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Clayton Jacobsen invented the jet ski
The Jet Ski, personal watercraft, Ski-Doo (though the name is Sea-Doo), Waverunner, what ever name you want to call it is by far one of the most entertaining activities a person can do while on the water. The first 'jet ski' was invented by Clayton Jacobsen II of Arizona. -
Jacobsen became a very frequently motorcycle racer
He found himself in the Mojave Desert heat while riding. One somewhat dangerous way to beat the heatand gain some psychological advantage was to ride with no padded leather jumper or sleeves. -
one day on his way home he wrecked his motorcylcle
Jacobson found himself taking a break in an irrigation ditch to have a beer with a friend while picking the gravel out of his wounds and lamenting that there had to be a way to enjoy the exhilaration and excitement of a motorcycle without the inherent danger of falling onto hard ground at high speeds. -
Jacobson sketched his "motorcycle on water"
At the time it looked like a powered water ski.Jacobson had quit his work in finance to pursue developing his jet ski concept full-time. -
his first prototype was up and running
He fixed-handlepole, stand-up design was constructed out of aluminum and powered by a Westbend two-stroke driving a Berkeley jet pump. -
A second prototype was built
Bombardier Recreational Products prompted the licensing of Jacobson's patents for the sit-down version of his jet-propelled personal watercraft that would become the Sea-Doo. -
signed a contract with yamaha
Jacobson entered a decade-long contract with Yamaha Motor Company, signing as a consultant to their water vehicle division
