Besides price, knowing how fast a jet ski goes is a question I get asked all the time.
Compared to cars, jet skis have a max speed they can go from the factory.
The fastest a jet ski can go is 70MPH from the factory.
The slowest jet ski in production is the 60HP Sea-Doo Spark that goes 40MPH.
Jet Ski Speed Chart
| Manufacturer | Model | Top Speed (MPH) |
| Sea-Doo | SPARK 2up 60HP | 41 |
| Sea-Doo | GTI 90 | 42 |
| Yamaha | SUPERJET | 45 |
| Kawasaki | SX-R | 45 |
| Sea-Doo | SPARK 2up 90HP | 48 |
| Sea-Doo | SPARK 3up 90HP | 48 |
| Sea-Doo | SPARK 2up 90HP iBR | 48 |
| Sea-Doo | SPARK 3up 90HP iBR | 48 |
| Yamaha | EX | 50 |
| Yamaha | EX Sport | 50 |
| Yamaha | EX Deluxe | 50 |
| Yamaha | EXR | 50 |
| Sea-Doo | GTI 130 | 52 |
| Sea-Doo | GTI SE 130 | 52 |
| Yamaha | VX-C | 53 |
| Yamaha | VX | 53 |
| Yamaha | VX Deluxe | 53 |
| Yamaha | VX Cruiser | 53 |
| Yamaha | VX Limited | 53 |
| Kawasaki | ULTRA LX | 55 |
| Sea-Doo | GTI SE 170 | 55 |
| Sea-Doo | WAKE 170 | 55 |
| Sea-Doo | GTX 170 | 55 |
| Sea-Doo | FISH PRO 170 | 55 |
| Kawasaki | STX 160 | 60 |
| Kawasaki | STX 160X | 60 |
| Kawasaki | STX 160LX | 60 |
| Yamaha | FX HO | 60 |
| Yamaha | FX Cruiser HO | 62 |
| Yamaha | VX Cruiser HO | 65 |
| Yamaha | GP1800R HO | 65 |
| Sea-Doo | GTR 230 | 65 |
| Sea-Doo | GTX 230 | 65 |
| Sea-Doo | WAKE PRO 230 | 65 |
| Sea-Doo | GTX Limited 230 | 65 |
| Yamaha | GP1800R SVHO | 70 |
| Kawasaki | ULTRA 310X | 70 |
| Sea-Doo | RXP-X 300 | 70 |
| Yamaha | FX SVHO | 70 |
| Sea-Doo | RXT-X 300 | 70 |
| Kawasaki | ULTRA 310R | 70 |
| Yamaha | FX Cruiser SVHO | 70 |
| Sea-Doo | GTX Limited 300 | 70 |
| Yamaha | FX Limited SVHO | 70 |
| Kawasaki | ULTRA 310LX | 70 |
Why Are Jet Skis Limited at 70MPH
Well, technically, the limit is 65mph but most manufacturers fudge the numbers to 70mph. This is also because many jet skis use inaccurate speed measurements like a little paddlewheel in the rear.
This limit is a gentleman’s agreement with the coast guard. If there was no limit, you bet you would see jet skis going over 100mph.
The fact is that people don’t need to go that fast. Think about it.
Jet skis don’t have any protections, and they’re this small little thing on the water. They’re already dangerous enough, so having a limit is the best for everyone.
We just got brakes on jet skis in 2009 and wasn’t mainstream until 2015 when Yamaha Waverunners got their own version.
What Matters More
While top speed is limited, how fast you get to top speed is not.
You have manufacturers pushing this number.
The Sea-Doo RXP-X 300 can go 0 to 60 in 3.8 seconds.
That’s kind of crazy for a boat.
A 2020 Ferrari F8 Tributo can do 0 to 60mph in 2.8 seconds, but then again it cost almost $300k while a Sea-Doo RXP-X 300 is under $20k.
Speed On A Jet Ski Is Different Than In Your Car
I usually have people put off to hear that a jet ski they’re looking at only does 60mph or 70mph.
Most people base the feeling of 60mph while in their car. Going 60mph in your car is very different than going 60mph on your jet ski.
Your car has a protective case around you that blocks all the wind and sound. Not only that, but a jet ski is lighter and launches like nothing you’ve ever ridden before.
You also sit closer to the water, and it rushing past you makes you feel like you’re going faster.
It’s not uncommon to see new riders never go past 40mph. Doing 40 on a jet ski feels like doing 80 in your car.
This is why so many manufacturers have to put in speed limiters and learning modes. It takes time for new riders to get used to the power of jet skis.
My Jet Ski Does Over 100!?
I get this one a lot.
Someone doesn’t believe me that all jet skis top out at 70MPH because their friend or cousin’s jet ski does over 100.
What they don’t realize is that the jet ski that went over 100 is 100KPH and not 100MPH.
100KPH is 62MPH.
Since many jet skis have an easy option to swap between the two, many people like to stick to the higher one, KPH.
How To Make Your Jet Ski Faster?
A stock jet ski will never go over 70MPH. This fact is hard programmed in many of the computers of jet skis; if they see you go over it, they will slow the engine down.
To go faster, you’ll need programmers that can get around the limits put on the engine.
You can also buy kits that give your jet ski more power. Riva makes these kits, and it’s an involved process.
I’ve been on a jet ski with a RIVA kit that had it going above 80mph. While it was cool, and I can say I did it, I don’t seek to do it again. I find the smaller and more playful jet skis more my style as they don’t get boring.
Keep in mind some modifications can void your warranty.
What About Countries Outside the US?
The 70MPH is for the USA; most other countries don’t have this limit.
Though they don’t go any much faster than the ones in the US.
Who Makes The Fastest Jet Ski?
Stock wise, it doesn’t matter.
All jet skis are limited to 70mph and Sea-Doo, Yamaha and Kawasaki can get their just fine.
If you ask me Yamaha does better with the racing crowd, but Sea-Doo and Kawasaki have the jet skis with more horsepower.
The fastest jet ski can do 127MPH, here is video of it.
Are There Speed Limits For Boats and Jet Ski?
There are no speed limits signs for boats.
The closest thing you’ll have is a no-wake buoy, which means you can’t go above idle in that area.
There is not often signs telling you to stay to one side; there might be for boat launches but not on the water.
Every state is different, and most people these days need to take a boater safety course to know the rules of the water. Everyone should take this course even if you’re not required to.
You can learn more about boat safety here.