What should you do before taking your PWC out on the water?

Reading the owner’s manual is essential before taking your personal watercraft (PWC) out on the water. The owner’s manual contains critical information specific to your PWC model, including guidelines on operation, safety features, maintenance, and troubleshooting procedures. Familiarizing yourself with these details ensures that you understand how to operate the craft properly and can maximize its safety features while minimizing the risk of accidents.

This knowledge base is vital for any new or inexperienced operator, as it provides insights into the specific capabilities and limitations of the PWC, helping to prevent misunderstandings that might arise from general assumptions about watercraft operation. Being well-informed from the manual helps enhance safety for both the operator and others on the water.

Pre-trip checks like assessing the weather, conducting exterior inspections, and practicing maneuvers are important but are supplementary actions that should come after you have familiarized yourself with your PWC through the owner’s manual. Understanding your specific craft is the foundation for successful and safe operation.