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Tips for Safely Launching a Personal Watercraft

Feb. 1 2023 Safety By Nielsen Enterprises

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Launching a personal watercraft (PWC) can be a fun and thrilling experience, but it can also be challenging and time-consuming if you haven’t prepared yourself in advance. If you’re new to launching a PWC, you might struggle to align your trailer with the dock and unhitch your watercraft. Fortunately, with some planning, you can master the launching process and be out on the water in no time.

Choose the Right Location

One of the most important things you can do is to choose the right location to launch your PWC. Make sure the place has a suitable ramp or dock, and there’s space to maneuver your trailer and personal watercraft. It's also a good idea to check the water depth. The last thing you want is to damage your PWC by running aground or hitting underwater objects. The ideal depth for launching a PWC is at least four feet of water. If the water is too shallow, find a different launch point or wait for the tide to rise.

Practice Backing Up Your Trailer

Backing up your trailer can be challenging, especially if you're new to it. To avoid wasting time and causing frustration for others at the ramp, you’ll want to practice backing up your trailer in a safe and open area before you arrive at the launch site. You can also ask someone who is more experienced to give you some tips and guidance.

Use Proper Launching Techniques

Back your trailer into the water until the watercraft is floating. Loosen the safety chains and slowly drive the trailer out of the water. Be sure to disconnect any straps holding the PWC to the trailer before attempting to launch.

Pull Away From the Dock

Before climbing aboard your personal watercraft and starting it, you’ll want to ensure that it’s at least three feet deep in the water. Attempting to start your PWC in shallower water can cause the intake to suck up rocks and debris. When leaving the dock, navigate slowly to give ample space for others to launch their watercraft. Once in open water, feel free to accelerate and enjoy your ride!

Follow these tips for launching a PWC, and you will have a safe and enjoyable time on the water. If you want to buy a new personal watercraft, visit Nielsen Enterprises in Lake Villa, IL, to check out what we’ve got in stock. We proudly serve all those in Chicago, IL, and Milwaukee, WI.