The History of Personal Watercraft

Riding a personal watercraft (PWC) is one of the most popular types of water activities, involving racing at high speeds and feeling the wind in your hair. PWC continue to become more advanced as technology improves.

At Vey's Powersports, we offer a look at the history of personal watercraft and how they've evolved over time. Visit our location in El Cajon, California, serving San Diego and Santee, California.

Clayton Jacobson II Invented the First PWC

Clayton Jacobson II was born in Portland, Oregon, on October 12, 1933, and had a love for body-building, engineering, and physics. He spent a lot of time working in his garage and enjoyed the adrenaline that came with street racing. He worked on jets in the Marine Corps and created the first personal watercraft prototype in 1965. It was constructed of aluminum and featured a two-stroke engine.

Kawasaki picked up his idea, although the company originally only manufactured motorcycles at the time. The first Kawasaki personal watercraft, called a Jet Ski®, was designed to have you stand up and was released in 1973. 

Main Features of Personal Watercraft

PWC are unique watercraft devices that stand out because of a few main elements, including handlebars that allow you to turn and maneuver them. The intake grate sucks up water on the bottom of the craft. A gasoline engine is also responsible for powering the PWC and is either a two- or four-stroke engine. Fuel is needed to power the watercraft and keep it running. 

Different Types of PWC

Over time, personal watercraft have evolved, and different types have been invented for added versatility for riders. Recreational PWC are the most popular models and are known to have more agility on the water. Performance-oriented PWC can reach higher speeds and have more horsepower, reaching 80 mph in three seconds.

The First PWC Manufacturers

There are a few personal watercraft brands that have had the longest history in the industry and continue to be successful. Sea-Doo first began in 1968 and became a brand in 1988. Yamaha is also a top brand that originated in 1986. Kawasaki has the longest history as a watercraft brand and was started in the 1800s.

Are you interested in learning more about personal watercraft? Visit Vey's Powersports. Our location is in El Cajon, California, and we serve San Diego and Santee, California.