Personal Watercraft Riding Tips
A personal watercraft (PWC) can be an absolute blast to ride! But in order to have the best possible experience, it’s important to have some basic riding skills. At Nielsen Enterprises, we want you to enjoy your time on the water. That’s why we’ve created the following guide with some PWC riding tips. Keep reading to learn more, and give us a call at our Lake Villa, Illinois location if you want to buy a new craft. We are proud to serve those in Chicago, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin too!
Know the Controls
One of the most basic PWC riding tips you can follow is to know the controls. There are a variety of controls you should know how to operate. This includes turning the vehicles on and off, going forward, reversing, and putting the craft in neutral. If your model has brakes, you should know the triggers. Don’t use the sport mode or the performance keys if you’re a beginner, and be gentle with the throttle.
Steering
Another important skill to know for PWC riding is how to steer. It’s not too difficult to get the hang of steering your craft! Keep in mind that most models will require a little throttle to steer, but newer models may offer off-throttle assisted steering. While on the water, make sure to keep enough space between you and other PWCs.
Neutral
If you own an older model, you may not have the options of neutral and brakes. However, most models today come with these features. Neutral on a PWC is different than on a car or boat. A PWC is built with a direct drive system, which means the engine is directly connected to the impeller, and the impeller will rotate when the engine is on. The thrust of the water will guide the movement of the craft. Once you hit neutral, the thrust will be put between forward and reverse, so you’ll still move a bit.
Braking
If your model has brakes, knowing how to use them is an important PWC riding skill. Braking is useful for those riders who like to reach top speeds and may need to stop all of a sudden. Some models may have brakes with dual throttle. When you hit the brakes, your craft will come to a stop.
We hope these PWC riding tips help you make the most of every adventure on the water this summer! If you have any questions or you want to buy a new craft, contact Nielsen Enterprises today and we’ll help you out. We are located in Lake Villa, Illinois and are proud to serve those from Chicago, Illinois all the way to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. If you want to enhance your aquatic excursions, it’s time to give us a call!