Is a Jet ski or Sea doo considered a boat?

Yes — a Jet Ski is considered a boat.

More specifically, it is legally classified as a Personal Watercraft (PWC), which is a type of powered vessel.

Here’s a clear breakdown:

Jet Ski = Boat (by law)

In Canada and the U.S., PWCs such as Jet Ski, Sea-Doo, and WaveRunner are all treated as boats under federal boating laws.
That means they must follow the same navigation rules, equipment rules, and operator requirements as any other motorized vessel.

What makes a PWC a “boat”?

• It is motorized.

• It is used for transportation on water.

• It must follow the same boating regulations (speed limits, right-of-way rules, buoys, safety equipment).

• Operators usually need a boating licence (PCOC in Canada, or a boating safety certificate in most U.S. states).

Key difference

A Jet Ski doesn’t have a traditional propeller — it uses a jet-drive system — but that doesn’t change its legal classification.

In short:

A Jet Ski is a boat — just a small, fast, highly maneuverable one.