6 Best Performance Jet Skis, Sea-Doos, and WaveRunners Compared
Without further ado, the list of the best production performance jet skis is as follows:
- Sea-Doo GTR 230
- Sea-Doo RXP-X 300
- Sea-Doo RXT-X 300
- Yamaha GP1800R HO
- Yamaha GP1800R SVHO
- Kawasaki Ultra 310X
We at JetDrift have compiled all you need to know under one roof!
The 6 Best Performance PWCs Compared
The Best Performance Sea-Doos
Each jet ski manufacturer offers Performance models, and Sea-Doo is no exception. The Canadian manufacturer is well-known for its high-performance machines, which come with different hulls and engine power.
Let’s take a closer look at each!
1. Sea-Doo GTR 230
The smallest performance Sea-Doo is the agile GTR 230 built on the mid-sized GTI hull.
This model is virtually a supercharged Sea-Doo GTI that shares its 4-stroke, 1630cc, Rotax triple engine with the flagship models. (However, its performance is electronically limited to 230 HP.)
Thanks to its lighter platform, the GTR is much more nimble and playful than its bigger brothers.
What’s more, it holds the title of the cheapest performance jet ski available!
Key features:
- Category: Performance
- Engine: 1630cc, 3-cylinder, Rotax
- Hull: GTI
- Performance: 230 HP
- Supercharged: Yes
- Length: 130.6 inches
- Width: 49.2 inches
- Wet weight: 882 lbs.
- Brake and reverse: Standard
- Fuel capacity: 15.9 gallons
- Storage capacity: 42.5 gallons
- Rider capacity: 3
Although the GTR 230 and the RXP-X 300 are exactly the same size, the latter comes with the purpose-built TR3 racing hull paired with the unleashed 300 HP engine option.
This platform is designed for performance-minded owners and racers, hence it offers the best high-speed cornering abilities and acceleration in the industry.
If you are looking for the best performance Sea-Doo available, the RXP-X 300 is for you!
Key features:
- Category: Performance
- Engine: 1630cc, 3-cylinder, Rotax
- Hull: T3R
- Performance: 300 HP
- Supercharged: Yes
- Length: 130.6 inches
- Width: 49.2 inches
- Wet weight: 905 lbs.
- Brake and reverse: Standard
- Fuel capacity: 18.5 gallons
- Storage capacity: 40.6 gallons
- Rider capacity: 2
Although the RXT-X 300 is classed as a performance ski, it’s actually a touring machine on steroids.
This is no surprise, since the RXT-X 300 shares its hull, engine, and many features with the flagship touring GTX Limited 300. But while the latter is designed for comfort and luxury, the RXT-X 300 is tuned for performance.
Compared to other performance models, this ski is much more stable and predictable thanks to its unique ST3 hull.
To the greatest regret of many fans, the RXT-X 300 is the most expensive performance jet ski in the marketplace.
Key features:
- Category: Performance
- Engine: 1630cc, 3-cylinder, Rotax
- Hull: ST3
- Performance: 300 HP
- Supercharged: Yes
- Length: 135.9 inches
- Width: 49.4 inches
- Wet weight: 954 lbs.
- Brake and reverse: Standard
- Fuel capacity: 18.5 gallons
- Storage capacity: 26.1 gallons
- Rider capacity: 3
The Best Performance WaveRunners
4. Yamaha GP1800R HO
The Yamaha GP1800R HO is the only non-supercharged performance jet ski in the marketplace.
This model is nearly identical to the SVHO except it’s 37 pounds lighter and powered by a naturally-aspirated engine option.
Unlike its bigger brother, the HO is rated at 180 HP and comes with a 155mm axial-flow, single-stage jet pump.
Key features:
- Category: Performance
- Engine: 1812cc, 4-cylinder, Yamaha
- Performance: 180 HP
- Supercharged: No
- Length: 131.9 inches
- Width: 48.8 inches
- Wet weight: 843 lbs.
- Brake and reverse: Standard
- Fuel capacity: 18.5 gallons
- Storage capacity: 28.4 gallons
- Rider capacity: 3
The Yamaha GP1800R SVHO is basically a supercharged configuration of the HO.
These skis share their hull and many of the same features, and their engines are built on the same base 1.8L Yamaha marine engine.
But while the HO comes with a naturally-aspirated configuration rated at 180 HP, the SVHO enjoys the 250 HP supercharged engine option paired with a 160mm jet pump.
Marketed as the best performance WaveRunner, the GP1800R SVHO is a worthy opponent of the Sea-Doo RXP-X 300.
Key features:
- Category: Performance
- Engine: 1812cc, 4-cylinder, Yamaha
- Performance: 250 HP
- Supercharged: Yes
- Length: 131.9 inches
- Width: 48.8 inches
- Wet weight: 880 lbs.
- Brake and reverse: Standard
- Fuel capacity: 18.5 gallons
- Storage capacity: 28.4 gallons
- Rider capacity: 3
The Best Performance Kawasaki Jet Skis
6. Kawasaki Ultra 310X
Even though the Ultra 310X is classed as a performance Kawasaki jet ski, this machine is actually a touring model with a performance accent.
It shares its large hull, engine, and many features with the more luxurious 310LX and 310LX-S, but the 310X is significantly lighter and performs better.
The competitor of this ski is the Sea-Doo RXT-X rather than the much smaller and more agile Sea-Doo RXP-X or GP WaveRunners.
Key features:
- Category: Performance
- Engine: 1492cc, 4-cylinder, Kawasaki
- Performance: 310 HP
- Supercharged: Yes
- Length: 140.9 inches
- Width: 47 inches
- Wet weight: 1032 lbs.
- Brake and reverse: Standard
- Fuel capacity: 21.1 gallons
- Storage capacity: 44.5 gallons
- Rider capacity: 3
Performance Jet Ski Comparison Chart
For a better comparison, we’ve compiled the key specs of production performance jet skis into one chart:| Specs | GP1800R HO | GP1800R SVHO | GTR 230 | RXT-X 300 | RXP-X 300 | Ultra 310X |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Yamaha | Yamaha | Sea-Doo | Sea-Doo | Sea-Doo | Kawasaki |
| Displacement (cc) | 1812 | 1812 | 1630 | 1630 | 1630 | 1492 |
| Cylinders | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Supercharged | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Brake & Reverse | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HP | 180 | 250 | 230 | 300 | 300 | 310 |
| Length (in) | 131.9 | 131.9 | 130.6 | 135.9 | 130.6 | 135.4 |
| Width (in) | 48.8 | 48.8 | 49.2 | 49.4 | 49.2 | 47 |
| Dry Weight (lbs) | 717 | 754 | 774 | 829 | 780 | 892 |
| Curb Weight (lbs) | 843 | 880 | 882 | 954 | 905 | 1032 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 18.5 | 18.5 | 15.9 | 18.5 | 18.5 | 21.1 |
| Storage Capacity (gal) | 28.4 | 28.4 | 42.5 | 26.1 | 40.6 | 44.5 |
| Weight Capacity (lbs) | na | na | 600 | 600 | 400 | 496 |
| Rider capacity | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 (2) | 3 |
Takeaways – FAQs About Performance Jet Skis
As the takeaway, we’ve answered the most common questions about performance jet skis.What is a Performance Jet Ski?
One of the most popular segments in the jet ski market is the Performance class, and with good reason.
As the name suggests, performance jet skis are designed for racing and adrenaline-filled rides. They are equipped with high-performance engines and their hulls are engineered for the best acceleration and cornering abilities.
Performance jet skis are often equipped with many race-intended features like high-performance sponsons, launch control, variable trim system, race-inspired seats, and adjustable handlebars.
What Kind of Engine does a Performance Jet Ski Have?
Performance jet skis are typically powered by supercharged, 4-stroke, in-line engines. But Yamaha offers the GP1800R HO with a naturally-aspirated engine configuration.
To be more precise, the available performance jet ski engines are as follows:
- Sea-Doo: Rotax 1630 ACE: 1630cc, 3-cylinder, supercharged (230/300 HP)
- Yamaha: 1.8L Yamaha HO: 1812cc, 4-cylinder, naturally-aspirated (180 HP)
- Yamaha: 1.8L Yamaha SVHO: 1812cc, 4-cylinder, supercharged (250 HP)
- Kawasaki: 1.5L Kawasaki marine engine: 1492c, 4-cylinder, supercharged (310 HP)
How Much HP Does a Performance Jet Ski Have?
As a rule of thumb, a performance jet ski can generate 180-300 HP depending on the make and model.
The naturally-aspirated Yamaha GP1800R HO generates 180 HP, the Sea-Doo GTR 230 is rated at 230 HP, while high-end performance jet skis put out 300-310 HP.
How Fast Can a Performance Jet Ski Go?
Keeping safety in mind, the top speed of performance jet skis is limited to 67 mph by the factory.
However, the most powerful models can hit 68-70 mph with a light load in ideal conditions.
How Fast Can a Performance Jet Ski Accelerate?
You can expect the 0-60 mph time of Performance jet skis to be in the ballpark of 3.5-5 seconds.
How Much Does a Performance Jet Ski Cost?
The price of Performance jet skis starts at $13,000 and goes up to $18,000 (MSRP, USD).
How Much Does a Performance Jet Ski Weigh?
The curb weight of performance jet skis varies between 880 and 1030 pounds.
