The moment sunshine hits, riders around the world head straight to their garage and start getting their personal watercraft ready. We at The Watercraft Journal want every rider to stay safe while riding which is why we want to share with you three important things to think about before riding first outlined in a great article on PersonalWatercraft.com.
When kids around the country turn 16-years-old they think that they know everything about driving. While they have been to driving school and had practice, they will continue to learn and hone their skills the more they drive. Riding a personal watercraft is just the same as driving a car because you are in control of a very powerful machine that can pose a risk to others and yourself if not used properly. It is extremely important to earn your boater’s license because in the class it teaches you about countless things many novice riders would not know. Understanding rules and regulations are a necessity when riding especially if riding in unfamiliar waters. A majority of the states require you to have a boaters license so it is a good idea to take the online class, even if your states does not require it.
Another item to think about when you are buying your personal watercraft is insurance. Car insurance gives us the peace of mind that if we get into a car accident we will not have to pay out of pocket or be financially distraught. The same goes for personal watercraft, many owners keep exceptional care of their machines but once they are out riding in the water accidents can occur. Buying insurance is another expense but it can give you the peace of mind and can pay off huge if something were to happen. There have been reports of insurance costing anywhere from $150-$500 but that does depend on your location and amount of coverage.
It is important to ride with the proper gear on. Proper gear varies depending on your location and riding style. If you are going out to practice racing buoys we recommend a life vest, helmet, goggles, gloves and proper footwear. If you are going out for a nice cruise it is still very important to wear your life vest no matter what because anything can happen. We want all riders to have fun but we also want to stress that wearing the proper equipment can save you from serious injuries.
