Beginner Riding Tips for PWCs

Thinking of investing in a personal watercraft? These are pretty solid investments because they’re capable and durable machines that can chase all the adrenaline you need! If you want to take your marine adventures up a notch and have more thrilling memories of your days on the water, a PWC might be just the thing for you! However, if you’re new to these personal watercraft, there are some things you should know before you hop aboard one.

Crossroad Powersports is your leading PWC dealer in Upper Darby, PA, and we want all our clients to stay safe while having fun on the water! Read through some of our tips for beginner riders and when you’re ready to check out PWCs for sale near Philadelphia, PA, or Wilmington, DE, contact us to see what we have in stock! 

The Controls

Your PWC has a number of controls and you should know how they work and where they’re located. Typically, there are controls for turning the vehicle on and off, and going forward, reverse, and neutral. If your model has brakes, you should know the triggers; practice flipping the triggers gently away from any other craft on the water. Don’t use the sport mode or the performance keys when you’re a beginner and be gentle with the throttle. 

Going Neutral 

An older model might not give you the options of neutral and brake, but most models now come with these features. Neutral on a personal watercraft isn’t the same as your car or boat. A PWC has a direct drive system, which means the engine is directly connected to the impeller, and if the engine is on, the impeller is rotating. The thrust of the water then guides the movement of the craft. When you hit neutral, it puts the thrust between forward and reverse, so you can still move a bit, which is helpful when you're docking.

Braking

As we mentioned previously, earlier models didn’t have any brakes and some models on the market today also don’t have that feature. However, these are a good addition for those who like to go at top speeds and may need to stop suddenly when the need arises. Some PWC manufacturers offer brakes while others have a dual throttle, which can work like brakes when required. When you hit the brakes, it uses the same function as reverse, so if you just hit the brakes, the vessel will stop. If you keep holding the brake lever, you’ll start to go in reverse. 

Docking

This is the part that a lot of new owners struggle with the most. That’s because they’re used to going at top speeds on the water. The key to successful docking is really slowing down the speed. This is easy to do when you have reverse or brakes on your model, and you can very slowly approach the dock. If you don’t have either of these features, then cut the throttle and spin in a circle before approaching the dock. Point your PWC in the direction you want to be going and then turn the engine off and coast towards the dock. 

Falling/Climbing

The two easiest ways to fall off a PWC are to be on a small-size model or to overload the craft. Always ensure the safety lanyard is tied securely to you so the vehicle stops when you fall off. If it’s not attached, not only will your vehicle leave you behind, it might also crash into someone. Make sure you have a reboarding step on your model because climbing back is a bit tricky and you need the help. Use your feet and knees to climb on the step from the back and try to maintain proper balance. Don’t climb from the side as that can tip the PWC over. If there are two people overboard, climb back one at a time. 

Hopefully, these tips will help you have a safer and more fun time on the water! For more help or if you want to browse PWCs for sale in Upper Darby, PA, get in touch with us at Crossroad Powersports and have a talk with one of our friendly sales staff! We’re very proud to be the leading PWC dealer for Philadelphia, PA, and Wilmington, DE!