Choosing A Personal Watercraft
The personal watercraft market is loaded with hundreds of different models and styles of craft, from the short and wide cruising models to sleek racing models. When you’re starting your PWC search, you might be quickly overwhelmed by your choices, and if you’re new to riding watercraft, you might not know which style is best suited to you and your needs.
Seating Needs
First off, you need to determine how many people you plan to take with you on your watercraft adventures. Do you want everyone going to have their own PWC? That can get spendy, and not everyone is able or willing to operate them. So you might look for models that offer more seating options, allowing you to bring others, including children, who can ride behind you as you drive.
The types of PWC that can seat multiple people are generally the larger and wider models, which are not as fast or as easy to maneuver. This can be great for novice riders and people looking to have fun rather than go at the highest speeds. You can find models that seat up to four people in some cases, with removable modular seating that can turn the back of the PWC into a larger swimming platform when you don’t have passengers. Generally, though, most personal watercraft that seat multiple people have room for up to three passengers, including the operator.
Buying New Or Used?
Your next consideration will be whether you want to go for the latest model with all the bells and whistles, or if you want to save some money by purchasing a used model that might be a little older but still has all the features you desire. Remember that there are other things you’ll need to invest in besides the watercraft itself, so if budgeting is a concern, buying used might be a better option. This lets you set aside money for safety gear and insurance. Just be aware that you should always buy used watercraft from a reputable dealer who has performed a thorough inspection of the craft they’re selling so they can vouch for its soundness.
Buying new gives you access to all the latest features, including things like Bluetooth sound systems and high-performance engines along with sleeker frames that cut through water more effectively. If you have the money for it and you plan to get plenty of use out of a new PWC, then go for it!
Body Style
Along with seating and size, your last consideration should be the body style on a PWC. A shorter craft with a narrow frame is ideal for sporting enthusiasts. These things move through the water quickly, and the lighter weight makes better use of that powerful engine. However, if you’re new to the sport, make sure you start with a larger size. A personal watercraft with a wide is easier to handle, but can still move through the water aggressively enough for anyone to enjoy riding.
Stand Up Or Sit Down?
PWC come in two main styles: stand-up and sit-down. Sit-down PWC are generally wider and easier for new riders to operate. They will probably have more storage space as well as room for extra passengers so you can take the family along for a fun, low-stress cruise on the water. Stand-up styles, on the other hand, are narrower and shorter. These are built for speed and generally only provide room for one rider, the operator. Experienced watercraft users and those looking for a competitive edge will prefer a stand-up style, as it’s more agile and likely to go much faster.
Features
Personal watercraft vehicles come with a range of amenities. You can opt for a basic model that gets you from point A to point B. The more basic model, the more affordable it will be. But sometimes you want extra perks! A swimming platform lets you lay out in the sunshine and relax with the engine off. A charging bay gives your phone the juice you need to take all the photos and videos you want (or play your tunes as you ride). Grab handles can give your extra passengers a secure place to hold on, especially if they are facing away from the operator to act as spotters for watersports users. Towing eyes are required if you want to use your PWC to tow wakeboarders or inner tube users. Waterproof storage keeps your valuables safe and sound. A Bluetooth-enabled sound system lets you enjoy your favorite songs as you ride. Research which amenities you want and find a personal watercraft model that fits.
Safety Considerations
When you inspect a PWC, make sure to keep an eye out for safety features and any signs of potential danger. This is the last, most important step to take before buying one because you need to avoid hazardous situations on the water, and that starts with a good craft. A lanyard and horn are required on every personal watercraft, but also check out the hull and engine to see if there’s any damage that could cause an accident. You will also want to invest in some safety equipment to go with your personal watercraft, so make sure to budget for a life jacket for every passenger, signal flares, a first aid kit, a dewatering device, an emergency radio and insurance and tags for your PWC.
Models
All the biggest PWC manufacturers offer several models that excel on the water, providing you with room for multiple passengers, storage options, swimming platforms and more. Depending on what you’re looking for, there’s definitely a PWC with the features you want. Here, we’ve provided some specifics on some of the great models we have in stock at our dealerships. (Here you can have the writer detail whatever models you’d like to feature.)