Whether you have a jet ski that needs to be towed or are thinking about how a new jet ski might handle on the water, knowing your jet ski weight is of importance to all jet ski owners
Along with the weight of your jet ski, it is essential to understand both how much weight its accessories add and how much a jet ski trailer weighs
A jet ski can weigh anywhere between 300 (at its absolute lightest) to over 1,000 pounds, depending on its brand, size, gear additions, and engine
While some jet skis are built to be light and maneuverable (see Krash Industries), others have been designed for maximum comfort when hitting the water with two or more people on board
To learn more about the weight of a jet ski, how much a trailer weighs, and the difference between a jet ski’s curb weight and dry weight, check out the sections below
What Affects a Jet Ski’s Weight?
Your Jet Ski’s Curb Weight vs
The Average Curb Weight of a Jet Ski
The Average Curb Weight of a Jet Ski
Most jet skis available for purchase by consumers weigh between 400 and 1,000 pounds
The lightest jet skis are built for single riders and doing water tricks and aerial rotations, with the lightest sit-down, multi-person machine being manufactured by Sea-Doo Heavier jet skis include three-seater options that can exceed 1,000 pounds when loaded up with accessories, customizations, and safety gear
The Different Curb Weights of Jet Skis
The Different Curb Weights of Jet Skis
Different jet skis designed with different utilities in mind will naturally have different weights
The size, materials, and engine of the jet ski will all play a part in determining its weight
Some jet ski brands of 2022 and their varying curb weights include:
Krash stand-up models (built for freestyle, trick riding), 303-351 poundsYamaha Superjet stand-up, 405 poundsKawasaki SX-R stand-up, 551 poundsSea-doo Spark (sit-down), 473 poundsSea-doo GTI series (sit-down), 835+ poundsYamaha FX series (sit-down), 947+ poundsKawasaki Ultra 310 series (sit-down), 1175+ poundsWhat Affects a Jet Ski’s Weight?
Along with its dry starting (or curb) weight, many other contributions can affect the heaviness of a jet ski
These added items tend to make jet skis heavier rather than lighter and include:
Accessories and Additions: Life jacket storage, a dry box for your phone, an anchor, and solar battery chargers are only some of the practical accessories which can add weight to jet skisEngine Stroke: The type of engine stroke a jet ski is equipped with will affect its weight
Some states even ban 2-stroke engines )Fuel Capacity: The amount of fuel a jet ski can carry will add weight to it when full
If you opt for increased fuel capacity or fuel reserves, your jet ski will become heavierHull Material: Fiber-reinforced plastic, or FRP, is a rigid stiffening liner that adds weight to the bottom of most jet skis
It also makes it sturdierSafety Gear: Adding required safety gear, such as flare guns, emergency waterproof first aid kits, and life jackets will add a little weight to any jet skiYour Jet Ski’s Curb Weight vs
Water Weight
Water Weight
The curb weight of a jet ski refers to the jet ski’s total weight, including all oils and fuels necessary for operation, as you would find it sitting next to a curb on dry land
Curb weight does not include any additions to the jet ski, such as safety equipment and accessories
Curb weight is important because it represents the jet ski’s towing weight in most instances
(If you add accessories to the jet ski, you’ll need to factor those in as well )
It also gives you an idea of how easy (or difficult) your jet ski is going to be to maneuver on land and get into the water
The dry weight of a jet ski is the weight of the jet ski without any fluids or fuel
This can be a useful number when towing the jet ski empty and stripped bare of accessories
Though jet skis are weighed in “curb” and “dry” weights, that number tells you little about the machine’s functionality on the water
Like anything else, jet skis feel lighter in the water
This also means a lighter Rec-Lite jet ski can get a bit bouncy in heavy waves, while a heavier jet ski is a smoother ride
A jet ski trailer built to haul a single jet ski can weigh from under 200 pounds to 400 pounds
Though that might sound light when compared to heavier models of jet ski, jet ski trailers are typically built to support around 2,000 pounds
Unlike a boat, jet skis cannot remain floating on the water and tethered to a dock for an extended period of time
Due to this, personal watercraft (jet skis) must be transported to and from the water with each use, which is something you’ll want to consider before buying a jet ski
If you have more than one jet ski, and need a double trailer, be ready for pay for it
You will, at the least, double your trailer cost at around $2,000, with prices topping out at nearly $4,000 on the high end
Don’t forget to factor trailer costs into the price of a new jet ski
More importantly, don’t forget to factor the trailer weight into the tow weight of your jet ski
Jet Ski Trailers and Their Weights
Jet Ski Trailers and Their Weights
Just like each make and model of PWC differs, jet ski trailers have different jet ski towing weights and carrying capacities
Some popular jet ski trailer manufacturers include:
TritonKaravanEZ LoaderAll three manufacturers make lightweight trailers for Rec-Lite to Recreational models of PWC up to double-trailers that can carry two of the heaviest jet skis (usually luxury, performance models) on the market
Generally speaking, a heavier trailer will haul more weight
Jet Ski Accessories and Weight Additions
Jet Ski Accessories and Weight Additions
Jet Ski accessories and additions have the potential to drastically alter a jet ski’s curb weight and how much it weighs in the water
A fully equipped jet ski might bust the weight requirements on a trailer it could safely be transported on without any extra gear
Some of the most commonly used accessories that add weight to jet skis and their trailers include:
Extra Hull Material and Tools: Some avid jet skiers like to carry extra hull material and repair tools when hauling their jet skis
Hull material can be weighty, thoughStorage: Lots of accessories are made to make time spent on your jet ski more convenient and fun
These include coolers, storage racks, fishing equipment and more
All of these things add weight, especially if you are filling your coolers full of cold drinks and foodSafety Equipment: Unlike other accessories for your PWC, safety equipment cannot be foregone
It’s a requirement of the US Coast Guard that PWC operators carry certain equipment (PFDs, fire extinguisher, etc) and you can be fined for not having these items on boardWhen hauling PWC, there are also required additions to the trailer itself, such as light adaptors that make your signals (and the trailer) visible if your trailer blocks your brake lights and any security devices you add to your trailer to keep your jet ski secure
This will all add to your tow weight
You can reduce the weight of your jet ski on the trailer by removing any accessories and putting them in your vehicle, but, keep in mind, your vehicle has a total tow limit and a maximum weight capacity
To tow a jet ski safely, you need to know your car’s tow limit, have a proper hitch installed, and acquire a proper trailer
The more prepared you are to haul and maneuver the weight of your jet ski, the less frustration you’ll have and the more you’ll be able to enjoy your day out on the water with friends and family
Jet skis don’t just magically appear in the water (sadly); they must be towed there
Whether your towing experience will be an effortless one or a difficult slog every time depends in part on the weight of your jet ski
Weight can also affect performance
The average weight of a jet ski is 500 to 1,000 pounds
There are outliers, such as the super-light Yamaha SUPERJET, which weighs 375 pounds, or the Kawasaki Ultra 310LX, which is 1,073 pounds
In this article, we’ll provide plenty more real examples of various jet ski weights so you can get a good idea of what’s on the market
We’ll also discuss the factors that can affect a jet ski’s weight as well as why you must respect your watercraft’s weight limit
The Average Weight of a Jet Ski
Jet skis must be navigable by the average-sized adult, or–in the case of youth jet skis–a child
Keeping all that in mind, manufacturers like Sea-Doo, Yamaha, and Kawasaki strive to produce jet skis that don’t go heavy on the weight yet still come packed with all the features a person expects out of a modern jet ski
The average weight of a jet is between 500 and 1,000 pounds
Heavier watercraft, such as three-seater jet skis, will very often be close to the 1,000-pound threshold or perhaps even surpass it
As we showed you in the intro, jet skis can weigh far less than 500 pounds, such as the Sea-Doo Spark
The most important thing about the advertised weight of your jet ski is that manufacturers often list only the dry weight
This will come up again later as we discuss the factors that increase the weight of your jet ski, but a jet ski’s dry weight means how much the watercraft weighs when it’s completely empty, aka no gas in the tank
46 Real Examples of Jet Ski Weights
To further illustrate the broad range of jet ski weight classes out there, here is a comprehensive list of jet skis from your favorite manufacturers and how much each one weighs
The Factors That Increase Your Jet Ski’s Weight
Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with the current jet skis on the market and their accompanying weights, have you ever wondered why some jet skis are within that average weight range and others are exceedingly lower or higher?
Here are the other factors that can drive a jet ski’s weight up or down
What kind of accessories and features does your jet ski come with?
Did you opt to add on some fishing accessories to make your jet ski a mean fishing machine?
Whatever the features you bought, besides making your jet ski more expensive, these additions contribute further to its overall weight
Unless you travel empty-handed, then the gear you tote with you also makes your watercraft heavier
That includes the gear on your person as well, such as a life jacket and helmet
That’s not to say you should go without these life-saving accessories, but they do add weight
Some jet ski manufacturers will list the dry weight of the watercraft while others will state its curb weight
The curb weight is how heavy the watercraft when the jet ski is full and ready to go
In other words, this weight accommodates things like a tool kit as well as the jet ski’s gas tank when at 90-percent capacity
Dry weight, as we talked about before, is the weight of the jet ski when it’s completely empty, no fuel
By adding a gallon of gas to your jet ski’s tank, you’re contributing six pounds to the watercraft’s overall weight
If you filled the tank up to five gallons, that’s 30 pounds overall, which is significant
This just proves that you can’t use the dry weight as a gauge of what your jet ski actually weighs when it hits the water
The difference between the two engine types is more than just power and performance, but weight as well
How much storage capacity your jet ski offers also plays a role in its overall weight
The last factor that can add or subtract weight to your jet ski is its hull material
It’s like we said in the intro, jet skis must be towed into the water
When deciding which vehicle is best for towing, you can’t just take the weight of your jet ski into accommodation
You have to include the trailer weight as well
How much does a trailer weigh?
If you have an ultra-lightweight jet ski like a youth model, you can likely use a single trailer
This trailer type weighs around 195 pounds
For jet skis around 300 pounds, try a double trailer that’s 340 pounds
When towing a jet ski that weighs 500 pounds and up, a double-elite trailer should more than suffice, as one of these weighs 2,900 pounds
Only in rare instances would a four-place trailer be viable since this trailer weighs 5,400 pounds
Why Abiding by Your Jet Ski Weight Limit Is Crucial
Besides the weight of the jet ski, manufacturers will list another weight-related value, the weight capacity or limit
This is the max allowable weight on your jet ski
Whether you reach that limit through an extra passenger, a full gas tank, or lots of storage doesn’t matter so much
What’s much more important is never surpassing your jet ski’s listed weight capacity
Ignoring the weight capacity decreases the stability of your watercraft
We’re sure we don’t need to tell you this, but jet ski crashes can lead to hospital visits, pricy medical bills, repairs to your jet ski, not to mention possible losses of life
It’s one thing if it were a genuine accident, but if you hit another jet ski rider and it’s then discovered that you were over the weight capacity, your negligence could lead to the injured rider taking you to court
What are the weight capacities for the jet ski models we discussed above?
Jet skis weigh 500 to 1,000 pounds on average, with some sporty jet skis in the 400-pound threshold and others just scraping by the 1,000-pound mark
When shopping for a jet ski, do take a moment to differentiate between the curb weight and the dry weight, as the latter is when the jet ski is completely empty
Adding fuel can make a big difference to your overall weight!
Keep the jet ski’s weight capacity in mind too whenever you ride
Watch your gear and cargo limits and don’t overfill the gas tank either
The weight of a jet ski varies between the many different models available on the market
One of the biggest factors is the difference between stand-up jet ski weight and sit-down jet skis
Sit-down jet skis are more popular and also generally weigh more
Sit-down jet skis weigh around 650-1,000 pounds, and stand-up jet skis weigh around 300-550 pounds
This means the average Gross Trailer Weight (The weight of everything on your trailer including the trailer when towing a boat) for a sit-down jet ski is about pounds
For stand-up jet skis, it is pounds
If you are towing 2 jet skis, it will be about double this
Some outliers to these averages include the Sea-Doo Sparkk which weighs 450-490 pounds and the Kawasaki Jet Ski ULTRA 310 series which weighs 1030-1090 pounds
See the exact weight of specific jet skis by scrolling down to the “50+ examples of every jet ski on the market and their weights” sub-heading
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What’s the difference between sit-down and stand-up jet skis?Factors that go into jet ski weight50+ examples of every jet ski on the market and their weightsHow to weigh a jet ski?What are the best vehicles for towing jet skis?Final words
What’s the difference between sit-down and stand-up jet skis?
Sit-down jet skis (also known as WaveRunners) and stand-up jet skis are both a type of personal watercraft
Stand-up jet skis are very small and don’t feature any sort of seating option
Stand-up jet skis are designed to do more tricks such as backflips, while sit-down jet skis are meant to ride more comfortably
Here’s an example of what a sit-down jet ski looks like:
Here’s an example of what a stand-up jet ski looks like:
Factors that go into jet ski weight
Besides how big they are and if they are a stand-up or sit-down jet ski, some other factors that go into how much jet skis weigh include:
Size of the fuel tank
These are accounted for in the averages I’ve provided, but if you are trying to estimate the weight of your jet ski and you know you have an abnormally heavy or high quantity of these things, make sure to account for it
50+ examples of every jet ski on the market and their weights
Before looking at the tables, know that curb weight means the total weight of the jet ski plus a full tank of fuel and any gear
Generally, the dry weight (weight of the jet ski with no gear or fuel) is about 25-40 pounds less than the curb weight for stand-up jet skis and 50-125 pounds for sit-down jet skis
MakeModelCurb Weight (lbs)Kawasaki Jet SkiSX-R551Kawasaki Jet SkiSX-R 160551KrashFootrocket308KrashFootrocket Pro303KrashPred-RR334KrashReaper351YamahaSuperJet410
Trailers for stand-up jet skis weigh around 200-250 pounds, and double trailers generally ad 350-450 pounds
Trailer weight
Trailer weight
Trailers for sit-down jet skis generally weigh around 250-300 pounds, and double trailers weigh around 400-500 pounds
So, add that to the curb weight to get the total trailer weight of what you need to tow
So, add that to the curb weight to get the total trailer weight of what you need to tow
How to weigh a jet ski?
The most accurate way to weigh a jet ski is to take it to a truck scale
Make sure it has all the gear and equipment in it that you need to have and weigh it
Gas weighs about 6 pounds per gallon, and most jet skis can hold 8-18 gallons
You can then subtract out the weight of the trailer (which can be found by either weighing the trailer separately or just estimating using my averages)
If you’re unable to do that, most manufacturers will have the weights listed on their website; however, you may still have to do some estimating for engine, gear, & fuel weight as well as trailer weight
What are the best vehicles for towing jet skis?
Making sure you are using a capable towing vehicle is crucial for the safety of you and others on the road when you are towing jet skis
You can see a vehicle’s towing capacity by searching the make and model of the vehicle and then typing “towing capacity” after in the search bar
It’s generally recommended to have a vehicle that is capable of towing 1,000 more pounds than the total weight of what you are towing
So in this case, the GTW would be the total weight
Most jet skis are light enough that you can get away with mid to low tier towing vehicles
I was able to tow two jet skis easily with a base model Subaru Outback with a 4-cylinder engine
Some popular vehicles for towing jet skis include:
Toyota Tacoma
Toyota Highlander
Low-tier models that could tow jet skis include:
Toyota RAV4
As long as your vehicle has a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, it should be able to tow a jet ski just fine
As you’ve read above, Sit-down jet skis weigh around 650-1,000 pounds, and stand-up jet skis weigh around 300-550 pounds
This includes the jet ski’s weight plus the weight for fuel and gear
This includes the jet ski’s weight plus the weight for fuel and gear
Jet ski trailers weigh around 200-300 pounds, and double trailers weigh around 350-500 pounds
Jet ski trailers weigh around 200-300 pounds, and double trailers weigh around 350-500 pounds
It’s important to understand the difference between stand-up and sit-down jet skis as sit-down jet skis weigh 2-3 times more
So hopefully this article helped you understand the difference between the two and their weights
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Jet skis are my favorite, but I love to go fishing or just relax on the beach on any type of boat