Jet Ski, WaveRunner, or Sea Doo?

Yes, all these years you may have thought that you were riding a Jet Ski, but unless it was manufactured by Kawasaki it was actually a Wave Runner or Sea Doo. And if it was a Wave Runner then it was manufactured by Yamaha.

Here at Balboa Water Sports, located in Newport Beach, CA, we rent Sea Doos, which are manufactured by Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP). There are a lot of reasons why a Sea Doo is the best. But today we are focusing on the history of the Personal Watercraft and all the term confusion (AKA Jet Ski, Wave Runner, or Sea Doo).

The first Sea Doo was manufactured by Bombardier in the 1960s.

Sea Doo, the First Personal Water Craft

Personal Watercraft (PWC) first hit the market in Europe and were originally termed a “water scooter”. The first PWC introduced in the US was actually manufactured by Bombardier in the 1960s. Sea-Doo called it the “Jet-Powered Aqua Scooter”. It much like today’s models had a seat, though it was much smaller and only carried one passenger.

In 1970 Kawasaki introduced the first Stand-Up PWC using the term “Jet Ski”. They quickly trademarked the term.

Those first Jet Skis were only designed for one rider who had to stand up. So quickly the generic term “Jet Ski” caught on and until this day is often used to reference other brands of personal watercraft.

Lastly, Yamaha got into the game in 1986 with the first WaveRunner, which was a sit-down model. Bombardier then re-introduced the Sea Doo in 1988, again with the sit-down style accommodating two passengers.

The terms “Jet Ski”, “Sea Doo”, and “WaveRunner” contribute to a lot of misconceptions about personal watercraft. For Example, if it is a stand-up personal watercraft then it must be a “Jet Ski”. Another, if you sit down on it then it must be a WaveRunner or Sea Doo. In fact, all three manufacturers have at one time or another made a stand-up and sit-down model.

Bookings & Special Offers

If waiting around in line to rent a Sea Doo isn’t you and your friends idea of a good time, then we recommend making a reservation. Bookings are available on our website at least one day in advance, so just make sure you go online at least the night before and book. Please keep in mind though that summer weekends can sometimes book up early, so plan ahead. If you do make a reservation please remember to arrive at least 20 minutes and check in to our shop at 204 Washington Street, yes inside the Balboa Beach & Bicycle Boutique.

Speaking of summer weekends, due to beach traffic and parking congestion we only take bookings for morning rentals. All afternoon rentals are then available on a first come first serve. Our advise for those wanting afternoon rentals is arrive early to get parking, check in with our staff to get on the list, and then grab a bite to eat or hit the beach. There is plenty to keep you busy in the area, just remember no alcohol or drugs before renting the Sea Doo.

Also, remember you will need to complete a rental agreement and take our quiz, then head to the dock for the required safety procedures. We also provide everyone with an extra 30 minutes for their harbor travel time, so we recommend planning at least two hours for the entire experience.

Sea Doo skipping across the ocean.

Two Hour Sea Doo Rental

Speaking of time, it does fly when you’re having fun, and skimming across the water on a Sea Doo is definitely fun that passes by way too quickly. Luckily for you, we’ve got a way to make sure you squeeze in the most amount of fun without putting a pinch in your wallet. When you use the coupon code, you’ll save $55 on a two-hour Sea-Doo rental. That’s more than 20 percent off the regular price, and all you have to do is remember the code “2HOUR” when you book your rental.

Stand Up Paddle Board Rental

For a more leisurely way to tool around the water, our stand up paddle boards give you the chance to take things easy and let you enjoy the feel of being out and about. And to make the experience that much better, you can even save some money on it. Save $15 when you rent your stand up paddle board for two hours.

To make sure we are ready for you and your friends when you arrive go ahead and book and pay online using coupon code “2For25”. When you arrive it will be easy to get on the water and take in the beautiful views. If you are a newbie, no problem, we are happy to give you a quick lesson and send you on your way.