Hours on a jet ski can be a big deal for people who are thinking about getting one. A lot of buyers only want jet skis with low hours, but some might be okay with one with a lot of hours.
The question is, how many hours do you think are “high hours” on a jet ski?
Is riding a jet ski for 100 hours high? What about 200? Does it matter what year, make, and type it is? When it comes to jet ski hours, these are all important things to ask. It’s too bad that there aren’t always clear options.
Factors That Affect Jet Ski Hours
A lot of the time, there are more than one thing that can change what hours are high or low. Since everyone has a different view on this, there aren’t any clear rules. Here are some of the most important ones:
Jet Ski Year:
The most obvious way to figure out what “high hours” are for a jet ski is to look at the year it was made. That’s a high hour jet ski if it’s only two years old and has 100 hours on it. Most people would think that the same jet ski had low hours if it was 7 years old and had only 120 hours on it.
Most of the time, a jet ski should only be used 30 hours a year. A “high hour jet ski” is one that has been used more than 30 hours a year. “Low hour jet ski” refers to any personal boat that is used less than 30 hours a year.
But remember that not every hour is the same. An important part of jet ski hours is keeping them in good shape, among other things. Also, working very few hours can be bad sometimes. Most of the time, this means that the boat was not used for a while.
Jet Ski Manufacturer:
Most experienced riders have a favorite manufacturer. It depends on the person, but they may say that their best manufacturer makes models that can handle more hours better than others. Even though everyone has their own view on this, it’s still something to think about.
Honda, Arctic Cat, Tigershark, Polaris, and Wetbike are just a few examples of companies that used to make bikes but no longer do. Since all of them have been out of business for more than 10 years, the measure of “high hours” should be different from what other makers use.
Some people love these older models, and it’s fine for them to have a lot of hours on them. But a lot of people would never buy a jet ski from any of these companies.
For producers who are still making things, this is also true. Some fans will only ride Yamaha, while others will only ride Sea Doo or Kawasaki. Both sides have good points about which one can handle long hours the best. Based on my own experience, I can say that Yamaha makes the most stable jet skis.
Jet Ski Model:
There are different types of jet skis, and some can last a lot longer than others.
To begin, most people agree that two-stroke engines don’t last as long as four-stroke engines. That’s why “high hours” on a 2 stroke jet ski don’t always mean “high hours” on a 4 stroke jet ski.
The model’s powerful status is another important thing to think about. The general rule is that a boosted engine won’t last as long as a regular engine. On top of that, they need a little more upkeep. If the last user didn’t take care of it properly, it can start to have problems even with low hours. That being said, you could also say that about most regular jet boat engines.
People are more likely to be okay with putting in a lot of hours on a basic jet ski than on a more advanced one. The main reason for this is that entry-level models have simple engines that are simple to work on.
Models like the Sea Doo Spark and Yamaha EX are pretty easy to keep up, even for someone who hasn’t done it before. This is because engines tend to get more complicated as models get better, which can make problems more difficult to solve.
How To Make A High Hour Jet Ski Last Longer
Take good care of your jet ski and it will last longer, even if it has been used a lot. Even though that may seem like common sense, owners still forget about their personal boats a lot of the time.
Different things can be considered good maintenance. Changing the oil, spark plugs, and properly winterizing a jet ski at the end of each season are usually what it means. A lot of upkeep is pretty easy and doesn’t cost much.
Without the right care, even a jet ski with few hours on it will break down.
When you buy a used jet ski, make sure you find out what kind of care has been done on it. It’s a good sign if the previous owner still has the papers and can remember all the repairs that were done.
If the jet ski needs major or unusual fixes, you should be careful. This means that either the jet ski wasn’t well taken care of or it breaks down often.
What Is Considered High Hours On A Jet Ski?
In general, a jet ski that has been used more than 100 hours is called a “high hour jet ski.” A jet ski should get about 30 hours of use a year on average. It is called “high hours” if you work more than 30 hours a year.
Most types of jet skis last for about 300 hours, but they can last much longer if they are well taken care of. A jet ski with a lot of hours might not be the best choice for you if you want to buy it. You should run it out of water first.
How To Tell How Many Hours A Jet Ski Has
Once you know what high hours mean for a jet ski, you should know how to find out how many hours it has. You can find out how many hours a jet ski has in a few different ways.
First, look to see if the pwc has an hour clock. The version of this that comes with most later models should be easy to see. If the pwc doesn’t have an hour gauge, it’s probably an older type, so it probably already has a lot of hours on it.
You can take a jet ski to a shop that doesn’t have an hour gauge, and they will be able to set it up to check its hours. The shop may offer this for free, but it could cost up to $100 per jet ski.
Is It Worth It To Buy A High Hour Jet Ski?
A jet ski that has been used a lot doesn’t mean it’s not a good boat.
People say that jet skis can last up to three times longer than that, but most can only last about 300 hours. How well the boat was taken care of is what it all comes down to.
You could take a high-hour jet ski to a shop to help you decide if it’s worth the money. Most of the time, sellers will test drive and give you an estimate on used jet skis.
It’s likely that the jet ski will last for many years if the person who owned it before was smart and careful.
Is 200 Hours A Lot For A Jet Ski? Is It Worth Buying?
There are a lot of things to think about, but the engine hours are still important. You might wonder if 200 hours is too long for a jet ski. Should I still buy it?
A 4-stroke jet ski with 300 engine hours is already thought to have been used a lot, so it’s always best to buy one with fewer hours. As a general rule, you shouldn’t buy a used jet ski that is more than 6-7 years old or has more than 150–200 engine hours.
Conclusion
Here are the most common questions people have asked about the subject as a gift!
How Are Jet Ski Hours Counted?
When the jet ski’s engine is turned on, the hour meter starts to keep track of how long it has been running. This number is also written as “jet ski hours” or “jet ski engine hours.”
How Do You Check The Hours On A Jet Ski?
A jet ski’s panel makes it easy to see how many hours have been put on the engine. Since it can be changed, it’s best to have a store check it out before you buy!
How Many Hours Do Jet Skis Usually Last?
Two-stroke jet skis usually last between 150 and 250 hours, while four-stroke jet skis last between 300 and 500 hours. But remember that it depends on a lot of things, like how well the engine works and how the jet ski is used and taken care of.
Is 100 Hours A Lot On A Jet Ski?
The general rule is that a jet ski has been used for 100 hours. Most people ride their jet skis 30 hours a year, so a 3–4 year old jet ski will have seen 100 hours of use.
Why Do Jet Skis Only Last 300 Hours?
A lot of jet skis only last 300 hours because the saltwater and engine wear make them break down quickly. Plus, some jet skis blow up in their first season! On the other hand, you can rent jet skis that have 1000+ miles on them and are well taken care of. In the end, it looks like it rests on luck in some ways.
Last but not least, if you want to buy a used jet ski, you should avoid types that are supercharged. It is best to buy a jet ski that is 4-stroke and not turbocharged and has less than 100 hours on it.
