How Much Do Jet Skis Weigh? (With and Without Trailer Weight Chart)
In terms of recreational water activities, riding jet skis is arguable the most fun of them all. But while they are fun to ride, transporting them can be a bit of a hassle. Something all new just ski owner or those are looking to become jet ski owners should always ask is how much do jet skis way?
Jet skis can vary in weight quite a bit.
Most jet skis will weigh somewhere between 400 and 1200 pounds. The average jet ski weighs somewhere in the middle around 750 pounds, without a trailer. With a trailer, the average jets ski (with trailer) will weigh about 1000 pounds.
How much do jet skis weigh?
Compared to other motorized water water-based vehicles such as boats, jet skis are fairly light in weight.
But before we get into the discussion of how much jet skis weigh, I would first like to clarify that we are speaking in terms of dry weight. Or in other words, how much does the jet ski weigh without it being in the water.
The average jet ski weight is only about 750 pounds, compared to the average speed boat which weighs an average of bout 8000 pounds.
While the average weight of a jet ski is about 750 pounds solid, some do weigh quite a bit less and significantly more.
In fact, for reference, the lightest jet ski is the sea doo spark which only weighs about 425 pounds!
On the other end of the spectrum, the heaviest jet ski available for you to buy is the Kawasaki Ultra 310 XL (a mouthful I know) which weighs a whopping 1074 pounds!
A lot of the most popular jet skis however do around the 750-pound range.
The Yamaha Wave Runner is a great example, being one of the more popular jet skis on the market right now it weighs about 700 pounds dry.
How much do jet ski trailers weigh?
For those who never transported a jet ski, it is important to know that the best method of doing so is to use a jet ski trailer.
These trailers are specifically shaped and made in a way that makes it possible for them to carry and haul jet skis
These trailers resemble this picture below:
So you may be wondering, how much do these jet ski trailers weigh?
The average jet ski trailer will generally weigh about 200 to 300 pounds.
How much can these trailers carry?
Jet ski trailers can generally carry upwards of about 1000 pounds of weight.
Of course, this means that most trailers can hold about any jet ski that you may own.
It is important to check however what the load capacity is on your specific trailer before you load your jet ski
If you have an unusually heavy jet ski or a trailer that has a low hauling capacity, you may want to invest in a different trailer.
Overloading your trailer can strain the trailer itself and cause damage which may end up causing an accident if you are unlucky enough.
Learn how to start a jet ski with a water hose here.
How much does a trailer jet ski combo weigh?
As we discussed, the average jet ski is going to weigh in around 750 pounds with some variation based on the model that you choose.
We also just mentioned that the average jet ski trailer is going to weigh in around 200 to 300 pounds.
So if you add those two together, you’re average jet ski trailer combo is going to weigh in at about 1000 pounds.
How heavy of a jet ski is right for you?
Deciding how heavy a jet ski is right for you is going to be important to do before you actively purchase the vehicle.
Deciding how heavy of a jet ski you want is going to depend on a few different factors.
These factors include what you want to do with the jet ski, how much experience you have, and overall what your price limit is.
Knowing the answer to all of these factors is going to be crucial for deciding the weight of the jet ski you should purchase, and we are going to go through all of the factors here below just so you can be sure as to what you want to do.
What do you want to do with the jet ski?
While jet skis are used for one main purpose, which is of course for riding, there are some other questions you have to answer as to what specifically you want to do with your jet ski.
For example, is your jet ski going to be for a solo rider or multiple passengers?
If you are looking for a solo rider jet ski, you are going to end up looking for a jet ski on the lighter side of the scale.
On the other hand, if you plan on using your jet ski to take multiple passengers at a time, you are going to want to get a larger jet ski which is going to end up being heavier.
You also have to decide what kind of activities you plan on doing with the jet ski. If you plan on simply riding around for speed, then a faster and lighter model is what you are looking for.
But if you plan on using the vehicle for more slow and relaxing activities, a larger and heavier model maybe suit you better.
How much experience do you have?
For those who are just starting out riding jet skis, you are going to want to try and aim for the sweet spot of 750 ish pounds.
As we mentioned earlier, that is the average weight for all jet skis, so finding one in this weight class shouldn’t be difficult.
These jet skis are fairly easy to control and won’t go too fast or require a significant amount of skill to stop effectively and safely, making them great for beginners.
Now if you have experience riding jet skis, you can dive into either the lighter or heavier end of the spectrum, whichever you prefer as both ends have their advantages.
What is your price limit?
Now it is needless to say that jet skis are in no way inexpensive or cheap.
But some models are far and away more expensive than others.
So when you’re looking for a jet ski, you have to decide what your price limit is before you start looking.
Cheaper jet skis are usually going to be lighter as they have less attached to them and will generally have smaller motors.
Jet skis range very widely in price, with some costing $5,000 and others costing as high as $20,000.
These of course are prices for these jet skis new, and while they may be cheaper used, including that in this article complicates things a bit too much so we are going to ignore it.
One of the best jet skis that you can purchase on a budget is none other than the Yamaha Ex.
This jet ski comes in at a price of about $7,000. It can seat three fairly comfortably and reach speeds upwards of about 50 mph on the water.
This option also only weighs about 578 pounds dry.
So if you are looking for a jet ski on a budget, this may be your best option.
On the other hand, however, if you are willing to spend whatever is necessary for the best possible production, look no further than the Kawasaki Ultra 310.
With a supercharged 4 stroke engine, this jet ski can reach almost 70 mph on the water.
This costs close to $18,000 and weighs in at a massive 1074 pounds dry.
So if you have the money and are looking for an absolute thrill ride, this jet ski is the way to go.
Related Questions
Are jet skis a better option than a boat?
When it comes to comparing boats and jet skis, deciding which of the two is the better option comes down to personal preference and what you plan on doing with the watercraft you choose.
For example, if you are more interested in relaxing out on the water for hours on end, you are going to be more inclined to choose a boat.
But if you are more interested in the thrill of riding as fast as possible through the water, a jet ski is going to suit your wants better than a boat.
So deciding between a boat and jet ski is simply going to require you to decide what you prefer when it comes to your recreational water activities.
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Please consult a legal expert or medical professional to address your specific needs.