With good reason, the key consideration when buying a secondhand jet ski is the number of engine hours.
While some consumers are content with a jet ski’s greater engine hours, many are only interested in jet skis with low engine hours. This frequently affects both the selling price and the choice to buy!
This information must be carefully considered if you’re thinking about purchasing a secondhand jet ski!
It’s difficult to determine the true lifespan of a jet ski and which model is worth purchasing because there is so much conflicting information regarding how long a jet ski engine lasts when you conduct your study on the subject.
Additionally, you shouldn’t have to only consider the engine hours of the jet ski while choosing your ski. You’ll notice that the maintenance history is more crucial than the number of hours the jet ski has been used!
How Long Do Jet Skis Last?
Jet skis are normally good for 10 years from the date of purchase or first usage, which translates to 300 hours of open-water cruising. However, regular and effective maintenance might significantly increase the lifespan of your personal watercraft.
A jet ski is typically used for 30 hours a year, but how it is utilized might affect how much wear and tear it experiences.
Jet Ski Engines
How long the engine can operate at its best is the key factor in determining how long a jet ski will last.
Two-stroke engines and four-stroke engines are the two major types of jet ski engines available today.
While a two-stroke engine may operate for up to 150 hours, a four-stroke engine may last up to 350 hours.
For new PWC purchases, Yamaha, the company that makes the Waverunner brand, offers an engine warranty for 175 hours of use or 30 months from the date of purchase.
Naturally, maintenance has a significant impact on both the lifespan and performance of the engines, and Yamaha provides instructions on this subject as well.
Maintenance
As was noted before, attentive and prompt maintenance and care may increase the lifespan and worth of your jet ski. This lowers the price of any prospective repairs that could be necessary as a result of use.
The jet ski is given daily and seasonal maintenance, which guarantees proper operation and lowers some of the dangers to user safety.
Regular usage puts the jet ski at risk for flooding, which occurs when it absorbs water, and corrosion of several elements, including the engine.
It is strongly advised that owners change the oil after 50 hours of usage and properly cleanse the PWC of any extra water after each use.
Battery upkeep on a jet ski ensures optimum performance and reduces corrosion. The average cost of seasonal maintenance is $100 every occurrence.
Your ability to enjoy your jet ski for many years will also depend on how carefully you follow basic safety and operation guidelines, as well as how you store it and pull it as needed.
Used Jet Ski Considerations
A new jet ski may cost up to $20,000, depending on the model and manufacturer. Pre-owned jet skis might be a good alternative if you lack the funds or the motivation to invest this much money in a sport.
A prospective owner should be concerned with the used jet ski’s maintenance history in addition to its low mileage. On some versions, the hour gauge on the dashboard makes it simple to verify how many hours have been used.
The lack of an hour gauge is a clear sign that the model is an older one with a large number of hours and may be nearing the end of its useful life.
It is more difficult to assess how the boat has been used, but an authorized repairman may check for engine rust.
A damaged or rusted engine not only reduces the speed of the watercraft but also poses serious risks to the passengers’ personal safety should the engine fail while they are on the water.
FAQs
Why Do Jet Skis Only Last 300 Hours?
The 300″500 hour lifespan of a jet ski can be attributed to two primary factors. They first perform at a really high level, which causes a lot of wear and tear. The issue is that they are utilized in water, thus after each trip, you practically always discover water in the engine area. Long-term effects include rusting and other damage, particularly if the jet ski is used in saltwater.
Regarding performance, take in mind that jet skis normally have 100-310 HP and have 900-1,800cc engines. This performs at a very high level! Cars of the same displacement, however, typically have fewer horsepower. They last longer as a result.
How Do You Check The Hours On A Jet Ski?
A jet ski’s gauge prominently displays this number, making it simple to verify the hours. Sometimes you have to push a button to locate it, like the “Mode” button. You must use caution, though, since the owner may just reset the engine hours when the gauge is changed!
As a result, it is advisable to take a jet ski in for a complete check before buying it. A diagnostic cable and software are used by the dealer to read the actual engine hours because the use history is maintained in the computer.
How To Make A High Hour Jet Ski Last Longer
The simplest approach to extend the life of a jet ski with a lot of hours on it is to do regular maintenance. Even though it might seem obvious, owners frequently ignore their personal watercraft.
It might be unclear exactly what constitutes good maintenance. Typically, it entails doing regular oil changes, changing the spark plugs, and properly winterizing a jet ski each year. The majority of maintenance is straightforward and affordable. Even a jet ski with few hours on it may malfunction without the proper maintenance.
When buying a secondhand jet ski, be careful to find out about any maintenance performed. It’s a positive indicator if the prior owner can recollect all previous maintenance and still has the invoices for it.
Be cautious if the jet ski has ever required significant or unexpected repairs. This suggests that the jet ski wasn’t maintained properly or is just prone to breakdowns.
How Are Jet Ski Hours Counted?
The hour meter on a jet ski starts recording how long the engine is running as soon as you turn it on. Both “jet ski hours” and “jet ski engine hours” refer to this figure.
How Do You Check The Hours On A Jet Ski?
The engine hours on a jet ski are easily visible on its display. The best strategy is to have it examined in a dealership before you buy because it might be changed!
How Many Hours Do Jet Skis Usually Last?
In general, 2-stroke jet skis last between 150 and 250 hours, whereas 4-stroke jet skis last between 300 and 500 hours. But bear in mind that it relies on a variety of elements, including engine output and how the jet ski is operated or maintained.
Is 100 Hours A Lot On A Jet Ski?
On a jet ski, 100 hours is often regarded as high usage. You may anticipate seeing 100 hours on jet skis that are three to four years old because the typical user rides for roughly 30 hours each year.
Why Do Jet Skis Only Last 300 Hours?
Due to significant engine wear and corrosion from seawater, many jet skis barely survive 300 hours. Additionally, several jet skis explode during their first season of use! In comparison, you may get well-kept rental jet skis with more than 1000 miles on them! Finally, it appears that some degree of chance is involved.
As a last note, it is advised that you avoid supercharged versions if you are thinking about purchasing a secondhand jet ski. Buying a 4-stroke, non-supercharged jet ski with fewer than 100 hours on it is the best course of action!
