PWCs – the most fun you can have standing up (or sitting down)

by Bob Wonders on 24 Jun 2009
Since they crashed onto the Australian market in the early 1970s, Personal Water Craft or PWCs for short (also referred to by some as Jet Skis) have carved out their own viable market segment which continues to thrive.

My first recollection of what would become the PWC genre was, I think, about 1973 when I attempted to ride a machine marketed by Kawasaki as a ‘Wet Bike.’

This unit closely resembled a motorcycle, but instead of wheels it sported short skis fore and aft.

As I recall, it demanded someone with an excellent sense of balance (unlike myself!), but when underway it was a barrel of fun.

The Wet Bike has disappeared now, but PWCs have gone from strength to strength, very high-tech machinery indeed.

Across the Asia Pacific, the PWC market is dominated by the ‘Big Four’, Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP – Sea-Doo), Yamaha (WaveRunners), Honda and the originator, Kawasaki.

Which is the market leader?

Well, up to a point that depends on locality; different brands outsell other brands in different areas.

Within Australia sales graphs collated just on 12 months ago seem to indicate that Sea-Doo holds a narrow lead over Yamaha’s WaveRunners, with Kawasaki’s Ultras and the silky-smooth Aqua Trax range from Honda marginally behind.

Three of the manufacturers also produce and market outboard engines, BRP (Evinrude), Yamaha and Honda, and naturally outboard engines are deployed in their PWC ranges.

Kawasaki does not produce outboards and uses what it terms marine engines.

Only a small number of components are shared with motorcycle engines, however the overall design principles are shared with motorcycle engines, including the water-cooled four-cylinder configuration and the double overhead camshafts.

Kawasaki marine engines are 1500cc whereas the original motorcycle engines was 1200cc.

Each also uses different fuel injection, ignition systems and exhausts.

Another prominent outboard engine/motorcycle manufacturer, Suzuki, has so far steered clear of the PWC situation.

As is the case with outboards (and motorcycles) the PWC buyer has the choice between four-stroke and two-stroke power options.

Only Yamaha and Kawasaki manufacture a stand-up machine and these are the only types on offer with two-stroke engines.

So, how much stress will the bank account be subjected to when buying a PWC?

In the main, prices range from about $10,000 for a two-stroke, stand-up model through to $28,000-plus for a top-of-the-range glamour.

I have been fortunate enough to have a ‘gallop’ on most of the new sit-down machines and I can tell you this without fear of contradiction – in terms of quality, style and overall appearance there’s not a struck match between them!

Let’s take a close-up look at some of the offerings on the market.

Honda Marine’s AquaTrax range rates as superb, the latest, the ARX 1500 an absolute ‘ripper’.

Four-stroke power, turbocharged, brilliant (if not spectacular) graphics and eye-watering performance all in one grand package.

There’s also an up-graded version marketed as the GPScape, essentially identical expect for a beaut navigation system built-in to the instrument panel.

Kawasaki and Sea-Doo both call on four-stroke power for their units (the exception being Kawasaki’s stand-up machines), both claiming superior durability, performance and fuel economy.

I found Kawasaki’s all-new Ultra 260X a most impressive piece of gear, as was the company’s Ultra LX, a unit which, despite a proven four-stroke, 1498cc, and double overhead cam engine retailed at a highly-competitive $17,900.

Another new release demanding inspection is the Yamaha FX SHO, another four-stroke this time with a powerhouse 1.8-litre supercharged high-output engine.

This 1812cc engine has been purpose-built for the marine environment and is among the most powerful engines ever used on a PWC.

The Sea-Doo range is equally impressive, with five models available.

At the recent Australian PWC Endurance Championships, nearly every event staged was won by a Sea-Doo, not a bad pointer for the sales people involved.

One area where all PWCs rate as remarkably similar is in their use and application of spectacular graphics or paint jobs.

Spectacular? Some would say ‘outlandish’.

Hey, when you’re doing your ‘thing’ aboard a PWC you want to be noticed.

Many PWC riders also spend up big on branded clothing, including personal flotation jackets, t-shirts, caps and jackets all confirming their devotion to the marque they’re riding.

Unfortunately, there’s a downside to these great fun machines.

Although recreational boats of all shapes and sizes greatly outnumber PWCs on Australian waterways, PWCs hold the dubious distinction of generating the most complaints.

I recall a well-known dealer telling me some years ago that the problem was easily explained; 'Everyone who loves the water and rates as a ‘mug lair’ just has to have one,' he said.

Another problem is that PWC riders tend to enjoy their ‘sport’ in groups and generally hang around one locality.

Criticism from ‘greenies’ however, is unwarranted.

PWCs’ rarely anchor, so they don’t cause damage of the seabed, while their four-stroke engines comply with the toughest environmental demands.

It must also be remembered that these ‘fun machines’ play vital roles in saving lives, being used by the Surf Life Saving Association (SLSA) on many beaches, as rescue aids with various bodies and by water police units.

Professional surfer organisations employ them to haul board riders out to the big waves ‘out the back.’

They are desirable rescue units for the major reason that being jet nozzle-powered there’s no propeller to cause possible injury to the person requiring rescue.

I’ll finish off with one suggestion – if you have never been aboard a PWC, make amends immediately.

You will then fully understand my claim that one of these presents you with the most fun you can have standing up (or sitting down).