Types of Personal Watercraft

Personal watercraft (PWC) are more commonly known by their brand-name manufacturers. Jet Ski, Sea-Doo and Wave Runner are all brands of personal watercraft that have become monikers for the machines themselves. All personal watercraft are designed to function as recreational water vehicles, which feature a driver who sits or stands on the machine rather than rides inside the machine, as in a boat or a car. Personal watercraft are classified by the method of operation and seating capacity.

  1. Stand-Up Models

    • The first models of personal watercraft were stand-up models in which the rider stood on foot panels along the side of the craft and controlled the speed and steering from a raised pivoting handle pole. Stand-up models are designed to hold only one rider, so they tend to be smaller than other types of personal watercraft; they also tend to have better fuel efficiency than larger models. The stand-up models are cheaper than either the sit-down or multi-rider models. Although stand-up models tend to lack large consumer appeal, they are the most commonly used personal watercraft for sports competitions. Their lightweight construction makes them more suitable for aerial tricks, while their steering controls make them more challenging for professional riders.

    Sit-Down Models

    • Sit-down models of personal watercraft gained popularity in the 1980s when families began to develop interest in family-friendly water sports. Sit-down models are large enough to seat one or two passengers. Instead of the pivoting handle pole of stand-up models, sit-down models feature stationary steering and speed controls. Although they are slightly less efficient in terms of fuel consumption, sit-down models have an advantage over stand-up models because they feature a reduced risk for tipping. In today's market, sit-down models are more popular than stand-up models.

    Multi-Person Models

    • Multi-person models of personal watercraft are also referred to as family models. These large personal watercraft typically feature enough seating for three adults, although larger, four-adult models are also available. Their size contributes to the least fuel efficiency and lowest top speeds, but multi-person models are the best sellers of all models of personal watercraft. These family-friendly watercraft have also been redesigned so that the distribution of weight throughout the hull creates the lowest likelihood for tipping.