Have you ever seen a Jet Ski accident? Has a Jet Ski accident ever prompted you to take another look at the instruction manual and attend lessons to learn how to ride a Jet Ski? Normally, Jet Ski accidents seem trivial until you lay your eyes on one.
From reckless driving skills of a boater/ Jet Ski to the negligence of the reporter, accidents can take place due to a number of reasons. However, you can ensure maximum enjoyment and satisfaction by learning the answers to a few common FAQs.
Can a Jet Ski Sink?
It’s one of the most common questions raised by beginner Jet Ski riders. The answer to that question can be yes and no both based on a few factors. Even when the Jet Ski is filled with water after sustaining a considerable amount of damage, it will remain afloat.
That’s thanks to the special floating foam inserted into the Jet Ski to keep it afloat even when the total weight is well above the bar. In simple words, Jet Skis sink partial and remain afloat most of the time.
But, you must realize that the damage potential of water seeping into the hull is extremely high. Whether the Jet Ski sinks or not, water seepage can render it useless going forward.
Typical Causes of Jet Skis Sinking
You can prevent your Jet Ski from sinking or partially sinking by learning the main causes that lead up to it.
For instance, you can learn about specifications such as the shape, top speed, and weight of a Jet Ski before riding it to better control it over different water conditions. Check out some of the main causes that lead to Jet Skis sinking”:
Improper Accessories Installation
Normally, Sea-Doo lovers opt for modifications and new equipment to enhance the performance of their Jet Ski. However, that increases the chances of damage and accidents causing it to sink.
For instance, a few aftermarket modifications require you to drill a hole into the hull and adjust it.
In simple words, this causes damage to the accessories inside and above the hull. From fish finders and intake grates to rear exhaust kits, various accessories can experience damage.
Hull Damage
Harsh jumping on wave breaks or serious accidents can cause a break in the hull leading to water leakage. Therefore, you can expect to see your Jet Ski sink in that situation.
Lost Drain Plugs
Drain plugs, as the name indicates, help the owners drain out bilged water from inside the Jet Skis. Simply removing the drain plug after getting the watercraft out of water will cause the water to drain out of it. Nevertheless, if you forget and don’t replace the drain plugs prior to the next ride, the hull will experience water leakage through them.
Carbon Seal Deterioration
It’s important to check carbon seal condition. You may call it carbon rings, carbon ring seals, and so on. It provides a waterproof seal and as you can guess, its absence will cause extraordinary water leakage into the Jet Ski’s hull. It can lead to extremely costly repairs if the engine gets flooded (take a look at this article about jet ski insurance).
Can I Jet Ski if I Can’t Swim?
In simple words, Jet Ski isn’t hard to control on waters especially if the weather conditions are against surfers and riders. You will require immense upper body strength to steer Jet Skis across rough waters. Talking about rough waters, most beginners argue whether they can Jet Ski if they can’t swim.
The simple answer to that is “yes”. They can Jet Ski but that would pose life risks and serious need to wear a life jacket. If you’re wearing a life jacket and have enough upper body strength to keep you afloat in case you fall off the Jet Ski, you may ride it. It’s best to have an instructor with you if you can’t swim.
Falling Off Jet Ski – What Happens if I Fall Off a Jet Ski?
Based on several factors including weight, speed, and angle of fall, you can sustain little or no injuries to serious life-altering physical damages.
Most of the time, when people fall of Jet Skis such as when they lose control, all they do is make a big splash into the water while sustaining minimal injuries.
But, it’s possible to sustain heavy injuries if you’re not careful enough and don’t have any protective gear on.
How to Flip a Jet Ski Back Over?
There are various methods of rolling back a Jet Ski after it flips. Here are a few steps that you can follow:
- Swim back to the Jet Ski calmly and turn off the engine
- Lean forward and over the hull of the Jet Ski
- Place your one hand and then the next in the form of a hook onto one side of the Jet Ski’s stern
- Once you get a good hold with both hands, pull the Jet Ski with your body weight and flip it back over
- Follow the previously mentioned steps to climb back on it.
How Heavy is a Jet Ski?
The total weight of a Jet Ski is based on various factors and varies from one manufacturer to another.
Considering the top manufacturers in the industry: Yamaha, Sea-Doo, and Kawasaki, the average total weight of the top Jet Ski models can be somewhere between 300 and 950 pounds.
How to Climb Back onto a Jet Ski in the Water
Here are the steps for climbing back on Jet Ski:
- Calmly swim back to the Jet Ski and approach it from the rear
- Place your hands on the stern firmly and use the Jet Ski handles as grips
- Pull yourself in the same manner you get out of a swimming pool
- Move to the seat, sit down calmly, and gather your composure to start it back again
Do Jet Skis Come Back to You?
Jet Skis wont’ come back to you. However, they have a key attached to your life jacket with a string that turns off the engine when you fall off the Jet Ski.
So, you can assume that the Jet Ski won’t go as far as you’re thinking and you could easily climb back on it.
Is There a Weight Limit for Jet Skis?
Yes, there is a weight limit for Jet Skis. It depends on the seat and fuel capacity to determine the accurate weight limit for a Jet Ski.
But generally, the average weight limit for Jet Skis ranges from 300 to 600 pounds.
How to Load a Jet Ski by Yourself?
Of course, you can load a Jet Ski by yourself. However, that will require skills and knowledge about handling it.
Here are a few steps you should follow if you’re trying to load a Jet Ski on your own:
- Tie the Jet Ski to the dock first
- Then, back the trailer towards water
- Pull the handbrake and keep the trailer still when you find the right position
- Drive the Jet Ski slowly and precisely onto the trailer
- Once the Jet Ski is on the trailer, turn off the engine and hop off
- Winch the Jet Ski manually and note the fuel capacity utilization for safety purposes
Conclusion
Surfing across smooth waters on the most popular coastlines can be a thrilling adventure. However, don’t’ let the thrill and excitement cloud your decisions. Learn useful safety and rental tips and everything there is to know about Jet Ski precautions.
Consider riding a Jet Ski with a professional and licensed instructor if you’re inexperienced.
This will help take the worries and stress off your mind. Get in touch with the best Jet Ski rental business wherever you plan to spend your summer vacation.