Jetski Accessories everyone should have
Summer is here and more and more people are ready to get out on the water one of the most popular ways to do so is on a jetski.
Over the years, Mariner has collected a list of jetski accessories that we think everyone should consider and will enhance your time out on the water regardless of whether you have a Sea-Doo, Yamaha, or Kawasaki.
Life Jackets
Life jackets may not necessarily be the most fashionable piece of attire, but they are essential to keep you safe while you are out on open waters. Rough waters can easily toss passengers off board leaving them in serious trouble. A life jacket can keep you above water if you tumble off the watercraft. The fact is, life jackets are truly lifesaving. Unfortunately, some people still don’t realize this very important fact until they’re in a situation where they might need one.
Getting the correct size of life jacket is imperative as the wrong size could make the situation worse. You'll likewise need a variety of sizes to keep everyone safe when jetskiing. Adult life jackets will not suit children.
Waterproof Phone Case
The amount of money and information on phones is worth protecting.
There are many waterproof phone cases available in the market, but as the old phones become obsolete, so do their cases. Instead of having to buy a new waterproof case each time you get a new phone, why not invest in a universal case that will fit most mobile devices and can last for a long time?
A waterproof phone case is more of a pouch than a case, but it is weatherproof and can hold almost any smartphone. This accessory can also work well for holding wallets and other important items that need to be kept dry.
Dock Line
Dock lines secure your vessel to a dock or jetty. For a jetski, a Bungee Dock Line or Double Braid Nylon Dock Line is commonly used.
Anchor
If you want to go fishing or explore the water, then it is suggested you have an anchor onboard. However, not any anchor will do as many won’t fit in most jetskis. The best anchor to use may depend on where you’ll use it.
A sand anchor, fluke anchor, mushroom anchor or screw anchor are some of the options you can choose from. A good anchor is definitely an essential jetski accessory.
Solar Charger
A solar charger is one of the best jetski accessories you can buy.
This accessory is good to have in case your jet ski battery dies on the water. Since a jetski battery goes flat quicker, a solar charger can help maintain your battery life by trickle-charging it during the off-season.
Be sure to stay under 5 watts for solar chargers as anything more may cause damage to the battery.
PWC Fenders
To avoid damaging your hull when you dock, fenders are a must-have accessory for your watercraft. It is important that your fenders are correctly sized to your jetski.
Note: Protect your boat by installing your fenders properly.
Shock Tube
A Shock Tube protects you from ski rope kickback and helps keep the ski ropes away from the jetski impellers. Sucking stuff up in your jetski is a pain to fix and time-consuming.
Tow Tubes
A tow tube is one of the most fun jetski accessories you can have. Being pulled on a tube is one of the best experiences you can have on the water!
There are hundreds of different towable water tubes in various shapes and sizes, but some are better than others. Even the best two tubes have their flaws, so it’s good to know exactly what it is you’re buying beforehand. Each tube is unique, so it's important to get the one that fits your style of riding.
Let’s not forget about the accessories that go along with the tubes - a tow rope and an air pump!
Tow Rope
It is always a great idea to have a good quality tow rope when towing anything with a jetski. A tow rope needs to be a strong, non-stretch, or webbed nylon tow strap. Using a floating rope is ideal as it is less likely to get sucked into the intake grate of the towing jet ski. A strong tow rope will save you from getting real danger or damage as an ordinary rope will have the tendency to snap.
Telescoping Paddle
A telescoping paddle is a jet ski accessory you would want to keep. This is collapsible so it would not take up a lot of room and it’s worth the little space it occupies. This collapsible paddle can be highly useful for the following situations:
- If your jet ski sucks up things like weeds, rocks, and ropes.
- If you come up short of fuel.
- If your battery breaks down.
- As an instrument to help someone who is hurt and skimming in the water.
This jetski accessory is a great item to have in case any of the above situations happen.
Cable Lock
The best way to lock down your jet ski on a dock is by using a cable lock around the front hook.
Most drive-up docks have a place for you to tie your cable lock around. Apart from a cable lock, always use a dock line in securing your jetski to the dock.
Whistle
You may want to attach a whistle to every life jacket you own so that you always have a sound-producing device within reach. Make sure it is a whistle that works when it gets wet. This item is very useful in case you get injured and no one is around.
Remember - only use it in a real emergency.
Dry Bag
A dry bag works well in keeping your valuables sealed from getting wet. This is a jetski accessory we highly recommend because sometimes the waterproof storage on PWC is limited so dry bags can be very useful. Most dry bags have buoyant material that allows it to float when dropped in the water.
Jet Ski Wetsuit/Safety Gear
Riding a jet ski requires an appropriate dress code. Sure, your togs are fine in summer but investing in a good wetsuit or rash guard can extend your riding season by a few months.
To avoid getting blisters and sores around your thumb we strongly recommend you wear gloves. You may also want to put on water shoes to protect your feet when you’re blasting around on a jetski.
Jetski Cooler
Being ready for a long day on the water means packing enough food and drinks to the last everyone. Most coolers will work fine. But it is advised to have a jetski cooler that is flexible and does not have a fixed hard body. Most jetski compartments have relatively small openings and this won’t allow a hard cooler to fit.
Jetski Fishing Accessories
If by any chance you want to use your jetski for fishing, you'll require a place to put your fishing rod. The Jetski Fishing Rod Rack & Cooler Holder Combo is a great choice. It offers adequate space for most coolers and makes jetski fishing much easier.
Remember to purchase a Cooler Rack and Fishing Rod holders that fit on the back of your personal watercraft.
Jet Ski Ladder
During the process of buying a vessel, some people don’t see the importance of a ladder. Obviously, one is required for a boat, but PWC sits much lower in the water. To save money, people will normally pass up buying a ladder only to find out later that they need one.
Preferably, a factory-built boarding ladder would be better, but a good quality jetski ladder you’ll find in the market that is easy to install and store can be a great alternative.
Waterproof Speakers
Having music on the water always makes riding much more fun. Good waterproof speakers are a must-have jetski accessory. A built-in speaker is not a common thing on most jet skis but there are a lot of Bluetooth Speaker Systems available in the market.
In choosing a speaker, find one that you can attach to just about any power sports vehicle to make it compatible with your jetski.
Safety Lanyard
A safety lanyard is a cord that attaches the kill switch of a jetski to the rider’s wrist or life jacket. If the person wearing the lanyard falls off the water while riding, the power to the engine of the PWC automatically shuts off.
While most PWC brands including Sea-Doo, Yamaha, and Kawasaki have lanyards fitted as standard, some second-hand ones may not. We highly suggest ensuring that the jet ski you are buying has one fitted.
Covers
Apart from insurance, a jetski cover is probably the best thing you can get for your watercraft.
To keep your watercraft looking and performing as well as the day you first set sail, it is advised to keep it under a cover if not being used. A cover can protect your jet ski from the sun, water, and other undesirable elements. A faded jetski is hard to resell and faded fiberglass gets easily broken.
Emergency Kit
Maritime NZ has minimum requirements for safety equipment on board all vessels. A basic emergency kit is important to feel safe and enjoy yourself on the water. It always makes sense to prepare yourself to handle emergencies, rather than wait for disaster to strike. Boat safety doesn’t have to get in the way of a good time, and it’s always better to be prepared.
Cleaner and Polish
Learning how to clean your jetski properly is something every good owner should do. It is not hard to keep your jetski looking new for years, all it requires is a little upkeep after buying it.
A well-maintained jetski does not only look better but also keeps its resale value high.
Insuring your jetski.
Most would say that insuring your jet ski is a “no-brainer”. If you plan on letting others ride your jet ski, you need to have insurance, and you also need to have it to protect you from others out on the water.
Jetski insurance at Mariner Marine offers all-encompassing coverage from sudden accidental physical loss or damage involving machinery, trailer, equipment and other accessories - including transportation and storage on land and launching and retrieving. Third party liability cover is also offered as it’s important to protect not only your jetski, but yourself too.