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Sponsons are projections that extend outward from the sides, front, and rear of the watercraft. They are designed to provide stability or act as mounting points for carrying weapons. Sponsons on a jet ski are also known to aid in improving traction on the water. Firstly, to install a sponson, you have to determine its ideal positioning. Once decided, you then need to align the sponson screw holes with that of the jet ski. Install the sponson using the recommended set of screws. Lastly, apply silicone to prevent water from entering the hull. Why is Having Sponsons Useful for your Jet Ski? Professionals recommend installing sponsons on your jet ski, and for good reason. Most jet skis do come with stock sponsons, but aftermarket sponsons are much better. They not only provide better stability in water but also improve the traction of your jet ski. Sponsons can also act as securing points for carrying weapons. Here are some benefits of installing sponsons on your jet ski: Improved Stability Water sports are fun, and there is nothing more exhilarating than riding on a jet ski at the highest possible speed. But you also have to ensure your safety while steering it. Sponsons improve the stability of your jet ski, so you will not be caught off guard, even at high speeds. Enhanced Traction Another advantage of installing sponsons is the enhanced steerability they promise. Stock sponsons do help improve your jet ski's traction but if you want more control, installing aftermarket sponsons is the key. In competitive sports, such as closed-course racing, even the slightest mistake can put you on the back foot. However, with sponsons installed, taking hard turns with your jet ski would feel a whole lot smoother. You will also benefit from improved handling and cornering, even at high speeds. Better Grip Apart from greater stability and handling, sponsons also ensure better grip while steering a jet ski at high speed. The outside edge of the sponson allows you to take sharp turns without the risk of the back end slipping out. This is why professional jet skiers prefer using aftermarket sponsons for watersports. Installing a Front Sponson Installing a front sponson is fairly simple, provided that you have proper guidance. In this section, we will discuss the various steps involved in installing a front sponson on your jet ski. Positioning and Measuring The first and foremost thing to consider while installing a front sponson is its positioning. You need to make sure that you install the sponson as low as possible. The lower the sponson, the higher the stability it provides. Ideally, the sponson should be flushed to the bottom of the jet ski for better stability. You can also install the sponson a bit higher if you want improved traction at higher speeds. As far as measurement is concerned, you have to figure out where the sponson would sit. For this, you have to measure the back of the jet ski using a measuring tape to identify the perfect spot. Is it going to be further forward or backward? If you plan to install it forward, it's going to be more aggressive. Meanwhile, installing it a bit backward means that it would be smoother and less aggressive. Siliconing After you have found the right spot for the sponsons, it's time to silicone it. The silicone is used to prevent leakages in the hull. You can also use epoxy or fiberglass for this purpose, but remember that silicon is the most cost-effective way. Make sure that you apply silicone on the edges and screw-holes of the sponson to negate water intrusion in the hull. Drilling Once you have decided the positioning of your sponson, it's time to install it. You will need to drill holes in the jet ski and use thicker screws for this purpose. You will also need a combination of long and short screws. Longer screws would be required where the sponson is thicker and vice versa. Screw Up the Sponson Now, all you have to do is place the sponson in the desired location and screw it properly. Make sure that the sponson is positioned exactly where you want it to be. The sponson should be properly aligned with the screw holes on the jet ski. Also, use a cloth to wipe any excessive silicone dripping from the sides of the sponson. Installing a Rear Sponson Installing a rear sponson can greatly improve the grip and straight-line stability of your jet ski. If you use your jet ski for watersports, you might be aware of the difference rear sponsons can make. Here’s how to properly install a rear sponson. Adjust the Holes for the Screws You need to make sure that the screw holes in the rear sponson line up with those of the jet ski. Rear sponsons have a unique shape, and figuring out how to adjust them is key. You might need to taper the holes to make sure that your flat-head bolts fit in perfectly. If required, you may also have to drill a few holes in the jet ski to ensure that your rear sponsons are installed correctly. Positioning and Measuring Unlike front sponsons, rear sponsons require different positioning and are installed at the rear side of the ski. The screw holes on the sponson and the jet ski must be positioned such that they align perfectly. Therefore, double-check the position of the rear sponson where you wish to install it. Drilling Most rear sponsons come with pre-drilled screw holes. The problem is that it's not necessary that they would instantly align with the screw holes of the jet ski. For this, you can drill holes in the jet ski using a drill machine to make sure that the bolts line up smoothly. Make sure to use flat-headed bolts to keep the surface nice and smooth. Siliconing We recommend using silicone across the surface where the sponson is going to be attached to the bond flange. Since there is too much water pressure there, you don't want your sponsons getting ripped off. You also want to add a bit to the screw holes to ensure the sponsons stay in contact. Make sure to wipe off the excess silicone oozing from the sides. Screw Up the Sponson Finally, all you have to do is screw up the sponson while making sure that the screw holes are aligned properly. You might also need to glue the bumper after you have tightened up the screws. Make sure to give the glue some time to dry off before you jump into the water with your jet ski. Conclusion Choosing what set of sponsons is ideal for you can be a bit of a challenge. With a wide range of sponsons available, it can become difficult to pick one for yourself. Therefore, it is best to keep in mind your riding style and the purpose before putting your hands on a sponson. At the same time, it's important to make sure that you install sponsons the right way to ensure desired results.

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