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Personal Watercraft (PWCs), also referred to as jet skis (although some PWC faithful would take issue with it) are inherently buoyant. After all, they must stay afloat as stunt-happy boat fans jump, carve, and spin these vessels to their absolute limits. Consequently, social media sites are inundated with videos of PWCs diving below the surface and popping back up. So, can you sink a jet ski? Or are the little PWCs essentially unsinkable?

Like any other vessel, you can sink a jet ski through damage or negligence 

As you might surmise, jet skis don’t want to sink. Manufacturers like Sea-Doo and Yamaha, design these PWCs to stay afloat during jarring, often strenuous rides. Many models feature buoyant componentry to keep them at the water’s surface. The same goes for overturned PWCs. 

Believe it or not, overturned (or capsized) vessels don’t often sink. Typically, a capsized boat will remain buoyant enough to stay afloat. That is, unless it’s damaged. Therein lies the most important factor to a vessel’s buoyancy after capsizing: whether or not it sustained damage. And, you guessed it, an instance of a jet ski sinking more often than not involves damage. 

A Sea-Doo PWC like this one will easily stay afloat with proper maintenance and care.
A Sea-Doo PWC like this one will easily stay afloat with proper maintenance | Erik Sherman, MotorBiscuit

However, even if your damaged jet ski doesn’t sink, any hull damage could be serious. Any water penetration into your PWC’s hull could be catastrophic, per Jetdrift. Fortunately, you can avoid sinking your jet ski by paying attention to your surroundings and avoiding collisions. Furthermore, PWC operators should avoid overloading their vessels for obvious reasons. Manufacturers dictate factory weight limits for a reason, and an overloaded PWC could end in tragedy. 

In addition to damage and overloading, poor maintenance can result in a sinking jet ski. These vessels require regular maintenance, including winterization. Failure to keep up with maintenance could result in an inoperable or damaged jet ski.

If you find yourself atop a sinking jet ski, remain calm and conserve your energy. Your life is more important than the vessel and you should prioritize your safety over the PWC. Always use a life jacket to stay afloat, ensure the engine is off, and avoid holding onto a rapidly sinking PWC. Finally, signal for help with whatever is available to you.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).