2021 Yamaha WaveRunner EX — Should You Buy One?
Typical asking price: $6,500–$9,000. This is one of the more reliable vehicles in its class — here's what to watch for anyway.
Deciding between model years? Compare the 3 Yamaha WaveRunner EX years we've written up →
Kestrel Take
The cheapest way into a reliable, full-size-feeling ski — a lightweight rec-lite runabout with Yamaha's naturally aspirated 1049cc TR-1 engine, one of the most dependable marine engines made. No supercharger to service. The whole inspection is hours, flushing, and impact damage.
What we checked
Not checked against public records
Personal watercraft fall to the Consumer Product Safety Commission rather than NHTSA. Its recall feed rarely names a specific model year, so we have not wired it in — matching on the brand alone would attach other people’s machines to this page. What follows is our own write-up, and it has not been reconciled against an official record. Treat it as a starting point, not a verdict.
Known Issues for the 2021 Yamaha WaveRunner EX
Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents. How we decide that.
A saltwater ski that was never flushed corrodes internally. Ask directly about fresh vs salt use and flushing habits.
Repair cost (estimate): $300-$2,000 — about 26% of what this car is typically worth
Source: not yet checked against public records.
Check the hull bottom and jet pump for gouges, and the impeller for sand/gravel damage from shallow-water riding.
Repair cost (estimate): $200-$1,200
Source: not yet checked against public records.
The wear ring degrades with hours and debris; a worn one loses thrust.
Repair cost (estimate): $150-$500
Source: not yet checked against public records.
Off-season sitting gums fuel and kills batteries.
Repair cost (estimate): $50-$300
Source: not yet checked against public records.
Walk-Away Red Flags
- ✗Salt use with no flushing history
- ✗Hull or pump impact damage
- ✗Worn wear ring — weak thrust
- ✗High hours with no service
Good Signs
- ✓Freshwater use or diligent salt flushing
- ✓Clean hull and pump
- ✓Low hours with records — no supercharger to worry about
More from Yamaha
Similar jet skis & pwcs
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Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.
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