If you’re new to the jet ski world or thinking about getting one, I bet a lot of questions are flooding your mind.
You may start to wonder about what are the common jet ski problems you may have and the cost they can have, too.
Before you head out and get yourself a new PWC, let me go through all the issues you may face so you’re better informed.
1. Sucking Things Up
It’s very important to note that a jetski is like a giant vacuum cleaner and will suck up anything that gets in front of its pump. Sucking something into your skis is something I often see, and it’s most often the riders’ own fault.
Thus, I made it the number one problem!
The most common things I see people suck into their jet ski are listed below.
- Tow-rope
- Sticks
- Rocks
- Seaweed
- Trash
Most people forget about the tow-rope when doing pull sports and will back up or circle around in neutral until eventually the jet pump finds the rope. What is not fun is that this can “wreck” the weekend quickly, it doesn’t always do damage, but it’s a pain to get the rope out.
How do you prevent a jet ski from sucking up rope? It’s such just one of the many things I see with skis that I created a post on the way to remove objects out of a pump.
2. Batteries Don’t Last
Another issue is that the battery in a jet ski don’t last. It’s not that they “suck”, it’s just that it’s normal for people to not take care of their jet ski, and it creates many common new challenges later.
It’s normal for any lead-acid battery will go bad if you don’t use it for months.
It’s normal for many people to not ride in the colder months, and then many owners find that the battery is dead the next season. It’s dead because they did not keep it on a smart battery charger or small solar charger.
I see far too many jet ski owners buying a new battery every year because people do not do basic battery maintenance. (It’s not hard if you have a solar charger)
Solar Charger
If you’re like most people and keep the jet ski outside, then get a solar battery charger that you keep on it when you’re not riding it.
3. Replace Spark Plugs Every Year
Usually, when I see a PWC not running right or have an idling problem, it’s often because of a bad spark plug.
And I’m quite shocked by how common it is for many people to refuse to replace their jet ski spark plugs because they think it’s like their car. You may never change the spark plugs on your car "often", but you should change the ones in your skis every year.
Something that people don’t realize is that a PWC uses high-performance engines, and those engines can be picky. Not only that, but when you fog the jet ski for winterization, the spark plugs will often “foul” during the process.
Changing spark plugs is easy and cheap to do, and it can stop so many jet ski issues that I don’t know why everyone just doesn’t do it regularly at the start of the season? Just time it when you do your oil changes.
Don’t get fancy with spark plugs, stick to the NGK ones the manufacturer suggests. (The special tip and coating ones are a waste, the basic NGK are the best way to go!)
4. Run The Correct Gas!
As talked about in the last section, jet ski engines can be piiikyyy, especially if you have supercharged skis.
Many of the running issues you’ll see are often due to poor gas and fuel related issues.
Premium Vs. Regular
If you have supercharged engine, then you need to run premium gasoline. I don’t care what the manufacturer sales or marketing teams say, run premium.
If you don’t have a supercharged jet ski engine, then run regular, as they’re not as picky.
Ethanol
As for ethanol, it’s fine, so long it’s 10% or less.
The engineers are adapting to these new standards, and what they sell at the gas stations will be fine for your skis. But if you can get ethanol-free gas, then for sure use that.
What’s funny is that ethanol was pushed to save the environment, but studies are showing it might not be helping to solve it. So who knows if more ethanol will be added to gasoline or if it will matter in the future. Either way, ethanol is not ideal for boats and PWCs.
2-strokes
The skis that suffer the most from ethanol are the 2-strokes with their carbs and fuel lines.
Fuel lines on a 2-stroke ski going bad along with the fuel selector could be its own section, but since 2-strokes are a dying breed and no one makes them anymore, it’s not worth talking about too much.
5. fading
It’s more of an annoying issue, but a ski will fade over the years.
It’s very rare to find skis that still look like new, as most are faded.
The seats will also tear and crack over time.
The sun and water are the two worst things for any boat, and skis get plenty.
Keep Your jet ski Covered
Fiberglass protectant and vinyl protectant will help, but the best thing you can do is keep your machine covered when you’re not using it.
How to stop your cover from fading or your PWC from getting mold? Use a cover, as talked about here.
6. Dings And Scuffs
Another issue is that dings and scuffs will happen, it’s just the common thing jet ski riders face when on the water and docking.
Fiberglass repair is not always expensive, depending on the size, and if you don’t want perfection you can often repair it yourself.
It’s Normal
I wouldn’t worry yourself about a few scratches on your jet ski and dock rashes, as it’s only normal in the watercraft world. It’s when the damage is large and affects the structure of the PWC that you need to worry.
White Fiberglass Showing = Repair Now
When you see the white fiberglass underneath your hull start to show, you need to get it repaired, as it will try to absorb water and expand, worsening it.
7. Reverse and Brakes
With every jet ski manufacturer now moving to an electronic brake and reverse system, they can fail.
It’s a simple pump design, so many of the issues are not something for you to worry about, but it is an electronic system.
Also, the brakes are not the same as your car, it’s more of like putting the machine in reverse. Brakes on personal watercraft didn’t come about until 2009 and before then it was manual reverse levers or nothing, at least for Sea-Doo. Yamaha was 2015 and Kawasaki was 2022 before they got some kind of braking on at least one.
Electronic Brakes Need A good Battery
The battery is the lifeblood of your jet ski. Remember those electric motors for reverse and braking? They guzzle power. If your battery is weak, you might see check engine lights and experience malfunctions from your skis.
That’s why a good battery is crucial these days. That’s also why I’m a big advocate for keeping your battery on a solar charger whenever you’re not riding. Many common jet ski difficulties can often be traced back to a weak battery or even loose battery cables to corrosion on the wires.
By keeping the battery topped up, you can prevent many PWC issues on the water.
Manual Reverse
For the manual reverse, a jet ski uses a steel cable that over time can rust and break, but not a huge concern for most people. If you do ride in saltwater, then it’s more of an issue for you.
8. Corrosion
You’ll face these issues if you ride a jet ski in the ocean or salty water; corrosion is a reoccurring problem for any boat.
If you do a lot of saltwater riding, you need to regularly flush with fresh water and rinse out the engine compartment.
Corrosion on the electrical parts can create a “ghost” problem that are hard to solve for jet skis. It’s a good idea to spray silicone lubricant (Amazon Link Ad) on anything shiny and electrical if you ride in saltwater.
Also, don’t forget to replace your “sacrificial anode” on your ski when it goes out!
9. Superchargers
Jet ski superchargers are their own unique thing that needs special care and maintenance done.
In general, it’s not always the supercharger failing that I write this, but it’s known for the hoses to come off. These things create so much pressure that a hose can come off, and you lose top-end.
10. Mold and Mildew
Wet environments are the usual place where people ride and store their skis, so mold and mildew should be expected. You’re going to get mold and mildew on your jet ski seats and cover, it’s only a matter of time before you need to fix this.
Using mold and mildew remover (Amazon Link Ad) is a must.
To keep mold away, make sure to let your craft fully dry before putting the cover on it.
11. Water In Footwells
It’s silly, but you’ll understand once you own one, but the footwells trap water, bad!
Keeping a cover on helps, but sometimes water still finds a way in. (The covers are not 100% waterproof!)
This sitting water in the footwells attracts bugs and mold, while also being a pain to remove and causing other issues, like blistering the fiberglass and destroying the foot pads of jet skis.
Here are things you can do.
- Tilt jet ski back when on a trailer.
- Use a water transfer pump to suck out the water.
- Check out my post on Capillary Action for removing water from footwells.
Are PWCs Expensive To Own?
If you’re reading this article, you’ll face the idea of getting a jet ski. You also might be wondering if they’re expensive to own, or should you get something else? It’s super normal to feel this way, along with all the issues skis can have, you got a lot to take in when doing your due diligence.
I know it’s a lot to take in, and researching common jet ski issues you might run into is important before you buy something expensive or to know if it’s a sport you want to get into. I also have posts on things like the pros and cons of a PWC, along with the cost of ownership that I suggest you read.
Then, when it’s time to one, you can use my tool to figure out used prices or the current new prices.
Don’t forget you’ll need a place to store it, so check out this post for ideas.
if you buy a Yamaha with a supercharger expect the clutch that drives it to fail in 30-125 hrs. I have had 3 Svho skis and all have failed at 35 hrs 100 and 56 hr. The price is $700 in parts and 1000 labor You can do it yourself in a weekend. But it’s tricky and you need a couple special tools.. it’s a back breaker job.
P.S.S. Now he says may get new carburetor. Could that solve starving for gas issue?
Yes, a clogged carb or bad fuel lines can cause this.
P.S. My friend just wrote when I said put NEW spark plugs in (tho others fine, gapped right). He said put back together and starving for gas? I mean that’s the issue. He wants to get a “Genuine Mikuni rebuild kit? I said do what you must i will reimburse!
I have a ’97 Bombardier. Has had so much replaced on it. Ran perfect all last year. We put it in, warmed it up a lot just slowly going along. Try to go a little faster it stalls. Then backfires! My friend a mechanic on skis is checking, cleaning EVERYTHING. Any suggestions? I am tearing my hair out as summers too short in Idaho! ANY ideas I’m grateful to hear. Thanks!
Steven, have a 1997 seadoo bombadier gti get a buzzing noise from solenoid when start pushed.. replaced but same. when jumping posts the starter spins but does not engage the engine…?
Multiple buzzing is usually a weak or bad battery. I would start with a new battery, it might have just enough power to move the starter but not fling out the bendix to engage the engine.
So, we are first time owners!
We just got a jet ski 2005 ski doo and a rode was sucked up and my husband kept giving it gas cause he was told he flood it? Wrong! And white smoke was coming out? We got the rope out but will not start now? Have appt to take it to see if it can be fixed? Can it be fixed?thank you!
It’s fixable, just need someone there to look at it to see what is causing the no start and white smoke.