Generally speaking, the dimensions of jet skis currently in production are as follows:
- Length: 80-140 inches
- Width: 26-50 inches
- Height: 26-48 inches
- Draft: 10-12 inches
Based on our research, the average jet ski is 125-130 inches long, 45-50 inches wide, and about 45 inches tall. These numbers, of course, apply to sit down jet skis, as the dimensions of stand-up jet skis are significantly smaller.
If you would like to learn more about the average dimensions of jet skis and jet ski trailers, you are in the right place.
We at PowerSportsGuide have done the research and compiled the specs of different categories of jet skis under one roof. No fluff, just the stuff you need!
Average Jet Ski Dimensions Chart
For your convenience, we’ve compiled the average numbers into one jet ski dimension chart. Without further ado, let’s take a close look at it!
| Jet Ski Category | Length (“) | Width (“) | Height (“) |
| Stand-Up | 80-105 | 26-30 | 26-33 |
| Rec-Lite | 110-125 | 44-47 | 41-45 |
| Recreation | 125-133 | 48-50 | 44-46 |
| Performance | 130-133 | 47-50 | 45-47 |
| Luxury | 135-140 | 47-50 | 45-48 |
For informational purposes only!
Keep in mind that these values apply to the latest stock jet skis, as vintage models were significantly smaller.
A short description of the different categories:
Stand Up: The smallest jet skis on the market are stand-up models, which are considered to be the dirt bikes of the water. These vessels lack a seat and can be ridden by only one rider. You need some practice and athletic skills to confidently ride these tiny jet skis. They are recommended for playing around and doing tricks rather than for long trips.
Rec-Lite: If you are stuck on sit-down jet skis, but looking for the smallest options, then the Rec-Lite family is for you. Thanks to their 60-110 HP engines, these models are affordable, and easy to maintain. The main drawback of this category is their limited capacities.
Recreation: You can find the “average” jet skis in the Recreation category. These jet skis offer a convenient seat for three adult riders and feature 120-180 HP engines. You can find these models in most jet ski rental shops.
Performance: As their name suggests, Performance jet skis come with the most powerful supercharged engines and have race-inspired hull designs.
Luxury: Luxury jet skis are close to their Performance brothers, but they offer more comfort and convenience in terms of features. Hence, Luxury jet skis have more hefty price tags as well!
Now let’s drill into the nitty-gritty and take a closer look at jet ski dimensions in more detail!
What is the Length of a Jet Ski?
The length of jet skis ranges from 80 inches up to 146 inches. The shortest jet skis are the stand-up crafts, which are only 80-105 inches long. You can find the smallest sit-down jet skis in the Rec-Lite category, which are typically 110-125 inches long. On the other end of the spectrum are the Luxury jet skis with the longest hulls measuring 135-140 inches. The longest jet ski on the market right now is the Sea-Doo Fish Pro, as it exceeds a remarkable 146 inches.
If you are looking for an average-length jet ski, you should take a look at the Recreation and Performance categories. The length of these machines typically ranges from 125 up to 133 inches.
How Long is a 3-Seater Jet Ski?
In general, 3-seater jet skis are about 120-145 inches long. You can find the shortest 3-seater jet skis in the Rec-Lite category, namely the Sea-Doo Spark and the Yamaha EX family. These models are around 120-125 inches long and offer seating for two adults and a child. The “real” 3-seater crafts that can carry 3 adult riders are typically 130-140 inches long.
How Wide is a Jet Ski?
It’s safe to say that the average jet ski is about 45-50 inches wide. The narrowest jet skis are the stand-ups, which feature a 26-30-inch-wide hull. As you may assume, these models are very tipsy! The narrowest sit-down jet skis are 44-47 inches wide while the hull of the widest jet skis is generally 47-50 inches wide.
The width of a jet ski can be important if you try to pick a trailer for it or are looking for a jet ski-boat converter. The design and the dimensions of these jet ski boat attachments vary widely, and unfortunately, not all jet skis fit in them!
How Tall is a Jet Ski?
The average jet ski is about 45 inches tall. The smallest models are again the stand-ups, as they feature a movable handle pole. This means their handlebars can be folded down when the jet ski is out of use. Thanks to this feature, stand-up jet skis are only 26-33 inches high. In contrast, sit-down jet skis are typically 40-48 inches high depending on the make and model.
What is the Average Draft of a Jet Ski?
The average draft of a jet ski is about 10-12 inches. The draft of a jet ski is the measurement between the deepest point of the hull and the waterline. Therefore, this measurement varies from one model to the next. What’s more, this also depends on many factors like the design of the hull, the weight of the machine and the load.
Although jet skis can float in very shallow water, it’s very important not to start their engines if the water is less than 3 feet deep. Why?
This is because the intake of the jet ski’s pump is on the bottom of its hull. While this pump propels the jet ski, it also generates a massive sucking force that can vacuum sand, rocks, shells, seaweed, and other debris from the bottom. If these objects enter the pump they can cause a jam, which is always a hassle to remove.
In the worst-case scenario, these can bend the impeller, break the wear ring, or even clog the cooling system.
What Size Jet Ski Should You Buy?
The size of the jet ski you need strongly depends on what purpose you want to use it for. Here’s a cheat sheet about the jet ski sizes that would be needed for different activities:
- Stand-Up/Rec-Lite crafts: Cheap and small “water toys” for playing around.
- Recreation category: Regularly riding with passengers, tow sports.
- Performance jet skis: Aggressive adrenalin rushes, racing.
- Luxury models: This size is great for longer tours, tow sports, and jet ski fishing.
How Many Feet Long Are Jet Skis?
Although jet skis are typically measured in inches, it’s good to know that the U.S. Coast Guard defines a jet ski (a.k.a. PWC or personal watercraft) as a jet-propelled vessel that is no longer than 13 feet. Therefore, none of the factory models exceed this limit. The average length of jet skis in feet are as follows:
- Stand-Up jet skis: 6.5 – 8.75 feet
- Sit-down jet skis: 9 – 13 feet
How Big is a Jet Ski? (And Why So Big?)
To the biggest regret of many fans, newer jet skis are extremely big. Surprisingly, in the past all of them were very small and lightweight vessels. As their official name (Personal Watercraft- PWC) suggests, they could be ridden by only one person. But over time the dimensions of jet skis became bigger and bigger to handle higher speeds and accommodate more passengers and gear.
Finally, many of the newest jet skis are so big that they even look like small boats instead of “personal” watercraft!
Conclusion – What Are the Dimensions of a Jet Ski?
As a rule of thumb, the average jet ski is 45-50 inches wide and 125-130 inches long.
The smallest jet skis on the market are the stand-up models. The length of these vessels ranges from 80 up to 105 inches, while their width is only 26-30 inches. What’s more, these jet skis are pretty lightweight, so they can be safely stored on many boat swim platforms.
If you are considering buying a sit-down model but you are looking for something smaller and more affordable, you should take a look at Rec-Lite jet skis. These models feature the smallest hulls among sit-down jet skis as they are typically 100-125 inches long and 44-47 inches wide.
In contrast, the biggest jet skis can reach a length of 140 inches and a width of 50 inches and can be found in the Luxury category.
Finally, Recreation and Performance jet skis come with “average-sized” hulls, as they are typically 122-133 inches long and 17-50 inches wide.
This is our short post with the average dimensions of jet skis. We hope you find it useful!
References:
https://www.jetdrift.com/jet-ski-dimensions/
