Helpful Guides

The moment when you’ve lost your jet ski key can really spoil the rest of your day. Who has the key? Are they going to steal your jet ski?

It’s actually quite common for people to lose the keys to their jet ski, whether that’s a Yamaha, Sea-Doo or Kawasaki. So they – how do you get a new key?

How To Get a New Jet Ski Key

It really depends on the make of your jet ski and its age as to how easily you’ll get a new key. In the following table, we’re showing you the keys, the level of difficulty and the price you can expect for a key replacement.

These are how much new jet ski keys cost:

Make	Difficulty	New key cost
Sea-Doo Pre-2015	Medium	$100 to $200
Sea-Doo Post-2015	Easy	$70 to $150
Yamaha	Easy	$70 to $150
Kawasaki	Medium	$85 to $170
Tiger Shark	Hard	$150+
Polaris	Hard	$150+

Note: The Tiger Shark and Polaris jet ski keys are hard to get the manufacturer keys duplicated, but you can actually use a locksmith and in most cases, you’ll get an identical key. As these are older models, they don’t have the tech the newer jet ski manufacturers have to prevent theft.

The easiest way to get a new jet ski key is to take your jet ski into a dealership. You CANNOT simply bring them the spare key and ask them to duplicate it. They will need your actual jet ski in the workshop so they can assess your particular model. It’s also best to call the dealer for an appointment before you take your jet ski in.

To stop this from happening next time, check out these products:

These floats are super handy as they will prevent your jet ski key from sinking to the bottom of the ocean.

The Technology of Jet Ski Keys

Unlike a car, jet ski keys are actually programmed differently. This is because there is a, comparatively speaking, a high theft rate of jet skis. Thieves often consider them to be a hot item that can be resold quickly.

Imagine your jet ski being stolen and while you have the keys, someone else is already riding it out there tomorrow with new plates!

Personal watercraft keys have these two components:

1. The magnet. This allows the jet ski to be turned out as it recognizes its presence.
2. The ROM Chip. This is the tech which has a combination of digits embedded and it’s the reason why you simply can’t take in your spare key. Each key simply has a different string of numbers embedded or hard-coded into each key hence why duplication is essentially impossible.

Older jet ski models don’t have this technology such as the Tiger Shark and Polaris, as they ceased production years ago.

Bypassing a Sea-Doo DESS Key

It’s almost impossible to by-pass a Sea-Doo DESS Key. We say almost impossible as there are documented cases of people being successful doing this, but these are rare and often does more harm than good for the industry.

The key data is what will catch people out who try to bypass this technology. Sea-Doo in particular have done this as they want to protect their loyal and honest customers.

Two Jet Skis With The Same Keys

You can have two jet skis and have the same key able to start both. How? Ask your dealer provided they are the same manufacturer. They can program the key before pick-up.

The real advantage here is that if you lose one of your keys, you still have the other available at home. Even if it’s just a starter key, it’s enough to get you going.

Are You Losing Keys?

If you’re losing keys or are fearful of losing keys, then I recommend that you have a jet ski lanyard that is fluorescent and floats. Personally, mine is huge so I can’t miss it and it’s on my checklist of things to take with me to the boat ramp, including the plug and extra fuel cans.

Can run your jet ski when it isn’t in the water and is sitting on the trailer? There is a fear with some beginners that this can cause expensive engine damage.

In this guide, I hope to shine some light on this issue.

Can You Run Your Jet Ski Out Of Water?

Yes, you can run your jet ski when it’s out of the water and already on the trailer. Warning: You can only run your jet ski for 10 seconds maximum on land.

Jet skis are designed to run in the water, not on land. The water intake cools the engine and if you leave it running for too long, you risk overheating the engine.

The exception is Sea-Doo. They are unique in the market and our favorite brand of jet ski here at JetSkiAdvice.com though we love Yamaha as well! But the same rule does apply for these too.

Running Sea-Doo Jet Skis out of the water

Yamaha and Kawasaki use sea or lake water to cool the engine while Sea-Doo uses a closed-circuit system. It’s similar to how a car or truck works.

The exhaust system in a way still uses sea-water to cool down the engine so a Sea-Doo jet ski cannot be run out of the water for more than 10 seconds.

Sea-Doo jet skis also come with flush adapters so you can run the engine with a garden hose. To do this:

1. Get your water hose ready and in position.
2. Connect the water hose to your flush adapter but don’t turn it on yet.
3. Start the engine of your jet ski
4. Quickly (within 5 seconds) turn on the water hose
5. Run the ski for just a little while to flush salt away
6. Turn off your water hose
7. Turn off your jet ski

Note: You should only be using mains or rainwater. Bore water can damage your jet ski.

The guide I’ve outlined also applies to Yamaha and Kawasaki but as always, I recommend you consult your operator’s manual. You can also call your local dealership who can advise on how to do this properly.

Risks of dry running

Overheating a jet ski is a very real risk if you start your jet ski and run it dry. Even 1 minute of running is enough to cause significant damage where your engine will need to be rebuilt and this could cost you thousands of dollars.

Hydro-locking your engine is also quite a reasonable risk and if you don’t do the flushing sequence as I’ve outlined above, then you may also cause some damage that can only be addressed at your local PWC dealer.

For some models, they actually don’t come with flush adapters strangely so you’ll need to buy one.

The Loud Jet Ski Sound

Does your jet ski sound crazy loud and running dry when you start it out of the water? Well, that’s actually quite normal. The pump requires water to float and because it’s on land, it is simply jumping around.

Secondly, your exhaust sound is muffled when submerged in water. When it’s on the trailer, well it sounds very dry.

Cleaning Properly

Most people start their jet skis on land to clean it properly. I’ve written an extensive guide on how to clean jet skis so your personal watercraft stays in tip-top condition.

We’ve done the research to find the price of jet skis in 2022 across the United States and Australia. Yamaha, Sea-Doo and Kawasaki jet skis are listed here.

In real-world terms, jet skis do vary in price and will cost between $6,000 for a cheap one with very little power, up to $25,000 for a luxury top-of-the-range jet ski. It really depends on your needs and budget.

The costs also depend on whether you’re buying a new or used PWC. If you buy a used jet ski, then you can expect to save between $2,000 and $7,000 off the new price.

Jet Ski Pricing 2022 Guide

Here is a completely updated pricing guide for the 2022 jet ski season for the main 3 manufacturers. We have created this guide and updated it each year so that you know how much a jet ski will cost in North America and Australia.

These numbers are assuming you were to buy a new one from the dealership without promotions applied.

Make	Model	USD Pricing	AUD Pricing
Sea-Doo	Spark 2up 60HP	$5,699	$8,769
Sea-Doo	Spark 2up 90HP	NA	NA
Sea-Doo	Spark 3up 90HP	$6,990	NA
Sea-Doo	Spark 2up 90HP iBR	NA	NA
Sea-Doo	Spark 3up 90HP iBR	$7,990	$10,999
Sea-Doo	Spark TRIXX 2up	$7,899	$12,069
Sea-Doo	Spark TRIXX 3up	$8,499	$12,969
Sea-Doo	GTI 90	$9,299	$14,989
Sea-Doo	GTI 130	$10,299	$16,289
Sea-Doo	GTI SE 130	$11,099	NA
Sea-Doo	GTI SE 170	$11,699	$17,989
Sea-Doo	Wake 170	$12,499	NA
Sea-Doo	GTR 230	$12,899	$20,409
Sea-Doo	GTX 170	$13,399	$20,809
Sea-Doo	GTX 230	$14,399	$23,909
Sea-Doo	GTX 300	$16,099	NA
Sea-Doo	GTX Limited 300	$18,299	NA
Sea-Doo	Wake Pro 230	$16,499	$26,509
Sea-Doo	Fishpro Scout 130	$13,899	$19,609
Sea-Doo	Fishpro Scout 170	$15,899	$22,709
Sea-Doo	Fishpro Trophy 170	$17,799	$27,309
Sea-Doo	RXP-X 300	$16,099	NA
Sea-Doo	RXP-X RS 300	NA	$27,409
Sea-Doo	GTX Limited 230	NA	NA
Sea-Doo	R-XTX 300	$17,499	NA
Sea-Doo	RXT-X RS 300	NA	$29,209
Sea-Doo	GTX Limited 300	$18,299	$29,909
Yamaha	EX	$7,199	NA
Yamaha	EX Sport	$8,299	NA
Yamaha	Superjet	$9,799	Unavailable
Yamaha	EX Deluxe	$9,299	NA
Yamaha	VX-C	$9,449	Unavailable
Yamaha	EXR	NA	NA
Yamaha	VX	$10,499	NA
Yamaha	VX Deluxe	$11,249	NA
Yamaha	VX Cruiser	$11,549	NA
Yamaha	VX Limited	$12,849	NA
Yamaha	VX Cruiser HO	$12,449	NA
Yamaha	GP1800-R HO	$13,149	NA
Yamaha	FX HO	$14,299	NA
Yamaha	FX Cruiser HO	$14,799	NA
Yamaha	GP1800-R SVHO	$15,349	NA
Yamaha	FX SVHO	$16,799	NA
Yamaha	FX Cruiser SVHO	$17,499	NA
Yamaha	FX Limited SVHO	$19,099	NA
Kawasaki	STX 160X	$9,899	NA
Kawasaki	SX-R	$10,299	NA
Kawasaki	STX 160X	NA	NA
Kawasaki	ULTRA LX	$11,699	NA
Kawasaki	STX 160LX	NA	NA
Kawasaki	ULTRA 310X	$17,299	NA
Kawasaki	ULTRA 310R	$16,488	NA
Kawasaki	ULTRA 310LX	$19,299	NA

Editor’s note: Please keep in mind that the COVID supply chain crisis has meant that a jet ski ordered today in early 2022 may take 6 to 9 months until delivery. This is impacting the entire marine industry.

Additional purchase expenses

In addition to the cost of purchasing a jet ski, you’ll also need to set aside an additional 20% of your budget for the following:

• A quality new trailer from the same dealership. Don’t take the risk of buying a used jet ski trailer as we detail in that reader’s guide.
• Your safety gear. Budget between $300 and $700 for safety gear including life jacket, wetsuit, helmet and gloves at a minimum.
• Additional accessories. These include a quality GPS device, tow tubes and fishing rod holders.

Most people are surprised to see the true upfront cost of a new jet ski.

How much do jet skis cost to maintain?

This depends on how often you use your jet ski. If it’s used every weekend, you can expect to have to understand several scheduled logbook servicing internals annually which will cost $250 for labor, not including parts.

In addition to the servicing cost and parts, you’ll need to pay registration each year for your jet ski, as well as registration for your trailer. Depending on your state, you may also need to pay insurance on both the jet ski and trailer too.

The main reason that people sell jet skis is that they can be expensive to maintain. Clearly, it’s not just the upfront cost that we’ve defined here that should be taken into account.

How much fuel will a jet ski use?

On average, it takes 2 to 3 hours of continuous use on a jet ski to completely empty the gas tank. Consider that the more fuel-efficient jet skis such as the Sea-Doo GTI 90 and GTI 130 will often allow riders to ride longer and further where they may clock 4 hours of use.

You won’t be riding continuously though with many riders choosing to stop for a rest 2 to 3 times when out riding. There are fuel stations in most places, but if there aren’t, you can always bring additional fuel.

Which jet ski brand should I buy?

There are only 3 main jet ski brands in the PWC market today. These are Sea-Doo, Yamaha and Kawasaki. The most popular jet skis are Sea-Doo but they do have a mild reputation for unreliability, with Yamaha proving to be very reliable though lacking in features and style.

Kawasaki, as the poor runner-up with less than a dozen jet skis in their line up, still pack a good punch. If you want a stand up jet ski instead of a sit-down jet ski, then you’ll need to buy a Kawasaki. Their top-of-the-line sitdown jet skis have won many races around the world for their incredible speed and handling abilities.

How long do jet skis last?

Between 200 and 400 hours. In contract, for the more reliable jet skis which aren’t built for performance, you’ll find used jet skis on the market which are at the 300-hour mark. These jet skis will get an additional 100 hours before needing a full engine rebuild. The performance jet skis often are retired after 200 hours (approximately 70 rides) as their engines cannot handle the strain in such harsh conditions.

Can I ride my new jet ski at night?

Jet skis can be ridden at night within certain states and countries, though night riding isn’t normal and you’ll need to ride slower. For this reason, almost none of the manufacturers by default are not installing navigation lights on jet skis so you’ll need to get some aftermarket lights installed from your dealer.

Is it worth me buying one?

With all of that in mind, is it worth buying a jet ski to go riding with? It seems some people are worried about everything and they shouldn’t be.

You see, these days jet skis are more reliable, cheaper and are more fuel-efficient than 10 years ago. Buying a jet ski is worth it if you’re riding at least twice per month, otherwise, just hire one and let others deal with the expenses.

Did you know that you can now hire a jet ski on the Sunshine Coast for under $100?! It’s crazy but there are some real bargains around now. I’m a local and I live here!

In my opinion, it’s one of the best places to hire a jet ski in Australia. From year-round great weather to white sandy beaches and a distinct lack of crowds since everything is so spread out.

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You’re probably looking for some fun and excitement, but without spending a fortune. Perhaps a tour or self-hire option. If that’s you, then I’ve got you covered here.

Best hire shops on the Sunshine Coast

If you’re looking for a good mob to look after you, then I’ve done the searching around. I live right here in Queensland so I have tabs on who’s the best.

Let’s have a look at what we’ve got available:

1. Caloundra Jet Ski Hire
2. Maroochy River Jetski Hire
3. Ocean Jetski at Mooloolaba
4. Noosa Jet Ski Hire
5. Noosa River Jet Ski Hire
6. TBoat Hire in Noosa

Truth be told, all of these are great options! I haven’t listed these in any particular order either.

👉 Related: 3 Best Places to Ride a PWC on the Sunny Coast

I searched for reviews on each of these and none of them really came out all that negative. This I believe is a sign of the genuine nature of Queensland business owners.

Price of jet ski hire

I’ve noticed that the cost of jet ski hire on the Sunny Coast is almost identical between operators. I guess competition keeps everyone on their feet.

Fact: You can hire a jet ski for under $100 on the Sunshine Coast today. It’s actually $90 total, but it’s only a 30-minute ride.

Just as you’re starting to have fun on your jet ski, you’ll have to finish up on the tour. Trust me…that isn’t that fun!

Save up some extra pennies and go for a longer tour. I recommend 2 hours actually so you can explore much of what the Sunshine Coast has to offer.

Pricing for hires is generally as follows:

PWC Hire Length	Organized Tour	Self-Drive Option
1/2 hour	$90	$80
1 hour	$170	$150
1.5 hours	$250	$220
2 hours	$310	$250

Price includes fuel. With the self-drive option, you will need to have a jet ski licence issued in Australia for insurance purposes. A bond will also be required for self-hires but tour organizers generally don’t ask for a rental bond. You won’t need to launch/retrieve the jet ski at the boat ramp as the hire company will do that for you.

With 30 minutes of riding you’ll only do like 10km, but with 2 hours of riding you can expect to cover almost 100km. If you’re looking for fun, freedom and thrills, then trust me…go for a hire of 2 hours MINIMUM!

You’re out there to have fun, not look at your clock. You already watch the clock at work all week long. 🙂

Choosing a Tour Operator

Not everyone is created equal, but on the Sunshine Coast you’ll be well looked after by all the options I’ve listed.

But if you wanted to research and dig deeper, I’ve written the following guide for you. Others have found it quite helpful when deciding which Sunshine Coast Jet Ski Hire and Tours company to go with.

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👉 Related: 3 Best Places to Ride on the Sunny Coast

Let’s think about some things first:

1. How long you actually want to ride for.
2. If you expect to be a fast rider or slow rider.
3. Your current budget for hiring a jet ski.

Then we would want to ask the following:

1. Just how long the particular tour shop has been in business.
2. The additional cost (if any) should your friend want to hop on the back.
3. If they will provide a 100% refund if the weather turns bad on the day.
4. The make/models of the jet skis in their fleet (Generally Yamaha/SeaDoo)
5. Where exactly you will travel to and if it’s actually scenic to visit.
6. Any stops you will do on the tour to stretch your legs and see some sights.
7. Any inclusions such as lunch, soft drinks or even a marriage proposal!

What you can and can’t do

Many people now get excited at the notion of hiring a jet ski. After all, the Sunshine Coast is a haven for watersports, in addition to the Gold Coast. I personally find it much less crowded.

Here are some things you can do:

1. Reach the top speeds that the tour leader permits (Usually 60km/h but on a jet ski this feels more like 100km/h!)
2. Do a range of S turns and carve hard into the corners.
3. Ride over the wake of other marine users such as large boats.
4. Accelerate as fast as you can.
5. Ride while standing so you can avoid a sore backside tomorrow.

But then, you won’t be allowed to do these things:

1. Jet ski wave jumping. No one will allow this for liability reasons.
2. Playing jet ski races. There is a set minimum distance that Maritime Safety Queensland has permitted, so you can’t do a race between you and a mate.
3. Tow sports. These same companies won’t allow you to tow your family behind either with a tour or self-hire option. Again, it’s due to liability reasons.
4. Doughnuts. Spinning around sounds like fun, until you fall off and your jet ski weighing over 300kg runs you over. This is a quick way to get banned from a tour.

Have fun on the Sunshine Coast!

The most important thing to do out there on a tour is to have fun.

Take your water bottle, hat and sunscreen. Bringing your own wetsuit will give you more comfort than what they might have on offer.

Go for a longer tour because you’re not there for quick thrills. The additional spend is much more worth it!

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By the way…once you buy a jet ski, then you’ll want to read my next guide.

👉 Related: 3 Best Places to Ride on the Sunny Coast

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.