New for 2027 from Sea-Doo, Yamaha WaveRunner and Kawasaki Jet Ski

The 2027 models across the personal watercraft class – most commonly known as jet skis – have just been unveiled in the US, with local showroom arrivals due in time for the Australian summer.

Sea-Doo, Yamaha WaveRunner and Kawasaki Jet Ski all have something to boast about for 2027.

Here are the highlights for each brand.

Market leader Sea-Doo has introduced more power at both ends of its line-up: the cheapest and dearest models.

At the affordable end of the market, the Sea-Doo Spark and Sea-Doo Spark Trixx (the model that can ride on its tail at the press of a button and a quick yank of the handlebars) have both received a new engine (up from 899cc to 999cc) and more power.

The three-cylinder ‘1000 Ace’ Rotax engine (as it is officially known) now has a maximum output of 110hp – up from a peak of 90hp previously.

At the same time, Sea-Doo has introduced a new hull on the Sea-Doo Spark for 2027, which helps it track better in rough water – and handle the extra power with more ease.

The new hull matches up to a new top deck introduced three years ago.

So now, with the new engine, new hull and the recently new top deck, the Sea-Doo Spark is essentially all-new.

The changes to the Sea-Doo Spark line-up mean the basic models now come with 90hp (up from 60hp), while the Spark X and Trixx X models come with 110hp (up from 90hp).

The easiest way to pick the difference? All 110hp models get the Spark ‘X’ label – whether it’s a Trixx or not.

At the other end of the scale, Sea-Doo has blown away the competition in the horsepower stakes with a 350hp version of its supercharged 1630cc three-cylinder Rotax engine.

Sea-Doo was already the benchmark when it came to peak power in the personal watercraft segment, after it went from 300hp to 325hp in 2024 – in the process overtaking the 310hp output of the supercharged Kawasaki Ultra.

(Yamaha WaveRunner doesn’t provide figures, but it is estimated the supercharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder in the FX SVHO and GP SVHO has an output of approximately 280hp).

The uprated 350hp engine will be available in four Sea-Doo models for 2027:

Related: Five things you didn’t know about the new Sea-Doo Senna RXP-X 350

The Senna Edition – of which fewer than 100 will come to Australia out of a global allocation of 1991 examples – is available exclusively in a yellow and green colour scheme, a tribute to the Brazilian flag and its hero Formula One driver Ayrton Senna.

The other three 350hp models introduce one new colour combination for 2027 and carry over one colour combination from this year.

The 2027 Sea-Doo models are expected to start arriving in late November or early December 2026, pending any delays.

Yamaha Australia has streamlined its WaveRunner line-up for 2027, trimming the range from 17 to 13 variants – but added a splash of new colours to all models.

Missing from the 2027 Yamaha WaveRunner line-up in Australia will be:

Instead, the 2027 Yamaha FX SVHO supercharged range will be available with just two models: the FX SVHO Limited and the standard FX SVHO.

And there will only be one version of the non-supercharged FX series – the FX HO Cruiser with tiered seating.

The 2027 Yamaha JetBlaster series – the affordable and fun rival to the Sea-Doo Spark range – has been scaled back to just three variants: the base model JetBlaster, the JetBlaster Pro two-seater, and the top-end JetBlaster Limited.

To give the Yamaha JetBlaster a tougher look, the Pro model (which can ride on its tail at the press of a button, similar to the Sea-Doo Spark Trixx) is now available in black bodywork with blue highlights.

Yamaha’s high-performance models – the GP HO and GP SVHO – only have one colour option each, after the GP SVHO was offered in a choice of two colours previously.

Yamaha Australia will drop four model options from its WaveRunner line-up for 2027 as the company realigns its showroom offerings to focus on more popular variants.

On the plus side, Yamaha will add the Yamaha CrossWave – a four-seater fishing model – and the pint-sized Yamaha WaveBlaster, a single-seater which shares its DNA with the Yamaha SuperJet stand-up model.

Both the Yamaha CrossWave and Yamaha WaveBlaster will initially only be available in limited numbers. Prices are yet to be confirmed.

Related: Yamaha CrossWave four-seat fishing model priced for Australia

For 2027, Kawasaki has given its line-up a major overhaul with five new models.

The STX 310R and 310RX get the brand's 310hp engine and new technology, while the stand-up range has been bolstered by the new SX-X 160. Also new is the Ultra LX-S Adventure and Ultra 160 LX-S WakeSport which join the existing Kawasaki Ultra 160 Angler.

Related: 2027 Kawasaki Jet Ski series unveiled with five new models

Although it hasn’t undergone any changes for 2027, Kawasaki will be giving the Ultra 160 Angler – its first fishing model – another push after a slow sales start since it launched locally in mid-2025.

Kawasaki will also enjoy the first full year of sales of the recently revamped Kawasaki STX 160, the brand’s most affordable sit-down Jet Ski.

While the 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, jet pump and hull remain unchanged, the mid-size Kawasaki STX 160 benefits from a redesigned top deck and broadens to three variants, including a sporty R model, a luxury LX model and a mid-grade LX-S.