Do you know what Band-Aids, Kleenex, and Jet Skis all have in common?
They’re all brand names that have become so popular that people often use them as the general name for the product, even when referring to other brands.
That’s right Jet Ski is actually the specific name for a Personal Water Craft (PWC) built by Kawasaki. The other major PWC manufacturers are Yamaha and Sea-Doo and their PWCs have their own names as well.
Yamaha calls their PWC a Waverunner and Sea-Doo just calls theirs Sea-Doo.
The concept of a PWC was created by a man named Clayton Jacobson II. He was an avid motorcyclist who dreamed of keeping cool and avoiding the danger of crashing onto the unforgiving asphalt, while still experiencing the thrill of riding his motorcycle.
Clayton began to make prototypes and after a short while Bombardier, a Canadian aerospace company which originally built tracked snow vehicles, reached out for a manufacturer’s patent in 1968. The world’s first sit-down PWC was created and named Sea-Doo.
By 1973 PWCs grew in popularity and Kawasaki, a Japanese Motor company quickly reached out to Clayton to develop the world’s first standing PWC called a Jet Ski.
After some time there was tension and legal issues between the two large motor vehicle manufacturers. Clayton decided to sign a deal with Yamaha Motor Company in 1986 where he remained working and developing PWCs that went by the name Waverunner. Yamaha’s PWCs were the first tandem style PWC.
Since then the three companies have continued to develop their PWCs, each becoming known for their own specialties.
Waverunners are known for their performance, speed, reliability and balance control, Jet Skis are known for their high-speed performance, and Sea-Doos are known for their niche features.
We are the only rental on Lake Berryessa that offers Personal Watercraft (PWC.)
We have Yamaha Wave Runners and we love their reliability and fuel efficiency, keeping you out on the water longer!