Staying Safe On Your Personal Watercraft
A personal watercraft, also called PWCs, are compact, powerful, and are the perfect way to make a day on the water into a thrilling adventure. But their small size and open seating make them uniquely dangerous, as well. We here at Tracy Motorsports want to help you stay safe while you’re having fun, so we’ve put together some safety tips when riding your PWC. To learn more, or to see the personal watercraft we have for sale, contact our store in Tracy, California, today!
The Right Gear
Safety starts with what you wear, so make sure you bring along a well-fitted life jacket. No matter how strong or comfortable a swimmer you might be, life jackets are a necessity. If you hit your head or get otherwise dazed, your breaststroke won’t be in top form—but that won’t keep a life jacket from keeping you above the water.
We also recommend attaching the engine shut-off switch to your life jacket so any time you fall off your PWC, it will shut off immediately. You should also wear a pair of sunglasses or tinted goggles if it’s sunny. For sunglasses, consider a retainer to keep them around your neck even if they fall off your face.
Learn To Fall
Like with most sports, PWC-riding is liable to include falling, no matter how much experience you’ve got under your belt. If you do fall, try to hit the water rear-first. If there’s an emergency, try to stay on your PWC for as long as it’s safe to do so, then use a horn, whistle, radio, or other device to call attention to yourself.
Maintenance
Obviously, if your machine is sputtering and acting up, it’s going to be much less safe to drive around. Keeping up with regular maintenance ensures all failsafes and safety measures are working correctly and can keep it from dying without warning in the middle of the water. Your owner’s manual should include a recommended maintenance schedule, which we recommend you stick to. You should also look over your PWC before and after every ride to make sure there’s no obvious damage.
Focus
Remember to get a good night’s rest before going on a PWC ride. You’ll need all your focus and control to stay aboard and keep the machine in line. You should also avoid alcohol or other recreational drugs before you head out. Finally, make sure to keep hydrated and fed to keep your strength up. You don’t want to start feeling weak or woozy at high speeds!
We hope these tips help you stay as safe as possible when seeking an adrenaline high! If you have questions, or just want to see the PWCs we have for sale, contact us at Tracy Motorsports. We proudly serve the people of Stockton and Modesto, California—let us serve you today!