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The Making Of The DJK Tropical-Style Sea-Doo

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Recently we saw the delivery of DJ Khaled’s custom tropical-themed Sea-Doo GTX Limited 300. This is no doubt one of the most eye-catching new Sea-Doo watercraft out there. So how did this unique watercraft come to life?

Well it just so happens that Sea-Doo tells us in their recent blog below. Starting with a design team who collaborated personally with DJ Khaled, all the way to the transformation and special delivery of this one-of-a-kind unit. Check it out here as Sea-Doo tells all.

The Snapchat king of personal watercraft now has the most eye-catching Sea-Doo in Miami. Anyone who follows DJ Khaled knows he LOVES Sea-Doo, so our design team collaborated with him to make a one-of-a-kind GTX Limited 300 in graphics matching his latest album. And it was delivered to him in true Miami style.

DJ Khaled is a colorful person who rides his Sea-Doo RXT-X 300 as an escape from the daily entertainment industry grind and to ignite his creativity. Over the past spring he’s been inspired by the floral colors abundant in South Florida. The cover art of his new album, Father of Asahd, pictures him and his son amid a colorful bloom and wearing floral print shirt and shorts. When he met with the Sea-Doo design team to collaborate on a custom designed GTX Limited his love of the floral trend carried over.

The Sea-Doo Design team met with DJ Khaled at his Miami home to collaborate on a custom graphics design for his new GTX Limited that would be produced and installed by Sea-Doo graphics wrap partner SCS Unlimited. The design encompassed this vibrant custom wrap that matches his “tropical vibes,” a custom seat, and was finished with his record label, We The Best, front and center on the front hood.

This DJ Khaled Sea-Doo GTX Limited is anything but average and any delivery other than a spectacular, Miami-style reveal wouldn’t have been worthy. To deliver his new Sea-Doo, Performance Ambassador Erminio Iantosca personally delivered the custom Sea-Doo in a custom gift box. Iantosca towed the gift wrapped Sea-Doo through the Miami Beach canals to his waterfront home while playing tracks from DJ Khaled’s new album on this RXT-X 300 sound system. DJ Khaled shared the reveal of his custom Sea-Doo on his social media channels where nearly one million people witnessed his excitement.

DJ Khaled is certainly one of a kind and now he has a custom Sea-Doo to match. It’s safe to say, DJ Khaled will be having a fun summer Living the Sea-Doo Life! Follow him @djkhaled on Instagram and share your #SeaDooLife with us on @BRPSeaDoo.

Pro Watercross National Championships Is Moving Locations

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Pro Watercross has just announced that the National Championships will be moving locations to Lake Charles, Louisiana. There were some unforeseen circumstances that pushed Pro Watercross to switch locations. However, on July 18th, Pro Watercross signed a contract with Lake Charles to host the National Championships for the next three years. Pro Watercross understands that many people have made plans and already started preparing to head to Bryan College Station for the championships. They are extremely sorry for the change but hope that this new location will provided an all-around better atmosphere for the racers and fans.

While the location may have moved, the date has stayed the same. The races will be held on August 10th and 11th. Lake Charles seems like it is the best place to host the Pro Watercross National Championships.

It offers sandy beaches, an abundance of parking for your trucks and trailers, restaurants, shopping, casinos and more! The city has some rich culture dating back to 1861. Along with watching the best racers from around the world, you can expect some warm weather. The city of Lake Charles is fairly big meaning there are multiple options for hotels.

For those of you that do not know, Lake Charles hosted the Pro Watercross in 2013 and are happy to be invited back for the next 3 years. If you have never been to Lake Charles, check out their website to see what their city is all about. The racers hope to see a huge turn out this year, so back your bags and make your reservations now!

IJSBA Issues Bulletin On Current And Potential Aftermarket Hulls

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Aftermarket or custom-built hulls have been a point of contention since the earliest days of personal watercraft racing. Yet, back in the 1980s when all that were raced were Kawasaki 440s and 550s, spotting a customized hull with glassed-in tubbies or longer chines was easy to spot. Today, with the advancement of CAD applications to hydrodynamics; the evolution of lightweight, high-tensile strength materials; and ever aggressive athletes have birthed a new breed of racing that goes well beyond the pale of yesterday’s Open classes.

Today, even attempting to enter into GP Ski or Runabout is an astronomical affair. Carbon fiber hulls, aviation-grade fuels, and quick-spooling turbochargers are found not just on the latest standups and runabouts, but even in the once-nebish Rec Lite classes. That’s right! There are teams campaigning carbon fiber Sparks propelled by high-boosted turbo-ACE engines. So to shed a little more light on the subject, touch on the current status of aftermarket hulls and their future, the IJSBA has recently issued a timely bulletin.

Here’s the entire IJSBA press release:
The International Jet Sports Boating Association is issuing a reminder regarding the allowance of aftermarket hulls and the procedure for inclusion of those hulls in sanctioned racing.  While IJSBA is issuing this reminder due to a heightened level of inquiries about aftermarket hulls, competitors are advised that this bulletin is not directed toward any specific hull or product.  However, this bulletin is notice to potential changes in the near future of how these hulls are regulated.

Aftermarket hulls are allowed in a variety of Ski, Sport, and Runabout categories of racing.  Normally, allowances for these hulls are found in Modified, GP, and Open classes.  A recent Mod Lites division allowed aftermarket hulls as an evolution of the previous Ski Limited classes.  Since their inception, aftermarket hulls have been allowed to be produced by any manufacturer with the limiting factors being safety and the specifications allowed in the IJSBA Rule Book. 

Indeed, all aftermarket parts are treated this way: every aftermarket product is unique in that it could be a one-off variance of an original product or a complete one of a kind product.  The only specific products IJSBA deems legal are those OEM units homologated for competition.  All aftermarket products, including hulls, are evaluated on an individual basis even where IJSBA and the technical inspector are aware that the hull is possibly a mass produced product.

As of 2019, no aftermarket hulls are approved by brand or by model.  This is even the case for well-known brands or popular models of aftermarket hulls.  A rider must submit his, or her, watercraft for safety inspection prior to competition and, then, technical inspection during competition and at the completion of competition.  Safety inspections are examinations for basic safety violations (i.e. secured fuel lines, operational lanyards, etc.) and do not guarantee a watercraft will pass a technical examination. 

Where IJSBA is brought in to preview a potential product, prior to competition, there is no way for IJSBA to ensure that the product is not changed during production or by the end user after production.  A hull, like every other aftermarket product, is subject to evaluation at every race even where such product has been evaluated numerous time.  One technical inspector’s evaluation does not necessarily carry over to other events.  This is especially the case where interpretation of the rules are required.

Within the last 5 years, IJSBA has introduced the concept of homologating aftermarket hulls and issuing trackable identifications for these hulls.  Contemporary watercraft reach static speeds on the race course higher than ever seen previously in the sport.  As competitors navigate the course, at these high speeds, competitors should have a reasonable expectation that the hulls carrying these speed are built with durable materials and to such craftsmanship that the watercraft can be adequately controlled at the relevant speeds. 

There is an increasing need for IJSBA to have an oversight over the aftermarket hulls.  IJSBA expects to release guidelines for discussion about this coming oversight and to engage the community, on this subject, at the 2019 Thai Airways World Finals.  In the meantime, competitors should continue to have confidence that previously used aftermarket hulls will continue to have a home in IJSBA Sanctioned Racing and also be aware that any new designs of aftermarket hulls, seen in 2019, may face reevaluation, at the end of the year, if a new hull monitoring system is designed

If you have any questions regarding the contents of this bulletin, please email [email protected].

Broward Motorsports Now Offering Hydro Turf PWC Mats

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Hydro Turf has been one of the industry leaders in traction mats for the last 30 years. Their dedication to quality and use of U.S.-based manufacturing, has allowed them to stay at the top of their game. Receiving multiple industry awards should be a tell-tell sign that these guys make a great product.

Broward Motorsports Racing is proud to announce that they are now offering Hydro Turf for 2018+ Sea-Doo RXT, GTX, and Wake Pro 230 models. They offer two particular cuts of traction mats, Diamond Cut and Groove Cut, along with multiple color options. Feel free to choose the generic black or give your watercraft a new look with a custom color! While traction mats can often be overlooked, replacing your worn out traction mat gives your personal watercraft a great new look and additional traction while out riding. One of the major components in riding safely is being in control. Having a grippy traction mat will increase your traction, therefore giving you more control.

Another great feature about Hydro Turf PWC Mats is that they are non-absorbent. Given the nature of riding watercraft, the traction mats will eventually get wet. If you put your watercraft away wet, the tractions mats could grow mold and turn into a mess. By purchasing a Hydro Turf PWC Mat from Broward Motorsports, you will never have to worry about mold.

Broward Motorsports Racing offers these Hydro Turf Traction Mats for $98.95. BMS has also recently partnered with Affirm allowing you to finance this traction mat for as low as $18 a month! Another great way to save would be adding an additional product BMS offers and earning free shipping. There is free shipping on every order over $125. The installation time for putting on your new Hydro Turf Mat is quick so it can easily be done in an evening and be ready for the weekend ride!

Riding For Something Bigger; Blackrock Blast Raises over $12K

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With all of the hustle and bustle in life, we sometimes forget what is important. Making sure that we are keeping up with friends and family should be a top priority. Along with that, helping out in our communities is a great way to give back . One jet ski club is doing just that, the Gwynedd jet-skiing group. They hosted their annual charity event, Blackrock Blast, where they raised over $12,547 or €10,000. Scott Beeland who is the organizer of the event says that, “The money this year will be split between the Welsh Air Ambulance and Blood Bikes Wales, a charity that delivers urgent blood all over Wales.”

This year’s ride makes it the third time the Gwynedd jet-skiing group has done this charity ride. The event is a 100km ride along the beautiful northern Wales coastline. Over the last three years, there has been a growing number of riders but this year there were 100 riders who joined! It all started back in 2016 when Scott Beeland wanted to create an event where people who love riding watercraft would be able to work with the community and help raise money for non-government funded organizations.

In 2017 the club raised $5,295 or €4,220, in 2018 they raised $10,791 or €8,600 which means that as long as this club keeps hosting this event, they will continue to raise more money each year. Being able to raise over $12,547 is amazing, especially when they will be donating it to organizations that help their local communities.

This event is a perfect example of how people are able to combine their passion for riding person watercrafts and helping out their local communities. At the end of the day, it does not matter if you have a brand new ski or an old one, if you are out riding with friends and helping raise money for an organization, there really is not anything better. Keep up the great work PWC Gwynedd!

Like a Fine Wine: 2019 Yamaha SuperJet WaveRunner

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In a world full of luxurious personal watercraft the Yamaha SuperJet is often touted as “old school cool” due to absence of a seat, like the early first personal watercraft of the 1970s. Make no mistake though, while paying homage to historical roots, the 2019 SuperJet rides on rails and has the uncanny ability to plaster a permanent smile across your face.

The 2019 SuperJet remains, other than graphics, unchanged since this hull’s iteration debut in 2008. Powered by a 701cc, two cylinder, two-stroke engine that is also mostly unchanged since the early 90s. Like a fine wine, the SuperJet’s simplicity and playfulness have aged well. Ride a new SuperJet and you’ll understand why Yamaha keeps this winning combo available on showroom floors.

Yamaha first introduced the mighty SuperJet in 1990. Some say the dawn of the 90s ignited the “glory days” in the standup world. The new SuperJet touted a 633cc two-stroke engine and unprecedented handling. In 1994 it earned a more powerful 701cc engine that remains mostly unchanged to this day, only receiving small tweaks in 1996. Yamaha’s first hull design cruised through the years from 1990 to 2007 with the only cosmetic change being the top deck going from the “Square Nose” to “Round Nose” design in 1996. The bottom hull remained the same for those years despite some component adjustments.

In 2008, everything changed for the Yamaha SuperJet. And by everything we mean a few small tweaks that altered the playful old school machine with a hull designed in 1990, to a corner-carving race-winning monster. The 2008-2019 SuperJet looks similar to its ancestors on paper. The current hull weighs in at 306 pounds dry while being 88.2 inches long, 26.8 inches wide, and 26 inches tall. The 2019 model starts at an introductory price of $8,499.

Notable hull characteristics include built-in front sponsons (previously only an aftermarket addition to widen the hull and add stability), shorter handle pole that allows the rider to stand more forward in the tray, intake grate, pump, and ride plate moved rearward for increased hookup (traction), and redesigned stainless steel impeller for less cavitation and acceleration.

Water performance, however, has drastically improved. Older stand ups were often described as “slippery” meaning they would easily slide away from the rider when leaning into a corner. This facet did not instill rider confidence, one second you were upright, the next taking an unexpected swim. People drawn to freestyle and freeride harnessed these properties to their advantage, but these traits made it more difficult for someone who needed to confidently hold a line on the race course.

While the new SuperJet carves corners as good as or better than its race-bred Kawasaki competitor, the 2003-2011 two stroke SX-R 800, it is smaller and lighter to retain much of the playfulness found in previous models. That’s right, Yamaha managed to produce a multi-trick pony with the 2008-2019 SuperJet. A unicorn if you will, able to satisfy the needs of almost any rider of almost any age. A great recreational watercraft, multi-class race machine from Stock to highly modified, or even a cross-training tool for those hot summer days when you don’t want to be on the motocross bike, snowmobile, etc.

There are a few notable things to mention first that might make driving down to your local Yamaha dealer for 2019 SuperJet a bit different than your average WaveRunner purchasing experience. For one, the famed 701cc two-stroke, carbureted engine does not meet emissions standards in a few states (California, New York) and cannot be purchased. Older models are “grandfathered” in so if you live in one of these states, buying a used stand up from a private seller might be a workaround.

Secondly, a SuperJet is technically available for “closed course competition use only” which requires a membership to the International Jet Sports Boating Association, (IJSBA) for Owner Registration. At $65 for a yearly membership and easy online registration, that is hardly a factor. Lastly, the SuperJet does not come with a warranty. Don’t let any of these things minor differences sway you though, most people learn to ride their new SuperJet on a public lake. Follow local boating laws and you’ll be just fine.

Motorcycle riders will appreciate the SuperJet’s ability to carve corners at 2-3Gs without worrying about someone swerving into their lane. Runabout riders understand the nuances of controlling something with a jet pump, such as staying on the throttle to turn and will relish the same controls with far less heft. For the non-motorsport athletes, there is no doubt that riding a SuperJet is an incredible full body workout. Legs take the place of suspension, arms control and steady the body while moving with the pole, and the core & back tie everything together in one balancing unit. Ditch the gym for a day on the water!

If you are none of the above, don’t worry, a clean slate is a great way to get started with the 2019 SuperJet. Yamaha created a beginner friendly machine that has almost limitless potential and an enormous array of aftermarket options for the advanced rider. I had many failed attempts at standing when I first learned to ride, but when I finally stood the pride in that accomplishment that spread like wildfire. That feeling of joy is addicting and the SuperJet, with playful simplicity, is happy to feed the addiction.

Cornering confidence is much improved on the 2008-2019 SuperJets due to the built-in front sponsons and better pump, intake grate, and ride plate placement. Turn the handlebars, squat low, lean your body into the turn, add throttle, and feel the water fly by underneath your feet. Catch the water surface just right and maybe even drag an elbow! Cornering not your thing? Take to the sky off of lake chop with a blip of the throttle and land with a splash hunting for your next wave.

The fun doesn’t stop after mastering the basics. The new SuperJet an excellent corner carver and wave jumper in stock form, but with a multitude of aftermarket accessories to increase speed and handling you can customize your new toy to suit your riding goals. If your plan is to race the SuperJet is a fantastic platform to build on, currently holding podium finishes in Lites Ski and Limited Ski classes around the world. Flatwater freestyle and surf riding are also in the Superjet’s wheelhouse if you fancy slides, hops, submarines, and surfing.

Don’t let the learning curve scare you off. There are numerous articles and videos and a supportive online community available to guide you through the learning process. The famous quote that goes something like, “It isn’t the end goal, but rather the journey to get there, that is most satisfying.” If you love to have fun, the 2019 Yamaha SuperJet definitely deserves a place in your garage.

In Retrospect: The Spark That Changed Everything

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Every year personal watercraft manufactures such as Sea-Doo, Yamaha and Kawasaki come out with new models. The norm seems to be a redefined version of an existing model or maybe a new color scheme. Sometimes the manufactures come out with a completely new model and get people excited. When they do, people go crazy. Which is why in August 2013, when Sea-Doo announced the Spark, the industry changed as we knew it.

Almost everyone took to the internet and gave their opinion on this new type of watercraft. Questions like, “Why is it made out of plastic?” and “How were they able to make it so cheap?” were circulating all over. Little did they know that for many years prior, Sea-Doo had been working on a project called CAFÉ. Which stood for Clean, Affordable, Fun and Easy-to-Operate and by combining all of those items, the Spark was born.

Owning and operating a personal watercraft is not cheap. From the initial purchase to gas and maintenance, there are additional costs the whole time of ownership. BRP realized that the price of a watercraft was what was deterring many people away from owning a Sea-Doo. By spending thousands of dollars in their research and development department, they were able to create a watercraft that was completely new, much cheaper than any product on the market and make maintenance a breeze. The powerplant chosen was the ROTAX 900 ACE 4-stroke motor, a durable motor that had proven to be reliable.

Given the Spark’s smaller hull, using Polytec material versus standard fiberglass allowed the overall weight of the watercraft to be much lighter. The need for a truck or SUV was over, anything with a tow hitch, even mini vans and sedans would be able to tow around a Spark. This is another way BRP’s research and development team were able to indirectly cut costs for the consumer.

By having great success with the original Spark, Sea-Doo has now come out with different models such as the 2-up (2 seater) and 3-up (3 seater), different color combinations, ergonomics, big speakers, graphic kits, iBR and the new TRIXX model. This allows anybody to start living the Sea-Doo life at a fraction of the cost but allowing some room for the consumer to build their own.

For those of you that like to see the hard numbers, according to the National Marine Manufactures Association, “In 2018 sales of personal watercraft grew 6-8% to more than 68,000 units sold.” While that number is huge, the expectation for the 2019 season is even more!

Not to be bias or one sided, Sea-Doo has done a tremendous job seeing a void in the market and designing the Spark. The way they have been able to allow more people to get into the sport at a fraction of the cost, is a great way to grow the sport. We are seeing more people purchase watercrafts, more people entering races and tons of people enjoying what the Sea-Doo life is all about.

BRP Wins Three More Awards At Good Design Australia

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Recently, we told you about numerous BRP Design Awards which BRP won for over seven different product lines. Worldwide BRP continues to reap the rewards for their design efforts.

BRP Australia has announced their receipt of three more design awards through the Good Design Australia awards. Their outstanding design and innovation has been recognized in their Sea-Doo Fish Pro, LinQ cooler, and Can-Am Ryker lineups.

You can read more about the prestigious awards below.
Valcourt, Quebec, July 11, 2019 – Once again, the ingenuity and thirst for innovation of BRP’s
teams have been recognized at the Good Design Australia awards. BRP has been awarded
three prestigious prizes in two different categories for outstanding design and innovation. Here
are the winners:

Automotive and Transport category:
• Sea-Doo FISH PRO
• Can-Am Ryker
Sport and Lifestyle category:
• LinQ System for Coolers (51 L)

“Receiving a recognition as prestigious as Good Design Australia always makes us extremely
proud. This demonstrates that our teams maintain their outstanding expertise, creativity and
ingenuity year after year”, said Denys Lapointe, Senior Vice-President, Design, Innovation and
Creative Services at BRP.

Comments from the Good Design Awards Jury
Sea-Doo FISH PRO
“This is brimming with clever ideas to turn a personal watercraft into a recreational fishing
craft. The bespoke touches, such as the dedicated holder for the Garmin Fish Finder, the
easily detachable and transportable esky (with ruler) and the side-saddle rear seat and
gunwale non-slip footrest all tick clever design boxes.”

Can-Am Ryker
“A striking design, high end look and feel with superior quality moulding materials. The jury
was impressed by the adjustable ergonomics, so riders of different sizes and shapes can
position key features to suit their own style.”

LinQ System for Coolers
“What a brilliant design concept brought to reality by a design team that lives and breathe
this sector. This is such a novel idea that will open up a whole new raft of possibilities
and functions for the end-user. Every aspect of this product has been meticulously
designed – form, function, material selection, ergonomics, aesthetics, design for
manufacture – all coming together to create a world class product with high market
appeal. Well done BRP Design for continually setting the bar for good design in this
category.”

2019: maybe another record year in terms of awards for BRP
Last year, BRP marked a record year with 15 design awards in total. 2019 is off to a strong start,
and BRP’s design and R&D team intends to outdo itself again. It promises to be a good 2019
year for BRP in terms of recognition of our passion in action.
About Good Design Australia

Good Design Australia is one of the oldest and most prestigious international design awards in
the world. Having three products recognized during this competition shows how BRP shines on
the world stage for design, alongside many important players in the industry.

Gallery: Six Ways to Deter Watercraft Theft

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Personal watercraft are now staples in garages and boat lifts all over the world due to their ever growing fun and convenience. With popularity comes desirability, both for honest owners and lowly thieves. Protect your pride and joy with these six steps to deter watercraft theft whether on a trailer, in a marina, or on your lake house boat lift. Remember, the harder the process to free your PWC, the harder it is to steal!

Passcode/Lanyard
If your personal watercraft has a built-in anti-theft device by all means use this first! Modern Yamaha WaveRunners use a fob to electronically disable or grant access, and the new FX series uses a digital passcode for even more convenience. SeaDoo and Kawasakis utilize a lanyard system that links each unique lanyard key to the craft. Both systems are straight from the manufacturer and should be the first line of defence against theft. If your model or manufacturer does not include an electronic lock-out be sure to store your lanyard separate from your PWC.

Traveling with Trailer
Whether traveling with your PWC to the dealership or a vacation getaway, always secure the trailer to your vehicle with a trailer tongue pin lock. Get the thickest and tightest fitting one to make it as difficult as possible to get bolt cutters around the lock. Don’t neglect a hitch receiver pin lock too, as an unlocked hitch can slide right out still attached to your trailer!

Storing Trailer
If you store your PWC on the trailer then you have several options to secure it. The tongue pin lock mentioned above can be used in addition to some of these options. Along with locks, it is best to park an unhitched trailer in a difficult to access location, preferably surrounded by other objects, with the tongue facing away from the street.

  1. Hoop Lock: Simple, inexpensive, easily available, but potentially less effective than other options. Determined thieves can cut or pry one of these locks off your trailer given enough time.
  2. Coupler Clasp Lock: There are numerous styles and options to choose from to suit your trailer size. The theme with these style locks is indifference to standard cutting and prying. As with most everything, you get what you pay for and the beefier the better!
  3. Wheel Lock: This type of lock disables a wheel from rolling. These locks are effective, but not as convenient to install as a hitch lock due to size and complexity. That goes both ways though, and can deter many thieves from tampering with your trailer when they see a bulky wheel lock.
  4. Chains: Attach your trailer to something sturdy with chains for another level of security. It does not look the prettiest, and probably should not be the only line of defense due to cutting ease.
  5. Remove Wheel: Not for everyone as it requires a jack and torque wrench to properly tighten the lugs once reinstalled, and you must be mindful of shifting weight when lowering the wheel-less side of the trailer. Damage to the trailer or PWC can occur when done improperly. If you have access to tools and knowledge, this is an inexpensive way to keep your trailer from rolling away in the wrong hands.
  6. Marina/Boat Lift Lock: PWC are prime targets in marinas and home boat docks because of their small size and ease of towing behind another vessel. Choose a well lit marina slip with security cameras (that actually work). If at your home, visible security cameras can stop a theft before it happens, or record for possible recourse if theft is successful. Bicycle style cable locks () are an option to secure the PWC to the dock or lift, but the ever-present issue is how easy they are to cut. Be aware the draped cable can rub against the deck and hull causing damage to paint/gelcoat, so choose attachment point wisely.

GPS Tracker
Some GPS trackers notify you if your item is being moved. They also can aid in recovery if your trailer or PWC does get stolen. There are two power types, battery and wired. The benefit of battery operated GPS trackers is no need to alter the wiring on your PWC. The obvious downside is the unit’s battery is not limitless and will need to be swapped out or charged manually. That is where the wired GPS tracker comes in to play. You do have to tap in to the 12V battery power system, but these trackers give you the piece of mind that they will always be powered. Remain powered, that is, as long as you use your PWC often enough that the battery is charged periodically.

Insurance
When all else fails, the thieves get away with your watercraft, and you are left with no way to recover your property – PWC insurance can cover your loss. Shop around to determine the best insurance for your needs especially when you start adding modifications to your PWC. Make sure they are covered!

Maintenance Is Mandatory, Not Recommended

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Taking proper care of your personal watercraft is a great way to improve the longevity of your motor. Just like a car, doing oil changes and necessary maintenance will keep your car running strong for years to come. While many of you winterize and summerize your watercrafts, keeping up on maintenance during your riding season should also be on your schedule.

While a proper winterization will allow you to start up your craft at the first sight of spring, you will want to make sure that you won’t be sidelined during the prime riding season. In this article, I am going to give you a few tips and tricks on how you to keep your watercraft looking great and running strong. Some of these tips have come from an article posted on PersonalWatercraft.com.

For starters, washing your ride after a long weekend of riding or a quick day trip is a great way to scrub everything down and do a quick inspection to make sure everything is in good condition. After washing your watercraft all of the way down, use a shammy towel to dry the remaining water and prevent any water spots from showing. Showing up to the boat launch with water spots is not what you want! When riding in freshwater, it is not mandatory to wash your water craft after each ride.

However, it is recommended to wash after every ride if riding in saltwater. The saltwater loves to get a hold of any metal parts and start to corrode. Washing with proper soap and drying, will greatly reduce the chance of any rust or corrosion from occurring. After your wash, using a product such as Corrosion Block is a great product to spray on for added protection.

One particular part that I would like to highlight is your points of contact: your seat and traction mats. These items are generally overlooked but are there for a reason. Having a seat in good condition will keep you settled into your seat when barreling into a corner or going fast on a straight-a-way.

The traction mats are also important because they provide traction for your feet when riding and when boarding on and off of the watercraft. The last thing you want is to have a guest or yourself slip. Many people have reported that their stock seat covers and traction mats are starting to fade after a few years and if that is the case, check out many of the aftermarket dealers. They offer great prices, installation instructions and custom designing.

The last two items I would like to list are fuel maintenance and engine maintenance. When fueling up, try to go to frequently used gas stations. They generally have the freshest gas compared to a smaller gas station on the side of a road. While it may end up costing a few bucks more, using fresh fuel makes your engine happy. Depending on what brand of watercraft you have, look at the recommended intervals for changing your oil. If you put on a lot of hours during the riding season, you may want to change your oil more often. If you are changing your own oil, check the used oil to make sure no metal shavings or anything out of the ordinary is in your oil.

While doing maintenance is not always the most fun thing to do, keeping up on it will keep you on the water longer. By following these tips and reading your manufactures recommendations, your time on the water will be great! Happy riding!