Sea-Doo and Yamaha – the two biggest brands in the Jet Ski market in Australia – are on the brink of a discount war, delivering significant savings for the first time in three years.
After three years of rising prices – and a distinct lack of Jet Ski discounts amid production shortages and increased demand – Sea-Doo and Yamaha have suddenly found themselves with excess stock, and more inventory on the way.
It means both brands – which combined account for 95 per cent of Jet Ski sales in Australia (Kawasaki represents the remaining 5 per cent) – are trying to clear the decks before their remaining 2023 stock arrives mid-year.
This is in addition to healthy supplies of 2024 model-year Jet Skis due by the end of the year.
Dealers canvassed by Watercraft Zone said buyers who want a new Jet Ski in time for next summer should get in early so they have a greater choice, because in-demand models will get snapped up first.
Following a surge in sales of Jet Skis during COVID-19 lockdowns – when international travel was restricted and Australians had to holiday at home – there is now an over-supply of near-new Jet Skis on the used market.
This, in turn, has dampened the appeal of a new Jet Ski – especially given the record price rises over the past three years amid high demand and limited supply.
Dealers representing all three personal watercraft brands – Sea-Doo, Yamaha WaveRunner and Kawasaki Jet Ski – have told Watercraft Zone they have 2022 and 2023 vessels in stock ready for immediate delivery.
As recently as a few months ago, there was still a lot of uncertainty around arrival timing amid extended delivery delays.
But representatives for all three brands say supply restrictions are over, and now the industry needs to shift existing showroom stock to make way for even larger shipments that are already on the way.
It means Sea-Doo, Yamaha WaveRunner and Kawasaki Jet Ski dealers need to clear stock as quickly as possible to make way for a flood of inventory arriving through winter – the quietest months of the year for personal watercraft sales.
Sea-Doo was first to break ranks and has had a special offer in the Australian market since March 2023.
However, the market leader has now extended its special offer for the third month in a row – and pushed the deadline to 30 June 2023 after initially nominating 30 April 2023 as the end date.
Sea-Doo has separate offers across certain 2022 and 2023 models while stocks last.
The following 2022 model-year Sea-Doo watercraft receive a $1500 in-store credit on genuine Sea-Doo accessories and apparel and three-year warranty coverage (up from the standard two-year warranty):
- 2022 Sea-Doo Fish Pro Scout
- 2022 Sea-Doo Fish Pro Sport
- 2022 Sea-Doo Fish Pro Trophy
- 2022 Sea-Doo GTI 90
- 2022 Sea-Doo GTI 130
- 2022 Sea-Doo SE 170
- 2022 Sea-Doo GTR
- 2022 Sea-Doo Spark
- 2022 Sea-Doo Spark Trixx
The following 2022 model-year Sea-Doo watercraft receive a $750 in-store credit on genuine Sea-Doo accessories and apparel and three-year warranty coverage (up from the standard two-year warranty):
- 2022 Sea-Doo GTX 170
- 2022 Sea-Doo GTX 230
- 2022 Sea-Doo Wake Pro
The following 2022 model-year Sea-Doo watercraft receive a $750 in-store credit on genuine Sea-Doo accessories and apparel, and no change to the standard two-year warranty coverage:
- 2022 Sea-Doo RXP-X RS 300
- 2022 Sea-Doo RXT-X RS 300
- 2022 Sea-Doo GTX Limited 300
The deals on 2023 model-year Sea-Doo watercraft are less generous: a $500 in-store credit on genuine Sea-Doo accessories and apparel, and no change to the standard two-year warranty coverage:
- 2023 Sea-Doo Fish Pro Scout
- 2023 Sea-Doo Fish Pro Sport
- 2023 Sea-Doo Fish Pro Trophy
- 2023 Sea-Doo Explorer Pro
- 2023 Sea-Doo GTI 90
- 2023 Sea-Doo GTI 130
- 2023 Sea-Doo SE 170
- 2023 Sea-Doo GTR
- 2023 Sea-Doo Spark
- 2023 Sea-Doo Spark Trixx
- 2023 Sea-Doo GTX 170
- 2023 Sea-Doo GTX 230
- 2023 Sea-Doo Wake Pro
- 2023 Sea-Doo RXP-X RS 300
- 2023 Sea-Doo RXT-X RS 300
- 2023 Sea-Doo GTX Limited 300
Meanwhile, all models in the Yamaha WaveRunner line-up have the same 3.99 per cent finance offer across 2022 and 2023 editions while stocks last, until 31 July 2023.
Although the latest deal is not as generous as Yamaha’s 1 per cent finance offer in late 2019, the 3.99 per cent figure is roughly half the best rack rate in the market currently.
Yamaha WaveRunner customers have the choice of a 24 month or 36 month repayment plan (two years or three years).
No minimum deposit is required and Yamaha has waived application fees, dealer administration fees, and monthly account keeping fees.
The 3.99 per cent finance offer applies to whatever price customers can negotiate on a new Yamaha WaveRunner on in-stock models – or on vessels that can be delivered before the expiry date of 31 July 2023.
There is no change to Yamaha’s standard two-plus-one year warranty, in which the third year of coverage only applies to WaveRunners that have been serviced within the Yamaha network.
Kawasaki still has the best warranty in the Jet Ski business in Australia, with five-year coverage on all models since mid 2020.
Meanwhile, Kawasaki Jet Ski is conspicuously absent in the special offers battle.
The last time Kawasaki Australia had an offer on its Jet Ski range was a 3.99 per cent finance deal in the lead-up to winter in 2020.
At the time, the market had slumped before demand went through the roof amid coronavirus lockdowns and international travel restrictions.
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