SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/boat-pwc-off-throttle

On many personal watercraft, which action is most likely to cause loss of steering?

Releasing the throttle.

  1. Running at full throttle
  2. Releasing the throttle ✔
  3. Turning the handlebars too sharply

Why: A jet drive steers by pushing a stream of water out the back. Let go of the throttle and many PWCs lose the thrust they need to turn. Some newer models have off-throttle steering, but don't count on it.

Huh, didn't know that: NASBLA says to stop in shallow water and walk the PWC to shore, since the jet drive can suck up debris.

The dad joke
Why are jet skis bad at keeping secrets? They always make a big splash.
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Sources

  1. NASBLA ESP TR 103-2022, Technical Report: Basic Boating Knowledge Core + Plus Power https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/NASBLA/76594a34-f3a1-4916-95ac-1e9c872170cc/UploadedImages/education/national-education-standards/ESP_TR_ESP_103_Core_Plus_Power_2022_06_01FINAL.pdf
  2. NASBLA ESP TR 103.1-2022, Technical Report: Water-Jet Propelled Supplement https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/NASBLA/76594a34-f3a1-4916-95ac-1e9c872170cc/UploadedImages/education/national-education-standards/ESP_TR_103_1_Water-JetPropelled_2022_06_01_Final.pdf

Test yourself in the game

Boating & WaterAfter falling off a personal watercraft, from which end is it generally easiest to climb back on?Boating & WaterFederal rules say a recreational boat must carry how many wearable life jackets?Boating & WaterAt what boat length does federal law add a throwable flotation device to the wearable ones?

That's stuff everyone should know.