Jet skis are an adrenaline-inducing activity that many people enjoy during the summer months. They’re seen on lakes and beaches and help create many memories and fun-fueled past times.
Many different companies make jet skis, such as Seadoo and Yamaha, but one feature commonly seen is the high spraying water that shoots in the air while using a jet ski.
Jet skis shoot water high in the air for two reasons. One reason is for visibility, and the other reason is for motor cooling. However, some jet skis don’t shoot water, which is due to their design.
This article will dive deep into why jet skis have high water spouts and other commonly asked questions regarding jet skis.
Why Some Jet Skis Don’t Shoot Water As High As Others
Most brands of jet skis shoot water, while some brands shoot water further up than others. That’s mainly for safety reasons, or for motor cooling, depending on the design.
Yamaha jet skis shoot the highest water spout in the air, which is due to design. Other brands don’t have the same design as Yamaha, so the reason some brands don’t spray water as high as Yamaha is due to trademark and marketing.
Yamaha wants their brand of jet skis to be more diverse than other brands.
For that reason and among visibility and motor cooling, the Yamaha brand wants lake goers to see which brand is theirs. If you noticed a high water spout, you might know that a jet ski is a Yamaha just by how the water shoots.
That’s a marketing and design strategy made by the company.
Does a Jet Ski Have To Be in the Water To Start?
Jet skis are usually seen inside lakes or large bodies of water, so you might wonder if they can work outside of water. They are uniquely designed and can have the misconception that they cannot start outside of water. That’s common because most boats must be in the water to activate.
A jet ski doesn’t have to be in the water to start. You can start it outside of the water but only for a short period. Fifteen seconds is usually the max amount of time you should keep your engine going outside of water.
Using a water source such as a hose, you can use your jet ski out of the water much longer.
However, while you technically can start a jet ski out of the water, that doesn’t mean you should. There really shouldn’t be any reason to start up a water ski out of the water unless something needs flushing out of the port.
Do Jet Skis Have Water Pumps?
Jet skis are gas-powered but don’t use any other fuel source.
Jet skis have water pumps that pump the water in and then push it back out, which is why it is reasonably environmentally safe. Jet skis use water pumps to propel the ski forward while pushing water back out, which means that water pressure fuels jet skis.
It does, however, have some environmental drawbacks like affecting the water life and sand. Although that can be an issue, it doesn’t pollute the water itself.
Jet skis do use a motor, but it’s the water system that makes the jet ski move forward. Without the water pump, the jet ski wouldn’t move forward. Water pumps not only allow the jet ski to move forward, but they can also allow the jet ski to move in reverse as well.
The water pump redirects the water and puts the ski in a neutral mode.
How Jet Skis Work
Jet skis are attractive water vehicles that are accessible and easy to drive. That’s why lifeguards use them. The first jet ski was designed and put out for residential use in 1973.
These watercraft vehicles have been around for decades, but how do they work?
Water pumps through the bottom of the ski. While there’s a gas-powered motor, the water pump acts as a propeller. The propeller then pumps water out of the bottom of the ski. You then move direction by steering the handlebars.
The design is reasonably flawless, and most jet skis are notably similar. Aside from a few tweaks here and there, most jet skis work the same way and aren’t modified significantly. The brands are what make a difference.
Jet skis are great fun, and the complexities of jet skis are relatively understandable. You may even be able to design one at home on a smaller scale, of course, but there are tutorials on making your mini jet ski.
Can Jet Skis Work in Saltwater?
Given the near-flawless design of jet skis, there are many questions regarding if using these water vehicles in salt water can damage your jet ski.
Jet skis can work in saltwater, but it’s not recommended. High levels of salt can damage your pump and motor, and if you use your ski in saltwater, a good cleaning is necessary. However, if you don’t clean the water out, it can erode your engine.
Even riding in lakes that have a high salt level can cause damage.
Not only can saltwater damage the inside of your jet ski, but the salt can erode the outside of your jet ski as well. A deep cleanse is highly needed if you use your jet ski in high levels of saltwater.
Conclusion
Jet skis are incredibly fun and require some effort to keep in tip-top shape. They squirt water streams up in the air for visibility and motor cooling. These intuitive designs allow for family fun in the summertime.
Although ocean riding isn’t the best place to use your jet skis, you can have a great time riding on large lakes. The water pumps propel you forward as you hover over deep waters.
Jet skis are used for fun experiences and to help lifeguards save lives out in the water. These fantastic water vehicles keep people safe and allow for water sports.