Jet skis and personal water crafts

Jet skis come with a variety of accessories. From storage to coolers, to rear view mirrors. Decide which features your jet ski needs, and ignore those that are not required. A trailer for your jet ski is essential.

What's your budget? Investing in a personal water craft can be expensive, so it's important to stick to a budget you can afford. Used jet skis are a popular choice, particularly if this is a new hobby.

Size does matter! Consider what size of watercraft is best for you. Some are designed to ride solo, while others are made to fit up to four.

The one person watercraft has two types - the solo or the sport craft. The solo is a standing jet ski, and the sport craft offers a seat. This offers more stability if you're new to the sport.

The two person model has dual seating, but tends to be a little slower, depending on the size of engine.

The four seaters are perfect for families who don't want to buy individual models. The four person jet ski is relatively new, so this might be harder to get hold.

Wider, longer jet skis are more stable, whereas shorter, thinner models are harder to control. If this is a new hobby, go for a bigger jet ski to start.

Power. Are you planning on towing anything with your water craft? If so, you'll need a jet ski with some serious horsepower. Are children going to be using the jet ski? Then you may want to consider a model with slower acceleration and speed.

Extra, extra! Personal water crafts come with a variety of accessories. From storage to coolers, to rear view mirrors. Decide which features are essential, and ignore those that are not. A trailer for your jet ski is essential.

Ask questions - If you're thinking of buying a used jet ski, ask the seller how many hours the it has been used for. It's also advisable to ask a mechanic to check the water craft over before you buy.

Safety First. Most jet skis have a lanyard which turns the engine off automatically if you overturn. A used jet ski may not have a lanyard, so always ask the seller if it has one before you buy.

Also, insuring your personal water craft is advisable. Insurance can protect you and your jet ski against personal injury, accidents and theft.

Storage. And finally, before buying any personal water craft, you should think about where you are going to store it. It's best to store your personal water craft indoors, in a shed or garage.

Top manufacturers Here's some of the big names you should look out for:

Seadoo

Kawasaki

Yamaha

Honda

Polaris

So, if you've decided to invest in a personal water craft, carry out lots of research - use the internet. And if you're considering buying a used jet ski, always use a reputable broker.