How To Launch a Personal Watercraft
When the sun is shining and the weather is perfect for some fun in the water, then you’ll probably be looking to pull out your personal watercraft, or PWC. These machines are a great way to add a little thrill to your on-water activities. For a veteran, it can be a breeze to hit the water. But if you’re new to all this, then maybe you’re not quite as confident. Maybe you’ve gone to check out some other PWC owners and see how they launch their crafts, and saw firsthand what it looks like when someone doesn’t know what they’re doing.
That’s why Riva Motorsports and Marine Miami has provided you a guide to launching your PWC. It’ll still take a little practice to become a pro, but with the right approach, you’ll be confident in no time. If you’d like some help from one of our professionals, then stop by our location in Miami, Florida, near Ft. Lauderdale, Kendall, Broward County, Fort Myers, and Naples.
Practice First
Keep in mind that you will have to practice before you get comfortable with the process and there’s really no way around this. Even approaching the launching process in just the right way won’t act as a good substitute for hard work and experience. And you don’t need to gain this experience at the ramp (especially since there will probably be a lot of people there).
For your first few rounds, consider just using a large, empty parking lot and marking out where the “dock” and other stopping points would be. You’ll want to practice reversing the trailer so you have an idea of how to stay in the lines and stop when you need to stop. This may mean simply looking behind you or using your mirrors or asking a friend to guide you or even a combination of the above. Even if it feels a little silly, it’s better to make mistakes on land in an open area, then to try and figure things out in front of a crowd of people.
Be Prepared
With the experience under your belt, it’s time to head to the water. You might have to wait in line a while before reaching the ramp, especially if it’s a popular launching point. Take this time to prepare for your launch (or, use a designated prep area to do this). Start by clipping the lanyard into position, keeping your lines in the PWC, and inserting the drain plug. If you have the time, consider warming up the motor before you reach the water. Include anything else that might help you cut down on the amount of time you take at the launching station.
Launch your PWC
When it’s time to actually put your PWC in the water, examine how snugly it’s tucked into the trailer. The tighter it is, the more chains and straps you can remove. Whatever is going to keep your craft on the trailer as you’re backing up, but will keep you from having to work harder once it’s in the water. Back up until the trailer’s fender is just about submerged. After checking to make sure you have any open path to the water, start up the engine and ride away. This will be easier if you’re working with a partner, especially considering the next step.
Pull Away
Whoever isn’t on the PWC should know to immediately pull away. Any double checking can be done later, but you don’t want to spend more time than necessary at the dock, especially if there’s a crowd of people behind you.
Hopefully this gives you a head start, but as we mentioned, there’s no guide that substitutes the value of regular practice. Spend some time running through the motions before hitting the water for real. If you still need the perfect machine to give you all the best on-water thrills, we have lots of PWCs for sale here at Riva Motorsports and Marine Miami, including Sea-Doos and Yamaha Waverunners. Stop by today and we’ll help you find the perfect model. We welcome all patrons from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Kendall, Broward County, Fort Myers, and Naples, Florida.