Jet Ski and Waterjet Propulsion Maintenance Course
This course teaches you to maintain, diagnose and repair personal watercraft and waterjet-propelled boats: four-stroke engines, jet pump, impeller, nozzle and electronic control systems. You will learn to plan periodic servicing and resolve the most common faults.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.
What is the Jet Ski and Waterjet Propulsion Maintenance Course?
This short course teaches you to maintain, diagnose and repair personal watercraft (jet skis) and waterjet-propelled boats: four-stroke engines, jet pump, impeller, nozzle and electronic control systems. You will understand the principles of thrust and efficiency, check impeller clearance and the wear ring, service oil, cooling and supercharging, read fault codes and repair polymer and fiberglass hulls.
What sets this course apart: waterjet in depth, with impeller, stator, nozzle and reverse system; current engines, four-stroke, supercharged and electronically injected; electronic diagnosis, with ECUs, sensors and fault codes; periodic servicing, with hour-based plans, flushing and saltwater care; and a practical case in which you carry out a full service on a personal watercraft.
Program highlights
- Waterjet in depth: impeller, stator, nozzle and reverse system.
- Current engines: four-stroke, supercharged and electronic injection.
- Electronic diagnosis: ECUs, sensors and fault codes.
- Periodic servicing: hour-based plans, flushing and saltwater care.
- Hull repair: fiberglass and thermoplastic polymer hulls.
- Practical case: a full service on a personal watercraft.
Syllabus of the Jet Ski and Waterjet Propulsion Maintenance Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Personal watercraft and waterjet principles
- 1.1. Types of personal watercraft: stand-up, sit-down, recreational, sport and tow sports
- 1.2. The jet propulsion principle: water intake, impeller, stator and outlet nozzle
- 1.3. Hull components: intake grate, ride plate, sponsons and engine compartment
- 1.4. Advantages and limitations of waterjet versus propeller: maneuverability, draft and cavitation
- 1.5. Regulatory framework studied as content: Directive 2013/53/EU for personal watercraft and exhaust emissions
Four-stroke engines and supercharging
- 2.1. Three-cylinder four-stroke engines from 1,000 to 1,800 cc: architecture and specifications
- 2.2. Dry and wet sump lubrication systems, oil and filter changes on an hour-based plan
- 2.3. Open and closed loop cooling, freshwater flushing and draining after use at sea
- 2.4. Superchargers and intercoolers: maintenance, clutches and periodic inspection
- 2.5. Air intake, water-cooled exhaust system and prevention of water entering the engine
Jet pump and propulsion system
- 3.1. Dismantling the jet pump: nozzle, stator, bearings and driveshaft seals
- 3.2. Measuring the clearance between impeller and wear ring with feeler gauges and renewal criteria
- 3.3. Repairing impellers damaged by stones or sand and balancing after repair
- 3.4. Engine-to-shaft coupling, intermediate bearing, carbon seal and periodic greasing
- 3.5. Reverse and gate-type braking systems, nozzle steering and control cables
Electronics, diagnosis and hull
- 4.1. Engine ECU, temperature, oil pressure and throttle position sensors
- 4.2. Connecting diagnostic software, reading fault codes and logging hours
- 4.3. Electronic throttle, speed control, learning modes and coded keys
- 4.4. Electrical system: battery, regulator, starter and fuses with voltage measurement
- 4.5. Repairing fiberglass and thermoplastic polymer hulls, hood seals and engine beds
Practical case: full service on a personal watercraft
- 5.1. Receiving the craft, reading hours and fault codes and carrying out a full visual inspection
- 5.2. Changing oil, filters and spark plugs, and inspecting the supercharger according to the maintenance plan
- 5.3. Dismantling the jet pump, measuring clearances, changing the wear ring and greasing
- 5.4. Flushing the cooling circuit, electrical checks and testing the safety systems
- 5.5. Water test, performance check and service report for the owner
Duration and format of the Jet Ski and Waterjet Propulsion Maintenance Course
It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Jet Ski and Waterjet Propulsion Maintenance Course
Career opportunities after the Jet Ski and Waterjet Propulsion Maintenance Course
Questions about the Jet Ski and Waterjet Propulsion Maintenance Course
The syllabus focuses on four-stroke engines, which are standard in today's market. The differences from two-stroke engines are noted for anyone working with older models.
Yes. The course covers superchargers and intercoolers, their clutches and the inspection intervals recommended by manufacturers.
Yes. The principles of the jet pump, impeller clearance and nozzle steering are common to jet boats and rescue craft that use this system.
Flushing the cooling circuit with fresh water, washing the exterior, checking the intake grate and lubricating exposed points. The course details these procedures in module 2 and in the practical case.
Excess clearance between impeller and wear ring lets water slip back, reducing thrust and top speed. Module 3 explains how to measure it and when to change the ring.
The course is taught online and comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with an applied practical case.
More programs in Machinery and electrics
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at motorcycle or marine engine mechanics, staff at jet ski rental companies and owners who want to maintain their own craft.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
- Admission: enrollment is open all year round; online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.