Jet-ski market, though large enough, is represented by few names, particularly, five known companies in this segment. As for the market of stand-up jet-skis, it’s even smaller, and is represented by three companies. The Japanese Kawasaki and Yamaha hold a strong position in this sector of watersports.
Until recently the American Polaris had also been producting stand-ups, but there’s no sense counting it in now, because the company left the market and nobody knows for how long. These three manufacturers had produced both sit-downs and stand-ups and, let’s face it, did quite successfully with both kinds. Not so long ago we saw a fast and successful start of the Austrian Hydrospace that makes stand-ups exclusively.
Stand-up jet-skis are not just another way of injecting adrenaline into your system during a water-bound vacation (though it’s a faster and surer way to achieve that purpose compare to sit-downs). They’re used in professional competitions of several kinds, including freestyle, known to many and the most fascinating sport.
Controlling a jet-ski in the standing position is not an easy task that requires more skill and experience. Climbing onto a stand-up going at a slow speed from the water and trying not to overturn it is quite complicated at first. But scudding along the mirror-like water surface at 120 kmph, making steep turns and tricks is undoubtedly a treat. However, it’s too soon to describe the tricks.
A stand-up in a standard specification already can be considered a worthy craft for action leisure. However, professional sportsmen do not stop at that and install extra electronic equipment. The tuning increases the original cost of the jet-ski manifold. As a rule, customising is done not by a manufacturing company, but elsewhere.
An upgrade like that allows not only successful participation in the races; it’s also good for freestyle.
Incidentally, it was Kawasaki that actually invented the stand-up, having ambitiously called it jet-ski. The name proved its worth: the first jet-ski had a 400-cm³ engine and was much more powerful than its predecessors. Those who had tried the aquabike later admitted that the experience was similar to waterskiing.
Kawasaki Jet Ski 800 SX-R
It’s the most advanced stand-up ever made. 800 SX-R is stable and easily controlled on the water. The sponsons of a new design and improved body (wider and lengthened) are made for performing especially steep turns.
Capacity, cm³ - 781
Power, hp - 80
Engine type - push-pull
Length/width, cm - 230/73
Dry weight, kg - 159
Fuel tank, l - 17
Hydrospace S4
Hydrospace S4, an Austrian-made stand-up, is the first in the world to be equipped with a four-cycle engine with turbine supercharger. It can easily be called a water sportsbike because of its excellent dynamics and impressive looks.
Capacity, cm³ - 749
Power, hp - 110
Engine type - four-cycle
Length/width, cm - 229/74
Dry weight, kg - 168
Fuel tank, l - 18
Yamaha WR SuperJet
SuperJet is no less powerful than its competitors, but it’s much lighter which allows better manoeuvrability and excellent start. It has high performance characteristics, is perfectly controllable under any conditions, reliable and durable.
Capacity, cm³ - 701
Power, hp - 75
Engine type - push-pull
Length/width, cm - 224/68
Dry weight, kg - 132
Fuel tank, l - 18
Many a yachtsman equip their motor yacht with a jet-ski, and judging on the type of a jet-ski featured, one can determine a person’s character. Those who are calmer ride sit-downs, while adventurous types prefer stand-ups.
1. Monkey jump
First the pilot turns 180 degrees. When the jet-ski is almost in a "candle" position, he abruptly revs up and makes it jump out of the water. At the same very instance the pilot jumps onto the jet-ski head and dives into the water.
2. Barrel 360
Barrel-roll is a name given by pilots to an aerobatics figure when the aircraft makes a full turn on the wing along the long axis. The same very 360-degree turn can be performed on a jet-ski if the wave is high enough.
3. Sub Marine
This trick becomes more impressive and spectacular depending on the diving depth and the angle of dive. Having jumped out of the water, the pilot lifts the stern and pulls down the head, and then dives headfirst, still riding, at a depth of 2-3 m.
4. Fountain
The pilot drowns the head with his own weight, and an intense water spurt – a "fountain" - jets out of the nozzle. It’s a simple and fascinating stunt. It’s especially fun to aim the fountain at the audience gathered on the beach.
Konstantin Startsev
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