Launching A PWC
Personal watercraft, or PWC, are a roaring good time for anyone who’s into speedy twists and turns. You can plunge through the water, kicking up waves in your wake and feeling the spray cool your face under the hot sun. Nothing could be more fun!
If you’ve never ridden a PWC, though, you might not be aware of how to launch one after you remove it from your trailer. As your local personal watercraft dealer, Abernathy’s Cycle is prepared to educate you on how best to approach this process. Our dealership is located in Union City, Tennessee, so we’re conveniently accessible for our customers in Nashville and Memphis.
Practice Makes Perfect
You’ll probably want to take your trailer and car set up to an empty parking lot so you can practice reversing, using parking lanes as a mock ramp. Put down a cone or something to mark the point at which you should stop your vehicle, which should be right at the water’s edge, with the trailer somewhat submerged. Practice your technique until you’re confident in your reversing process and your accuracy.
Arrive Prepared
When you get to the water, park out of the way and get all your gear ready and on board your PWC. You’ll want to get your life jacket on, apply sunscreen, put on your sunglasses, and stow your important items in your waterproof compartment. Clip your starter lanyard into position and insert the drain plug. Get as much done as you possibly can before you reverse to the ramp so you take as little time as possible to be water-ready. Being expedient and not wasting time is just good etiquette that will make other water users happy.
Release Your PWC
Remove the winch straps and safety chain securing your PWC to your trailer, start engine and turn it over to make sure it won’t have issues on the ramp. Join the queue and wait patiently. When it’s your turn, reverse the trailer into the water until the PWC starts to float, usually when its fender is in the water. Park, get out, and pull it by hand or by rope into deeper water, away from your trailer. You can tie a rope to your PWC and lash it to the dock if you’re alone. Once the PWC is in the water, go back to your trailer and car and drive them off the ramp to the parking lot, or let a friend do this for you if you’re with other people.
Pull Away
As soon as your PWC is in deep enough water and your vehicle is cleared away, clear out from the ramp and head to the open water to give others space to get their own PWC launched. Make sure the water is at least 3’ deep before you start it, because you run the risk of sucking sand and stones in to the impeller if you start your PWC in water that’s less than 3’ deep. All your prep work should have made it simple for you to start riding as soon as you hit the water, rather than waiting for more supplies or fiddling with settings and life jackets. Get out there and enjoy the waves!
Do you still need a personal watercraft to take to the river or lake? Come see the models we carry at our showroom, where our capable staff can help you determine the best style for you. If your current PWC needs repairs or parts, call us to schedule a maintenance appointment with our talented mechanics. Abernathy’s Cycle is located in Union City, near Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee.