Avoiding Jet Ski Lemons: Expert Advice for Buyers

At this time of year, lots of jet skis come up for sale, and there are some potential bargains out there. To help you avoid landing a lemon, we recently got together with Kevin Geard from Ski MD. With over 25 years of experience with personal watercraft, in this video, he shares his advice on setting yourself up for success, whether you are buying or planning to sell a jet ski. 

The Meteoric Rise in Jet Ski Popularity  

Jet skis have become a popular choice for water enthusiasts, offering a compact, easy-to-store alternative to traditional boats.  

“Basically, the jet ski evolution has come through the fact that people no longer have that Kiwi quarter acre. It's much easier to store a jet ski than it is a boat, and you can also have it in and out of the water by yourself and the clean up time on a jetski is 15 to 20 minutes compared to bringing a boat back with the big wash down.” 

With the ability to manage it single-handedly and the benefit of a quick clean-up, jet skis present a convenient option for those looking to enjoy the water. Moreover, the versatility of jet skis improved with bigger seating allowing for family outings and the growing trend of jetski fishing enhancing year-round appeal.  

So if you are looking to buy a jet ski, what should you be looking out for?  

Key Considerations When Buying a Jet Ski 

Before taking the plunge, there are several factors to consider:  

Jet Ski Condition & Service History 

The condition of the jet ski can be a telltale sign of how well it's been cared for.  

• Have a look over the engine bay to make sure it's clean and tidy with no corrosion.  
• Check the jet pump and take a look underneath the ski to see if it's been ridden up onto the beach. 
• Have a look at the lead edges of the impeller. If it's not damaged, then the person's probably looked after it.   

Kevin stresses the importance of checking the service records: 

“I want to see that that's she's been serviced within the last 12 months and have a look through the notes and find out if there's any little things that needed addressing.”  

You also want to check that the jet ski has been regularly serviced at least every 12 months or every 50 engine hours, whichever comes first. 

“There's no good buying a 5-year-old jet ski that's done 50 hours and they say, oh, it's not due till 100 hours, that's not a thing. It's getting pretty high tech now, so if you're using it 5 or 10 hours a year and you leave it for three years you're setting yourself up for a bigger bill when you come to finally get it serviced.” 

Finally with servicing, Kevin points out the importance of checking the authenticity of the records for any obvious signs of alteration: 

“People wanting to sell a lemon will go to great lengths to make sure that the buyer is fooled. We've seen on our service stickers that have had the dates and hours rubbed off and been rewritten in someone else's handwriting. So you’ve got to be careful.” 

 Jet Ski Pre-Purchase Inspection 

Investing in a pre-purchase inspection is highly recommended and can save you from unexpected costs down the line.  

For roughly $250, a professional can provide a comprehensive report highlighting any potential issues with the ski and known problems with the model. 

"Spending 250 bucks on a 3, 4 or 5 year old ski is probably a pretty good way to go." 

Jet Ski Trailers 

If the jet ski comes with a trailer, consider the type of trailer and its condition. Carpet runners are preferable for boat ramp launches, while full roller trailers are better suited for beach launches.  

Ensure the trailer is warranted, registered, and free from rust, it has functioning LED lights and registration plates are still on.  

Buyer beware! 

For a more comprehensive checklist for due diligence, you can get hold of a Jet Ski Buyers Guide via Kevin’s website.  

Kevin also warns of cases of jet ski buyers being scammed. To avoid this, ensure you check the credentials of the seller before you put down any money. We also recommend visiting our article on Smart Boat Buying in New Zealand: Expert Insights with insights that apply equally to jet ski buying.  

Final Jet Ski Checks Before Heading Out?  

So you’ve bought your secondhand jet ski, and you’re ready to get out on the water. What else do you need to check?  

“These are really like a modern car now, so the only other two aspects that you've got to look at before you go out is checking the water level, which is the coolant on a Seadoo (not so on a Yamaha). And then checking the oil” 

Quick tip: How to check the oil level on a jet ski 

"With checking the oil, there's a specific way of going about that. You need to start the ski and run it for 30 seconds. Shut it down, wait for 30 seconds, then check the dipstick just like you would a car.” advises the Ski MD. 

“And if your oil is running low on a jet ski, get it looked at. You probably need to talk to your service technician, because it's very unusual for them to run through oil.” 

In conclusion  

A good jet ski can provide countless hours of fun and adventure on the water if you approach the purchase with diligence and care. By considering all the factors outlined in the video with Kevin Geard, and after conducting a thorough pre-purchase inspection, your jet ski buying experience has the best chance of success. 

Happy jet skiing and stay safe on the water!