PWC bargains at Sydney Boat Show

Winter might keep many PWC riders off the water but it’s a great time to pick up a bargain.

Conditions are perfect for anyone looking to save thousands on a new Jet Ski, WaveRunner or Seadoo.

Sales are typically slow in the cooler months — and most brands are nearing the end of their annual model changeover cycles. So dealers need to clear stock to make way for fresh models as summer approaches.

To save you doing the hard yards we’ve gathered the deals from the big three PWC brands: Yamaha, Seadoo and Kawasaki.

There are close to 40 PWC on display across all three brands at the Sydney International Boat Show which opened today. This gives serious buyers a great chance to compare models under one roof.

Yamaha and SeaDoo displays are on the main floor on level one (enter via the escalators on level two of the Sydney Exhibition Centre) while Kawasaki is upstairs on level four, south of the main hall.

Yamaha is including free fitted genuine covers — valued up to $500 — on all WaveRunner models (except the the FX SVHO, GP1800 and SuperJet stand-up) sold during Sydney Boat Show, which runs until Monday August 6.

In addition there is $1000 off the RRP for all Yamaha VX WaveRunner models, including the high performance VXR.

The big news, however, is that Yamaha has brought forward its end-of-year $2000 discount on all supercharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder SVHO models, including the flagship FX SVHO and race-ready GP1800 powered by the same motor.

In the case of the FX, this extra special discount is designed to clear way for a new model due to be unveiled at 2pm 15 August 2018 Sydney time (midnight eastern time in the US).

However, the new model is likely to go up in price and is not due in Australian showrooms until late in the year.

In addition, Yamaha is offering 2.99 per cent interest via Yamaha Finance on all models except the FX SVHO and GP1800.

And Yamaha will also include a 30 per cent discount — a saving of between $300 and $500 on average, depending on the policy — on Yamaha Insurance premiums. Yamaha PWC insurance was previously underwritten by Nautilus Insurance but is now in-house.

To respond to the popular Seadoo Spark entry level jet ski, Yamaha’s base model EX WaveRunner is $8,499 excluding a trailer and rego, which typically adds between $1500 and $2000.

Kawasaki is doing ride-away deals across the range — including trailer and rego — starting from $15,350 for its STX-15F entry model.

The top-of-the-range Kawasaki Ultra 310LX — the first jet ski with a factory fitted sound system — is $26,590 tow-away, no more to pay, about $1000 off full retail.

Kawasaki is also offering flat rate insurance of $495 on all jet skis sold at the show — a saving of up to $1000 — and a 3.99 per cent finance rate.

For those prepared to brave a stand-up jet ski, the all-new Kawasaki SXR four-stroke — with a 160hp motor capable of a 60mph top speed — is $16,590 including trailer, flush kits and 10 litres of fuel.

Or you could pick up a classic: Yamaha is taking orders for what will be its final stand up jet ski, the two-stroke SuperJet for $11,999 excluding trailer and rego. There are fewer than 30 left in stock in Australia and once they’re gone, that’ll be it.

Seadoo is offering mega deals of between $1500 and $2500 off certain models in the range.

The biggest savings are a massive $2500 off the flagship RXP-X and the GTR-X, while the GTR-230 gets $2000 off.

And there is a $1500 discount on both the GTI-90 and the popular Spark (excluding Trixx models).

All Seadoos sold during the show come with a three-year warranty (up from 12 months on certain models), matching the coverage of all Yamaha and Kawasaki models.

Top 10 tips for new PWC buyers:

1. Confirm if the price is for the jet ski only or if it includes registration and a trailer.

2. The cost of trailers varies depending on quality and size but are generally between $1500 and $2000. Ask if the trailer is locally made or imported.

3. Ask what the service intervals are on each jet ski and what the likely costs will be for routine maintenance.

4. Check if there is an insurance offer bundled into the Sydney Boat Show deal.

5. Check if there is a finance offer bundled into the Sydney Boat Show deal. Ask how much the loan establishment fee costs: it can vary from $300 to $800 and in some cases is negotiable.

6. The Sydney Boat Show stands are mostly staffed by sales people from individual dealerships. Check if the person selling you a jet ski is your closest dealer. You can of course buy your PWC from whoever you prefer, and take it to your preferred dealer for servicing — but it’s worth asking the question.

7. Take notes on how to prepare your PWC before and after taking it out on the water for the first time. The instructions are easy to forget, especially if your first ride is months away.

8. In most cases, the model-year changeover is simply a case of new stickers and colour options, but in some cases an all-new model could be around the corner. Ask if the model you are buying is due simply for a colour update or if it’s about to be replaced by a new deck and hull.

9. There’s a reason these are so cheap, because they are about to be superseded but in most cases they are mechanically identical to the 2019 PWC.

10. Be sure to visit all three stands at the show — Yamaha, Seadoo and Kawasaki — before signing on the dotted line.

This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling