When buying something such as a car, motorcycle, or even a mountain bike, you will need to understand the average costs associated with what you’re looking for. We all have a budget to try and stick to, so going in blind could cause a nasty shock to your bank account.
The same applies to jet skis. These exciting, adrenaline-packed jet-propelled watercraft are one of the most fun vehicles you could possibly buy. Some would even call them an adult’s “toy.” However, when it comes to their prices, jet skis can vary.
Jet skis come in different sizes, with varying features that make some better than others. And, as with most vehicles, the better a jet ski, the more expensive it will be.
But, how much is a jet ski? You’re in the right place to find out. In today’s post, we will be explaining the average costs of both new and old jet skis, so you can gauge whether you can afford them right now.
If you’re in a hurry, here’s the lowdown – jet ski prices tend to range between $5,000 and $20,000 on average. However, there are exceptions to this rule, with some being cheaper and others being more costly.
Read on to find out in-depth details about jet ski costs, the features you should look for, and the different types of jet skis available on the market.
Average Jet Ski Prices
Across the jet ski market, the average costs tend to be between $5,000 and $20,000.
With such a varying price range, it means there are jet skis to suit most types of budgets. Take the Sea Doo Spark, for instance. This is one of the most affordable on the market with a small price but big thrills waiting on the water.
The price of jet skis is determined by several main factors, such as performance, quality, and additional features included.
Understanding the costs of jet skis can be pretty confusing. However, there is a way to figure out how much you should pay for a jet ski by considering certain factors, such as:
- The sales tax – each state has different sales taxes that need to be paid when purchasing an item, whether that be food or a vehicle. Sometimes, they can be taxed based on where you live, too.
- PDI – short for “Pre-Delivery Inspection,” jet skis must be removed from their crates, set up properly, and inspected thoroughly to ensure they are safe and ready for the water.
- Freight – there is a shipping fee that must be paid for a jet ski to get delivered to a certain location or dealership. This can vary.
Registration fee – you have to pay a fee to have your jet ski registered in your state. - This process allows you to get numbers assigned to your ski and trailer tag. Depending on the number of years you prefer, and the county fees included, this price can vary.
- The Documentation fee – each state has its own laws regarding documentation fees, and these can also vary depending on where you are.
- MSRP – this is the suggested retail price set out by the manufacturer. All jet skis have an MSRP, applied by the factory where they are manufactured. Dealerships can not advertise jet skis made in the current year below this MSRP. However, they can be sold for lower than the MSRP if they are non-current models.
Commodity surcharge – this is a fee applied to a jet ski’s price when the price of the raw material it is made out of changes.
As you can see, considering these factors together can greatly affect the price of a jet ski, new or old.
So, how much are the prices of 3 of the most popular jet ski brands – Kawasaki, Sea-Doo, and Yamaha? Let’s find out.
Kawasaki Jet Ski Prices
In the world of jet skis, Kawasaki is one of the leading manufacturers. Perhaps better known for producing motorcycles, dirt bikes, and street bikes, the company’s jet skis are also high-powered with high-tech features included.
Although popular amongst jet skiers, Kawasaki’s range is more limited compared to other leading manufacturers. Moreover, the costs of Kawasaki jet skis tend to be very high. But, for these prices, you get some of the best quality jet skis on the market.
The main types of Kawasaki jet skis are:
- Luxury models
- Performance models
- Tow Sports models
Luxury Kawasaki Jet Ski Prices
Kawasaki’s luxury jet ski is known as Ultra 310 XL. Out of all Kawasaki jet skis, this is the most expensive, costing $17,199.
Performance Kawasaki jet ski prices
Unlike the luxury Kawasaki jet ski model, there is a range available in its Performance lineup. The prices of these vary from around $9,700 to $16,300.
There are five Performance models available:
- Ultra 310R – $16,299
- Ultra 310X SE – $15,799
- Ultra LX – $11,699
- SX-R – $10,299
- STX-15F – $9,699
Tow Sports Kawasaki Jet Ski Prices
There is only one model in the Kawasaki Tow Sports line – the Ultra 310X. Currently, this costs $17,199 to purchase brand new.
As you can see, the prices of Kawasaki jet skis vary significantly. However, these are the most pricey. If you’re looking for something more affordable, a Sea-Doo jet ski may be best for you.
Sea-Doo Jet Ski Prices
Don’t be put off by the high prices of Kawasaki models, as Sea-Doo Spark jet skis are also very high-quality but at more affordable prices. This brand also offers a wide range of products you can choose from to get the most out of your jet skiing adventures.
Sea-Doo jet skis are renowned for their innovation. In fact, they are seen as pioneers in the jet ski world. That is why they have become hugely popular over the years.
There are five types of Sea-Doo jet skis you can choose from:
- Luxury
- Performance
- Rec Lite
- Recreation
- Tow Sports
Luxury Sea-Doo Jet Ski Prices
There are five models of Sea-Doo jet skis available in the brand’s Luxury line. The prices of these models range from around $12,799 to $18,299.
- GTX Limited 300 – $18,299
- GTX Limited 230 – $16,499
- GTX 230 – $14,399
- GTR-X 230 – $13,099
- GTX 155 – $12,799
Performance Sea-Doo jet ski prices
All in all, there are 4 Sea-Doo Performance jet ski models, ranging in price from $12,899 to $17,499.
The Performance Sea-Doo jet ski models include:
- GTR 230 – $12,899
- RXT 230 – $14,399
- RXP-X 300 – $16,099
- RXT-X 300 – $17,499
Rec Lite Sea-Doo Jet Ski Prices
The Rec Lite Sea-Doo category of jet skis includes 5 models, ranging in price from $5,699 to $7,999.
These models are:
- Spark 2 UP 60 HP – $5,699
- Spark 2 UP 90HP – $6,000
- Spark 3 UP 90HP – $6,999
- Spark 2 UP 90HP iBR w/ conv – $7,399
- Spark 3 UP 90HP iBR w/ conv – $7,999
Recreation Sea-Doo Jet Ski Prices
With 6 models available, there is a wide choice of models in Sea-Doo’s Recreation line of jet skis. The prices of these vary from around $7,799 to $12,499.
The models available are:
- GTS – $7,799
- GTI – $9,299
- GTS SE – $9,599
- GTI SE 130 – $11,099
- GTI SE 170 – $11,699
- GTI Limited 155 – $12,499
Tow Sports Sea-Doo Jet Ski Prices
There are currently two Sea-Doo Tow Sports jet skis available:
- The Sea-Doo Wake 170 – $12,499
- The Sea-Doo Wake Pro 230 – $16,499
Yamaha Jet Ski Prices
There’s no getting away from the fact that Yamaha’s extensive range of jet skis are expensive. However, they are made from top-quality materials and are some of the very best in the business.
They are also renowned for not requiring much maintenance, meaning you can keep costs down during use. This may be why Yamaha is the preferred brand amongst jet skiers worldwide.
Overall, there are four Yamaha jet ski categories:
- Luxury
- Performance
- Rec Lite
- Recreation
Luxury Yamaha Jet Ski Prices
You can choose from five luxury Yamaha jet ski models ranging from $14,299 to $19,099 in price. These are as followed:
- FX HO – $14,299
- FX Cruiser HO – $14,799
- FX SVHO – $16,799
- FX Cruiser SVHO – $17,499
- FX Limited SCHO – $19,099
Performance Yamaha Jet Ski Prices
There are three Performance models to choose from in the Yamaha jet ski range. Prices of these models range from around $9,799 to $13,149.
The models are:
- SuperJet – $9,799
- VXR – $12,299
- GP1800 – $13,149
Rex Lite Yamaha Jet Ski Prices
In Yamaha’s Rex Lite range of jet skis, there are four models, ranging in price from $7,199 to around $9,899.
The three models you can choose from are:
- EX – $7,199
- EX Sport – $8,299
- EX Deluxe – $9,299
- EX Limited – $9,899
Recreation Yamaha Jet Ski Prices
You are spoiled for choice with the extensive range of Recreation Yamaha jet skis on offer. Prices range from $10,499 to a more substantial $14,049.
Here are the six models available:
- VX – $10,499
- VX Deluxe – $11,249
- VX Cruiser – $11,549
- VX Cruiser HO – $12,449
- VX Limited – $12, 849
- VX Limited HO – $14,049
Jet Ski Types
Altogether, there are three main types of jet skis:
- Luxury
- Performance
- Recreation (Rec-Lite)
As you can see from above, the costs of these different types vary considerably. And, as the name suggests, Luxury jet skis are typically the most expensive, with Performance jet skis being a little cheaper.
On the whole, recreation or rec-lite jet skis are generally the most affordable out of the three.
Luxury Jet Skis
Prices of Luxury jet skis tend to range from around $8,000 up to $20,000. Similar to Performance jet skis in terms of engine size, performance, and acceleration, Luxury models are generally a little heavier.
This means they are not always as agile or perform as quickly as their performance counterparts.
Luxury jet skis are not as responsive in terms of steering as Performance models, due to their extra weight.
But they do come with features not available on Performance jet skis. These can add more comfort and, you guessed it, luxury, to your jet skiing.
Performance Jet Skis
How much you pay for a Performance jet ski is determined by a multitude of factors, but the main factor is its engine size.
Performance models are the fastest of all jet skis, meaning they are also pretty costly. If you want increased speed, maneuverability, and acceleration, though, these are the pens for you.
The most affordable Performance jet skis are called “stand-up” models and are typically smaller than Luxury types. These also tend to cost the most to maintain as they may require higher-end parts more often, due to being used to their max potential every time.
Recreation/Rex-Lite Jet Skis
Recreation, also known as rec-lie jet skis, are the most affordable, with average costs of around $2,000 to $7,000.
These are ideal for beginners, tow sports, and families looking for something to enjoy now and again. They are not as fast as Performance jet skis and not as comfortable as Luxury models, but they usually meet the needs of everyone, hence being bestsellers.
In Summary
The prices of jet skis can vary based on the type you get and the brand you are buying from. In general, you will be looking to spend anything from $5,000 up to $20,000, depending on your needs (Luxury, Performance, or Recreation jet skis).
We hope this guide has given you a better understanding of jet ski prices so you can find one that fits your budget.
