How to Launch Your Personal Watercraft
Your personal watercraft can help you enjoy the afternoon at your favorite spots. However, you’ll first need to get it on the water. As a beginner, you may find launching your craft intimidating, which is why we have simplified the process for you in this guide.
For more information, visit Sky Powersports Lakeland and speak to our experts. We’re in Lakeland, FL, where we welcome our customers from Tampa and Orlando.
Ready Your Trailer
You'll want to perform a thorough inspection of your trailer, including examining its tires, brakes, and power hook-ups to make sure they are all functional and ready for your trip. Keep a spare tire on hand for emergencies and use tie-downs on your trailer to secure your craft before attaching your trailer to your towing vehicle.
Put in Some Practice
The hardest part of launching a PWC is perhaps getting the trailer centered on the ramp. That’s why you’ll want to head to an empty parking lot to practice your reversing, turning, braking, and parking skills.
When you arrive there with your trailered craft, you'll want to set up a few cones to make it appear like a ramp and try to line up your trailer with the perimeter. The more you practice, the better you will be able to handle your PWC on the ramp. Also, this will help you to prevent the trailer from swerving, which will reduce the risk of damage to your trailer and personal watercraft.
Come Prepared
To avoid wasting time on the ramp and annoying other boaters while you put your act together, you’ll want to come prepared. This means pulling over to the side of the launching area, where you can get ready for your trip. Make sure that you:
- Remove your PWC’s cover and attach your tow rope to it.
- Wear your life jacket, attach your engine killswitch to your wrist, and insert the drain plug.
- Apply sunscreen and put any supplies on your PWC that you’ll need for your ride.
- Release your winch and safety chains to allow your craft to float easily when the trailer is in the water.
- Test the throttle to ensure the engine turns over efficiently.
Release With Care
Wait patiently for your turn, and once it arrives, reverse your trailer into the water until it is partly submerged. Bring your vehicle right to the water’s edge, and park and set your brakes before you get out. You’ll need to use a tow rope to pull your PWC into the water.
If you have a companion, they can park your vehicle in a parking lot. However, if you’re alone, you can lash your PWC to a post or dock it out of the way before getting back in your car and pulling your trailer to a safe place for parking.
Leave the Dock
Finally, you’ll want to pull your PWC into water that’s at least 3 feet deep to avoid scraping its bottom or sucking up sand into the intake. These can clog the part and lead you to seek costly repairs.
Climb onto your craft and start the engine to move slowly away from the dock. Once you're away from all obstacles and people, open the throttle, pick up the speed you like, and enjoy your ride.
We hope these tips help you launch your PWC safely and efficiently. For more advice, visit Sky Powersports Lakeland. We're in Lakeland, FL, and are proud to serve our friends from Tampa and Orlando, so stop by today.