4 Sobering Reasons Why There’s a Shortage of Jet Skis [Video]

There’s no question that there’s a massive shortage of jet skis these days while their prices have been skyrocketing. Are you wondering why?

Without further ado, the four main reasons for the jet ski shortage are as follows:

Chip shortage
Low supplies of raw materials
High shipping costs and delays
High demand

If you want to find out more about these factors, keep reading.

We at JetDrift have compiled all you need to know into this post!

Is There a Shortage of Jet Skis?

If you’ve tried buying a jet ski recently, you probably discovered that most dealerships have almost no inventory.

What’s more, many of them say that most models are already sold out for the coming season.

According to The Watercraft Journal, Yamaha has reduced production of 2022 WaveRunners by 30 percent. Regarding competitors, Kawasaki has also announced that 2022 Jet Ski production has shrunk.

New Sea-Doos are also reaching dealerships more slowly and need more assembly.

The Watercraft Zone also reports that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to get a new jet ski in Australia.

Meanwhile, prices of new jet skis go higher and higher, and it’s not uncommon for customers to pay above MSRP for a new jet ski.

Are you wondering what is causing these shortages and such high prices?

Keep reading!

4 Reasons for the Jet Ski Shortage

1. Chip Shortage

It’s safe to say that one of the leading reasons why there’s a shortage of jet skis is the global chip shortage.

Unfortunately, the pandemic disrupted the balance between demand and supply in this market. Today, there’s a huge global demand for chips that factories cannot satisfy.

Modern cars and recreational vehicles use a lot of chips (semiconductors), and jet skis are no exception. And without the required chips, no jet ski can roll off the production line.

The current shortage isn’t just for chips used in vehicles and vessels; it’s for everything from household appliances to smartphones.

2. Low Supply of Raw Materials

Besides chips, there are also low supplies of many important raw materials, which negatively affect jet ski manufacturers and external suppliers.

The pandemic, increased shipping times, and the Ukraine conflict all contribute to significant disruptions in supply chains.

This causes a lot of headaches for jet ski manufacturers by slowing down production and making jet skis more expensive.

Ultimately, it reduces the number of jet skis currently being produced.

3. High Shipping Costs and Delays

Meanwhile, as if the above were not enough, strains on logistical networks, fuel prices, and labor shortages have lengthened delivery times and significantly increased shipping-cost.

Results?

Slower production in jet ski factories and their suppliers and longer delivery times in dealerships.

4. High Demand

Despite limited supply, the demand for jet skis has skyrocketed in the last few years.

During the Covid lockdown, families avoided hotels and other crowded places and turned to other vacation options like recreational vessels and vehicles.

Because of this, the demand for RVs, boats, jet skis, and other hobby vehicles skyrocketed, and factories couldn’t keep up with demand.

Although today travel is not as limited as it was at the beginning of the pandemic, the events of the past couple of years have encouraged many people to pursue jet skiing.

Many have become avid jet ski enthusiasts who are regularly looking for new machines.