Launching a PWC

You've probably seen it before: somebody awkwardly weaves and jackknifes their trailer back onto the ramp, takes way too long to line up with the launch lane, and proves to everyone else that they obviously don't know what they're doing. You might have even suppressed a laugh at some hapless PWC owner who went a little too far and carelessly dunked the trailer in with the Jet Ski®. Well, have some sympathy for them, because launching a PWC is a lot tricker than it looks. Also, if you've never launched a WaveRunner® from a trailer before, you don't want to be embarrassed by the same mistakes you've seen others make! We'd like to tell you how to prepare properly, so this guide lays out some advice for practice, preparation, and finally launching your vehicle. With some practice and foresight, you'll develop the skills to smoothly get your craft in the water and get your trailer out of everybody's way in a snap!

Of course, you can't really get on the water in the first place without your own personal watercraft. If you're still in the market for one, or need any repairs to your current model, swing by Destination Powersports near Fort Myers and Cape Coral, Florida!

Practice First

Unfortunately, you can't just expect to read a guide and automatically know how to launch a Jet Ski properly. Like every skill, you'll need to practice it first, and you don't want to practice at the crowded ramp! Instead, try finding a large, empty parking lot with lane markers to substitute for the launch lane. Practice backing up with your loaded trailer, staying in the lines, and stopping at a defined marker. You might define a stopping point simply by putting up cones, or any other marker that's visible from your seat. To practice effectively, try to find the technique that's most accurate for you, and stick with it. Some drivers prefer to look behind them, while others exclusively use their mirrors. Whichever method suits you best, just remember to practice backing up slowly and smoothly at first, so launching your personal watercraft will eventually feel like just another day at the office.

Be Prepared

Once you get to the ramp for the real deal, make sure you're prepared before actually getting in position. Park in a designated prep area or out-of-the-way location and get all your gear ready. Clip the lanyard into position, keep your gear and dock lines in the PWC, and insert the drain plug. You might even want to warm up the motor if you didn't before heading out. Overall, you just need to make sure you're ready to ride as soon as you get the Jet Ski or WaveRunner in the water. This will minimize the time you spend on the ramp, making others appreciate you for getting out of their way as soon as possible.

Launch your PWC

If your personal watercraft sits pretty snug in the trailer bunks, take off the safety chain and winch strap before backing onto the ramp. If it's a little looser in there, just remove the safety chain, but leave the winch strap loosely connected. Then, back the trailer up until the trailer's fender is almost entirely underwater. Finally, check that you have a clear path in the water, start the PWC, and have your partner slowly pull the trailer away from the water. This should allow the watercraft to slip out easily.

Pull Away

Once in the water, make sure that whoever's driving knows to immediately pull the tow vehicle and trailer off the ramp. No getting out to check on the craft or loading up with gear — just make sure they leave the ramp right after you get into the water. You don't want to waste other riders' time, so do everything you can to quickly and safely get your trailer on and off the ramp.

Launching a Jet Ski, WaveRunner, or any other PWC is really tough without practice, but with enough experience and the proper preparation, you'll have no problem launching your craft like a pro. Not knowing how to do it is embarrassing, but knowing how to quickly get in and out courteous, and also makes you look much better at the ramp. For more advice, or if you would like to check out some of our PWC at Destination Powersports, come talk to us at our dealership in Florida, serving the areas of Punta Gorda, Fort Myers, and Cape Coral, Florida.