Jet skis are getting more and more popular these days. Riding them is not just fun, but it’s also a great stress-reliever.
Should you buy yourself a jet ski, though? Is it worth it? What are the pros and cons of owning a jet ski? Find the answers to these questions in this article!
Pros of Owning a Jet Ski
Riding a jet ski is exciting and exhilarating. While it’s usually readily available for rent, it might be more convenient to just buy yourself one.
Here are some of the biggest advantages of owning a jet ski:
Extremely Versatile
One of the biggest advantages of owning a jet ski is its versatility.
Beyond the fun factor, personal watercrafts can be used for fishing, water skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, and touring.
You can also take it for swimming, snorkeling, and water diving. If you’re not a big fan of high-speed sports and the like, you can just take it to the beach for a leisurely drive.
Not all areas have access to for-rent jet skis, so owning a jet ski is highly convenient! You can take it anywhere with sufficient water access, including lakes, rivers, and beaches.
It’s Good for You
Jet ski riding is as fun as it is beneficial. Not only does it improve your mental health, but it also helps you stay fit and active.
It can substantially improve your cardiovascular endurance and strengthen your muscles. Also, it helps hone your body balance and coordination by maintaining your equilibrium while riding!
According to VeryWellFit, a 150-pound person can burn up to an average of 200 to 475 calories in the span of just an hour. If you’re someone who wants to burn calories fast, jet ski riding is for you!
Gives You Control
Renting a jet ski is quite limiting. There are multiple requirements and rules. For instance, in most rental companies, you need to be at least 21 years old with a valid driver’s license to rent a jet ski.
To add, jet ski renting can get expensive! According to Wildlife Watersports, jet ski rentals may cost anywhere between $80 to $100 an hour, depending on your location.
You’ll also have to be careful while riding as you’re responsible for any dings, scratches, dents. That costs a lot, too.
If you own a jet ski, you don’t have to worry about any of these. As long as you have a boating safety certificate, which can be acquired at the age of 16, you can enjoy jet ski riding. You also wouldn’t have to worry about time constrictions or expensive repair fees.
On top of that, jet skis are way smaller than boats. I say this because some of my good peers use jet skis for fishing activities. If you don’t have much space for a boat, get yourself a jet ski, instead!
Super Fun
Jet ski riding is a ton of fun. There’s nothing quite like riding at 35mph in the middle of the sea, feeling the breeze on your hair and the sun on your face.
If you have children who are old enough to ride, Jet ski riding makes for a great bonding activity. You can also take your friends along for a ride.
As comedian Daniel Tosh aptly put it: Have you ever seen a sad person on a jet ski? I certainly haven’t!
Alongside the fun factor, owning a jet ski simply makes you look super cool. Want to attract a few boys and/or girls on the beach? Getting yourself a jet ski might be your answer.
Cons of Owning a Jet Ski
Just like anything else in the world, owning a jet ski comes with several disadvantages. Let’s take a look at two deciding factors:
It’s Expensive
If Jet Skis were affordable, there’d be more people who own them!
The average price of a decent Jet Ski is $10,000. If you want a jet ski that rides fast and hard, you might have to pay another $20,000 to $50,000.
You can, of course, buy a second-hand or used model. Even so, you can never guarantee the longevity of a used jet ski. It may also come with a used or expired warranty, which can be a disaster if something unexpected happens.
Jet skis are a luxury. They’re not like cars or boats, both of which are necessary for two different reasons. Additionally, maintenance costs can be quite expensive. Since they’re not widely used, replacement parts and service fees might be more expensive than owning a car.
There are fuel costs, as well. An average PWC can consume up to 10-15 gallons of gas per one hour of usage at full throttle. Most Jet Skis have a tank size of 16 gallons, so you’ll always need to have gas on hand if you’re planning to ride your watercraft for longer than an hour.
On top of that, you may need to pay the additional costs to have a towbar fitted to your vehicle. It all adds up!
Can Be a Bit of a Hassle
Jet skis require frequent care. Along with regular refueling and pre-ride inspections, you’ll also need to tow your watercraft to and from home if you don’t live near a body of water (and don’t own a private beach!).
You’ll also need to winterize it after the season, buy several accessories, and do after-ride care.
To give you an idea, standard after-ride care looks like this:
- Checking the watercraft’s pump for debris or other small objects
- Checking and removing water from the bilge
- Checking for dripping oil, gas, and other broken connections and hoses
- Flushing the systems with running water
- Preparing the watercraft for trailering
What’s more, you’ll need to clean your jet ski’s hull with soap and water before storing it in your garage, but only after it’s sufficiently dried.
All these steps can be time-consuming and even inconvenient to some.
Bottom Line
Buying a jet ski is similar to buying a new car or boat: careful consideration is needed!
If you’re planning to buy a jet ski, go through all its pros and cons with an open mind. Are you ready to handle maintenance and costs that go with owning a jet ski? If yes, go for it. If not, there’s absolutely no shame in renting!