If you are looking for an affordable jet ski, Polaris is a great choice. Polaris Inc. has stopped manufacturing jet skis, but it still has units available on the market. In this article, I’ll describe the Polaris jet ski, including all of its features and specs, so that you can decide if it is worth buying.
The Polaris jet ski may not have a reputation as great as other well-known jet ski brands. Nonetheless, it is just as reliable as the rest if given proper maintenance. Polaris is also less costly than its competitors.
The 6 most popular Polaris jet skis are as follows:
Polaris SL 650
Polaris SL 750
Polaris Pro 785
Polaris Freedom
Polaris Genesis I
Polaris Virage I
Read on to learn more about the different Polaris jet ski models, as well as their specs and features.
About Polaris Jet Ski
The Polaris jet ski is reliable and runs well if given proper maintenance. It is also cheaper than its rivals. Indeed, a Polaris jet ski is worth buying if it satisfactorily meets your requirement.
It is important to note too that Polaris is the name of the manufacturer. It is not a specific model name. Later on, we will discuss the different Polaris models. But for now, let’s briefly talk about its history.
Polaris Inc. has been in the motorsport industry for decades. Edgar Hetteen, Allen Hetteen, and David Johnson founded this company in Minnesota. In 1954, they introduced their first snowmobile prototype (Polaris Snow Traveler) to make hunting terrains more accessible.
Due to its success, Polaris decided to launch a front-engine and personal-sized snowmobile smaller than the Snow Traveler. It was then called the Comet. Unfortunately, Polaris failed to expand its market base with the launching of the Comet. This was because the Comet was not capable of traveling in all kinds of snow conditions.
While Polaris needed to do a lot of product recall, it did not stop them from releasing the Mustang snowmobile in 1956. Mustang was a high-demand family snowmobile that made a huge market success.
Polaris continued to release snowmobile models until it became a leader in the motorsport industry. It then became a well-known manufacturer of snowmobiles and neighborhood electric vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, and motorcycles. In the 1990s, Polaris emerged in the personal watercraft market under the brand name Sea Lion. This was the birth of Polaris jet skis.
Polaris Jet Ski Models
As mentioned, Polaris has already stopped manufacturing jet skis. The last units they released were in 2004. Nonetheless, there are still several units left for sale. As a beginner, you might want to consider taking a look at the available Polaris jet skis on the market. For sure, you will find one at a great price.
Among the Polaris jet ski models that you might want to check out are the following 6 models:
Polaris SL 650
Polaris SL 750
Polaris Pro 785
Polaris Freedom
Polaris Genesis I
Polaris Virage I
Let’s briefly discuss each of these Polaris jet ski models to know more about their features.
1. Polaris SL 650
As soon as Polaris emerged in the watercraft market, it launched what was considered the fastest personal watercraft of all time. It was named the Polaris SL 650.
This watercraft features a 2-stroke, 3-cylinder 647 cc Fuji engine. It could perform 6350 rpm with a 68 hp.
It has a seating capacity for two persons. Beneath the seats are a fuel tank and an oil reservoir. The fuel tank can fill up to 9.8 gallons. At the same time, the oil reservoir can fill up to 3.5 quarts. According to users of the Polaris SL 650, its stability in rough waters is quite impressive.
You would know that many SL 650 owners are happy and satisfied with their purchase. Up until now, they can be found in the market purchasing parts and maintaining their unit.
2. Polaris SL 750
The Polaris SL 750 jet ski is one of the Polaris models that you can still find on the market. It was one of the bestsellers when Polaris launched this model. When it comes to its durability and dependability, SL 750 owners can attest to that.
Its engine specifications have a gasoline-type engine with 80 hp and a displacement of 744 ccs. Its hull material is a sheet molded compound and beams measuring 6’9”. The length is 9’ and weighs 500 lbs.
If you are looking for a second-hand unit, the chances are that you can find one for as low as $300. But those units that still work flawlessly are most likely priced at roughly $2,500. With such a price, the Polaris 750 jet ski model is indeed an affordable unit to acquire.
3. Polaris Pro 785
The Polaris Pro 785 is unique from other Polaris models due to its impressive racing capabilities. Most, if not all, who own one are pro racers or serious jet ski enthusiasts.
Its engine boasts of a 785 cc Fuji engine featuring triple exhaust pipes. Some of its features are similar to that of a Polaris SL 650 but with added features for competitive racing. Thus, it is more appropriate for experienced racers.
The built-in lower hull of the Polaris SL 785 model is lightweight. It conveniently matches an engine with 140 hp. Although Polaris has stopped producing this model, racers still prefer to ride their SL 785 over their modern counterparts. This is due to its impressive track record in terms of performance and racing capability.
4. Polaris Freedom
Another impressive product from Polaris is its Freedom jet ski. Its weight capacity is 656 lbs and can carry a maximum of 3 persons. It has a full V-shaped hull made of the sheet molding compound.
It features an in-line dual cylinder, 2-stroke engine featuring 701 ccs. At a solid 95 hp, it can perform 6600 rpm, which is acceptable to perform high speed and fast acceleration. If this model has a downside, it is about its standard boarding handle.
Its jet pump features an axial flow and aluminum stator. The fuel capacity is up to 17.8 gallons. Also, its oil capacity is 6 qt.
The Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the Polaris Freedom is $6,499. It is ideal for both recreational and professional riders.
5. Polaris Genesis I
Polaris indeed has several remarkable watercraft models. One of which is the Polaris Genesis I model. At an MSRP of $9,199, it is more costly than most Polaris models. But its features are quite extraordinary too.
It is one of the classiest Polaris models. Its weight capacity is 625 lbs and can accommodate 4 persons. It has a vintage look which makes it enticing for riders. This model is available in Havasu-red color, and the ‘90s era inspires the design.
Its full V-shaped hulls are a modified version of the one found in the Freedom model. The hulls are customized out of fiberglass-reinforced composite. Its engine is in-line, 3 cylinders, 2-stroke that performs 6700 rpm with 135 hp.
The Polaris Genesis I model has a dominator short jet pump featuring a stainless steel 6-vane stator. This makes it a rare model.
As for the fuel, it uses 89 octane and has a fuel capacity of 17.8 gallons. Its oil reservoir capacity is 6 qt.
6. Polaris Virage I
The Polaris Virage I is an alternative for buyers who find the Genesis pricey. Its MSRP starts at $7,999.
This 3-seater model has parts that are all standard Polaris selections. These include the traction pads, seat strap, passenger handle, and boarding handle, among others.
Its hull is the Full V-shaped hull that also comes from the standard Polaris hull type design. The engine features a domestic Marine 800 DI, in-line two-cylinder, 2 stroke that performs 6600 rpm at 100 hp.
Similar to other models, its jet pump features an axial flow and aluminum stator as well. Its fuel capacity and oil capacity are also both standard at 17.8 gallons and 6 qt, respectively.
Below is an excellent Polaris jet ski review that demonstrates its speed and agility through a GoPro lens:
Polaris jet skis may not have as great a reputation as other well-known jet ski brands. Nonetheless, it is just as dependable as its counterparts if given proper maintenance. Polaris is not as pricey as its rivals. If you find a well-maintained Polaris jet ski in your area, it should be worth it to buy it, depending on the price.
Polaris Jet Ski Pros and Cons
If you are confused about whether you will get a Polaris jet ski or not, let’s list down some of the pros and cons.
Pros
Owning a Polaris jet ski has many advantages. Among these are the following:
Lower fuel consumption
Design
Low cost
As we know, there are several Polaris models on the market, and they vary in terms of fuel consumption. Nonetheless, Polaris has always been known to produce fuel-effective models. Not to mention the fact that each model has a sizable fuel capacity. This allows minimal refueling possibility and an uninterrupted riding experience.
For riders, the retro-themed Polaris models are indeed such an appealing sight to behold. Young riders and vintage lovers are surely captivated by this watercraft’s colors and designs.
If it is your first time purchasing a jet ski and you prefer a low-budget personal watercraft, a Polaris jet ski is recommended for you. Depending on the model and specifications, you can find one for as low as $300. The cost of the more expensive ones is more than $9,000. However, this is still more affordable than the counterparts.
Cons
The disadvantages of owning a Polaris jet ski may involve its specs, replacement parts, and reliability.
Most vintage Polaris jet ski models, if not all, come with standard features. If you are not into vintage, you might not find Polaris designs interesting. Moreover, the latest versions of jet skis have electronic whistles and bells, among others. In other words, in terms of technology, the Polaris jet ski models are not updated.
As for the replacement parts, you might find it a little bit difficult to replace defective parts. This means that you might not be able to use your Polaris jet ski for quite some time. You still have to wait until replacement parts become available.
It is true that with proper maintenance, your Polaris jet ski will most likely be up and running for years. However, it might demand more attention compared to its counterparts. The latest jet skis released by other manufacturers have a high-reliability ratio as they have adapted the latest technology.
Conclusion – Polaris Jet Ski
The Polaris jet ski may not have as great a reputation as other well-known jet ski brands. Nonetheless, it is just as dependable as the rest if given proper maintenance. Polaris will cost you less than its rivals. Indeed, a Polaris jet ski is worth buying if it satisfactorily meets your requirement.
Polaris may have stopped manufacturing jet skis. Nonetheless, there are still models available on the market. Among these are the following:
SL 650
SL 750
Pro 785
Freedom
Genesis I
Virage I
If you have been jet skiing for a long time but don’t have your own jet ski yet, you may look into several Polaris models. For all you know, you will find one that fits your requirement. The Polaris Pro 785 model is one of the top choices among racers.
If you are a beginner, then getting a Polaris jet ski is agreeable. Polaris jet ski models have interesting designs and great features. The quality may be lower than the quality of jet skis from well-known brands, but they are not bad.
For its price, the features are still quite impressive. Moreover, you will surely learn to jet ski with a Polaris unit. For sure, you will love the watersport even more.
Then again, your decision to buy a Polaris jet ski or not heavily relies on your budget and specifications.
