Who Builds The MOST RELIABLE Watercraft Available Today? The Watercraft Journal IRL

We field a lot of questions - particularly from first-time buyers - but easily one of the most common is "Who builds the most reliable PWC today?" and the answer is often NOT what they're expecting to hear. Believe it or not, the answer entirely depends upon some factors far outside of the manufacturer (although we'll certainly discuss strengths and weaknesses of each brand and model).
And please subscribe to our KZbin channel!
You can also follow us HERE:
Facebook: / thewatercraftjournal
Instagram: / pwcjournal
Twitter: / pwcjournal
And please visit our sponsors' websites:
Sea-Doo: www.sea-doo.com/
Slippery: slipperywetsuit...
Windrider: windrider.com/
GoPro: shop.gopro.com/
#pwcjournal #reliable #reliability

[@drsnow5123]

Ok, I sat through all of this…and I still don’t know the MOST RELIABLE Watercraft Available Today.

[@jessdmppl]

In car terms, any car can last a very long time, but the most reliable are still Toyotas. I don't know why you get pissed with this question. It's simple, not everyone is a jet ski nut, as most people here. Toyotas requires basic up keep like oil change and will last forever. That's reliability. So when someone ask what's the most reliable ski, that's basically what they are asking.

[@Aaron-zl5gq]

Rides it for a couple weeks and it sit , that is so true … the lake I ride in there is so many very expensive PWC and boats that just sit in the water and maybe get used once or twice a summer if that .

[@jamesrollins8411]

Great content! Thank you for sharing your knowledge on watercraft and all related matters!

[@davidbalan6571]

Yamaha 🌊 runner FX Cruiser SVHO

[@MrJared430]

I worked at a rental all the vx’s had over 1500 hours the 110 engine

[@watercraftjournal]

Bam!

[@Lazers872]

I for one appreciate the tips and advice. Everyone has to pick and choose what they can and can’t or are or aren’t willing to do but why the heck wouldn’t you want to get as much info as you can?!? Some of this obvious stuff I gotta admit I never thought of years ago when we got our 03 GTX 4 tec and XP DI. Both still run great though. Always did oil changes and kept on jet docks in boat house or in climate controlled shop during winter. If you can keep stuff out of the sun it will look nice a long time. We did have to replace one SC on the GTX last year but probably my fault I never fogged it. Wish I knew to put a fan in the engine compartment and vent everything that really keeps things nice. I always do it on my new Ultra after hearing it on WCJ. My XP definitely got a little moldy inside over the last 20 years of rolling that thing over and jumping wakes ect. That XP got used and abused pretty bad but live and learn I guess 🤦‍♂️ Another thing I tried this year cause Kevin scared me on haul paint, was waxing my jet docks (in a boat house) and I have to say it really has helped prevent scratches as hard as it is to believe. Not Yamahas just seadoos and Kawis. Ultra going in for third service year (has 53 hours) could I do it yeah but I like to support my dealer J&J sales in Huron because they do a good job and have all the right tools plus my time has value too. Kevin again I’ve been riding hundreds of hours for 20 years on skis and you’ve taught me a lot I appreciate it sir!!

[@watercraftjournal]

That means a lot! Thanks William!

[@steelzmb4262]

Telling them how it really is..Well said Sir💪👊

[@watercraftjournal]

Appreciated

[@johnwayne5976]

OMG that was awesome, tell it the way it is. Thank you. Your info really helps me out.

[@watercraftjournal]

Glad to help

[@joelhayes4085]

Yes i do want to know which one requires the least amount of work. Why would i want to do more than necessary? Im on vacation when i use it so im looking for it to WORK not need work

[@garymarch4711]

There's nothing wrong with wanting the most reliable. It just means less worries/ maintenance so you can enjoy your free time. You still maintain it... just spend less time doing so. For example, you can buy a Ram (Dodge) and spend every free moment fixing it... or you can buy the better Ford and enjoy life. (Elbow jab lol)

[@watercraftjournal]

LOL yeah but you just can’t ever lean on a Ford without it folding like a soda can. 😜

[@garymarch4711]

@@watercraftjournal lmao

[@zublacus]

Did you just amnesia about the 500+ service bulletins on the Ford 6.0L Powerstroke that even Ford threw the towel in? ;)

[@zacbaxter]

380hrs on my 2018 Yamaha VXR HO NA, and no issues. Although my use is not hard: tow surfing in Pacific Ocean.. i have to beach it constantly so built a custom fiberglass skid plate and build that back up with a few layers of glass every year. fine sand is no problem in my experience for flushing cooling system. Still pissing just fine. I use it like a tool not like a toy tho, so my goal is to get to 2000hrs, and if I have to rebuild the engine I will do so

[@watercraftjournal]

Dude, that is AWESOME!

[@briancollard8738]

I sometimes feel guilty liking my 2007 GTI SE 155 at 280 hours more than my 2021 GTI SE 170. I keep both in top condition and love the 2007 sofa seat - comfortably seats 3 adults, has fat foam to absorb minor bumps, and does 60 mph instead of 58 mph (according to speedos), and slightly better fuel economy than the 170. Original carbon seal and OPAS boots! I will keep it going as long as I can...

[@watercraftjournal]

Very cool!

[@ericsmith6677]

ill say this i never see kawasakis online with rebuilt engines or blown u engines

[@Uno91180]

Kawi’s are great! But the only reason it seems that way is because no one really tinkers with them.

[@OldWon991]

Hey mate…cranky pants 2day…but absolutely true…just finished work on my 89 Harley, still rocks and roll

[@watercraftjournal]

That’s awesome!

[@denniscasey7252]

Ok, I had my machine (2011 Kawasaki STF15X) winterized every year, and had the oil and plugs changed, and had only 195 hours on it, and for no ryhme or reason 5 hours into the summer, the engine completely locked. What exactly did I miss, I kept it stored out of the water, I changed the plugs every season, WTF??

[@watercraftjournal]

Define "locked". Did you have the engine taken apart to diagnose the failure?

[@denniscasey7252]

@@watercraftjournal I did. My mechanic runs a rental operation and he saw the oil leaking, there was no previous warning on this .. again I try to be almost anal regarding the maintenance.. and he was as shocked as I was.. well I did buy a newer (2018 STF-15X with 14 hours on it)and have put 35 hours on it. Should I change the oil right at 50 hours or just wait until end of season? Appreciate any advice you could give

[@denniscasey7252]

I am in northern Illinois and know we have less than a month and a half until we winterize it

[@watercraftjournal]

It depends on the kind of oil you're running and how hard you ride it. 50 is the prescribed hour count, but sooner doesn't hurt. So what was the verdict?! What happened to the engine?

[@denniscasey7252]

@@watercraftjournal He said it locked, with oil leakage. Again, I didn't see it coming, just went out like it was a normal ride... but I will follow your advice

[@joejoe6494]

Had a 1999 ram that I bought new, 318, ( not 5.2) sold it sold it for $300 with only 413,000 miles, motor ran perfect, original trans was pretty much shot, used only synthetic oil

[@watercraftjournal]

That’s awesome

[@JA-wb5my]

Yeah I think it’s a bad question….. ANYTHING mechanical can fail. Like you said every manufacturer has warts, but I think a better question would be which manufacturer has the best build quality…. Who has the better fit and finish?

[@watercraftjournal]

Yes! Very good question.

[@ericsmith6677]

i bought a gp 1800 n.A and i wash it and use spray wax after every ride. shit cost to much money to not take care of it

[@martingibbs9975]

Thanks Kevin for the fun trivia

[@watercraftjournal]

Ask and ye shall receive.

[@EverythingsFine82]

The memes in this episode are great. "I don’t like people." Yep, I can sympathize, although most people are fine if your expectations are fair or low enough. I would include luck with maintenance. Brand reputation is a thing, but sometimes you just get lucky or not. I have a 10 year old Hyundai Elantra that's been super reliable. I had a yamaha outboard that wasn't. Both were bought new and equally well maintained. Go figure.

[@billy1084]

Great info thanks and sorry for some of my country men 😂

[@watercraftjournal]

LOL

[@joejoe6494]

Loving this Kevin, Mopar or no car!

[@watercraftjournal]

Appreciated

[@3dbarn547]

You know I do really like this guy but the whole do the maintenance required and you will be fine or the whole because someone ask you which is more reliable you just say you’re lazy and don’t wanna take care of your machine . I can tell you as vehicle mechanic that cars can have everything done to them to the T based of recommended services by the oe that have major issues in a short amount of miles. I am at 9 hours on my ski and already did an oil change and spark plugs based off the maintenance schedule provided by Yamaha , I flush every single time with salt away and wash off with salt away and I would have been the one to ask you which is more reliable if I didn’t already see the videos you posted of not wanted to give any real input on what will break and what won’t in your experience. People are asking you and going to come after you if something breaks . They are just doing the research that is recommended and asking questions. You post in some videos you need to get the sub count up. Maybe open up a little and give more of your opinion on what you have experienced because a lot of newer riders don’t have that experience and that’s why they come to you for questions.

[@watercraftjournal]

Here's the reality: we field THOUSANDS of questions from people who literally can't be bothered to CLEAN their jet skis after a ride; so when we say "do your scheduled maintenance" it's because MOST PEOPLE DON'T. Yes, there are failures, poorly engineered parts and all sorts of other problems but 99% of the problems people encounter with these machines are due to using them wrong, running into shit and not doing maintenance.

[@All-Miles-Matter]

Soooo....i have no problem with mr. Under armor letting the O'Reilly's employee do their job. Why would i touch it? They GET PAYED to install the battery. Why would i ruin my clothes? Why? It does not make sense. If it were male or female, does not matter. The price of the battery comes with installation. LET ME GIT DATTT!!!

[@mr.appalachian8252]

Lol.. Douche bag with his under armor starter kit on, drinking a pumpkin spice latte.. You remind me of myself by the things you say. BTW.. Great videos I just started watching your videos about a week ago and have watched many, many hours of them. #FJB

[@watercraftjournal]

LOL I don't think I called him a douche...

[@mr.appalachian8252]

@@watercraftjournal No you didn't but I did. Lol

[@watercraftjournal]

LOL!

[@mroz4324]

OMG the comment about the guy having two moms. I almost fell off the couch laughing. You are very entertaining! 😂

[@fernandomartin624]

Kawasaki

[@henrytischbein155]

Let me know if you’re in Michigan at least I’ll let u ride my sj for more than like a half hour unlike what Yamaha did and maybe I’ll buy u lunch

[@watercraftjournal]

That would be rad. Thank you!

[@henrytischbein155]

Yea did u get my instagram dm

[@watercraftjournal]

No. Email me.

[@henrytischbein155]

Ok let me know when you get it

[@craigpotter9014]

😂

[@TheYeti308]

Blah blah blah , Sheesh . !

[@watercraftjournal]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheYeti308]

@@watercraftjournal Stood it for as long as I could .

[@watercraftjournal]

A view's a view.

[@51oldcrow]

Dude, it’s time to talk about maintenance besides oil, sparks, etc. How about the other stuff that we need to be aware about. Must of us newbie are ready for the stuff that’s going on because our hours are going up. Don’t blow me off on this one

[@Corpse1984]

That's too machine specific, just read your owners manual and buy a shop service manual.

[@watercraftjournal]

OK Hector, what are you asking/demanding from me? The VAST majority of owners will not be performing cam indexing, timing chain replacements, or even impeller swaps. That is a fact. So how in-depth are you wanting to go that won't totally alienate our 2.1 million readers/viewers? (Don't blow me off on this one.) -K

[@51oldcrow]

I didn’t know there was a manual for the Ski & engine. Thanks old men.