Jet Ski vs Waverunner

Two trademarks, one type of machine

Jet Ski is a brand name trademarked by Kawasaki. Waverunner is Yamaha's line of personal watercraft, introduced in the late 1980s, and the name is now often used generically for all such craft. Sea-Doo is the third big brand, made by Bombardier. A personal watercraft itself is a compact jet-powered watercraft controlled by handlebars, using jet propulsion instead of an exposed propeller, and it is easy to trailer and store.

Because the words are trademarks, a rental fleet can be made up of any brand. Ask the operator what make you will ride if the badge matters to you.

Source: Happy's Watersports, MotoMember.

Stand-up versus sit-down

Jet Skis are traditionally stand-up models where the rider stands, and they are associated with aggressive sporty riding, jumps and sharp turns. Some modern Jet Skis are sit-down. Waverunners typically feature a sit-down motorcycle-style design that is stable and suitable for various skill levels. Kawasaki is known for power, deep-V hull confidence and premium comfort, appealing to riders who want muscle and a big-water feel.

If you want tricks, a stand-up Jet Ski is the classic tool. If you want to carry a passenger, sightsee or tow a tube, the sit-down layout wins.

Source: Rod's Rides, Happy's Watersports, MotoMember.

Side by side

Buying versus renting

WI Yachts, a dealer blog, lists Kawasaki Jet Ski prices starting at $9,500 and going up to $18,000, best for performance, with a limited range and no recreation or rec-lite models. The same source lists Yamaha WaveRunner prices starting at $6,700 for recreation and rec-lite models and going up to $17,000, best for all-around use and families, with fast low-maintenance engines. Happy's Watersports notes that Waverunners generally have a broader range of price points, while high-performance Jet Skis may cost more.

For a vacation you skip all of that. A guided two-hour dolphin tour in Panama City Beach costs $149 to $190 per jet ski, with up to two riders on most craft.

Source: WI Yachts, Happy's Watersports.

Guided tours in Panama City Beach

Match the craft to the rider

Happy's Watersports advises beginners and families to pick a waverunner for its stability and ease of control, and intermediate to advanced riders to pick a Jet Ski. Boats.net adds that the WaveRunner line has a broader range of model options catering to beginners and pros alike than Jet Ski and Sea-Doo. Waverunners also suit towing water toys like tubes or wakeboards.

Families with kids, first-timers and anyone planning to tow a tube should lean sit-down and stable. Riders chasing speed and sharp turns should lean toward the sportier Jet Ski end.

Source: Happy's Watersports, Boats.net.

From prototype to three brands

Clayton Jacobson II built the first stand-up prototype and entered a licensing agreement with Bombardier Recreational Products. The Yamaha WaveRunner was later the first sit-down PWC able to carry one or two persons, and the SuperJet and WaveBlaster are among its most popular models, all hand-built in Japan. Bombardier's Sea-Doo XP, produced 1989 to 2003, was named Watercraft of the century by Watercraft World magazine, and Bombardier launched the cheaper, lighter Spark in late 2014.

So the stand-up heritage sits with Kawasaki's Jet Ski image and the sit-down family layout sits with Yamaha's Waverunner, which is why the two names still carry different expectations.

Source: WI Yachts.

Why a tour beats ownership for a holiday

Buying means the $9,500 to $18,000 range WI Yachts lists for Kawasaki or the $6,700 to $17,000 range for Yamaha, plus storage and towing. Renting means showing up, listening to a briefing and riding. In Panama City Beach a jet ski also gets you to Shell Island fast: Visit Panama City Beach notes a Lagoon Pontoons jet ski is about a 5-minute ride to the island, versus about a 10-minute pontoon cruise from Treasure Island Marina. The island has no official hours, and jet ski and boat rental tours run roughly 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Rent if you want dolphins, sand and a swim without the ownership bill. Buy only if you plan to ride often at home.

Source: WI Yachts, Visit Panama City Beach, Visit Panama City Beach.

What operators require before you ride

One Panama City Beach operator states a 350 lb combined weight limit per jet ski, a driver age of 18 with a valid driver's license, and riders born in 1988 or later need a boater education certificate. Another operator states a 2-hour guided tour with up to 2 riders per jet ski, drivers 18 and over, passengers 8 and over, and renters need a credit card and photo ID with date of birth.

Bring your license, a credit card and a photo ID. Riders should follow local boating laws, wear a properly fitted life jacket and attach the engine cut-off lanyard.

Source: AAA Jet Ski, Lagoon Pontoons, MotoMember.