WaveRunner & Jet Ski Differences

Jet Skis and WaveRunners different from one another in that Jet Skis are made by Kawasaki and WaveRunners are made by Yamaha. Both are categorized as personal watercraft. The best way to tell the two apart is that Yamaha makes its personal watercraft with a trademarked "Visibility Spout." This waterspout in the rear of the WaveRunner shoots water into the air to improves the watercraft's conspicuity.

  1. One and Three-passenger Jet Skis

    • Kawasaki's one-passenger personal watercraft is the 800 SX-R. This stand-up model has a two-stroke, two-cylinder engine and a 4.5-gallon fuel capacity. In production since 1973, 2011 is scheduled as its final year of production. The 800 SX-R is only available in final-edition graphics and colors, which are jet white and ebony.

      Kawasaki's most recent personal watercraft are the Jet Ski Ultra 300LX, Jet Ski Ultra 300X, Jet Ski Ultra 260LX, Jet Ski Ultra 260X, Jet Ski Ultra LX, Jet Ski STX-15F and Jet Ski STX. The main difference between the 300LX and 300X, for example, are the color choices. The differences between the 300LX and the 260 LX, on the other hand, are the maximum horsepower, size and curbed weight.

    One-passenger WaveRunner

    • At the time of publication, Yamaha's most recent one-passenger personal watercraft is the SuperJet. According to Yamaha's website, it is "the best selling stand-up in history." This personal watercraft has a two-stroke, two-cylinder engine, 4.8-gallon fuel capacity and is available in "Atomic Racing Blue."

    Two-passenger WaveRunner

    • At the time of publication, Yamaha's most recent two-passenger personal watercraft is the FZR. The FZR was specifically made for racing enthusiasts and has a compact and lightweight 1.8-liter engine that, according to Yamaha's website, allows it to accelerate "quicker from 0 to 30 than a Corvette ZO6." This personal watercraft has a four-cylinder, four-stroke engine, 18.5-gallon fuel capacity and is available in "Eclipse Black."

    Three-passenger WaveRunners

    • The most recent personal watercraft manufactured by Yamaha at the time of publication are the VXS, VXR, FZS, FX SHO, FX HO, FX Cruiser SHO, FX Cruiser HO, VX Cruiser, VX Deluxe and VX Sport. The main difference between the VXS and VXR, for example, are the colors, weight, fuel capacity and length. The FX Cruiser SHO and FX Cruiser HO, on the other hand, differ in color, weight and total storage capacity, which includes a glove box and watertight dash storage.