The personal watercraft market has never offered a wider multifariousness of price, performance and technology. As nosotros roll into the 2019 riding season, allow's profile five of our favorites from the elevation brands in the category: Kawasaki Jet Ski, Sea-Doo and Yamaha WaveRunner.

best waverunners

Yamaha WaveRunner EXR


YAMAHA WAVERUNNER EXR


A top performer in the rec-light category, the Yamaha WaveRunner EXR ($ix,299) is more powerful and lighter in weight than standard EX models, a formula intended to boost acceleration and top-speed performance.

To increase power, Yamaha dropped the 110-horsepower 3-cylinder, 1,049cc TR-1 HO engine into the 10-human foot 4-inch EX hull, for a x pct ability heave over the standard EX. To take total reward of the added power the EXR is besides fitted with a new tiptop-loader intake grate that better feeds h2o to the impeller and a 40mm jet pump extension that increases acceleration response. With a single passenger the EXR will offering a top speed of nigh 54 MPH. The EXR hull and deck are molded with Yamaha NanoXcel 2, the lightest composite offered past Yamaha, for a weight savings of about sixty pounds.

For added maneuverability in close quarters the WaveRunner EXR is equipped with Yamaha's RiDE dual throttle arrangement that combines electronic throttle and shift control in a single-mitt lever on the left handlebar grip. The RiDE lever also acts as a decelerator that can be engaged at any speed but is most handy for slowing down when some urgency is required.

See Yamaha WaveRunner EXR listings.

best PWCs

Sea-Doo Fish Pro


Sea-DOO FISH PRO


The new Sea-Doo Fish Pro ($xiv,799) is the commencement personal watercraft to come from the manufacturing plant rigged for angling. The Fish Pro model is based on the 12-foot 3-inch GTX Express hull. In converting this model for angling action, Sea-Doo installs an eleven.five-inch swim platform extension to which is secured a 13.v-gallon cooler designed for fishing, with a recessed piece of work surface in the lid, 4 rod holders, trolling slots and tackle and bait storage. The LINQ accompaniment mount arrangement secures the cooler, which can be quickly removed from the craft. In that location's also room on the platform to stand behind the cooler. A second set of LINQ attachment points on the extension can be used to mount a 4.two-gallon cooler or a four.0-gallon fuel caddy.

The Fish Pro is equipped with a flat seat to facilitate sitting sideways while angling, and the tops of the gunwales are angled inboard to serve as a footrest surface. At the captain is a Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 62cv that offers navigation, charting and fish-finding functions. The Fish Pro is powered past a  1.5-liter, 155 HP Rotax 1530 engine. Fuel chapters is 18.5 gallons, or 2.six gallon more than the GTX Limited models. Height speed volition exist about 50 mph. Base cost includes the angling cooler organization and the Garmin.

Run into Sea-Doo Fish Pro listings.

Sea-Doo GTX Limited


Ocean-DOO GTX LIMITED


Flagship models of the Sea-Doo portfolio, the GTX Express 230 ($16,099) and GTX Limited 300 ($17,099) offer a combination of amazing operation and innovative features. Both are based on the 11-pes 4-inch Body of water-Doo ST3 hull designed to work well in an offshore surroundings, with a soft ride and steady tracking, and to offering stability at rest as Sea-Doo says more people are using these large models equally a "hang-out" platform in quiet coves and bays.

The innovative blueprint of the bow stowage compartment makes it much easier to reach gear that'due south been stashed under the cowl. The entire helm – handlebars and musical instrument display – lifts with the hatch. Keeping up with our peckish for connectivity, the new Ocean-Doo models all feature a cushioned, water-tight phone box in with a USB port in the glove box. A Bluetooth 100-watt marine audio organisation is standard on the GTX Limited and features a pair of 6.v-inch speakers in enclosures placed above the frontward footwells. Another innovation, the LinQ accessories arrangement utilizes a pair of popular-up composite cleats in the aft deck to secure 4 accessory items: a four.two-gallon cooler, a five.5-gallon dry bag, and a iv.0-gallon fuel caddy, or a LinQ retractable ski pylon.

The GTX Express 230 is powered by a 230 HP Rotax 1500 HO ACE engine, and supercharged 300-hp Rotax 1630 ACE engine powers the GTX Limited 300. Both model are speed-restricted to 67 mph, but the 300 accelerates much harder than the 230. Both models come equipped with the Intelligent Restriction and Reverse (iBR) system, Intelligent Throttle Control with three riding modes: Touring, Sport (more aggressive acceleration) and ECO® (soft acceleration and speed limited to well-nigh 35 mph for economy), electric Variable Trim Organisation (VTS),  cruise control and boring mode, and tilt steering. In addition to the audio system, the Limited models feature a storage bin organizer and dry bag, a safe equipment kit, a watercraft comprehend, and 2 additional guess functions (time/distance to empty and altitude indicator).

Encounter Sea-Doo GTX Limited listings.

Yamaha WaveRunner FX Limited SVHO


YAMAHA WAVERUNNER FX Express SVHO


The Yamaha WaveRunner FX Express SVHO ($17,399) tops the premium WaveRunner FX series, offering a long listing of features and maximum horsepower and functioning. This model features the 4.3-inch Yamaha Connext bear upon screen brandish, which replaces all instrumentation and the functions of the cardinal play a trick on remote control previously supplied with FX WaveRunner models. The system incorporates Drive Control, which allows the user to limit top speed and control the rate of acceleration, a handy feature when towing.

The multi-mount system converts two beverage holders on the FX cowl into accessory holders using "pucks" that have a threaded insert designed to accept RAM Mount kits. Yamaha offers a set of ECOXGEAR waterproof  Bluetooth speakers and Garmin Striker GPS Fish Finder for the mounts. The rechargeable speakers can play music a phone and can be used to place and receive calls with a voice-activated. The speakers tin can be popped off the WaveRunner and used on the embankment or anywhere else.

The 1.8-liter supercharged SVHO engine cranks out almost 250 horsepower and will take the FX Limited to a 67 MPH top speed and accelerate to 60 MPH in less than five seconds. The eleven-foot viii-inch hull is formed with ultra-lightweight Yamaha NanoXcel ii blended and is designed to lean into a turn to put less strain less strain on your upper body in turns. The deck features cocky-draining footwells, and the forward storage compartment has a molded expanse for a soft libation bag. The aft deck is big plenty to acquit a secured ane-person tube, and Yamaha has redesigned both the rear grab handle and the padded reboarding step for improved comfort. This model is equipped with the Cruiser seat with deep bolsters for each seating position. The FX Limited SVHO also combine with a long list of accessories, including a single-rider tube, a tube inflator, tube holder to secure the tube to the aft deck, a tow rope, the soft-sided libation, a comprehend, and two fenders, plus the Tech Bundle with two ECOXGEAR waterproof Bluetooth® speakers, the Garmin Striker GPS fish finder and the required RAM Mount hardware.

See Yamaha WaveRunner FX Express SVHO listings.

best jet skis

Kawasaki Jet Ski SX-R


KAWASAKI JET SKI SX-R


The Kawasaki Jet Ski SX-R ($nine,999) is a 21st Century interpretation of a twentyth Century idea. The original stand up-up Kawasaki Jet Ski popularized the sport in the late 1970s. The electric current Jet Ski SX-R is designed to reignite the passion of stand-up PWC riders with an all-new platform powered by a 1.5-liter four-stroke engine. The most-previous Jet Ski SX-R went out of product following the 2011 model yr, a victim of new emissions regulations and flagging sales. The 2017 SX-R is larger and offers a new riding experience with a wider, v-bottom hull and a 150-horsepower ane.v-liter four-stroke engine with a broad-and-steady powerband.

With a length of 8 anxiety 8 inches and a beam of two feet 6 inches, the new SX-R is 14 inches longer and 1.3 inches wider than the previous SX-R and at 551 pounds, weighs a significant 181 pounds more than that Jet Ski did. To accommodate that weight, the running surface is wider to provide added buoyancy. The added length is obvious in the nose, where the new SX-R extends further forward from the handle pole pivot. The handle pole now incorporates a modest stowage compartment and low-fuel and engine warning lights. A magnetic key is a theft-deterrent. Riding even this new stand-up Jet Ski is not as easy equally riding a runabout PWC, only that's what makes it fun. Information technology's a bit of a physical challenge that remains entertaining ride after ride.

Come across Kawasaki Jet Ski SX-R listings.

What more PWC action? Check out all our PWC listings on boats.com, or read...


  • All-time PWCs of 2017

  • Tiptop five PWCs of 2016

  • Personal Watercraft (PWC) and Jet Ski Buyer's Guide

  • Personal Watercraft (PWC) and Jet Ski Owner's Guide

  • Jet Ski Accessories: Our Favorites for Your PWC

Written by: Charles Plueddeman

Charles Plueddeman is Boats.com'south outboard, trailer, and PWC practiced. He is a former editor at Boating Magazine and contributor to many national publications since 1986.