Launching a Personal Watercraft
Now that you’re the proud owner of a personal watercraft (PWC), it’s time that you mastered every aspect of it. These marine powersports machines are capable of reaching high speeds out on the water for an adrenaline rush you won’t soon forget, but first, you have to get them to the water.
The process of launching a PWC can be tricky for the uninitiated, but we here at Lawton Motorsports in Oklahoma are here to help. Follow our step-by-step guide to launching a PWC so that you can take the headache out of the equation and get more enjoyment from your next adventure.
Get Your Trailer Ready
First, take the time to get your trailer all ready to go. You don’t want to take your PWC on a trailer that’s got low tires or rusty parts. Make sure that the tires are aired up and in good condition, and keep a spare tire on hand in your towing vehicle with an air compressor and repair kit for emergencies. Inspect the brake and power hook-ups to make sure they function correctly.
Figure out where all the tie-downs are on your trailer so that you can properly secure the PWC to it. When hitching up the trailer, cross your tow chains underneath the tongue and attach them to your towing vehicle to keep the trailer from separating completely if the hitch comes loose.
If you want to avoid doing damage to your trailer’s license plate while launching your PWC, try removing the bolts and attaching the plate with zip-ties instead. This will allow your plate to swing freely instead of catching on the ramp or your personal watercraft and getting banged up or lost.
Put In Some Practice
Getting your trailer centered on the ramp is the hardest part of this process. You’ll likely want to get some practice in by taking your trailered PWC to an empty parking lot so that you can hone your reversing, turning, braking and parking skills. Try setting up some cones in the shape of the ramp so that you can accurately line up your trailer with the perimeter. Practice will help you to prevent the trailer from jackknifing and will help you to reduce the risk of damage to your trailer and PWC.
Come Prepared
No one wants to wait around for someone who hasn’t got their act together. Before you pull up to the ramp with your PWC, make sure that you’re absolutely ready to go in every respect. Pull over to the side of the launching area or into a parking lot nearby so you can get ready. Remove your PWC’s cover and attach the tow rope to it, put on your life jacket, apply sunscreen, attach your engine killswitch to your wrist, insert the PWC drain plug and put any supplies on your personal watercraft that you’ll need for your ride.
You can loosen your winch and safety chains as well so that the personal watercraft floats easily when the trailer is in the water. Test the throttle to make sure the engine turns over, too. Doing all of this before you get to the ramp will help to preserve everyone else’s patience and get to riding more quickly.
Release With Care
Once it’s your turn to launch your PWC, you’ll want to reverse your trailer into the water until it’s partly submerged. Your vehicle should be right at the water’s edge. Park and set your brakes before you get out. Pull your PWC via its tow rope into the water. If you’re alone, you can lash the watercraft to a dock post so that you can get out and move your vehicle and trailer to a parking lot, but if you’ve got a companion, they can park your vehicle for you.
Leave The Dock
Pull your personal watercraft into water that’s at least 3’ deep so that you don’t scrape its bottom or suck up sand into the intake. Climb onto it and start the engine, then coast slowly away from the dock until you’re clear of all obstacles and people. Once you’ve reached open water, you can open the throttle completely and go at the speed you like. Congratulations!
Come on down to our Lawton, Oklahoma, location to see our available inventory of new and used personal watercraft for sale by leading brands. Lawton Motorsports welcomes all of our central Oklahoma customers, including those of you in the city of Edmond.