Jet Ski

Jet Ski is the brand name of a personal watercraft (PWC)[1] manufactured by Kawasaki,[2] a Japanese company.[3] The term is often used generically to refer to any type of personal watercraft used mainly for recreation, and it is also used as a verb to describe the use of any type of PWC.

A runabout-style PWC typically carries one to three people seated in a configuration like a typical bicycle or motorcycle.

Kawasaki Jet Ski

"Jet Ski" is a proper noun and registered trademark of Kawasaki. Released in 1972, the stand-up Kawasaki Jet Ski was the first commercially successful personal watercraft in America (after reaching a license agreement with the inventor of the Sea-Doo, Clayton Jacobson II when his license agreement with Bombardier expired).

Stand-up model history

1972–1976

Kawasaki introduced the first production stand-up PWC in October 1972.[6] The WSAA and follow-on WSAB were powered by modified 400cc 2-stroke twin-cylinder engines. The WSAA was designed with a flat hull and the WSAB came with a convex v-hull design. The design concept distinctive of these original craft included a fully enclosed impeller for safety, self-righting, and self-circling features. Without a lanyard the self-circling allowed the rider to swim back to the idling craft after falling off. Kawasaki called them "Water Jet" and "Power Skis" before they settled on the name "Jet Ski".[7]

1976–1982

The 1976 JS400 was popular among thrill-seeking recreational riders and racers. The 1977 JS440 offered more power and performance. It was one of Kawasaki's longest-selling models. In 1982, Kawasaki introduced the JS550, which had better performance. The 550 featured a newly designed high-capacity mixed-flow pump, driven by a 531cc engine. The 550 introduced an automatic rev limiter to prevent engine damage when the pump cavitates. The JS550 also introduced underwater exhaust for quieter operation.

1982–1986

While the JS550 continued to be improved, in 1986, Kawasaki introduced the JS300. The JS300 was a single-cylinder 294cc two-stroke engine featuring automatic oil injection. They also added the 650 X2, their first sit-down Jet Ski, and originator of the Sport Class for PWC racing.

1987–1992

Kawasaki introduced the JS650SX. It featured a higher capacity axial flow pump and a powerful 635cc two-stroke twin engine in a modified V-hull design for increased maneuverability and stability.

In 1992, the company introduced a stand-up JS750-A. The engine was a twin-cylinder 743 cc two-stroke with reed valves and automatic oil injection. The redesigned hull was lighter in weight and more maneuverable.

1995

The 750 SXI (JS750-B) was introduced and became the first stand-up Jet Ski with dual carburetors.

2003

Kawasaki introduced the SX-R 800 (JS800A), which increased displacement to 781cc, in the form of an in-line twin 2-stroke engine, generating 80hp. The SX-R also moved to a fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) hull and top deck.

2006

Kawasaki introduced the X2 800 (JF800A), which used the JS800A engine, jet unit and lower hull. This was released as an updated version similar to the 650cc X2 previously released in the 1980s. [8]

2011

Due to US EPA restrictions, Kawasaki released their final two-stroke stand-up, and discontinued the JS800 SX-R. The model was designated the JS800ABF.[9]

2017

On October 6, 2016, Kawasaki reintroduced the stand-up Jet Ski. The SX-R 1500 shared little with its predecessors. It was 8 ft, 550 lb, powered by a 160 hp inline 4-cylinder four-stroke engine.[10]

producttype	Personal watercraft
producedby	Kawasaki Heavy Industries Motorcycle & Engine
country	Japan
introduced	1973

Kawasaki Jet Ski

Stand-up model history

1972–1976

1976–1982

1982–1986

1987–1992

1995

2003

2006

2011

2017

Jet ski

Year and Model

Other stand-up manufacturers

See also

External links

References