Australia's cheapest jet ski models compared

Kawasaki, Sea-Doo and Yamaha all have models aimed at buyers new to the jet ski scene.

There are three entry-level jet skis on the market from three separate manufacturers, all with their pros and cons. We’ve set ourselves a budget of up to $10,000 by the time you add a trailer, registration and all the gear you will need to ride safely on the water.

Here, then, we will look at the three choices that buyers can pick and choose between: the simply named Sea-Doo Spark, and the Yamaha WaveRunner EX.

We’re discounting Kawasaki’s entry-level model, the Kawasaki STX 160X, because at around $15,000 it is too rich for our budget. We’ll include it at the end, though, as it’s still an entry-level model.

When buying, be a bit wary of falling for the allure of “new” models featuring running changes. Jet skis can change very little from year to year, so you may end up paying a premium price just to get a new colour scheme when beneath the veneer the ski is exactly the same as the previous year’s model.

However, sometimes the running changes can be significant enough to warrant the new model.

We run through the individual features that make each one the perfect choice for someone.

The Sea-Doo Spark is by far the cheapest entree to the jet ski fraternity. One of two models in the Canadian brand’s “Rec Lite” range of cheaper entries, the Spark is priced from a sharp $7999 before adding a trailer and registration.

Light on features and even lighter on performance – the Sea-Doo Spark produces just 60hp from its 899cc Rotax three-cylinder engine to give a top speed of around 60km/h.

The relatively tiny size of the engine and its lack of outright performance means it is also quite economical, and with a 30-litre tank it needs to be. One benefit of the smaller engine is that it uses its own closed-loop cooling system, and doesn’t rely on corrosive saltwater for the job.

It also means the engine never sucks in sand and seaweed.

The Sea-Doo Spark was added to the Australian market in 2014, while the Sea-Doo Spark Trixx capable of performing the on-water equivalent of a wheelstand was introduced in 2017.

The benefit of that small engine is that at 184kg, the dry weight of the two-seat version of the Sea-Doo Spark – the three-seat version adds 7.0kg – makes it the lightest jet ski on the market, so if towing it behind a small car or hand-wrestling it into the garage is important the lower kerb mass is worth considering.

The downside to all that weight loss is that there’s minimal features included with the ski. If you want to store something in the nose, it’s a $210 spend to add a 27-litre bin, or almost $400 to fit a soft dry storage bag to the back.

The storage pocket behind the handlebars – the prime place to stash your smartphone – is tiny, meaning you can’t fit your device in it if you’re using a waterproof cover. A cheaper option

Park up on the beach, and there’s no stopping other Sea-Doo Spark riders from jumping on your ride and taking off because the lesser Sea-Doo models all share the same keyless tag system. You might want to consider stretching the budget further for the circa $300 electronic security key and wiring.

The Sea-Doo Spark does not come with a reverse gear, so you’ll have to push it off the trailer when launching rather than ride it off. It’s the same on our next jet ski.

When towing, keep speeds below 21km/h.

Refuelling the Sea-Doo Spark involves removing the seat to access the filler pipe.

Sea-Doo’s warranty runs for just two years.

At $8499 before adding a trailer and on-water registration, the Yamaha WaveRunner EX is only a $500 stretch beyond the Sea-Doo. It is also classed as part of the “recreational light” PWC category even though it tips the scales at a more beefy 262kg dry weight.

Like the Sea-Doo, most of Yamaha’s changes to its jet ski line-up this year are on the surface, with a new range of hull and top deck colour combinations.

Powering the Yamaha WaveRunner EX is a 1049cc TR-1 three-cylinder engine producing an estimated 100hp and a top speed of around 80km/h. Fuel capacity is good, not great, at 50 litres.

The extra poke from the engine means this model is equipped with a tow hook.

Some of the extra pork the Yamaha Waverunner EX carries is excusable when you consider it is around 8cm longer than the Sea-Doo Spark, with up to three people – realistically two adults and a child – able to squeeze onboard. The Sea-Doo Spark is definitely a two-seat ski.

There’s also up to 29 litres of storage space available via a tub under the nacelle and a small glovebox large enough for a water bottle, but not watertight, at the front of the seat.

Just like with the Sea-Doo, in front of the rider is a digital display with speed, revs, a fuel gauge and engine hours.

The towing speed is capped at 8km/h, so it’s slow and steady if your ski stops working.

The Yamaha Waverunner EX’s fuel tank is accessed via a filler cap mounted on the front left three-quarter deck. It’s not far above the waterline, so take care when refuelling on the water.

Yamaha’s standard warranty on its personal watercraft range is three years.

Kawasaki, the inventor of the “Jet Ski” name, didn’t really embraced change for its former entry-level model, the Kawasaki STX-15F – its hull remained essentially the same for more than 15 years.

However, that all changed last year with the introduction of an all-new, but more expensive walk-up model, the two-seat Kawasaki STX 160X.

While engine performance doesn’t change – underneath, the Kawasaki STX 160X still has a 150hp 1498cc four-cylinder engine powering its jet drive – it does sit on an all-new hull for the first time in more than 15 years.

The front of the hull is reshaped to throw splashes away from the rider using a stepped bow and “bumper” fins, the latter also helping to lift the rear of the ski out of the water at speed, and provide grip while cornering.

The Kawasaki STX 160X also features a new-look top deck that increases the amount of storage space in the ski’s forward nacelle to 114 litres.

Other storage spaces include a handy but slim smartphone-friendly 1.4-litre waterproof space near the handlebars (you can even option a USB charging port), a 16-7-litre space under the rear seat cushion, and a smaller 2.3-litre space forward of the rear deck that’s optimised for stowing a tow rope.

The redesigned top deck also sits higher off the water than the model making it more comfy to sit on, while wider, tapered handlebars make it easier to steer.

Fuel capacity also has increased to 78 litres, the largest in its class.

One point of difference with the Kawasaki STX 160X is that it uses a lift-up lever to engage reverse thrust while the other entry-level skis here don’t have any ability to back up. In contrast to past applications, Kawasaki says its way of kicking the ski into reverse is now much lighter to engage than before, and easier.

Similarly priced skis have a reversing switch mounted on the left-hand side of the handlebar.

Speaking of price, Kawasaki’s new model comes at a cost; pricing for the old entry-level model used to sit around $13,000 – not including a trailer or registration – but the circa $15,000 starting price of the STX 160X is because Kawasaki Australia bypassed the entry-level STX 160 sold in North American and European markets in favour of a pair of more premium models.

Kawasaki’s jet ski range is covered under Australia’s longest PWC warranty, stretching five years.