How to Launch a PWC from a Trailer
Once you purchase a JET SKI® personal watercraft, you’ll probably be pretty eager to hit the water. However, there are some key skills you should learn before you take on the waves, and one of these is learning how to launch a PWC. Even though launching your JET SKI can look like a piece of cake, the first time on the launch ramp can be quite intimidating.
S&N MotorSports has crafted a beginner’s guide on how to launch your watercraft smoothly. Follow these steps and you’ll become a pro in no time. If you’ve any questions or you need any help, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at our dealership in Port Charlotte, FL.
Prepare Your Trailer
The first step to a trouble-free experience is to ensure that the trailer is in good condition. Check if the tires are properly inflated and make sure that the brake and power hook-ups function well. Locate all the tie-downs required to securely fasten your JET SKI to your trailer. Cross your tow chains beneath the tongue of the trailer to avoid the tongue hitting the highway if it gets disconnected.
Practice Makes Perfect
Brushing up your launching skills can save you from a lot of embarrassment. Holding up the crowd while releasing your PWC into the water can be quite an unpleasant experience and a little bit of prep can make the process smoother. Practice reversing, turning, parking, and braking with your trailered watercraft in an empty parking lot. Set up cones to mark the launching ramp area and try to align your trailer within them.
Releasing Your PWC into the Water
When it’s your turn on the ramp, slowly reverse your trailer into the water. Stop right at the edge with the trailer partially submerged to allow the PWC to float on the top. Next, tow the vessel into the water by hand or by tying a rope to it. Then get back in your car and slowly pull your trailer out of the water and find a safe place to park. If you have someone along with you, let them move your car and trailer to the parking lot while you stay with the PWC.
Climb aboard the watercraft once you are at least three feet deep. You could damage your JET SKI by starting it in shallow water, so steer slowly away from the dock, open up the throttle, and you’re good to go!
Learning to launch your JET SKI definitely takes some practice but with these tips, you should be able to master the basics quickly. If you have questions or want to learn more about your PWC, visit us at our dealership in Port Charlotte, Florida. S&N MotorSports welcomes all those in Fort Myers.