Back

Learning How To Ride Your Sea-Doo®

Jul. 24 2019 Education By 2Brothers Powersports

Share

As you prepare to enjoy the warm weather on your Sea-Doo® PWC, it’s important to learn the basics first. You’re probably not the only one gearing up for a day filled with high-speed thrills. Nothing can quite compare to the feeling of cool spray on your face on a hot day spent in the sun as you glide across the water on your personal watercraft. As fun as this image might seem in your head, you’ll want to take some time to learn how to properly ride one. 2Brothers Powersports has provided some helpful tips below.

Safety Comes First

Safety should always be your top priority when riding a PWC. Remember that you’re using your body to operate a highly powerful machine. Even when you’re riding and can rely on the water to break your fall, there are still dangerous scenarios that can lead to injuries. Ways to stay safe are:

  • Wearing A Lifejacket - No matter how great of a swimmer you might be, you should always wear a lifejacket when riding your Sea-Doo®. 
  • Know Area Regulations - Take some time to familiarize yourself with the regulations in your area so you can follow them accordingly.
  • Surroundings & Other Craft - Pay attention to other craft or debris that might be in the area. A minor collision can still cause major damage. A machine that’s out of control can be extremely dangerous. 
  • Safety Shut-Off - Therefore, a safety shut-off lanyard should always be attached to your ignition and lifejacket. In the event that you’re thrown from your PWC, you’ll be able to rig the shut-off lanyard and the engine will automatically shut down. This is essential for your safety as well as the safety of those around you. 

Start It Up

When you first load your craft into the water from the ramp area, you’ll want to make sure it’s in water that’s at least three feet deep. This will help you avoid debris or rocks at the bottom that can easily get sucked into your Sea-Doo® and clog or damage the impeller. Stay out of the way of other people, PWC, and objects in the water before you start it up. 

Your speed should never exceed 5 mph when you’re in ‘no wake’ zones near coves. You should always keep 100 feet of space between you and other personal watercraft in the water. You’ll need to be at least 150 feet from the shore to begin riding at high speeds. When you need to slow down, you should ease up on the throttle and allow yourself plenty of time and space to come to a complete stop.

Use Your Body To Steer

In order to turn craft in a certain direction, you’ll need to use your body to steer it that way. Throw your body weight to the side that you want to turn and don’t release your grip on the throttle in the process. The jet that shoots out of the back of your Sea-Doo® is your power source. If you slow down, you’ll make it nearly impossible to complete the turn with enough power. Your goal here is to maintain a constant speed as you complete the turn. Use your body weight to guide your PWC in the right direction.

Respect Others

While you’re out enjoying your day on the water to the fullest, it’s more than likely that there will be others doing the same. Whether you’re surrounded by other riders, swimmers, or a group of people on a boat, you’ll need to be aware of them and give them all a wide berth. You should really only pass other craft on the right and signal your approach with a whistle or horn. Don’t forget to slow down when you approach the ramp and do not ride in less than three feet of depth.

In Closing

For more PWC riding tips, contact 2Brothers Powersports in Onalaska, WI! We’re confident you’ll be able to find the perfect Sea-Doo® at our dealership. Plus, we offer set up and operation verification completed by certified technicians. What more could you ask for? Visit us today. We’re proud to serve La Crosse, Madison, and Eau Claire, Wisconsin.