Revving the throttle on your PWC and leaving spray in your wake as you skim across the surface of the ocean is a great way to spend a sunny afternoon. You get the thrills of riding a motorcycle combined with the joys of being on open water. Even though falling off a PWC is much less dangerous than falling off a motorcycle, you’ll still need to practice some basic safety to ensure you’re not taking undue risks as you ride.
Here at Whaleneck Marine of Merrick, NY, we know all the essentials of personal watercraft safety, so we’ve provided this list of tips for you to follow to make sure your PWC ride goes off without a hitch. If you’re in the market for a great personal watercraft, come down to our dealership, where we stock the latest Yamaha PWC for your shopping pleasure.
Home Inspection
As soon as you remove your PWC from storage, you should give it a good once-over. Inspect the hull for any cracks or damage that needs repairing, see that the lights and brakes work well and check that the hose connections are nice and tight. If anything seems amiss and you can’t fix it yourself, call Whaleneck Marine to schedule a repair appointment with our mechanics.
Another great step to take before you hit the road is to check the weather forecast wherever you’re going. The ocean in particular is prone to storms and high winds, so you should check the tide forecast if you’re heading there and make sure there aren’t any severe weather concerns rolling in from the east. You also don’t want to go out on any open water during lightning, hail or heavy rains. If the forecast looks dicey, you may want to wait for a nicer day.
Gather Safety Gear
Safety equipment is tantamount on a personal watercraft. First, you should know how to swim and float before you ever climb on one, because it’s likely you may end up in the water at some point, especially if you’re new to riding. You should also wear a life jacket as you ride. Carry some signal flares, a radio, a first aid kit and your phone in a waterproof compartment or bag so you have these things if you need them. Sunscreen, sunglasses and water to drink will also be helpful, as you don’t want to suffer from a sunburn, heat exhaustion or dehydration. Attach your PWC’s kill-switch to your wrist or life jacket, and wear a whistle around your neck if your PWC lacks a horn so you can alert others to your presence.
Safe Towing Practices
When you’re towing your PWC in a trailer, you should use caution and drive more carefully than normal. The trailer will change how your car moves and increase the time needed to come to a complete stop. Go no faster than 60 mph, avoid switching lanes or making any sudden turns, and signal well in advance of turning. You may want to practice in an empty parking lot when you’ve got your trailer hitched up to make sure that you understand how to reverse, brake and turn.
Patience At The Ramp
Once you’re at the ramp, you should exercise patience with other water users and give them plenty of space to get their crafts into the water. This applies when you’re coming back, too. Slow your PWC down well in advance of the ramp and wait your turn to pull your craft out of the water. This will help reduce stress and make sure no one gets hurt or damages their equipment.
Follow The Rules Of The Water
Finally, when you’re out on the water, you should follow some common sense safety guidelines. Never drink alcohol or use recreational drugs before you ride a PWC. You need your sobriety to help you stay focused and keep your reaction times sharp. Alcohol also reduces blood flow to your extremities, so if you fall into the cold water while inebriated, you’re more likely to suffer from hypothermia than normal.
Give other water users a wide berth by steering in a big loop around swimmers and crafts at rest. Pass moving crafts to the right and signal your approach if you’re coming up behind another user. Ride during daylight hours only. If you’re injured or unable to operate your craft, stop the engine and signal or call for help, then wait for it to arrive. Following these rules will help keep you and others safe without decreasing the amount of fun you’re having on the water.
When you’re looking for a great personal watercraft, you should make it a point to stop by Whaleneck Marine to check out the new and used PWC models we carry. We proudly serve Merrick, NY, and our neighbors from Queens. If your current PWC needs some maintenance or parts, call our service department to schedule an appointment with our capable mechanics.