The jet ski began in the 1960s when Clayton Jacobson II developed a “motorcycle for the water” using a water jet instead of a propeller. Bombardier introduced the Sea-Doo in 1968, followed by Kawasaki’s first Jet Ski in 1973, a lightweight stand-up machine with 26 horsepower. Jet skis soon became popular in racing, while Yamaha’s 1986 WaveRunner helped make sit-down models more accessible. Over time, engines became cleaner and far more powerful, with modern Jet Skis producing more than 300 horsepower. Despite the technology, the basic idea remains the same: pull water in, shoot it out the back, and ride the thrust.
Learn about the big-block jet boats and the history of water jet boats.
