7 Best Jet Skis for Tow Sports in 2024 [Tubing, Wakeboarding, Skiing]

Without further ado, the best Sea-Doos, WaveRunners, and Kawasaki Jet Skis for tow sports in 2024 are as follows:

1. 2024 Sea-Doo Wake 170
2. 2024 Sea-Doo Wake Pro
3. 2024 Sea-Doo GTX Limited 300
4. 2024 Yamaha FX Cruiser HO
5. 2024 Yamaha FX Cruiser SVHO
6. 2024 Kawasaki Ultra 310 LX
7. 2024 Kawasaki Ultra 310 LX-S

If you want to compare these models head-to-head, this post is for you.

We at JetDrift have compiled all you need to know under one roof!

Which Type of Jet Ski is Best for Tow Sports?

Unlike their 2-stroke predecessors, today’s boat-like jet skis can be used for a variety of tow sports including wakeboarding, water skiing, and tubing.

The most important characteristics of a jet ski that tows are as follows:

• Large, stable, and heavy runabout hull
• Roomy rear platform
• 3-rider seat (most states require you to have a spotter onboard)
• Powerful engine (min. 120 HP, but the ideal range is 150-310 HP)
• Brake and reverse system
• Tow-sport intended accessories (mirrors, tow hook, wakeboard pylon, wakeboard rack, reboarding step, launch control, etc.)

As a rule of thumb, if you are looking for a jet ski for wakeboarding or tubing, you should avoid entry-level Rec-Lite and Recreation models.

These machines are small, so they can’t provide adequate space for three riders plus the gear. What’s more, these lightweight skis can easily be hijacked or even flipped by the wakeboarder or skier.

To avoid these issues, you should choose among the largest runabout jet skis, which are typically classed in the Luxury, Performance, and Tow Sport categories.

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and talk about the best ones in detail!

The 7 Best Jet Skis for Tow Sports

The Best Sea-Doos for Tow Sports in 2024

Sea-Doo offers purpose-built PWCs for a variety of activities, and tow sports are no exception. Released in 2004, the Sea-Doo Wake family instantly became popular among wakeboarders and tubers.

These machines come standard with a wide range of tow-sport intended accessories, like a PWC tow pylon, wakeboard rack, dual mirrors, and a reboarding step.

The two production tow-sport Sea-Doos are namely the Wake 170 and the Wake Pro.

Differences?

As the name suggests, the base Wake 170 has a naturally-aspirated 170 HP engine option and is built on the smaller GTI platform. Hence, it’s lighter, more nimble, and has better fuel economy than its bigger brother.

In contrast, the Wake Pro enjoys the larger and more stable ST3 hull, which houses a 230 HP supercharged engine. This ski also comes with more bells and whistles, and a much heftier price tag.

To be more specific, the key specifications of these skis are as follows:1. 2024 Sea-Doo Wake 170 specs:

• Category: Tow Sport
• Engine: 1630cc, 3-cylinder, Rotax
• Hull: GTI
• Performance: 170 HP
• Supercharged: No
• Length: 130.6 inches
• Width: 49.2 inches
• Dry Weight: 769 lb.
• Brake and reverse: Standard
• Fuel capacity: 18.5 gallons
• Storage capacity: 40.3 gallons
• Rider capacity: 3
• MSRP: 14,099

2. 2024 Sea-Doo Wake Pro specs:

• Category: Tow Sport
• Engine: 1630cc, 3-cylinder, Rotax
• Hull: ST3
• Performance: 230 HP
• Supercharged: Yes
• Length: 135.9 inches
• Width: 49.4 inches
• Dry weight: 855 gal.
• Brake and reverse: Standard
• Fuel capacity: 18.5 gallons
• Storage capacity: 26.1 gallons
• Rider capacity: 3
• MSRP: 18,399

The most expensive Sea-Doo in the lineup, the GTX Limited 300 also deserves a close look.

It shares its hull with the Wake Pro and comes standard with a wide range of luxury features including a bolstered cruiser seat.

On top of that, it enjoys the most powerful Sea-Doo engine, the supercharged Rotax 1630 ACE rated at 300 HP.

3. 2024 Sea-Doo GTX Limited 300 specs:

• Category: Luxury
• Engine: 1630cc, 3-cylinder, Rotax
• Hull: ST3
• Performance: 300 HP
• Supercharged: Yes
• Length: 135.9 inches
• Width: 49.4 inches
• Dry weight: 849 lb.
• Brake and reverse: Standard
• Fuel capacity: 18.5 gallons
• Storage capacity: 26.1 gallons
• Rider capacity: 3
• MSRP: 19,699

The Best WaveRunners for Tow Sports in 2024

When it comes to tow sports, full-size Yamaha FX WaveRunners are worthy competitors of the Sea-Doo Wake series.

One of the best is arguably the flagship FX Cruiser, featuring a roomy top deck and many other bells and whistles.

What’s more, it comes with the innovative RecDeck as an option, which is a game-changer for tow sport enthusiasts.

The FX Cruiser is available with both supercharged and naturally-aspirated engine options, of which the main characteristics are as follows:4. 2024 Yamaha FX Cruiser HO specs:

• Category: Luxury
• Engine: 1812cc, 4-cylinder, Yamaha
• Hull: FX
• Performance: 180 HP
• Supercharged: No
• Length: 140.9 inches
• Width: 50 inches
• Dry weight: 838 lb.
• Brake and reverse: Standard
• Fuel capacity: 18.5 gallons
• Storage capacity: 44.5 gallons
• Rider capacity: 3
• MSRP: $16,999

5. 2024 Yamaha FX Cruiser SVHO specs:

• Category: Luxury
• Engine: 1812cc, 4-cylinder, Yamaha
• Hull: FX
• Performance: 250 HP
• Supercharged: Yes
• Length: 140.9 inches
• Width: 50 inches
• Dry weight: 875 lbs.
• Brake and reverse: Standard
• Fuel capacity: 18.5 gallons
• Storage capacity: 44.5 gallons
• Rider capacity: 3
• MSRP: $19,799

The FX Cruiser SVHO is the supercharged equivalent of the Cruiser HO. It is slightly heavier and delivers an extra 70 HP, which translates to faster accelerations.

The Best Kawasaki Jet Skis for Tow Sports in 2024

Many riders agree that the best Kawasaki Jet Skis for tow sports are the revamped Ultra 310 models.

This series was completely redesigned for 2022 and returned with a new hull, top deck, and many innovative features.

Believe it or not, the flagship Jet Ski even has a rearview camera, which comes in handy during tow sports.

Each of these models shares the same supercharged, 1498cc, 4-cylinder Kawasaki engine rated at 310 HP.

Other features of the mid-range Ultra 310 LX-S and the flagship LX are as follows:6-7. 2024 Kawasaki Ultra 310 LX-S and LX specs:

• Category: Luxury
• Engine: 1498cc, 4-cylinder, Yamaha
• Hull: Ultra
• Performance: 310 HP
• Supercharged: Yes
• Length: 140.9 inches
• Width: 47 inches
• Wet weight: 1065/1089 lbs.
• Brake and reverse: Standard
• Fuel capacity: 21.1 gallons
• Storage capacity: 44.5 gallons
• Rider capacity: 3
• MSRP: $20,199 / $21,199

Conclusion

The best jet skis for tow sports are the 3-seater runabouts with 160+ HP engines and large platforms.

Although they are affordable and fun to ride, tiny Rec-Lite and Recreation jet skis are not recommended for tow sports.

Unlike their smaller brothers, the Luxury/Touring and Performance models are built on large hulls and deliver plenty of engine power.

If you are looking for a jet ski for tubing or wakeboarding, you can’t go wrong with the dedicated “tow Sea-Doos,” namely the Wake 170 and Wake Pro.

Their Japanese competitors are the Yamaha FX WaveRunners and Ultra 310 Kawasaki Jet Skis.