Jet skiing is an adventurous and breathtaking experience that allows you to explore all the ocean has to offer. You can jet ski alone for a personal experience or you can head out with friends and family to spend your summer catching up and checking items off your bucket list.
Whether you are a new rider or you have some experience under your belt, you want your experience to be enjoyable and one to remember. Renting a personal watercraft is a great way to enjoy the water without having to spend thousands of dollars to do so. Of course, if you become an avid jet skier, you can always purchase one later on. However, to ensure your rental experience is as smooth and easy as possible, check out these smart tips for renting a personal watercraft (PWC).
Know the Age and License Requirements
One of the biggest mistakes you could make would be not learning what the age and license requirements are to rent a PWC. It is important to look up the requirements for your specific area or any area you plan to visit as some areas have different rules and requirements.
For example, some places require that you have a boating license to operate a PWC while others may have an age restriction as in requiring you to be 16 years or older.
Check the Weather
If you know anything about going out on the water, you know it is a necessity to check the weather before you go. Summer storms pop up all the time and you do not want to be caught in rough waters on a PWC.
When checking the weather, look for any warnings of heavy rain, strong winds, or rough water. If you notice that these are in the forecast, do not go out on a PWC.
Review the Rental Agreement in Full
While it is exciting and you may want to simply sign the agreement and head out in the water, it is crucial that you read the agreement in full and make sure you understand it. Once you sign it, you are responsible for the PWC so ask as many questions as you need to understand.
In general, you can expect the rental agreement to discuss what your responsibilities as the renter are. Pay close attention to this as many will include things such as:
- Fuel policies
- Damage fees
- Rental duration
- Insurance coverage
You may want to consider any additional insurance coverage to help protect you in the event of an emergency or accident. (Do keep in mind that most insurance coverage is optional, so it will be up to you as to whether or not you want the extra protection.)
Safety First
Hold on – we know you are eager to get out there but there are a couple more things before you can be free on your jet ski.
First, make sure you understand how to operate a jet ski, know what to wear, and what you should do in the event of an emergency. You can research these things prior to arriving to rent your PWC, but many facilities will provide a safety debriefing before you take their rental out.
The rental facility you use should provide you with a personal floatation device; however, some may not, so you want to double check with them. If they do, always try it on and make sure it fits properly or it will not be very useful to you.
Additionally, some riders like to wear wet suits, water shoes, and goggles while riding on their PWCs – of course, this is up to you though.
Don’t Get a Ticket
Did you know you can get a ticket while riding a PWC in the water? Yep, that’s right. It is vital that you know the local rules and regulations when it comes to the waterways. This includes things such as wake and no wake zones, speed regulations, and distance rules.
If you have any questions, ask the rental facility for clarification – you don’t want a surprise fine or to endanger yourself or others.
Get to Know the PWC
There are many different sizes, brands, and shapes of PWCs, so it is important that you familiarize yourself with the PWC you are renting BEFORE you take it out on the water.
Don’t be afraid to spend some time looking over the jet ski, sitting on it, testing it out, and asking for assistance from the rental facility.
Helpful Safety Measures
Here are some additional safety measures to take:
- NEVER drink and drive, even on a PWC
- Go slow until you are away from the shoreline
- Accelerate slowly
- Do NOT speed
- Keep the key around your wrist so you do not lose it
Are You Ready to Jet, Set, Go?
Renting a jet ski is a great way to have fun this summer, but it is important to make sure you are not only prepared to rent one, but that you keep safety in mind too. Jet skis can be very fast, and a collision can occur quickly if you are not practicing safety, or you are inexperienced.
If you follow the smart tips above for renting a PWC, you will be on your way to a great day on the water!
