LAUNCHING A PWC
To paraphrase a popular comedian, “try not smiling on a Sea-Doo… You can’t!” Personal watercraft have a reputation for being just about as much fun to ride as anything out there. They’re fast, maneuverable, and the mixture of cool water on a sunny day is totally irresistible. But before you ever get out on the water, you have to figure out how to get your PWC off the trailer. This can be trickier than you might think, which is why we here at Camper’s RV Center created this short guide. Hopefully we can share a few tips with you so your next trip out with the PWC is every bit as fun as you expect. If you’re in the market for a new PWC or need PWC accessories, stop by Campers RV Center. Located in Shreveport, Louisiana, we proudly serve customers from Bossier City, Ruston, and Monroe, Louisiana, as well as Marshall, Longview, and Tyler, Texas.
Be Prepared
Preparation is key to launching your PWC safely and quickly. Before you head to the lake, river, or ocean, make sure you have your life jacket, sunglasses, and anything else you think you might need. Once you get to the launch ramp, pull off to the side to “stage” your PWC for launch. You should unhook any unnecessary straps or connections with the exception of the winch cable that’s used to pull the PWC onto the boat in the first place. Make sure the drain plug is inserted and the safety lanyard is safely in place so that you can hop on, start the PWC up, and ride away as soon as it floats free from the trailer. Make sure that by the time you get your PWC in the water, you’re ready to pull away and make space for another boater. Boat ramps are often busy places and time is valuable, so the more prepared you can be, the more considerate you will be to the people around you.
Practice Driving with a Trailer First
One of the key elements of launching a PWC is having the ability to drive with a trailer. Make sure to take some time to practice backing up with your trailer and PWC in a parking lot somewhere. Since boat ramps are necessarily at a bit of an incline, you’ll want to practice backing down a ramp if such a ramp is available. If a ramp isn’t available, even learning how to reverse into a parking spot in your local grocery store parking lot will help you learn to guide your trailer safely. The more you practice, the smoother you’ll be able to position your PWC for launch. Some people choose to turn around while backing up with a trailer, while some use only the mirrors. Whatever method you choose, stick with it and learn to make the specific dynamics of reversing with a trailer part of your muscle memory.
Launch Your PWC
Launching your PWC requires reversing your trailer far enough into the water that your PWC floats free of the trailer. On the other hand, you don’t want to reverse so far into the water that your tow vehicle gets submerged. If your PWC is firmly wedged in the trailer, you might need to disconnect the safety straps and winch strap as you lower it into the water. A little bit of gentle rocking can sometimes allow the PWC’s natural buoyancy to take over and float free of the trailer.
Pull Away
Once the PWC is free from the trailer and floating, you’ll want to pull the trailer out immediately. There’s a certain etiquette to boat ramps, and the quicker you can make your launching process, the happier other boaters will be. Pull the trailer clear away and park it in a safe and legal location.
Hopefully after reading this short guide, you feel more empowered to launch your own PWC. if you’re still in the market for a PWC, stop by Campers RV Center. We carry a variety of PWC and we can help you find the one with the speed, maneuverability, and style you want. Located in Shreveport, Louisiana, we’re the home of PWCs, campers, and RVs for Bossier City, Ruston, and Monroe, Louisiana, as well as Marshall, Longview, and Tyler, Texas.