Jet Ski Range: A Guide

Jet skiing is both fun and exhilarating. It allows you to speed over the water with the wind in your hair. Equally, you can burn through an afternoon chasing waves or exploring coastlines and rivers.

But how long can you ride on a tank of gas?  That includes considerations of distance as well as time.

Some acronyms like MPG (Miles Per Gallon), GPH (Gallons Per Hour), WOT (Wide Open Throttle), and BCS (Best Cruising Speed) come into play when discussing jet ski fuel efficiency. But let’s face it, all you want to know is how do I avoid running out of gas? There is such a thing as range anxiety.

Getting filled up at a marina costs significantly more than filling up at your corner gas station, mainly because marinas don’t buy fuel in bulk as a street gas station would. Different jet skis have different sized tanks. But the cost of filling up a jet ski tank can exceed $100.

There are many factors that affect your fuel consumption and ride time. Let’s DIVE IN and find some answers.

What Affects Fuel Efficiency?

Whether for entry-level pleasure, agility, high performance, comfortable cruising, or luxury touring, a jet ski’s intended purpose significantly influences fuel consumption.

Smaller recreational vehicles often have smaller fuel tanks and lower usage, while a high-performance jet ski like the RXT-X value power above fuel economy. Let’s look at a few different examples.

Think of the Yamaha EX, for example, as your friendly neighborhood jet ski. It’s designed for those who are just starting in the world of personal watercraft or who wish to take it easy. Its 13.2-gallon gasoline tank allows a generous journey of 94-132 miles on a full tank. So, it’s not a petrol guzzler, using 5-7 gallons of gasoline every hour.

The Sea-Doo Spark is the jet ski family’s little brother. It’s ideal for riders who desire some agility and adaptability. This one has a smaller 7.9-gallon tank, but it’s reasonably fuel-efficient, using 5-7 gallons each hour. You can expect to go 56-79 miles on a full tank.

If you’re looking for a thrill or racing through the waves, the Kawasaki Ultra 310X is your speed demon. This high-performance, supercharged jet ski has a huge, 20.6-gallon tank. But here’s the catch: its strong engine consumes twice as much, roughly 12-15 gallons per hour. Still, you may anticipate a range of 137-171 miles. So, if speed and power are your thing, the additional gasoline is worth it.

Imagine a jet ski for comfort and long-distance cruising. The Yamaha VX Cruiser is the model. It has a robust 18.5-gallon tank and consumes 7-9 gallons per hour of gasoline. That’ll let you ride comfortably for 129-166 miles on a single tank. It combines the best of both worlds: performance and relaxation

Finally, we have the Sea-Doo GTX Limited. This luxury liner of jet skis is designed for individuals who desire to travel in elegance and pleasure. You’ll have plenty of adventures to discover with its 18.5-gallon tank. It consumes gasoline at a rate of 8-10 gallons per hour, allowing you to enjoy a long-distance trip spanning around 148-185 miles on a full tank. So, if you’re looking for comfort and convenience on long travels, the GTX Limited is the way to go.

What Else Affects Gas Consumption?

How you ride and control the throttle affects how much fuel you use. Riding aggressively by frequently accelerating and going at high speeds will make you use fuel faster than leisurely riding.

The weight of the rider(s) and any extra cargo or passengers can impact how efficiently the vehicle uses fuel. When you carry heavier things, you usually use more fuel.

The resistance of wind and water conditions, like waves and currents, can affect fuel use. When riding against the wind or in rough waters, you may need more energy to keep your speed up.

Taking care of your vehicle by regularly tuning and cleaning the engine can help it use fuel more sparingly. Winterizing it appropriately will also help maintain its performance and fuel efficiency. Jet skis that are not taken care of may become less conservative as time goes on. The performance of your PWC can be affected by the fuel quality used. High-quality gasoline without ethanol can improve fuel output compared to lower-quality fuels. Fuel additives, such as octane boosters, can affect fuel efficiency. However, the impact can vary.

Electric Jet Skis Are a Sustainable Option

Electric jet skis often offer a unique set of trade-offs. While they use less energy and emit no pollutants, their range per charge may be restricted compared to gas-powered ones.

Taiga Motors Orca: The Orca is the electric jet ski equivalent of an electric long-haul trucker. It’s intended for folks who wish to go far and wide without worrying about running out of battery power. With its high-speed charging capabilities, you can charge from 0% to 80% in only 20 minutes, and a full charge takes less than 2 hours with a Level 2 charger. The Orca has a range of up to 100 miles on a single charge.

Narke: The Narke electric jet ski is about flair and leisurely cruising. It’s like an electric version of a luxury boat. While it doesn’t charge as quickly as the Orca, it’s still fairly decent, taking a few hours to reach full charge. The Narke is ideal for relaxing, picturesque cruises on calm seas while taking in the scenery. The range on a single charge is around 40-50 miles.

My Case Study

I ride my Yamaha VX jet ski every day, so I burn through a lot of fuel. I get the most out of my two skis because I operate at the best cruising speed (BCS), around 35 miles per hour for most skis.

I am also not an aggressive rider. I like to cruise and enjoy the sights. On the other hand, my kids burn up a tank every time they get on it. They are constantly at wide open throttle (WOH), hopping wakes and attempting tricks. The worst part is they always leave me to fill it back up.