When you take your jet ski out for a ride on the lake and are planning on spending the day, or when you are taking a trip along the public waterways, to get from one location to another, sometimes there is the need to have additional fuel. On many larger waterways, there are marinas as to where you can ride into the dock and get fuel just like you can drive your car up to the gas pumps at a filling station and fuel your car.
This is a handy service to be offered because you will not have to worry about hauling extra fuel or keeping it at you camp in the hot sun in certain areas. But unfortunately, not all areas that you may travel will have marinas and you will have to carry extra fuel.
How do you carry extra gas on a jet ski?
The best way to carry extra gas on a jet ski is to install a rack you can strap gas cans to. Although you can strap a gas can directly to your jet ski, it may not be the best option to make sure it doesn’t end up falling in the lake. Sea-Doo makes a gas can that attaches to their LinQ system to provide seamless fuel storage.
Some people also want to haul extra fuel, so they do not have to pay the high gasoline prices at the local marinas. Many of these are known to charge high prices due to knowing that their location is prime and that riders can not get fuel across the street at a cheaper price. For example, at our local marina, gas is $4.55 per gallon of regular. At the gas pump on land about 15 minutes down the road, it is about $2.25. For a jet ski paying for 5 gallons, it may not be much, but imagine filling your cabin cruiser, OUCH!
Check to see what types of marinas are in the area beforehand. Sometimes you can find a State or County park that may have a marina along your route, and these are more regulated so you may find a better price at a location like these.
How Much Gas Does A Jet Ski Use?
The average gas tank on a jet ski will hold approximately 16 gallons of gasoline. When you are riding one hard, throttle wide open, in approximately one hour it will burn around 10 gallons of gasoline leaving you with only 6 gallons left in your tank.
Many riders like to follow the 1/3 rule to keep from running out of fuel while out on the lake. They know they can ride out away from their camp or loading area about as far as 1/3 or their gasoline will get them. Then another 1/3 to get back to where they can get more gas either at their vehicle or their camp. This gives them extra just in case it takes longer, or conditions such as winds or rougher water may cause them to use additional fuel. This way they do not run out of gasoline and become stranded.
Our Honda PWC can go about 45 miles on a half tank while at a cruising speed. If you are hot rodding around the lake, you can get a lot less.
Is it Okay to Put Extra Fuel in The Storage Areas?
Some jet skis offer storage areas, but it is not a good idea to store gasoline in them. The are enclosed so that you can carry your wallet, camera, ropes, and things like that and not lose them while in the water. With these areas being enclosed, this could cause gas vapors to build up and create an explosion on your jet ski.
Some of these areas are near the motor and will become quite warm from the heat of the motor. This can also create an explosive situation. It is not recommended to haul a gas can, or a jerry can inside of your storage areas for safety reasons. Some of these areas are also relatively small and you would only be able to haul a gallon or two of gas in them. This will not make a lot of difference on your venture as far as fuel goes so why take the risk.
How to Haul Extra Fuel on a Jet Ski
Many people have discovered that they can haul fuel on the back of their jet ski. Of course, anytime there is gasoline involved it takes some safety considerations when doing it.
Hauling Fuel on your PWC without any Accessories
Before we get started on how to haul fuel, we recommend a good quality gas can that can be completely sealed so you don’t have a chance of spilling fuel in the lake if something were to happen.
First take a rubber mat and put it in the center of the back part of your jet ski. This helps with friction, heat and making sure it is in the center will help with balance and the control of your jet ski. Set the can in the center of the area, making sure that it is again in the center of your jet ski.
Using rachet straps, at least two for one can with the rachet part on opposite sides of the can for more security. Attach one end of the strap to the loop at the top behind the seat grab bar and the other on the loop at the back of the jet ski near the bottom. Run the strap through the handle and tighten it down until a little tension is felt. This holds the can in place.
Take the second strap and repeat only running the strap through the handle on the opposite end of the can. Again, tighten it to where there is enough tension to hold the can in place. Work both rachet straps, tightening them one and then the other until the can is secure and will not move. Take a piece of Velcro or a zip tie and secure the ends of the rachet straps to the rings or loops on the jet ski to prevent them from coming off.
Hauling Two Cans
If you have the need to haul two cans of fuel, on most jet skis it can be done by using the above method with a couple of extra steps. Release the air from the cans to make them more solid, so they will slide together evenly. Add an extra strap using it to secure the two can together so they do not slide apart during travel. Then tighten them like above with the rachet straps. Make sure that this is also centered on your jet ski for better control.
PWC Accessories to Carry Fuel
There are many accessories on the market to carry fuel on a jet ski. For starters, Sea-Doo makes a factory accessory to haul fuel on the back of their jet skis with the LinQ system. This is the best way to carry fuel if you have a Sea-Doo.
Another way to haul fuel is if you have a rear caddy or fishing pole and cooler caddy such as this. You can put a jug of fuel in the cooler mount area prividing a good stable carrying situation, or if you are carrying a cooler, you can use the some RotopaX mounts with comparable gas cans available in many sizes to create the best way to haul gas on a jet ski.
Things to Consider Hauling Fuel on a PWC
When selecting your gas can make sure you have selected quality cans that can hold the amount of fuel that you think you might need. If you can find marine grade cans, it would provide a greater safety value. Do not put the cans on a jet ski with an amateur rider. They are still learning how to control their ride, and this will only make it harder for them.
Know that this will add additional weight to your jet ski and can make your ride more unstable with the additional weight. It would be wise to periodically check your ratchet straps to make sure that they are staying tight and that your cans are still secure.
Always make sure to tighten the caps on your fuel tank and use quality tanks so you don’t spill any fuel in the water.
Larger Fuel Tank
If you do not mind the extra weight, some have been known to install a larger fuel tank on their jet ski. For example, some year jet skis may have a 7 gallon tank from the factory, but in different years, they may have a 10 gallon tank in the same hull. 3 gallons more is quite the upgrade, and may be worth the effort of finding and installing a larger tank so you don’t have to carry extra fuel.
Fuel Racks
There are also fuel racks that can be purchased to hold a fuel can onto your jet ski. This rack will mount to the back of your jet ski and the fuel can will attach and be held in place by the rack. I guess it would depend upon how often you haul additional fuel and the costs that you are willing to go to in order to have extra fuel.
Running Out of Fuel
Depending upon how you use your jet ski on a regular basis, will depend upon the length that many owners will go to, to ensure they do not run out of fuel. There are several options but always remember that safety should be your number one consideration when making this decision.
