Equipment
To get have the best experience out on the open water you need the right equipment. There are a lot of different jet skis out there, each with their own pros and cons. Believe it or not, the term "jet ski" is actually a brand name for a personal watercraft manufactured by Kawasaki. The name has been generalized and used for most personal watercraft makes and models, almost like "Kleenex" or "Cellophane". The original Jet Ski by Kawasaki was introduced in the early 70's. There were two models including a V-hull, which improved turning at the expense of stability, and a flat bottom design which stayed with the line until 1994. The term "jet ski" these days refers to personal watercrafts which come in a variety of sizes and horsepower from different manufacturers.
The skis are definitely the most important part of having a fun time on "jet skis", or personal watercraft as we said previously; however there is quite a bit more that one needs to have a great time on the open water, safely and the right way. For example, what is a day out on the water on a personal watercraft if you can't get your ski there? For that, you would need a trailer. When you're not riding, you'll need a cover to keep it pretty for the next time out. Life jackets and sunglasses make the experience safer and more comfortable. Anchors and mooring supplies will keep your personal watercraft in one spot when you need it to be, whether out in the middle of the lake or tied to a dock.
Here is a list of some much needed equipment for when you purchase your own jet ski. Normally, renting one would not require you to have all of this, and most of it is included with rentals.
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Personal Water CraftPersonal watercrafts come in a variety of sizes with varied horsepower. The main manufacturers include Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Sea Doo. These personal watercraft come are generally of two types which include stand-up and runabout models. A stand-up jet ski is made for a single rider and has a steering mechanism with throttle switches that lifts up from the body so a rider can stand while operating it. Runabouts come in different rider configurations from two to three and sometimes four seat models. Finding the perfect jet ski is quite the experience. With so many models out there it is sometimes difficult to differentiate but mainly, the method would be to compare prices to specs, features, and horsepower. |
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TrailerGetting a trailer for your ski or skis is a necessity any time you need to transport out of the water. There are different configurations for personal watercraft trailers which include single, double, triple, and even quadruple cradle set-ups. Depending on the size of the trailer, and how many skis you will be transporting, the trailers will have either a single or dual axle set-up. A ski can be loaded and unloaded on and off the trailer by unhooking a safety strap or cable from the front of the watercraft while the watercraft and trailer are partially submerged in the water at a boat ramp. |
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CoversA cover for your jet ski can keep your personal watercraft in pristine condition when you are not using it. The special sized covers keep the sun off your seats and the bugs off the jet ski when being towed. A cover is a definite necessity when trying to preserve the look and value of your water craft as well as being a cool stylistic accessory for your prized toy. You can get your covers to match your ski and some people even have everything from their life vests to their trailers match their skis. These covers are usually made of Sunbrella material which allows for a great protective layer from harmful UV rays that tend to cloud and fade paint and fiberglass finishes. |
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Life JacketsLife Jackets make the ride out on the open water a safe one. From time to time, while having tons of fun, a rider can be tossed off of a ski when doing real fast turns or riding over wake. If one were to fall off while riding, the outcome could be bad without a life jacket on. There are plenty of looks and styles for life jackets which can be found to match color schemes for your equipment. Life jackets come in a multitude of sizes that fit the smallest of children to the biggest guy you can find. You can even find life jackets for dogs too! There are a lot of brand name retailers of life jackets which include Roxy, O'Neil, Billabong, Hurley, Body Glove and more. |
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Anchors & Mooring SuppliesAnchors and mooring supplies like dock ropes and bumpers help in keeping your personal watercraft in one spot while you take a break from the fun. Sometimes, you just want to stop out in the middle of the water and swim for a little while. If you have yourself an anchor, you can drop it right where you're at and have some fun without worrying about losing your jet ski to the current. Out in the ocean, you might use your personal watercraft to check out a reef or a hot snorkeling spot. An anchor will make it an easy process. Mooring supplies consist of dock ropes, bumpers, and even cool contraptions like slings that keep your personal watercraft stationary while parked on a dock. |
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Waterproof CasesWaterproof cases are a great way to keep your personal belongings like wallets, cell phones, or even any other electronics or affects safe from the wet environment of a jet skier. Waterproof cases come in many sizes, shapes and colors as well as hard cases and or bags. A case is a great way to keep all those items safe from the weather and water. You can never be too careful when skimming across the water on a fast jet ski. You never know when you're going to roll or even drop a personal affect while having such a great time out there. A couple of name brands in waterproof cases include Otterbox and Pelican cases. |
