Bombardier introduced its first Sea-Doo models in 1968 and ’69, the short-lived, ahead-of-their-time 320 and 372. And Kawasaki launched the first in its continuing line of stand-up Jet Ski models in 1974. But the personal watercraft concept dates to at least 1955, when Britain’s Vincent Motorcycles stopped building bikes and began developing the prototype for the Amanda, a propeller-driven water scooter capable of reaching 28 mph It was named for the daughter of the British businessman who brought the idea to Vincent.
Alas, Amanda had problems. A Vincent employee drowned during a test run off the coast of England; his craft was found adrift three months later. And in 1958, at a demonstration that was part of the production model’s U.S. debut, the heat of Amanda’s engine melted the plastic housing, causing the craft to sink into the lake—in front of media members and others who had gathered for the event. By 1959, Vincent ceased production of the Amanda.
As the models on these pages demonstrate—with speeds exceeding 60 mph, cruise control, shock-absorbing suspensions, and braking systems—personal watercraft certainly have come a long way in the last five decades.
Sea-Doo GTX Limited iS 260
Passengers: 3–4
Price: $16,500
The GTX Limited is powered by a 260 hp engine that is among the industry’s most powerful, and it is equipped with Sea-Doo’s intelligent suspension (thus the iS 260 designation). With the iS, the seat, console, and foot wells all ride about six inches above the hull on a shock absorber, cushioning the ride in rough water. You can set the system on one of nine settings, from stiff to pillowlike. The GTX also features Sea-Doo’s braking system and cruise control. The Limited version comes with retractable mooring lines, a water-depth reader, and a sandbag anchor.
Sea-Doo RXP-X 255
Passengers: 2
Price: $13,500Sea-Doo claims that this 255 hp craft is the world’s quickest production model. It accelerates from zero to 55 mph in just 2.9 seconds. In the year that the RXP-X 255 was introduced, 2008, it won nine of the 14 classes in which it competed at the International Jet Sports Boating Association World Finals.
Sea-Doo Wake Pro 215
Passengers: 3–4
Price: $13,500
Sea-Doo’s cruise control is particularly handy on the Wake Pro 215, a craft designed especially for towing. It allows the driver to effortlessly hold a steady speed, eliminating the surges and slowdowns that can wreak havoc on water-skiers. The Wake Pro also has five different acceleration settings, from a slow one for towing kids on an inner tube to one that’s nearly neck-snapping, for pulling slalom skiers. Among the other tow-specific features are a retractable pylon that supports the ski line, convex mirrors so you have a wide rear view, and a gauge that displays the temperature of the water.
Kawasaki Jet Ski 800 SX-R
Passengers: 1, stand-up
Price: $7,300
The 800 SX-R’s redesigned hull lets you test the boat’s capabilities with more confidence. Those capabilities include a top speed of nearly 50 mph, and the redesign features an outward flare toward the bow. This new shape adds more wetted surface and drops the bow a little deeper into the water, lending the lightweight (about 400 pounds) craft more stability.
Honda AquaTrax F-15X
Passengers: 3–4
Price: $14,000
Honda didn’t release any 2010 models and instead is selling only its 2009 inventory of AquaTrax, a boat that was given a new engine and a redesigned deck and hull only two years ago. The turbocharged F-15X engine produces nearly 200 hp, which is enough power to push the boat to a top speed of about 65 mph.
Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra 260LX
Passengers: 3–4
Price: $13,200
With its deep-V hull, 1,000 pounds of weight, and 11 feet of length, the Ultra 260LX is ideally suited for ocean cruising or endurance racing. It has a 260 hp engine that powers the boat to a top speed of nearly 70 mph and a zero-to-30 mph time of about two seconds. For long-distance riding, it has a 20-gallon tank and 53 gallons of storage capacity.
Yamaha WaveRunner FX Cruiser SHO
Passengers: 3–4
Price: $13,800
The FX SHO’s engine has the largest displacement among all production-model engines. The boat also has an electronic throttle, which enabled Yamaha to add a cruise-control feature. Related to the cruise control is the No Wake Mode, which, at the push of a button, sets your speed at a constant 5 mph. The Cruiser version of this craft comes with a more comfortable saddle, a fuel-consumption meter, and handlebars that are positioned in a higher, more ergonomic position.
Yamaha WaveRunner FZR
Passengers: 2
Price: $13,200
In addition to its rocketlike speed, the FZR has an adjustable steering column that lets you comfortably control the boat while standing up and absorbing rough-water bounces with your legs instead of your lower back. The steering column also drops down below the standard height, letting you get closer to the water and feel as though you’re piloting a Ducati across the surface.
Yamaha WaveRunner SuperJet
Passengers: 1, stand-up
Price: $7,500
The SuperJet received a new hull design that increases the wetted surface and makes the boat even better suited for hard cornering and full-throttle sprints. But speed demons aren’t the new hull’s only beneficiaries. The redesign and its accompanying enhanced stability make the SuperJet more accommodating to novice riders.