WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING A PWC

You know you want a personal watercraft, but before you rush to a dealership, there’s a few things you should figure out first. Start by asking yourself questions about what you want to do on the water, how many people you like to take with you, and what your skill level is. These considerations will all impact the type of PWC you wind up purchasing, so this guide will help you make some of those decisions a little more easily. When you think you’re ready to get your next watercraft, or if you just have more questions, come into Campers RV Center in Shreveport, LA, near Bossier City, Ruston, and Monroe, LA to view our huge selection of new and used models.

Size and Seating

The size of a personal watercraft determines its functionality and driveability in the water. And of course, extra seats need more space, which means a larger craft. If you just want to get an adrenaline rush and fine-tune your watersports skills, a one seater like some Jet Skis® are designed to get you on the water and maximize performance. Two seated watercraft give you a wider base, which means a little more stability, so these types of PWC are excellent for new riders and anyone who wants to hit the water in pairs. Finally, some larger personal watercraft come with larger decks and three or four seats, which makes these craft ideal for lounging on the water or pulling a water skier behind you.

New vs. Used

For anyone trying to stick to a budget, buying new or used vehicles oftentimes seems like a no-brainer. After all, used vehicles are cheaper, right? In some ways, this is correct, but just like any other machine with a motor, you need to consider more than the sticker price when buying a personal watercraft. New ones are a little more expensive, but they come with a warranty, a datatag registration number, and you can rest assured they don’t have any history of damage or mechanical issues. Used PWC, on the other hand, take some inspection before you should take one home with you. Sure they’re cheaper, but carefully check for rust on the hull, fluid leaks, the intake grate, and wiring issues. You should also try to find one with lower usage hours. If you settle for a craft that’s undergone a lot of riding and/or has all sorts of issues, you might pay less at the dealership, but it’ll nickel and dime you for years to come.

Short and Narrow vs. Long and Wide

Skill level determines a lot about the PWC you’re looking at, and you’ll know whether or not it matches your abilities based on its width and length. If you’re new to riding a personal watercraft, find one with a wide and long hull. These designs make the vehicle easier to handle, although the larger hull does decrease performance slightly. If you know how to handle a tricky craft though, and just want to get the biggest adrenaline rush possible from your PWC, look for the shortest, narrowest machine you can find. These have less stability, but if you’re up to the task of riding one, you’ll reap the benefits of a faster, more maneuverable watercraft.

Safety

A lanyard to connect to the ignition is a small thing, but it’s the most important safety feature you can find on a personal watercraft. If one of these doesn’t come attached to the ignition, you won’t be able to ride the PWC, so never buy one unless you make sure it has this safety feature.

Storage

PWC storage is one of those aspects that some people don’t think about until they’ve already gotten them. Sure you might buy yours in the summer and keep it in your truck or on the dock, but when winter time comes, you’ll need to keep your prized personal watercraft safe from the elements somehow. If you only have a small shed, you might have to pick a smaller watercraft, unless you want to build a whole new storage area! Keep in mind that 3- and 4-seat vehicles take up quite a bit of space.

Trailer

Finally, before actually making a decision on a personal watercraft, you’ll need to figure out if you’re able to tow it. If you can’t even get it to the lake, it’s going to be a pretty pointless vehicle, so consider whether or not you have a good enough trailer to both transport and launch your craft. Your tow vehicle is also an important consideration: if your car doesn’t have enough tow capacity to move a large PWC, you’ll probably want to stick with a smaller model, unless you plan on getting a new truck.

With this guide, you might have a better idea of how to look for your next PWC. Or maybe you have even more questions than before! Either way, our skilled professionals at Campers RV Center are here to assist you find the personal watercraft that’s just right for you. Our dealership is located in Shreveport, LA, and we also serve riders from Tyler, Longview, and Marshall, TX.