Personal Watercraft Riding Tips

It's hard to have more fun than what you can experience riding a personal watercraft. They provide all the refreshing fun of a boat, with the thrills and freedom of a motorcycle or ATV. When you're new to PWC riding, though, there are a few things you need to learn that you might not be able to figure out on your own. This guide is brought to you by Destination Powersports in Punta Gorda, Florida. We want to make sure you know how to be safe on the water with your PWC the first time you try it. If you need safety equipment, parts, or services, don't be afraid to stop by our showroom and dealership. We're just a short drive away from Cape Coral and Fort Myers, Florida.

Be Safe

The number one thing to remember when you're using any watercraft is that it's important to have a mindset of safety. With all the power and speed on a PWC, it's easy to forget that a wreck at top speed can still be devastating. And while you may think you have time to make that hard turn before in front of the pylons of the pier, steering on a PWC might not be exactly what you thought. If you want to stay safe, you have understand your limits and not try to make risky maneuvers that you aren't capable of pulling off. Always wear your lifejacket when riding a PWC, and never drink and ride. And make sure you always use your engine shutoff lanyard to make sure your PWC doesn't take off after a wipeout. With the help of this vigilant mindset, you'll be able to avoid making serious errors in judgment.

Be Courteous

Most highway drivers try to use their turn signals, give people space to merge, and generally be courteous to the other motorists around them. This makes it all the more strange how often people on the water tend not to give each other the same courtesy. Just because there are no lanes in the water does not mean you have free reign to ride wherever and however you want. Try to avoid getting too close to boats that may have swimmers in the water. If you need pass someone on a river, honk or blow a whistle to get their attention and let them know you're coming. You never know when someone will turn unexpectedly, and it's important to do your best to signal where you're heading. Also, make sure to be mindful of the times of day when you're riding. Personal watercraft tend to make a lot of noise, so it might be best to avoid to heading out when other people are trying to sleep nearby.

Know Your Machine

If you want to really embrace safety, you'll need to get to know your personal watercraft. Some PWCs are better for turning than others and will allow you to plant deep to take hard corners. If you try this same maneuver on other PWCs, however, you might slide out in the corner which means you're probably going for a swim. Get to know the way your PWC rides in any given situation. Note its hull design and power. Feel how quickly it accelerates and decelerates. Only after you know and feel these qualities will you be able to ride safely.

Steering is Different Than Other Powersports

The crux of the matter is that riding a PWC is different than riding other types of motorsport vehicles. Obviously, it shares many elements with boating, including getting used to the hull rise, the lack of braking, and the way steering has to involve the use of power. But it's different than driving a boat in that it requires a full-body cooperation to ride safely. You really have to lean hard into turns, and shift your weight to make them really effective. You can use the throttle to help with turning, too. Start by dropping the throttle before the turn and then lean hard into the turn. Once you've already started to commit to the turn, get back on the throttle. This will cause the nose to dip, and then when you add the throttle again, the PWC will be more likely to make the pivot. When riding, you'll also have to get used to the dips and peaks of the wake left by other riders and boaters.

Riding a PWC doesn't have to be that dangerous if you follow these rules. Always keep a defensive, safety-oriented mindset, and get to know your personal watercraft. Be courteous to others and learn the tricks of riding. If you're in the market for a new PWC, stop by Destination Powersports in Punta Gorda, Florida. We proudly serve the Fort Myers and Cape Coral area, and we can help you find the PWC you've been dreaming about!