What Is a Personal Watercraft and Why Should You Own One?
In 2018, the average amount of disposable income in the US was just over $43,000. That number has been steadily rising for the last two decades.
If your idea of a summer of fun includes spending lots of time on the water, you might consider using some of your disposable income to purchase a personal watercraft. But what is a personal watercraft and why would you want one?
Personal watercraft gives you all of the freedom of a boat without the costs. If you like spending time fishing, swimming, or speeding around the lake or coast, they're a convenient and family-friendly alternative to boating.
To learn more about personal watercraft and their benefits, keep reading.
What Is a Personal Watercraft?
A personal watercraft is any small water-bound vessel that uses an inboard jet to propel forward. While a conventional water vessel is operated by sitting or standing inside the hull of the vessel, a personal watercraft is operated by sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vehicle.
The US Coast Guard regulates personal watercraft. By definition, a personal watercraft falls under the category of inboard vessels less than 16 feet in length. As such, personal watercraft must be registered and the registration papers must be carried on the vessel at all time.
But that also means that personal watercraft are subject to the rules and regulations governing all water-bound vehicles under 16 feet. And the operator of the vessel is responsible for knowing and abiding by those rules and regulations.
What A Personal Watercraft Isn’t
A personal watercraft is not a toy. The slowest of these vehicles can go as fast as 35 MPH and the fastest ones top out at 70 MPH. At those speeds, safety on the water is imperative.
Driving safely is one thing, and following federal regulations is another. Your personal watercraft must:
- Be registered, display that registration, and carry the registration papers at all times
- Have USCG-approved personal flotation devices for everybody on board
- Have a USCG-approved fire extinguisher on board
- Have a lanyard that connects to the start/stop switch
Although it's not required, it's recommended that you also wear a wetsuit, footwear, gloves, and eye protection when operating a personal watercraft.
Beyond federal regulations, there are also local laws and ordinances that you might need to be aware of. These can include restrictions around hours of operation, operator age limits, wake zone provisions, and speed limits. Make sure you're aware of any local regulations before getting behind a personal watercraft.
The Benefits of Owning a Personal Watercraft
There are many benefits to buying a personal watercraft. We've listed the top five below.
1. It's a Family Vessel
Personal watercraft are small vessels that can hold a lot of people. While you might think of personal watercraft as something for one individual, the majority are actually multi-passenger vessels. You can fit as many as three people on a personal watercraft, which makes them great family vessels for days spent on the water.
2. Lots of Safety Features
Personal watercraft often have even more safety features than a boat. They also offer far more control over steering, speed, and braking.
Because they're smaller and lighter, a personal watercraft is much easier to handle and maneuver. Although they reach high speeds, they don't go nearly as fast as most boats, so they're easy to manage.
In addition, boats don't have brakes. You simply take your hand off the throttle and wait for the boat to come to a stop.
But a personal watercraft has brakes and an emergency stop function. They also come with features like learners mode, which make them practical for everyone to drive.
3. They're Affordable
The cost of purchasing a personal watercraft is significantly less than buying a boat. Boats can cost in the tens of thousands of dollars but much personal watercraft can be found for less than $10,000.
But that's not the only thing that makes them more affordable than a boat.
Your personal watercraft also uses significantly less gas. They're light and smaller, so less energy is used to propel them forward. That means good gas mileage (and on a tank much smaller than your average boat).
Personal watercraft also costs significantly less in storage costs. These vessels are small enough to be stored in your garage. Whereas boats are usually stored at expensive marinas during the winter and costly docks during the season.
You also won't need a big trailer or SUV to tow your personal watercraft. A small sedan and an even smaller trailer will do the trick.
4. Low Emissions
Personal watercraft use new technology to improve the engine. Manufacturers have made improvements in terms of direct injection, four-strokes, and catalysts. All of this has resulted in a huge reduction in hydrocarbon and NOx emissions from these vessels.
The latest personal watercraft meets the EPA's marine engine standards. They're actually some of the most environmentally friendly vessels on the water right now.
But of course, it's up to all boaters to keep the waterways clean. Don't ever throw trash or debris in the water. It's your responsibility to help protect the marine environment that you're enjoying.
5. Good For Your Health
It goes without saying that a personal watercraft is good for your emotional health. They're fun to drive and give you a sense of freedom on the open water. But they also bring you together with friends and family.
But beyond the immediate emotional benefits, a personal watercraft is also good for your physical health. It contributes to cardiovascular health, burns calories, and strengthens muscles, among other things.
Ready for Your Own Personal Watercraft?
A personal watercraft is a small vessel that's propelled by a water jet and operated from on the vehicle. It's different from a boat in that the operator doesn't drive from a hull. But it's also different from a boat in terms of cost, convenience, and safety.
Now that you can answer "what is a personal watercraft" and you know what makes them the perfect, affordable vessel, are you ready to start looking for one? Check out our inventory of new vehicles to get started.