Joshua Smith

Looking to upgrade your PWC or just move on entirely from the sport? I’ll show you how you can get a great price for your used jet ski WITHOUT using a dealership.

How to Sell a Jet Ski

Selling a jet ski can yield a good payday, but only if you do it properly. There is also a risk of being scammed. Today I’ll show you how to sell your jet ski and get yourself a great sale price.

This guide assumes that you’re going to do this entire process yourself. It’s a bit time-intensive and it’s certainly easier to send your jet ski to auction or simply trade it in at a dealership, although you will get a few thousand less than expected.

1. Clean Up Your Ski

It goes without saying that you should spend at least an hour but definitely 2 hours cleaning up your jet ski, both inside and out. Get rid of all that saltwater residue and stains so it’s looking like showroom condition.

You can do this process at home or at a professional car cleaning station, but with marine soap only. I’d recommend a car wash where you can do the cleaning yourself instead of leaving this responsibility over to someone else.

2. Wax The Outsides

Get yourself some marine wax and go to town! Wax everything that you can. This will really help when it comes to doing photography and your photos will certainly pop.

Some of the best-kept jet skis are waxed often and it shows. You can also get a magic eraser that will remove minor scrapes and blemishes from the body of your jet ski.

3. Clean The Trailer

Many people forget to clean their trailer too. You can grease up certain points plus makes sure even the basics such as the licence plate is clean. I also like to add tire shine to my tires to make them look new again.

If you can, I would also check all of your roller bearings to make sure they are free-turning. Also, check the undercarriage for any significant wear and if the ratchet straps are in good condition. It’s quite cheap to replace these.

4. Check the registration is current

It would be very embarrassing to list your jet ski for sale, only to realize that it has an expired registration on either the ski or the trailer, or worse – both! The re-registration of each can be a time-consuming and expensive process.

Any place that you list your jet ski for sale (such as Craigslist) must show the current length of registration and the state in which it is registered. Some places do blur the registration plates nowadays so your identity can’t be stolen, but internally they can verify that it’s a real listing.

5. Make sure your insurance is up to date

While you’re not going to transfer the insurance cover, it’s important that it’s up to date. Why? Because when you list a jet ski for sale, you become a target for thieves. Now they will know where you live and that you have a jet ski.

I recommend getting a jet ski lock plus some insurance as you’ll just sleep better at night. Most insurance companies will refund you for the length of time that your insurance hasn’t been used for, even if you’ve only had insurance for 2 days.

6. List your ski for sale (and make sure it’s accurate)

Jump online and list your jet ski for sale, with a detailed description and photos. I would avoid taking photos at home so people can’t see your address or other toys that might be up for the taking.

It’s best to really tell a story with your sales description so people are less likely to ask questions. You can say things like used by a loving family on weekends, always stored in the garage (out of the sun) and has full-service history at the local dealership. If it’s genuine, then buyers are likely to start calling.

7. Screen out potential tyre kickers

Truth be told that most people are serious when they’re inquiring, but the ski itself might not be right for them. Most people buying a used jet ski are 1st time owners, so it’s a good idea to talk to them and discover what they’re looking to do with the ski.

If they are towing tubes for instance with their family, a Sea-Doo Spark would be a terrible choice. You can screen them out before they come for an inspection so you don’t waste each other’s time.

8. Tell them you’re not in a rush

When people are in a rush, they are more willing to drop the price. Just let them know that you’re in no rush and that you’re really just looking for the right buyer at the right time. This avoids the awkward moment when they throw a low-ball offer at you.

See most potential buyers, if they are serious, will pay your asking price anyway. You just need to stand your ground. If you want to, and you like them, you can offer a marginal discount to have the deal done.

9. Detail the maintenance efforts

Chances are that you’ve really put in the time, effort, and energy with your jet ski to make it look and run like new. After all, you have to because jet skis are maintenance-heavy machines that put up with a lot of stress.

Emphasize at an inspection just how far you’ve gone, including washing out the engine bay after each ride. You can also show them the cleaning materials you’ve used, and better yet, include these in the sale of the personal watercraft!

10. Sign paperwork

Right! Now that you’ve got a buyer and they have offered a very reasonable price, it’s time for the paperwork. This differs by state and territories but generally speaking it will ask for certain details. This includes the details for each person and the VIN/licence plates of the ski and trailer.

This is a time when you’ll need to be mindful that everything is done properly. You can check with your local registration office that the ownership transfer has been done properly to avoid any hassles in the future.

Summary

Selling a jet ski yourself and getting a good price isn’t hard. You just need to be organized and present your used personal watercraft in a professional setting.

Many people opt to take their jet ski to a local park for photography and will detach it from their tow vehicle too. After this, writing a detailed description that includes the hours and typical riding conditions will lead to numerous sales inquiries.

Often those who have ridden in freshwater areas will get a better price than saltwater riders since corrosion is much less. But there is really no way to accurately tell which PWCs have been riding in salt vs freshwaters.

Buying a jet ski is one of life’s best events, but what about the car towing your trailer? You have to make sure that is up to the job.

Some people think they can get away with using a hatchback as their jet ski tow vehicle. Some people even use convertibles! Is it worth the risk?

Today let’s have that discussion.

The Ideal Jet Ski Tow Vehicle

Let’s start off with the best tow vehicle to haul a jet ski.

It’s very popular to tow a jet ski with a 4×4, sedan, people mover or pickup truck. This is because you have greater control and stability when towing especially at highway speeds. When you go downhill, small vehicles feel like they are pushing the trailer down uncontrollably due to their lack of brakes.

Most jet ski trailers aren’t required to have built-in brakes due to their small size and size-axle nature. This rule does vary state-to-state and country-to-country so it’s wise to check with your local jurisdiction or simply phone your local dealership.

Consider Jet Ski Weights

The reason why most people decide to get a bigger tow vehicle is the weight of their jet ski once it’s on the trailer.

On average, jet skis weigh between 1,000 pounds and 1,300 pounds. Add in the additional trailer weight of 300 pounds and you’ve got a rig that weighs in at almost 1,600 pounds or 725kgs. In Australia the maximum weight of a jet ski trailer without brakes is 750kgs, so the average weight of a personal watercraft sits just under.

But even if you’re under the limits, it’s not wise to get a small tow vehicle. You’re really limited on various aspects.

Why I Say NO to Small Tow Vehicles

While I’ve shown you why the weight ratio between the tow vehicle and the trailer is too close, let’s look at other reasons:

1. You’re fully reliant on the minimum braking capacity of your hatchback when descending downhills.
2. Most hatchbacks have basic road tyres and aren’t designed to hold 1,600 pounds aka 725kgs on a slippery boat ramp.
3. It’s embarrassing to have such powerful jet ski being towed by such an ordinary vehicle. It just feels…cheap.
4. It’s also harder to find a compatible tow bar for such a small car, and most fitment centres won’t stock it so it will need to be ordered in.

What You Should Get

I’ve already hinted at the ideal tow vehicle for your jet ski.

Trust me – you need to get yourself something designed for towing. Something where the manufacturer has put the car up to the task, so you don’t slip back on the boat ramp.

The ideal vehicle happens to be most cars on the market today, so you won’t have to search too far. If your budget is limited, look at a used vehicle that is reliable and with a high towing capacity.

You don’t need a 4×4 to tow a jet ski at all. A sedan or station wagon will do the job just fine. The main issue is at the boat ramps, as some of them lack maintenance and are overgrown with moss and algae causing some traction issues. This is why people like 4x4s to tow any type of marine vessel.

Personally, I find it harder to launch and retrieve a jet ski with a 4×4. This is because of the reduced visibility behind you. Opening the tailgate is one good idea if you own a pickup truck.

If you don’t want to fork out the money, I would recommend contacting friends or family and borrowing a tow rig for the day. You could even take the owner out on the ski which I’m sure they will enjoy!

The Dangers of Jet Ski Trailers

The real issue is in the design of lightweight aluminum trailers. They just sway a lot, even if it isn’t windy on the highway.

Not only that, they are easy to bounce. You’ve probably seen an unloaded trailer jump up and down when it’s traveling along, even at 35 miles per hour. Imagine that happening at 70 miles per hour with a brand new jet ski on it.

At least with a solid tow vehicle, you are able to maintain some form of control. You can also weigh down your trailer with some accessories such as additional gas cans.

Summary on Jet Ski Tow Vehicles

It’s not worth the risk to get such a small tow vehicle. Remember that once jet skis are fully fueled up, they actually weigh quite a bit. A little car is going to struggle to control a trailer that is weighing almost as much as it does.

Also, consider using a pontoon storage shed. This way you can just keep your jet ski by the water’s edge for a nominal amount each month.

I love boats and I love jet skis too. But this is a website completely dedicated to jet ski ownership, riding skills, accessories and How-To guides.

For that reason, I’ll have to be a little biased today. But please know that I love sailing and motorboats too, and one day envision sailing around the world!

Today I’ll detail 9 reasons why jet skis are so much better, and completely win the Jet Ski vs Boat debate. Don’t worry – I still love boats!

It’s time to unpack this.

1. Jet Skis Are Cheaper to Buy

When you compare a performance boat that will cost $70,000+, spending under $15,000 on that new shiny Yamaha or SeaDoo at the dealership sounds much more lucrative.

It’s so much cheaper to buy a jet ski than compared to a boat. I’m not talking aluminium boats here as these can’t be compared, but as for performance boats, you’ll have to spend significantly more. Not only that, but boats are much more expensive to register, insurance and maintain than jet skis.

2. Much Easier To Store

It’s much easier to store a jet ski at home than compared to a boat. You don’t even need an entire single garage space, since you can sit a jet ski trailer in a tight space.

Many people are able to store their jet skis at home instead of a storage yard, leading to enhanced security to prevent theft. It also means you can take your jet ski out 24/7 instead of waiting for the local storage place to open up.

3. You Can Go Much Faster on a PWC

Most jet skis can achieve speeds of 70 miles per hour. Some performance skis can exceed 90 miles per hour. Even at 70 miles per hour, it’s an incredible speed to blast across the water.

Now compare this to a boat. To achieve such speeds you’ll need twin high-performance Yahama or Honda outboards to push such a large boat that will still struggle to achieve 60 miles per month.

4. Tow Sports and Fishing is Still Possible

Who doesn’t love towing tubes and going fishing? It used to really be just for those who owned more expensive boats, but now even a recreation jet ski such as the SeaDoo 130 GTS can tow doughnuts and water tubes, or even pull a water skier.

You can easily go jet ski fishing with a cooler and fishing rack setup. As opposed to many people to buy a jet ski to have fun, some people do like the serene nature of taking a jet ski out for a day of fishing. No need to buy an additional boat!

5. You Can Fit 2 Jet Skis on 1 Trailer

Narrow jet skis now allow 2 skis to fit on 1 trailer, which means you can go on a jet ski adventure with a friend or 3. It also creates more towing stability.

Now this ties in well with the storage space. It doesn’t require much additional storage space to store a dual jet ski trailer than a single trailer. Some people buy 2 jet skis for themselves, one for performance and one for casual fun on the water.

6. No Need to Find a Dock or Mooring Ball

With a boat, you’ll often need to find a dock or mooring ball if it’s too big because there is good potential to damage the hull. Boats are really expensive to fix up too, so owners are cautious.

Compare that now to a jet ski when you can ride straight up to a beach. You can get what you need and go. No need to mess around with buoys, ropes, anchors or anything else.

7. Quick to Launch and Retrieve

At the boat ramp, jet skis are super easy to launch. You can drop in or pull out your jet ski in 10 minutes. Boats, on the other hand, can take up to an hour to do it properly, leading to hostile or embarrassing situations at the boat ramp. Plus, you’ll probably need someone else to help you with everything.

The time you waste at a boat ramp is less time you can spend having fun on the water. When our time is already so limited work with and responsibilities, the more we can spend actually having fun…the better!

8. Can Be Used for Jumping and Tricks

Try to jump with a boat and you risk serious damage to your hull, electrics and every person on board. They aren’t designed for fun apart from some high speeds.

Jet skis are really designed for fun. You can go wave jumping with a jet ski, race your friends around rivers and lakes, plus even do some tricks. You’re going to have a bigger smile on your face with a personal watercraft than a boat.

9. Don’t Need Friends To Still Have Fun!

With a boat, you’ll want to take some friends out to have fun otherwise it’s so boring. You’ll have this big maritime vessel all to yourself.

I routinely go jet skiing with just myself. Sometimes it’s good to meet up with others out there on the waterways but it doesn’t need to happen. I can rock up to the boat ramp solo and still have a great day on the water without talking to anyone. Perfect for introverts!

Summary: Boats vs Jet Skis

Jet skis are much better than jet skis, for even more reasons than what I’ve detailed here. You’ll have more fun for a lot cheaper, and your kids can still join you.

It’s a bit harder to take your dogs on your jet ski, but it’s still possible. Smaller dogs can fit in a motorcycle dog pod that you can strap on to your jet ski, but you’ll have to ride much slower. That said, leaving your dog at home for a few hours isn’t really an issue.

Boats still have their advantages. They are more comfortable to ride in, let you take a group of people and provide superior sun and rain protection. I love sailing and large cruising yachts, so don’t think I’m a hater!

Sure, boats have their good stuff but if none of that matters to you, then get a jet ski and have an endless smile on your face. 🙂

So you’re looking at buying a jet ski and you’re not sure whether you should go to the dealer or look up Craigslist. Let me show you the way forward.

The age-old debate of new jet skis compared to used jet skis always creates an interesting discussion. Today I’ll show you which one is best.

Through this, I hope that you can spend less time thinking about it, and get closer to the dream of personal watercraft ownership. Let’s begin!

Jet Skis: New vs Used

Now there is nothing wrong with either choice. Everyone has a different budget and desires. Both have their pros and cons. In fact, I’m going to unpack each.

New Jet Ski

At a glance, I’ll show you my perspectives.

Most people never really sit down to draw out the advantages and downsides like this. I hope this is useful!

Used Jet Ski

On the flip side, let’s have a look at the used market. PWCs here have both advantages and disadvantages too.

Overall, most people do choose to buy a used jet ski with low hours over a new one. The scope of what you can do and the money you’ll save is worth it.

Summary

Both the used market and the new jet ski market serve people just fine. When you look at a new jet ski vs used, you soon realize that both are excellent options.

If you’re on a budget, I would recommend a used jet ski. In fact, I would recommend a used recreation jet ski over a new rec-lite jet ski, because you’ll just get better performance.

In recent years, jet skis have become more reliable with longer engine hours possible. Some hire shops reach 2,000+ engine hours on one PWC before replacement, and I’ve even met one who never cleans out their engine bays! If you’re curious…they were using the Yamaha EX models.

For that reason, buying a used jet ski is a wiser choice if you’re new to the personal watercraft market. After 6 to 12 months of riding, you can make that decision as to whether you should upgrade.

I’ve also done another comparison post on renting vs buying:

See you out there!