWC.
– Consider getting some PWC trailer accessories
Hopefully, this post covered everything you need to know about jet ski weight, but if it didn’t, be sure to leave a comment with any related questions or concerns.
Wow this was such a life saver. I have a couple of old sea doos and couldn’t find the weight. I never even thought about asking other sellers to get the weight. Great tips!
LOL. Do you think an old vw beetle can towing a jet ski? :S
Great question. There’s only one way to find out..
Appreciate the round about numbers that at least gives a ballpark estimate on what to go on
Is there a trailer that will work for two different size jet skis at one time? I want to be able to tow one large heavy luxury ski and one small rec style together at same time.
Yes, you must have a trailer with multiple rails. Also, keep the heavy ski in middle sĺot. Counter weigh the side that is not being used for smaller ski.