Back

What is faster, a jet ski or snowmobile?

Feb. 15 2023 Miscellaneous By FFUN Motorsports

Share

What is faster, a jet ski or snowmobile?


For any bike fanatic, speed could mean the difference between purchasing a bike and leaving it behind. The jet ski and snowmobile; which is faster? Let’s break both down and decide which is faster and why.


There are many similarities between a jet ski and a snowmobile, but there are also some differences between the two. It all comes down to your preferences. A jet ski is a water ride which is commonly enjoyed in the summer season when it's warm, whilst a snowmobile is a snow ride commonly enjoyed in the winter months. So, they operate in different environments which could also affect speed.


Let’s delve into and compare some of their specs.


Snowmobile


Snowmobiles are snow or ice rides with a two-stroke or four-stroke engine. Two-stroke engines have a speed of 750rmp and four-stroke engines have a speed of 1500rmp. This is significant to mention as RMP does affect speed. The higher the RMP(Rotation Per Minute) in the engine, the faster the vehicle.


Snowmobile engine horsepower varies from 120-cc to 850-cc.

Snowmobiles can be used on all kinds of terrains as long as there is snow on the ground, for example, mountains, frozen lakes and rivers or even forests. Ultimately no matter how powerful the engine is, terrain and weather conditions play a large role in affecting speed.


With snowmobiles, you can achieve higher top speed on ice than you can when riding in deep snow. This is simply due to the resistance of snow in comparison to smooth ice.


Types of Snowmobile


There are many types of snowmobiles such as trail snowmobiles, sport snowmobiles and touring snowmobiles.

  • The trail snowmobile doesn't need lots of skill or experience to operate. Its mechanisms are simple, which makes it easy for amateurs to ride.

  • The sport snowmobile has upgraded features in comparison to the trail snowmobile, It can run faster and more stable than the trail snowmobile.

  • Touring snowmobiles have components that allow them to be used in the snow for a long time. They are built for riders who want to enjoy a comfortable ride in the snow.


Jet ski


Jet skis are water rides that carry a two-stroke or four-stroke engine. Depending on the model, a jet ski's speed can vary from as little as 40 mph to 70 mph. The fastest jet ski is a stock jet ski and it is capable of reaching speeds of up to 70 mph. Some do however go even faster.

For frequent riders, the average riding speed is usually 57mph; however, it’s a bit lower for new riders at about 40mph. You can make your jet ski faster with the addition of varied upgrades and mods. If you live in and around Canada, then the best Canadian company for this is Rotax.


Jet skis use impellers to generate thrust then their engines turn the shaft drive that sucks water from under the machine and shoots it out. To be safe on a jet ski ride you will need life jackets and other water safety tools. As long as there is a body of water you can enjoy a jet ski ride. The basic controls of a jet ski are handlebars that you turn to steer the ride and a throttle that you open and release to speed up or slow down.


Personal watercraft(PWC)


Personal watercraft refers to a variety of different models and manufacturers that manufacture inflatable boats used for personal or leisure purposes. Personal watercraft are also referred to as jet skis, wave runners or Sea-Doos(ski-doo).


Stand-up jet skis are more compact and easy to transport whilst sit-down watercraft are bigger and offer a quality ride. They range from slow-moving cruisers to quick racers. If you are into jet skis, you may want to take a look at the Kawasaki jet ski.


There are some great options of brands to choose from to purchase, the likes of, Yamaha, Polaris, Alumacraft, Manitou many more.


Both offer a good riding experience; however, snowmobiles are faster than jet skis. While the fastest jet skis can go up to speeds of 70 mph, the fastest snowmobiles get even faster.


For your outdoor sports machines, visit FFUN Motorsports Saskatoon. We offer a range of vehicles from ATVs, UTVs, snowmobiles, and PWCs, you name it. Our products come from BRP, Kawasaki, Alumicraft and Manitou. Visit FFUN Motorsports Saskatoon to see what we have on offer today!