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Personal water craft have been around for more than half a century. The “Jet Ski,” however, is a trademark used by Kawasaki for its line of personal motorized water craft. Although the word 'Jet Ski' has now become a more generic term describing all personal watercraft, we'll use it to refer specifically to the Kawasaki vessels.
Early Years
The earliest water scooters—as they were originally called—were introduced to Europe in the mid 1950s by motorcycle makers looking to expand their markets.
The British company Vincent produced some 2,000 of its Amanda water scooters in 1955, but it failed to create the new market Vincent had hoped for. Despite the failure of European water scooters to catch on in the 1950s, the 60s saw continued attempts at tinkering with the idea.
The Italian company Mival introduced its Nautical Pleasure Cruiser, which required users to hang onto the craft from behind. Australian motocross enthusiast Clayton Jacobsen II decided to design his own version so that its pilots would be standing up. His big breakthrough, though, was switching from the old outboard motors to an internal pump-jet.
Jacobsen made his first prototype out of aluminum in 1965. He tried again a year later, this time opting for fiberglass. He sold his idea to the snowmobile manufacturer Bombardier, but they failed to catch on and Bombardier gave up on them.
With patent back in hand, Jacobsen went to Kawasaki, which brought out its model in 1973. It was called the Jet Ski. With the benefit of Kawasaki’s marketing, the Jet Ski won a loyal audience as a way to waterski without the need for a boat. It was a small audience, however, as remaining on board while standing up—especially in choppy water—remained a challenge.
Jet Skis Go Big
The next decade planted the seeds for an explosion in the popularity of personal water craft. For one thing, new models were introduced that let riders do what they could do back on the old water scooters. The ability to sit down helped pilot stability. New designs not only improved stability further, but they allowed for two riders at a time, introducing a social element to personal water crafts.
Bombardier got back into the game with the introduction of the Sea-Doo, which went on to become the best-selling personal watercraft in the world. With further advances in engine technology and emissions, today’s personal water craft enjoy new-found success in every metric. They can go faster than ever, reaching 60 miles an hour. And they now sell more than any boat in the world.
Jet Ski Competitions
As the popularity of personal water craft started to take off, enthusiasts started to organize races and competitions. The premiere racing series event is the P1 AquaX, which launched in the United Kingdom in May 2011. London-based sports promoter Powerboat P1 created the racing series and expanded to the United States in 2013. And by 2015, as many as 400 riders from 11 countries had signed up to compete in an AquaX event. The organizers are looking to expand to other countries.
1985 Kawasaki 550 Jet Ski
Original 1974 Kawasaki JS400 Jet Ski
Jet Ski is the brand name of a personal water craft (PWC)[1] manufactured by Kawasaki,[2] a Japanese company.[3] The term is often used generically to refer to any type of personal watercraft used mainly for recreation, and it is also used as a verb to describe the use of any type of PWC.[4]
A runabout style PWC typically carries 1–3 people seated in a configuration like a typical bicycle or motorcycle.
- 2Stand-up model history
- 3Models
- 3.12003 JS800A
Kawasaki Jet Ski[edit]
'Jet Ski' is a proper noun and registered trademark of Kawasaki. The stand-up Kawasaki Jet Ski was the first 'commercially successful' personal watercraft in America, having been released in 1972 (after reaching a license agreement with the inventor of the Sea-doo, Clayton Jacobson II when his license agreement with Bombardier expired).[2] The Kawasaki Jet Ski was the only commercial successful PWC for almost 16 years, from the introduction of the WSAA in October 1972 through the re-introduction of the sit-down, runabout style Bombardier Sea-Doo in 1988.[5][6]
The first stand-up prototype
With the introduction of the Jet Ski, Kawasaki, in cooperation with aftermarket companies and enthusiasts, helped in creating the United States Jet Ski Boating Association (USJSBA). In 1982 the name was changed to the International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA). At the start, only JS440 stand-ups were raced. After Kawasaki introduced the runabout style X2 in 1986 it gained its own class, later to be renamed the 'Sport Class'.[5]
Stand-up model history[edit]
1972–1976[edit]
Kawasaki introduces the first production stand-up PWC in October 1972. The WSAA and follow-on WSAB were powered by modified 400cc 2-stroke twin cylinder engines. The WSAA was designed with a flat hull and the WSAB came with a concave design. The design concepts distinctive of these original craft were a fully enclosed impeller for safety and self-righting, self-circling features. Without a lanyard the self circling allowed the rider to swim back to the idling craft after falling off. Kawasaki called them 'Water Jet' and 'Power Skis' before they settled on the name 'Jet Ski'.[7]
1976–1982[edit]
The 1976 JS400 was popular among thrill seeking recreational riders and racers. The 1977 JS440 offered more power and performance. It was one of Kawasaki's longest selling models. In 1982, Kawasaki responded to market demand for more performance with the JS550. The 550 featured a newly designed high capacity mixed flow pump driven by more powerful 531cc engine. The 550 introduced an automatic rev limiter to prevent engine damage when the pump cavitates.
1982–1986[edit]
Kawasaki continued to improve the JS550 well into the 1990s. In 1986, Kawasaki added the JS300 to their model line-up, a single cylinder 294cc two-stroke engine featuring automatic fuel /oil mixing. They also added the 650 X2, their first 'sit-down' Jet Ski, and originator of the Sport Class for PWC racing.
1987–1992[edit]
Kawasaki introduces the completely redesigned JS650-A. It featured an even higher capacity axial flow pump and a powerful 635cc two-stroke twin engine in a modified V-hull design for increased maneuverability and stability.
In 1992, the company introduced a stand-up JS750-A. The engine was a twin cylinder 743cc two-stroke with reed valves and automatic oil injection. The redesigned hull was lighter weight and more maneuverable. The 750 introduced underwater exhaust for quieter operation to the stand-up kawasaki.
1995[edit]
The 750 SXi (JS750-B) is introduced, and became the first stand-up Jet Ski with dual carburetors.
1998[edit]
Kawasaki releases a commemorative edition JS550-C. The high performance JS750-C is released featuring a lower center of gravity due to its hand-laminated fiberglass hull.
2003[edit]
Kawasaki introduces the SX-R 800 (JS800A), which increased displacement to 781cc, in the form of an in-line twin 2-stroke engine generating 80hp. The SX-R also moved to a fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) hull and top deck.
2011[edit]
Due to US EPA restrictions, Kawasaki releases their final two-stroke stand-up, and the last year of the JS800 SX-R, to recognize the 37-year history of the stand-up JetSki. The model designation was JS800ABF, with an MSRP of $7899.00.[8]
2017[edit]
On October 6, 2016 Kawasaki reintroduced the stand-up Jet Ski. The 8 ft. 9 in., 550+ lb. SX-R 1500 shared little with its predecessors. Powered by a 160HP inline 4-cylinder four-stroke engine, the SX-R was described by one author as 'on steroids' and having 'lost some of the playfulness of early standup models'.[9] It holds 6.1 gallons of fuel, measures 104.5' long, 30.1' wide and 33.1' high.[10]
Models[edit]
Kawasaki produced various models of the Jet Ski starting in 1972, beginning with the JS400 and leading up to the current JS1500.
2003 JS800A[edit]
The 800 SX-R was introduced for the 2003 model year, and remained unchanged until it was discontinued in 2011.
Motor[edit]
- Common name: 800 SX-R
- Displacement: 781cc, Inline 2-Cylinder, 2-Stroke
- Bore x stroke: 82 x 74mm
- Compression ratio: 7.2:1
- Rated Power Output: 80 hp, 59.7 kW
- Dual carb (Mikuni SBN40) with reed valves
- Premix ratio, gas/oil: 50:1
- Max fuel consumption (US gal/h): 7.7
- Range at full throttle: 0.6 hrs
- Spark plug: BR8ES Solid (NGK 3961)
- RPM Limiter: 8,000 rpm
Chassis[edit]
- Fuel capacity (gal): 4.5
- Length (in): 90.6
- Width (in): 28.7
- Height (in): 28.9
- Weight, dry (lb): 369.9
- Displacement (cc) to weight ratio: 2.11
- Max speed (mph): 47
- Impeller: Stainless steel 3 blade
Other stand-up manufacturers[edit]
In 1990 Yamaha introduced the Super Jet. It was designed in consultation with Clayton Jacobson II. It is still in production today, with various updates throughout the model years.
In 1994-1995 Yamaha introduced the FX-1, which had a limited production of 1500 units.
In 2004 Bombardier introduced the SeaDoo 3D. Unfortunately it had an ill-fated life and was only sold as 2005-2007 model years.
Various manufacturers produce a range of aftermarket competition hulls for stand-up PWCs.
References[edit]
- ^'Jet Ski'. Cambridge English Dictionary. Archived from the original on 17 April 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
- ^ abJosephson, Paul R. (2007). Motorized Obsessions: Life, Liberty, and the Small-Bore Engine. JHU Press. p. 150. ISBN9780801886416. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^'Japanese inventions that changed the world'. CNN. Archived from the original on 2017-11-03.
- ^'Jet Ski'. Merriam Webster Dictionary. Archived from the original on 2013-05-11. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
- ^ abVasilis Moraitis. 'Jet Ski History 1973-2012'. Jetskiworld. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
- ^Vasilis Moraitis. 'Kawasaki Jet Ski stand-up 37 years history - World Exclusive Legendary stand-ups'. Jetskiworld. Archived from the original on 19 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^'History of the Jet Ski - stand-up watercraft'. JetSki Club. 5 March 2014. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
- ^'2011 KAWASAKI JET SKI® 800 SX-R'. Personal Watercraft. 14 April 2011. Archived from the original on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
- ^Jeff Hemmel (12 June 2017). 'Kawasaki Jet Ski SXR Review'. Boats.com. Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^Jeff Hemmel (23 April 2017). 'KAWASAKI SX-R REVIEW- BACK AND BETTER'. JetSkiTips.com. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
External links[edit]
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