Jet Ski's

Jet Ski’s have become a major force in boating over the last few years, now accounting for over 1/3 of new boat sales annually. There are about one million Jet Ski’s in use today! That is a huge number of boats, and unfortunately there is an equal amount of misunderstanding to go along with them. Did you know that a Jet Ski was even considered a boat? Many people don’t, and think of them more as toys that require no training or knowledge of how they work.

When Jet Ski’s first came on the market, they were generally designed for only one person and were designed for high manoeuvrability. They were usually only available as stand-up models, and had few features. Over the last several years, two, three and even four seat models have become the top sellers. These craft are much more substantial than earlier craft, and are even capable of pulling a water skier. Today's models generally come with a good deal of storage space for gear, and have a very traditional "dashboard" with gauges. Remember, your Jet Ski operator's manual will tell you the specifics of your boat, including tips on safe operation, and how many people you can safely carry.

Jet Ski’s are designed to be extremely manoeuvrable. They are built for quick, sharp turns, low-radius circling, and rapid acceleration. However, they are only manoeuvrable with the throttle engaged – to maintain steerage, you must apply throttle! For instance, the best way to avoid hitting an object is NOT to slow down, rather, you should apply throttle and steer away to avoid impact. Most models have an automatic cut-off lanyard (which must be attached to the operator’s wrist or life jacket at all times) or self-circling feature to prevent a Jet Ski from going far from a driver who has fallen off.

Jet Ski’s are self-righting if you fall off. Don’t abandon your vessel if it overturns. Simply turn it over on the direction marked on the hull or as indicated in the user’s manual that you read prior to use. Righting your craft improperly may make it more difficult than necessary to re-board, and you could cause internal damage to your Jet Ski. To re-board your craft, approach the rear of the Jet Ski, pull yourself up into a kneeling position, take your seat, start it up and continue on your trip. This sounds easier than it is – it is often quite difficult to re-board a Jet Ski, especially in rough water or when fatigued. A good idea is to practice in calm shallow water before venturing out.

Practice boarding your Jet Ski in a calm shallow area with your friends or family. If you have difficulty getting back on a Jet Ski from the water, you should most likely avoid using your Jet Ski in areas where there is a strong current or high waves. There are "ladders" available to help you climb back on – definitely a worthwhile investment. Finally, don't forget to re-attach your cut-off lanyard!

When operating a Jet Ski, keep clear of shallow water (less than two feet deep) or beds of sea grass or other vegetation. Since a Jet Ski sucks water in to power its water jet, it is best not to operate in these waters. This will help keep dirt and debris from fouling the impeller, which could lead to power loss or damage to your Jet Ski.

Because Jet Ski’s are so small and manoeuvrability it is best to always give the other boats the right of way. Larger boats may not see you, and may not be able to get out of your way in time to avoid contact. Keeping a proper lookout can save your life! As with any boat, operate at a safe speed. It is very easy to get thrown from a Jet Ski, especially if you hit wakes or turn too quickly. Operating at a safe speed for the conditions will lower the risk of an accident.

If you lend your Jet Ski to a friend, make sure they know the Rules of the Road and how to operate your Jet Ski. Large portions of Jet Ski accidents occur with rental Jet Ski’s or when people other than the owner are operating the vessel.

Noise is probably the number one complaint about Jet Ski use. Though manufacturers are continually developing quieter motor and exhaust systems (Jet Ski motors all operate within legal limits for noise) there are many complaints about noise. The best way to avoid noise complaints is to follow the Rules of the Road and also to avoid operating at high speed near the shoreline and other boaters. Riding through surf and boat wakes is dangerous.

Obey the law! If all Jet Ski users faithfully obeyed the law, there would be far fewer complaints, and consequently far fewer usage restrictions. Jet Ski operators control their own destiny.

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