How To Select The Right PWC
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. As your local PWC dealer in Lake Villa, IL, we at Nielsen Enterprises want to help you make the right selection so you can have fun on the water for years to come! Read on to find out how to narrow down your options and when you’re ready to browse PWCs for sale near Chicago, IL or Milwaukee, WI, contact our sales team for further assistance!
Seating Needs
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. The types of PWCs 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. Generally, though, most personal watercraft that seat multiple people have room for up to three passengers, including the operator.
Body Style
The body style of a PWC can greatly affect the kind of performance you get from it so it’s worth paying some attention to during the selection process. 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 body is easier to handle, and it can still move through the water aggressively enough for anyone to enjoy riding.
Stand Up Or Sit Down?
PWCs come in two main styles: stand-up and sit-down. Sit-down PWCs 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.
Inland Or Open Ocean
Have some sort of an idea about where you will be using your PWC the most. If you plan to ride on an inland lake, then it doesn’t matter if you have a closed cooling system. You can use a model that runs cooling water through the engine. However, if you plan to spend time in the Intracoastal Waterway or the ocean, then you should get a watercraft that has a closed cooling system. Such PWCs have fewer maintenance problems in the long run despite extended use.
Horsepower
Most watercraft models range from 60 to 300 horsepower, and some have different horsepower options. You should work out how much power you’re going to need. Obviously, the more powerful a machine, the more passengers it can carry and the more suited it can be for watersports. The downside to this can be that PWCs with 160 or more horsepower tend to be supercharged. Superchargers have to be rebuilt after every 100 hours of use, and their engines don’t last as long as other PWCs due to the extra torque. To add to the cost even more, superchargers are less fuel efficient. So while a powerful machine might seem more advantageous at first, it can end up costing you a lot more in the long run.
Safety Considerations
When you inspect a PWC, make sure to keep an eye out for safety features and any signs of potential damage. 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.
We hope these tips help you get the right craft for your needs! To find out more or if you’re ready to check out some of the best PWCs for sale in Lake Villa, IL, get in touch with us at Nielsen Enterprises and we’ll show you what we have available! We’re also proud to be the leading PWC dealer for Chicago, IL and Milwaukee, WI!