PWC Safety

Personal watercraft are extremely popular and it’s no surprise why -- they offer you a high-speed ride over the water’s surface that gives you the kinds of thrills you won’t find anywhere else. Personal watercraft, or PWCs, are only safe if you are adequately prepared to ride them and you don’t take risks. Otherwise, you could cause an accident that injures you or other people or does serious damage to your PWC.

Inspect Your PWC

Before you even load your PWC onto the trailer, you should give it a thorough visual inspection. Check the hull for any signs of damage that could make it dangerous to ride. Make sure that lights and signals work well and that the throttle functions. Fill up your gas tank with fuel before each ride, too. If anything seems amiss, don’t hesitate to call the Pensacola Motorsports service department so that our professional mechanics can help you out!

Get The Right Gear

Riding any kind of powersports equipment means that you’ll need some safety gear to protect yourself and a personal watercraft is no different. The most important piece of equipment you should wear is a well-fitting life jacket that’s approved by the US Coast Guard. There are many styles available on the market at various price points so you’re sure to find one that meets your needs. Always wear your life jacket, even if you’re a good swimmer (which you should be if you’re out on the water!).

Other equipment you’ll need includes a whistle if your PWC lacks a horn to signal your approach to other water users, a set of flares, an emergency radio, your phone with charger, a first aid kit, a dewatering device and a rope to help you tow your watercraft in and out of the water. You can carry these things in your watertight compartment or get modular storage that fits on your PWC. Wear sunglasses out on the water even in cloudy conditions and always wear waterproof sunscreen. Bring water so you can stay hydrated.

Stop by our location in Lynchburg, VA to see our wide selection of PWC models and accessories for sale. Virgil Naff's serves the wider Charlottesville metro area, as well as the city of Roanoke, VA.