Jet Ski Top Speed Vs. Sea-Doo Vs. Yamaha Top Speed Chart - JetDrift

How fast can a Jet Ski go? – This is a typical question of the majority of the PWC enthusiasts, as well as curious newbies.

In the world of motorsports, the majority of the owners have a performance-minded perspective. They buy their toys to experience the thrill and rush of riding on the waters.

To have the best experience, they want to own the fastest Jet Ski or Sea-Doo available on the market and hunt for the best models one season after another.

If you are here, you probably also want to know the current Jet Ski top speed as well as WaveRunner and Sea-Doo top speed numbers.

For your convenience, we, at JetDrift, have collected the top speeds of all of the current PWC models into one chart. Along with these, we have also collected some tips for how you can make your watercraft faster.

If you are curious about the top speed of the fastest PWC in the world, you can find a summary, as well as a video about the current record holder in this article.

Without further ado, let’s check out the current Sea-Doo, WaveRunners, and Jet Ski top speed numbers in one chart!

Table of Contents

• 2026 Sea-Doo vs. WaveRunner vs. Jet Ski Top Speed Chart
• The Top Speeds of Different PWC Categories
  • The top speed of the entry-level stock PWC models
  • The top speed of the average stock PWC models
  • The top speed of the fastest stock PWCs
• Kawasaki Jet Ski Top Speed Specs
• Yamaha WaveRunner Top Speed Specs
• Sea-Doo Top Speeds
• How to reach the top speed on your PWC?
• Modifications – Make your PWC faster
• The top speed of the world’s fastest modified watercraft
• Conclusion

2026 Sea-Doo vs. WaveRunner vs. Jet Ski Top Speed Chart

In this chart, you can find the top speeds of all current Jet Ski, WaveRunner, Sea-Doo, and Krash models head to head. If you would like to discover each model, don’t hesitate to click on the names. You can find specs, pictures, videos as well as head-to-head comparisons by clicking on the links!

The numbers used in this chart are for information purposes only and are not provided by the manufacturers. 

The Top Speeds of Different PWC Categories

Based on the comparison chart above, we have concluded.

As you can see, the top speed of a PWC is highly depended on its engine power.

Not only the horsepower, but the curb weight of the watercraft is also one of the biggest factors, as it affects the power-to-weight ratio, which is as important as the power itself!

Beyond the PWC’s specifications above, the top speeds may change due to several conditions:

• US Coast Guard speed limiters
• Your weight
• Your riding style
• Weight of the gear and fuel on you
• Water conditions
• Air conditions

It means the top speed measured by you on the same model could be different and vary from ride to ride!

And don’t forget that the most accurate way to measure your speed is a GPS unit, as PWC speedometers usually show higher numbers than the actual speed.

The top speed of the entry-level stock PWC models

As you can see, even the slowest PWC models, the Sea-Doo Spark 60 for 2 can run as fast as 42 mph. If you wondering if this speed is too slow for a PWC, you should know that in a car, 42 mph does not seem fast at all!

Even this speed is good on the water, as the feeling of riding the water is different compared to in a car.

It’s mainly because you’re more exposed to external factors, especially to the wind. PWCs are not equipped with windscreens or other protective gear, so you feel like you going much faster. And you sit much lower to the surface of the water than in a boat!

In conclusion, riding a watercraft with 42 mph feel so much faster than in a car. You will find it fast, especially if you are a beginner!

The top speed of the average stock PWC models

When it comes to the average PWC’s top speeds, it’s safe to say that it is usually somewhere around 50-60 mph.

You can find these models typically in the Recreation PWC category. They arrive with naturally aspirated (non-supercharged) engines produced with around 100-180 HP.

These models are usually the most popular models on the market as they are reliable, have moderate fuel consumption, and have lower maintenance costs as well in general.

Beyond their cost-effective operation, they offer plenty of storage space with great weight capacity and convenient seats for 3 riders.

If you are not looking for the fastest PWC on the market, rather the best family Jet Ski or Sea-Doo, the Recreation category is definitely for you.

The top speed of the fastest stock PWCs

If you are looking at the top speed numbers of the fastest PWC models, you can see that all of these models can reach 67 mph.

Are you wondering why all of these models have the same top speed?

Before the year 1999, there were no regulations regarding PWC speeds in the United States. This led to some serious accidents and dangerous situations.

Later on, the U.S. Coast Guard took control of the situation and put a speed limit in place according to which the newly manufactured watercraft in the U.S. could not go above the top speeds of 65 mph.

The manufacturer had to install speed limiter units into the U.S. models that could limit the power of the engine. Due to this, the top speeds were artificially capped. It means that you can achieve only 67-70 mph with top performance stock watercraft.

All of these performance PWCs are powered with supercharged engines, offering 180-310HP depending on the model.

If you have no experience with PWC, you need to be careful because it’s not recommended to start with these crafts. If you are looking for the best PWCs for beginners, don’t miss our latest post on the topic.

If you would like to discover the top speed of each PWC brand, as well as some advantages and disadvantages, don’t stop reading here!

Kawasaki Jet Ski Top Speed Specs

How fast can a Jet Ski go? Depending on the model, Kawasaki Jet Ski top speed numbers vary from 52 – 67 mph.

The slowest Jet Ski is the Ultra 160 LX Jet Ski with a top speed of 52 mph. This model arrives with the same hull as the performance models, while it produces only 160 HP.

Thanks to its good fuel range and reliability, the Ultra models are popular among average buyers and considered the best fishing Jet Ski as well.

If you want something more nimble and playful, you should look at the new Kawasaki STX 160 series. These models are the upgraded version of the STX-15F, which offered the same 160 HP engine and can reach 62 mph. (However, there aren’t real tests for the new STX 160 series available.)

It’s the same issue with the SX-R 160 Stand Up Jet Ski’s top speed, powered with the same engine it can reach around 62 mph again.

The top speeds of the performance Jet Skis are definitely the highest in the Kawasaki’s fleet, they hit 67 mph in stock condition. You can choose from four different models:

• Kawasaki Ultra 310X Jet Ski top speed: 67 mph
• Kawasaki Ultra 310LX Jet Ski top speed: 67 mph
• Kawasaki Ultra 310LX-S Jet Ski top speed: 67 mph

How fast does a Kawasaki STX-160 go?

The top speed of the Kawasaki STX-160, 160x, and lx is 62 mph. Because the STX-160 series arrives with the same engine, pump, and hull, as the STX-15f, you can find differences only in the top decks and features.

How fast is the Kawasaki Ultra LX?

Although this model belongs to the Ultra family, the Ultra LX is also powered with the 160 HP non-supercharged engine option. With this power source, the Kawasaki Ultra LX’s top speed is 52 mph.

How fast is the Kawasaki 310 jet ski?

Unlike its smaller brothers, the Kawasaki Ultra 310 series is manufactured with a supercharged, 310 HP engine. Thanks to this stronger power plant, the top speed of all Kawasaki 310 jet skis is limited to 67 mph.

How fast does a stand-up jet ski go?

The new Kawasaki SX-R 160 stand-up jet ski can go as fast as 62 mph. Unlike the competitor stand-up models, the SX-R 160 is powered with a 160 HP 4-stroke engine, which makes the new SX-R the fastest stand-up jet ski on the market.

Yamaha WaveRunner Top Speed Specs

Would you like to know how fast can a WaveRunner go?  When it comes to Yamaha WaveRunner’s top speed numbers, they don’t get left behind Kawasaki’s Jet Skis.

Their entry-level models, the Yamaha JetBlaster series can go as fast as around 50 mph while the JetBlaster Pro and Ltd models offer 54 mph.

If you looking for a bigger WaveRunner, the VX series is for you. They can reach a top speed of around 53 mph, except for these VX Cruiser HO and VX Limited HO models, which can reach 65 mph thanks to the new upgraded 1.9L HO Yamaha marine engine.

Yamaha’s luxury WaveRunners, the FX series, arrive with supercharged and non-supercharged engines as well.

The non-supercharged Waverunners, like the FX HO or the FX Cruiser HO with the aforementioned new engine, can run even 65 mph, while the supercharged FX SVHO Line can run as fast as 67 mph.

You can expect the same top speed on the performance WaveRunners, namely, the GP HO and GP SVHO.

Sea-Doo Top Speeds

Would you like to know how fast can a Sea-Doo go?

BRP’s Sea-Doo top speed numbers vary widely, as they have the largest fleet from all manufacturers. It also means that you can choose from several good models if you consider buying one.

Their low-end model – with a top speed of  42 mph- is the Spark 60 HP, which is currently the cheapest Sea-Doo on the market.

The Spark 90HP and Spark TRIXX models can run around 50 mph while the GTI 130 series around 52 mph.

The BRP’s dedicated fishing watercraft, the Sea-Doo Fish Pro’s top speed is around 55 mph, while the performance Sea-Doo’s top speed can reach easily 67 mph.

How to reach the top speed on your PWC?

As you would have understood by now, the top three fastest Jet Skis, Waverunner, and Sea-Doo models have it in them to go much faster than 65 – 67 mph, although they can’t do so straight off the shelf.

PWC fans know it pretty well that if you wish to have a faster ride, the best thing for you to do is modify your craft so you can achieve more power. But everybody does not want to modify or bring changes in their craft.

Due to this, before you delve into the PWC modifications, here are some easy tricks you can adopt for getting higher top speed on your PWC.