I used to… then I bought an Outerlimits

I can see how someone who has never had the chance to ride one would look down their nose at someone on a jetski but most people who have had an opportunity enjoy them for what they are realize they are a kick in the pants.Poking around some new shoreline, jumping wakes, 70mph speed runs with your feet 12" from the water all for less than the price of a replacement long block.
Just like a bass boat won't work for hauling building materials in rural Alaska a 50' offshore boat doesn't work for everyone one and I'm certainly not the gatekeeper on who gets to have fun on the water.
don't forget the "lake lice" pay boat taxes that support the parks and ramps we all use. One hat doesn't fit all heads

I have the 300 Limited SeaDoo- You can put it on extreme(or something) and it will damn near pull your arms out of the sockets lol.
Has cooler mount in back and a built in blu tooth tunes.
Hate to say it but I put Way more hours on it then my other 2 boats. BUT like said- the Ciggy is WAY more fun in Big water.

Most probably could agree jet skis are hated because of the drivers that don’t pay attention.
They come out of nowhere and will be riding right at your transom and you not even know it.

Last weekend at my narrow lake, I passed a pontoon crossing the lake. I was in the center so I could miss it. At the same time, a jet ski started heading towards me. They swerved both ways while I committed to swerving one way. I ended up having to stop completely so I wouldn’t hit it.

When I was 12-15, dad and I would run several tanks of gas out a weekend. We had a blast.

Anyways, yes some jet skis can pass me on calm water. One was beside me and my uncle said the guy wanted to race. Told him he probably would outrun me so I didn’t even try. Boat runs 78.

Not really passed, but going from a running start, around 50 mph, we both got on it and he got the jump on me, he wasn't really pulling away though, I was going around 70.

My new living situation would make it pretty convenient to have a ski. I was thinking about getting one, or something small and fast like a hydrostream.

Like this fella?

I spent 11 years racing jet skis, retired from that in 2008. Our modifieds were fast back then, but when I see what they are doing now it's scary. My friends that are still racing tell me they are at the point now where the skis are faster than the riders can hang on to. A friend just bought a new modified Sea Doo from Riva Racing in Florida, it does high 80s. A new STOCK Kawi stand up ski will break 60. I raced stand ups myself, and our modifieds barely broke 60 back when I was racing. It's nuts.

Yup, and this !!!

A local has the new seadoo w/300hp... it's fast. Last time I was out river was boat rough and he followed close behind while I provided some clam water. Would I own one, yes if I was younger just for the fun of it.