Which PWC cover fits your machine

Step 1: measure your PWC

Measure the overall length in a straight line, from the very tip of the bow to the rearmost point of the stern. It is easiest with the machine on its trailer and two people: one holds the tape at the bow, the other reads it at the back. Keep the tape level rather than following the curve of the deck. Your owner's manual also lists the overall length, which is a good cross-check.

Write down three more things: the make, model and year, how many seats it has, and anything that sticks out from the hull, such as side mirrors or a fishing cooler. Those details help if you land between two sizes.

Step 2: Sea-Doo Spark cover sizing

The Spark is smaller and shaped differently from other PWCs, which is why our Sea-Doo Spark Cover is cut specifically to the Spark hull, for model years 2014 to 2026, in two sizes:

• 2UP: the Sea-Doo Spark 2-up and the Spark Trixx 1-up and 2-up, which share the 111 inch hull.
• 3UP: the Sea-Doo Spark 3-up and the Spark Trixx 3-up, which share the 120 inch hull.

Choose by seat count, not by model year. Handlebar pouches locate the bars so the cover lines up the same way every time. A seat zip lifts the seat to reach the gas cap and under-seat storage, so you can fuel up with the cover on. A front zippered flap opens over the Speed Tie dock lines on 2024 and newer Sparks, and a rear zippered section fits LinQ accessories and reaches the mooring cleats.

Step 3: Sea-Doo, WaveRunner and Jet Ski cover sizing

For other machines, the Rapids Extreme PWC Cover sizes by overall length:

• Medium: 96 to 105 inches (244 to 267 cm)
• Large: 105 to 115 inches (268 to 292 cm)
• X-Large: 116 to 147 inches (295 to 374 cm)

Older PWCs are narrower. The product page recommends going one size down for machines built before 1998 and for those built between 2002 and 2006. Owners back this up: a 1997 Sea-Doo GTX measuring 123 inches and a 1997 three-seat Sea-Doo both fit the Large well.

If your exact model is in the tested list, go by the list rather than the tape. The page lists these models:

• X-Large: Sea-Doo GTI and GTI SE, GTX and GTX Limited, GTR, GTR-X, RXP-X, RXT-X, Wake and Wake Pro, and FishPro Scout, FishPro Sport and FishPro Trophy (with the cooler removed). Yamaha WaveRunner GP SVHO and GP HO; FX Limited SVHO, FX Cruiser SVHO, FX SVHO, FX Cruiser HO and FX HO; VX Limited HO, VX Cruiser HO, VX Limited, VX Cruiser and VX Deluxe. Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra 160LX, Ultra LX, Ultra 310LX and Ultra 310X.
• Large: Yamaha WaveRunner Jet Blaster and Superjet, and Kawasaki Jet Ski SX-R 160 and SX-R stand-ups.
• Ask us first: Yamaha WaveRunner EX Limited, EX Deluxe and EX Sport, and Kawasaki Jet Ski STX 160LX, STX 160X and STX 160. The page has no fitted size yet for the Sea-Doo Explorer Pro.

A model that is not named here is not covered by the tested list, even if it shares a series name; measure it instead.

Between two sizes? One owner found the sizing runs a little small at the top of a range, and another owner of an older GTI with added side mirrors found the X-Large fit better than the Large. If you are at the upper end of a range, or your machine has mirrors or other add-ons, their experience suggests looking at the larger size. Send us your model if you are unsure.

Trailering vs storage: what each cover is built for

Both covers are sold for trailering as well as for storage, which is what most PWC owners need: the same cover goes on at the cottage dock, in the driveway and on the highway.

Rapids Extreme: adjustable straps with quick-release buckles help keep wind from blowing the cover off, and two tie-down cords are included to secure it to the PWC for high-speed trailering. Vents near the rear stop the cover ballooning while you tow and stop condensation during storage.

Sea-Doo Spark Cover: it is cut to the hull so it stays tight on the trailer. The vents are left open on purpose to stop ballooning and let condensation out. Side zippered openings take your own trailer tie-downs, and the rear section lets you run tie-downs too. Trailer tie-downs are not included with this cover. One owner reports it stayed on with no flapping down the highway.

A few habits that help on the road:

1. Use every strap and cord the cover has, and snug the hem cord under the rub rail.
2. Secure the PWC to the trailer with proper tie-downs. The cover's straps hold the cover, not the machine. On the Spark cover, the side and rear openings let those tie-downs run through the cover.
3. Check the cover at your first stop and tighten anything that has loosened.

Is a PWC cover waterproof?

Not completely, and that is by design. The Rapids Extreme is water-resistant. The Spark cover's fabric sheds rain, but its vents stay open, so after a heavy downpour a little water can reach the footwell. One Spark owner notes the factory cover does the same. The vents are there so moisture can escape rather than sit under the cover. Let the cover dry before you fold it away, and wipe it with a damp cloth to clean it.

Storing a PWC under a cover for the winter

A cover keeps snow, rain, sun and dirt off the machine, but it is the last step of winter storage, not the whole job. Follow the winterizing steps in your owner's manual, or have your dealer do it, before the cover goes on: water left in the engine or exhaust can freeze and do real damage. Then:

1. Clean and dry the PWC and the cover before covering. Trapped water and dirt are what cause mildew and marks.
2. Keep the vents clear so moisture can escape through the winter.
3. Look after the battery. Our battery maintainer and winter storage guide covers the options.
4. Brush heavy snow off after a big storm. A cover is not a roof, and a load of wet snow pulls on the fabric and straps.
5. Check the cover now and then through the winter, and tighten the straps after windy weeks.

Indoors or in a carport is generally easier on a cover than a full winter in the open. If the machine stays outside, the right size matters more: a loose cover can flap in the wind and wear faster than a snug one.

Questions riders ask us

What size Rapids Extreme cover fits a Sea-Doo GTR?

The X-Large. The GTR and GTR-X are in the product page's tested list at that size, as are the GTI, GTX, RXP-X and RXT-X.

Which Spark cover do I need for a Spark Trixx?

Go by seats. A 1-up or 2-up Spark Trixx takes the 2UP size, and a 3-up Trixx takes the 3UP size.

My PWC is from the late 1990s. Which size?

It depends on the year. For a machine built before 1998 (or between 2002 and 2006), measure it, then go one size down from the chart, as the product page recommends, because those are narrower than newer models. The page does not recommend sizing down for a 1998 or 1999 machine, so measure it and use the chart as is.

Are tie-downs included?

The Rapids Extreme comes with two tie-down cords for the cover. The Spark cover comes with a seat strap and a mesh storage bag, but not trailer tie-downs.

Will it fit with a fishing cooler on board?

For the Sea-Doo FishPro models, the X-Large fits with the cooler removed.

My model is not on any list. What now?

Measure the overall length and send it to us with your make, model and year, and we will tell you which size to choose.

New to riding? Read our Sea-Doo dos and don'ts for beginners. You can see every cover in our PWC covers collection.