When Is It Difficult to Reboard a PWC?

Reboarding a PWC is particularly challenging and difficult when you’re exhausted or in rough water. The process of reboarding can be more complicated than righting a PWC. Before putting your reboarding abilities to the test on wide water, practice reboarding a few times in calmer conditions.

Before trying to reboard a PWC, make sure to follow these instructions. Practice with another person, who should be skilled with PWCs, so you can get help when needed. This will improve the safety of your training session.

As watercraft, Personal Watercraft (PWC) are incredibly versatile and able to be driven on both land and water. From an economical standpoint, it’s easy to see that the benefits of owning a PWC outweigh the drawbacks.

However, as with any more expensive purchase there are always some challenges you’ll face when you get your vehicle home. One such challenge is being unable to reboard the craft in a safe manner due to complicated operations the most common problem is a lack of clearance around the propellers.

Make sure you don’t become one of these statistics by understanding how the hazards associated with boarding can be reduced or avoided completely.

How to Reboard PWC Safely ?

Undoubtedly the most common question you’ll be asked when trying to reboard a PWC after it’s been in the water is, “How do I get up without hitting my head?” There are two ways to get up safely around the PWC’s propellers: You can either swim as far away as you can and then crawl or, if there’s enough room you can stand and then reach out with your hand around the propeller.

One way to reduce the risk of being injured by the PWC’s propellers is to keep any other passengers away from them. This can be achieved by assuring that everyone on board, including yourself, is wearing a life jacket properly. Personal Watercraft are capable of lifting up large loads quickly. If someone were to fall in while standing on the seat or kneeling on the floor they could easily be thrown into the prop with serious consequences.

Reboarding An Overturned PWC

You should keep your body weight inside the turn. When the driver makes a sudden, aggressive turn and the second or third passenger is thrown to the outside, the combination of their additional weight and a grasp on the driver and passenger in front usually results in a flip. Another frequent occurrence is turning too sharply in an approaching wake, making it more challenging to transfer your body weight.

Avoid fighting an irreversible spin about to occur by getting off the vessel and moving away from it instead. It’s time to get back on your jet ski after it has been switched off.

This might be challenging because your PWC is high up in the water and can be slippery to climb on board. It will have a more even weight distribution and be less likely to flip over again if you board from the back (rather than the side or front).

Grab the handle with one hand, then lift yourself until your foot can fit on the step present on the PWC. Use the step and handhold to lift yourself so you can place your knee on the swim platform. After that, you can reboard the vessel. The procedure is the same if your boat doesn’t have a step, but you’ll have to lift yourself onboard.

Difficulties Associated with Reboarding a PWC

A few risks and difficulties are involved when reboarding a PWC in the water. Firstly, Getting a good grip on the PWC before Reboarding is essential because if you do not have a secure and good grip on the PWC, you may find it hard to get back on the PWC. Also, when the water is choppy or rough and the PWC is moving around a lot, it can get challenging to get on board again.

Reboarding a PWC can get complicated if the boat is not righted or rolled over properly to get on. Never try to board again while the engine is operating. The strong suction from the jet thrust system could ingest loose objects like long hair, clothing, or the lifejacket straps, making it very difficult for a person to reboard PWC again.

Also, never start the motor of a PWC while another passenger apart from you is reboarding it from the water until they are on board securely. They can suffer from significant injuries from the power of the water coming out of the jet thrust nozzle, making reboarding difficult.

How to Prevent A PWC From Capsizing

To help prevent and prepare for capsizing and reboarding, follow these guidelines.

While the boat is in motion, ensure you and your passengers wear PFDs.
The engine cut-off button lanyard should be fastened to your PFD, clothing, or wrist.

The gunwale, bow, seat backs, machine cover, or any other location not intended for seats should not be used for seating. Additionally, nobody should sit on pedestal seats when moving at speed faster than idling speed.
Don’t pack your boat too full. Balance the weight of all the gear and passengers.
To keep your center of gravity low, don’t allow people to stand up or move around while the boat is moving, especially in smaller, less stable boats.

Never allow anyone to extend their shoulder past the gunwale in a tiny boat.

Tips For Reboarding A PWC

Reboarding a PWC can be arduous, especially if you’re thrown from the craft. To get back on the vessel, remain calm and take your time. Wear a life jacket to avoid becoming airborne.

Below are some tips for reboarding your PWC. If the weather is bad, stay in the boat for the rest of the trip. If you’re unsure of how to do reboarding, consult with a professional.

Thermal gloves

Using thermal gloves during reboarding is important. Thermal gloves, three millimeters thick, prevent swimmers from feeling cold during the reboarding process. These gloves also increase agility and reduce hand-segmentation.

The victim should wear thermal gloves because their hands could get cold when they fell off the PWC. Moreover, they could become numb after reboarding, as their face and hands were exposed to the cold water without protection.

Installation Of A Sealant

If the craft runs, exhaust fumes will exit from underneath, exposing passengers preparing to reboard from the water. If passengers are not protected adequately from exhaust fumes, installing a waterproof sealant on the deck is essential.

Common mistakes to avoid when Re-boarding a PWC

One of the essential safety tips for PWC riders is to look before turning. This may seem obvious, but many PWC operators make this common mistake. The spray, wind, and engine noise often drown out other boats. You cannot hear the sound of different ships from your PWC, but your sight is the only sense you can rely on. Check the clarity of the water before turning.

Before reboarding a PWC, you must ensure that the PWC is stable. Position it so that the side facing the shore is in front of you. You must also position the lanyard to start the engine. Please do not attempt to reboard a PWC while it’s in motion. If you make any of these blunders, you could cause damage to your PWC.

One of the most common mistakes when reboarding a PWC is attempting to reboard with your feet while moving. Your feet must stay on the PWC while you’re getting back on, and you must keep a steady grip on the steering wheel. If you’re struggling to get back on, try reboarding by swimming to your PWC’s rigid and pulling yourself up with the seat handle.

Before approaching a dock, prepare your PWC by turning it over. Practice slowing down, gentle throttle, and deliberate steering before approaching the dock. Also, ensure your fuel tank is complete before you begin your trip. Once you’ve mastered the art of reboarding your PWC, you can move forward and attach the safety lanyard. In this way, you’ll prevent any collisions.

Using a PWC to Reboard

Using a PWC to reboard can be tricky and potentially dangerous. If you’re not prepared, reboarding may cause panic or stress. Remember to use the correct approach. Kneel on the boarding platform, then slide onto the seat. If the PWC is equipped with an engine, start it using the lanyard.

First, wear your floatation device. The best way to protect yourself is by wearing a PFD. Make sure to use a life jacket for an inflatable PFD. Also, make sure to use a lanyard-style cut-off device to turn off the engine when you get off the PWC. Wear eye and foot protection, including a helmet and a pair of goggles. Sandals offer added traction, and gloves make it easier to grip wet controls.

Despite being a necessary safety precaution, many PWC users do not follow boating rules. For example, some operators operate their PWC at too high a speed and sometimes perform stunts, contributing to many collisions and injuries. Others believe this behavior is typical of PWC users and that PWC owners are no more dangerous than other boaters.

While there is some research on the environmental impacts of recreational boating, there is still much to learn. While PWCs offer a range of advantages, they are not designed to be used in deep waters. Nevertheless, the use of PWCs in shallow water coincides with critical phases for wildlife. Moreover, PWCs are often unsafe for passengers and may endanger marine life.

Electrical spark

There are several reasons to check the electrical spark when reboarding a PWC. First, you must ensure that you have a fully charged battery. Also, ensure you do not wear loose clothing or hair near the pump intake.

You should also ensure that the steering nozzle is clear when shutting down, as this can result in serious injuries. Second, you should check all electrical systems for spark potential. Third, you should check all the gas lines since gas fumes can collect in the engine compartment. Finally, you should rinse your PWC.

Harassment of wildlife

Personal watercraft are prohibited from operating within 200 feet of the shoreline on the Great Lakes. These watercraft must be operated at a low, no wake speed and not be reboarded or used in areas with a high animal population. They must also be operated in the proper water depth and not be used by children under 14. Harassment of wildlife when reboarding a PWC is illegal.