While the terms "Jet Ski" and "Wave Runner" are used interchangeably, they both refer to a personal watercraft or PWC. The term Jet Ski refers to a PWC made by Kawasaki, while the Wave Runner is made by Yamaha. Both companies make various types of personal watercraft to ride standing and sitting, alone or with passengers.
Jet Ski Features
- Made by Kawasaki
- Originally designed in 1972 as stand up only
- Good for tricks/racing
- Faster speeds
- Lightweight
Wave Runner Features
- Made by Yamaha
- Originally designed in 1986 as the first sit-down style PWC
- Built for cruising
- Holds passengers
- Additional storage space
What Is A Personal Watercraft?
A personal watercraft, or PWC, is a recreational watercraft that the rider sits down or stands up on. Nowadays, many people refer to a PWC as a Jet Ski or Wave Runner with both terms meaning the same thing.
In terms of size, a PWC must be less than 16 feet in length according to the U.S. Coast Guard. This classifies the watercraft as a "Class A" Inboard Boat.
Kawasaki Jet Ski vs Yamaha WaveRunner
Although both products are very similar, everyone has their own preferences as to what features they find important. To compare and contrast a couple PWC models available, here's a jet ski vs waverunner chart:
Kawasaki Jet Ski SX-R | Yamaha Wave Runner VX |
|---|---|
 |  |
Stand-up riding position | Seated riding position |
1 person | 1-3 persons |
6.1 gal fuel capacity | 18.5 gal fuel capacity |
1,498 cc displacement | 1,049 cc displacement |
551 lbs curb weight | 708 lbs dry weight |
104.5" length | 131.9" length |
To Conclude
In general, jet skis are designed to be agile and fast. If you prefer to cruise around with more storage space and passengers, then a wave runner may be better for you.
With the prices and specs of both options being so similar, you may want to consider test driving a few models from both brands to see which one matches your personal preferences best.
Overall, there is no right or wrong choice between a Kawasaki Jet Ski and a Yamaha Wave Runner. Both brands have been offering quality products for decades that will provide a fun time on the water at the beach or lake.