Кавасаки Jet Ski: Жеке су шаңғысы тарихы мен дамуы

Brand of personal water craft

Jet Ski is the brand name of a personal watercraft (PWC) manufactured by Kawasaki, The term is often used generically to refer to any type of personal watercraft used mainly for recreation, and it is also used as a verb to describe the use of any type of PWC. A runabout style PWC typically carries one to three people seated in a configuration like a typical bicycle or motorcycle.

"Jet Ski" is a proper noun and registered trademark of Kawasaki. Released in 1972, the stand up Kawasaki Jet Ski was the first commercially successful personal watercraft in America (after reaching a license agreement with the inventor of the Sea Doo, Clayton Jacobson II when his license agreement with Bombardier expired). The Kawasaki Jet Ski was the only commercially successful PWC for almost 16 years, from the introduction of the WSAA in October 1972 through the reintroduction of the sit down, runabout style Bombardier Sea Doo in 1988. With the introduction of the Jet Ski, Kawasaki helped create the United States Jet Ski Boating Association (USJSBA), in cooperation with aftermarket companies and enthusiasts. In 1982 the name was changed to the International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA). At the start, only JS440 stand ups were raced. After Kawasaki introduced the runabout style X2 in 1986, it gained its own class, later to be renamed the "Sport Class". The WSAA and follow on WSAB were powered by modified 400cc 2 stroke twin cylinder engines. The WSAA was designed with a flat hull and the WSAB came with a convex v hull design. The design concept distinctive of these original craft included a fully enclosed impeller for safety, self righting, and self circling features. Without a lanyard the self circling allowed the rider to swim back to the idling craft after falling off. Kawasaki called them "Water Jet" and "Power Skis" before they settled on the name "Jet Ski".

The 1976 JS400 was popular among thrill seeking recreational riders and racers. The 1977 JS440 offered more power and performance. It was one of Kawasaki's longest selling models. In 1982, Kawasaki responded to market demand for more performance with the JS550. The 550 featured a newly designed high capacity mixed flow pump, driven by a 531cc engine. The 550 introduced an automatic rev limiter to prevent engine damage when the pump cavitates. The JS550 also introduced underwater exhaust for quieter operation.

While the JS550 continued to be improved, in 1986, Kawasaki added the JS300 to their model line up. The JS300 was a single cylinder 294cc two stroke engine featuring automatic oil injection. They also added the 650 X2, their first sit down Jet Ski, and originator of the Sport Class for PWC racing.

Kawasaki introduced the JS650SX. It featured a higher capacity axial flow pump and a powerful 635cc two stroke twin engine in a modified V hull design for increased maneuverability and stability. In 1992, the company introduced a stand up JS750 A. The engine was a twin cylinder 743cc two stroke with reed valves and automatic oil injection. The redesigned hull was lighter in weight and more maneuverable than previous models.

The 750 SXI (JS750 B) was introduced and became the first stand up Jet Ski with dual carburetors.

Kawasaki introduced the SX R 800 (JS800A), which increased displacement to 781cc, in the form of an in line twin 2 stroke engine, generating 80hp. The SX R also moved to a fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) hull and top deck.

Due to US EPA restrictions, Kawasaki released their final two stroke stand up, and discontinued the JS800 SX R. The model designation was JS800ABF, with an MSRP of $7899.00.

On October 6, 2016, Kawasaki reintroduced the stand up Jet Ski. The SX R 1500 shared little with its predecessors. It was 8 feet (2 m), , powered by a inline 4 cylinder four stroke engine. It held of fuel, measured long, wide and high. The SX R has been described by one author as "on steroids" and having "lost some of the playfulness of early stand up models".

Kawasaki produced various models of the Jet Ski starting in 1972, beginning with the JS400 and leading up to the current JS1500.

In 1990 Yamaha introduced the Super Jet. It was designed in consultation with Clayton Jacobson II. 2020 marked the last model year offered with a 2 stroke as the 2021 model featured a 4 stroke engine. In 1994–1995 Yamaha introduced the FX 1, which had a limited production of 1500 units. In 2004 Bombardier introduced the Sea Doo 3D, which was only sold between 2005–2007. Various manufacturers produce a range of aftermarket competition hulls for stand up PWCs.