How to Drive a Jet Ski, a Step by Step Guide for First-Timers
At a glance
Put on a life jacket and attach the lanyard to your wrist or vest before starting. Mount from the rear, keep your weight centered, and start the engine in open, calm water. Squeeze the throttle gently to move, because the jet ski only steers with power. Release the throttle and you lose most steering control. Turn by adding throttle while angling the handlebars, and lean into the turn. Keep a safe distance from other boats, swimmers, and shore, and ease off the throttle well before docking.
Sit on the seat with both feet on the footrests, clip the lanyard to your wrist or life jacket and the key post, start the engine, and squeeze the throttle gently. Keep light throttle on through turns and lean into them.
- Sit-down jet skis are the better choice for beginners.
- Most jet skis need some throttle to turn, so keep the load balanced and centered.
- Approach docks at the lowest speed you can control, with fenders hung first.
The right tool for this job
Air Horn 1.4oz
Compact 1.4 ounce air horn that stores on jet skis. The 120 decibel blast can be heard from 1/2 mile away, so a loud signal stays within reach.
Shop the Air Horn 1.4ozContents (9 sections)
With the wind in your hair and the rush of the throttle, nothing says "summer's here" like a jet ski ride. Jet skis let you cruise across many lakes, rivers and bays where personal watercraft are allowed, so check local restrictions before you go. You can carry a few essentials without a long launch checklist, a heavy anchor setup or an outboard motor to look after.
To drive a jet ski, sit on the seat with both feet on the footrests, clip the lanyard to your wrist or life jacket and to the key post, start the engine, and squeeze the throttle gently. Most jet skis need some thrust to steer, so keep light throttle on through a turn and lean into it. Slow down and stop the way the owner's manual describes for your model. Many riders find a sit-down jet ski straightforward to operate on calm water, but safe control takes instruction and practice.
If you are new to the sport and feeling apprehensive, or you just have a few questions, this guide covers how to drive a jet ski before you throttle up. It also covers what not to do, how to handle a fall, and how to dock.
What Are Jet Skis?
If recreational boats are the cars of the water, then jet skis are the motorcycles.
The technical term for a jet ski is personal watercraft or PWC. They are also often called by manufacturer brand names, and "jet ski" itself began as one.
Jet Ski Styles, Stand-Ups vs. Sit-Downs
There are two types of jet skis, stand-ups and sit-downs. Both styles have an inboard engine that uses water to create thrust for propulsion and steering. Conventional jet skis generally need thrust from the engine for effective steering. Off-throttle steering, braking and reverse behavior vary by model, so check the owner's manual for your machine.
Which jet ski style fits you
Stand-up
Requires a great deal of balance and is not the best choice for a first-ever ride.
Sit-down
The better choice for beginners, with more stability and comfort, and many models can carry passengers.
Stand-up jet skis are almost like scooters on water and require a great deal of balance. They are much tougher than they look, and a stand-up is not the best choice for a first-ever ride.
Sit-down jet skis are the better choice for beginners. They offer more stability and are comfortable to ride, and many models can carry passengers, subject to the passenger and weight limits for that model.
Before You Head Out for a Jet Ski Ride
Less experienced jet ski riders are more prone to injuries, which makes it even more important to get familiar with the specific watercraft you will be riding. Always prioritize safety, and know your machine's controls and capabilities.
Know the Controls
Control layouts differ between brands and models, so read the owner's manual before the first ride. Many machines have a throttle lever on the right handlebar grip, a start button or ignition switch, an engine stop button, and a lanyard (kill switch cord) that clips to the key post. Some models also have a brake or reverse function, so find those controls too. Follow the pre-ride inspection checklist in your owner's manual to catch problems before they leave you stranded on the water.
What to Bring for Your First Jet Ski Ride
The U.S. Coast Guard classifies a jet ski as a Class A vessel, a boat under 16 feet, so the equipment rules for small boats apply. Before you take a jet ski out for the first time, make sure it has the required safety equipment, both for legal reasons and for your own safety.
Along with your life jackets, bring a way to signal other boaters, and a simple air horn is easy to stash and quick to use.
Required gear for your ride
Air Horn
A loud signal lets nearby boaters know where you are when you are low on the water. Pick the compact 1.4oz or the louder 3.5oz to suit how you ride.
- Wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets/PFDs. Federal rules require everyone riding a PWC to wear one, so make sure passengers wear one too.
- Dress appropriately with a wetsuit, foot protection and eye protection while riding.
- Check whether your state requires a boater education card or license to operate a PWC. If so, a jet ski safety course is a safe space to learn how a jet ski works and handles. The course may also help you qualify for a PWC insurance discount.
- Carry proper documentation such as vessel registration, with decals displayed as your state requires.
- Confirm which equipment your machine needs under federal and state rules, such as a Coast Guard-approved fire extinguisher, a backfire flame arrestor and ventilation. Many of these are installed at the factory, so check your manual.
- Carry a signaling device, such as a whistle or an air horn. It is also smart to carry a GPS device, or a map at the very least, in case you get lost. The compact Air Horn 1.4oz and a Mini Telescoping Paddle are practical backups for a PWC storage compartment.
- Check your fuel gauge before you leave so you do not become stranded.
Whoever is operating the jet ski must wear the lanyard around the wrist or attached to the life jacket, with the other end attached to the key post. This is also known as a kill switch cord. It shuts off the engine if the driver falls off.
Remove the cord when you dock the jet ski. This helps stop unauthorized use, such as theft or a curious young rider taking it out.
How to Drive a Jet Ski Step by Step
1. To get started, find a comfortable sitting position. Place your hands on the handlebars and your feet firmly on the footrests.
2. Attach the lanyard and start the engine. Clip the lanyard to your wrist or life jacket and to the key post, then turn the ignition switch or press the start button, depending on your model.
3. Slowly begin to squeeze the throttle.
4. Leave the launch area at the posted idle or no wake speed. Stay in water deep enough that the pump will not pull in sand or debris, and keep clear of docks, ramps and swimmers. Once you reach open water away from the shoreline, swimmers and other traffic, that is the place to get a feel for the throttle's sensitivity.
5. After reaching a safe distance from the shoreline, heavy boat traffic and other obstacles, increase speed gradually, but stay within your comfort zone.
6. Next, maintain a steady, slow speed and lean toward the direction you wish to turn. Have any passengers lean the same way.
7. Keep in mind that most jet skis need some throttle to turn, and this is when beginners often tip over. To avoid capsizing, keep the load balanced and centered.
8. To slow down or stop, use the method in your owner's manual. On traditional models, you slow by releasing the throttle and coasting. If your model has a true braking system, use it only the way the manual directs. Never shift a conventional reverse control while moving forward unless the manufacturer specifically allows it, because it can cause abrupt handling, loss of control or a rider being thrown. Stopping distance and steering response vary by model, and steering often feels weak with the throttle off, so leave plenty of room and look ahead before you slow down.
Take things slow and always drive defensively. It is easy to lose control of a jet ski, so make sure you and the people around you stay safe.
Crossing Wakes and Waves
Wakes and large waves can throw a beginner off balance, so jumping wakes is not a good early goal. Slow down well before a wake, keep a controlled approach with your weight centered and your knees bent, and keep a safe distance from the vessel creating it. The best angle and speed depend on your jet ski and the conditions, so follow the owner's manual and local rules.
Approaching a wake
- Slow downEase off well before the wake, since jumping wakes is not a good early goal.
- Set your bodyKeep a controlled approach with your weight centered and your knees bent.
- Keep your distanceStay a safe distance from the vessel creating the wake.
- Check the manualBest angle and speed depend on your jet ski and the conditions.
What Not to Do on a Jet Ski
- Do not ride without a life jacket or without the lanyard attached.
- Do not ride after drinking alcohol. Boating under the influence is illegal.
- Do not ride at night unless your state allows it and your machine is equipped for it. Some states restrict PWC use to the hours between sunrise and sunset.
- Do not ride at high speed near swimmers, docks, ramps or shorelines.
- Do not cut across the wake of another boat closely or weave through traffic.
- Do not overload the jet ski beyond the passenger or weight limit in the manual.
- Do not run the engine in very shallow water, because the pump can pull in sand and debris.
- Do not let someone ride who has not been shown the controls and the shutoff.
How Close Can a Jet Ski Get to a Boat?
There is no single answer, because the rules vary by state and by waterway. Many states set a minimum distance from other vessels, docks and swimmers when traveling above idle speed, and some waters have no wake zones. Check your state boating laws and local signs before you ride. As a rule of thumb, keep a wide gap from other boats, never cross close in front of one, and slow down well before you pass. Larger boats cannot stop or turn quickly, and a jet ski with the throttle off is hard to steer, so give them extra room.
Docking and Beaching a Jet Ski
Docking is where many scuffs and dings happen. Approach at the lowest speed you can still control, since many jet skis steer poorly without thrust. Follow your model's docking procedure, and use a brake only as the manual directs. Hang PWC fenders before you arrive, tie up before you step off, and remove the lanyard after you shut the engine off.
Docking is where many scuffs happen, so hang PWC fenders before you arrive and tie up before you step off.
Get the docking job done
PWC Fenders Jet Ski Bumpers 2 Pk
These PWC fenders hang along the hull so you have a cushion between your jet ski and the dock. A pair is ready before you pull in.
Docking order
- Fenders firstHang them before you arrive at the dock.
- Go slowApproach at the lowest speed you can still control.
- Tie upSecure the jet ski before you step off.
- Pull the lanyardRemove it after the engine is shut off.
Better Boat pick
Jet Ski & PWC Dock Protection Kit
Protect your PWC from dock rash before a quick tie up turns into new scuffs.
Shop the Dock Protection KitThe Jet Ski & PWC Dock Protection Kit pairs 2 PWC fenders with a bungee dock line, cleaner wipes and a drying towel. It suits quick tie ups at marinas, rental docks and lake houses.
When beaching, stop the engine in water deep enough that the intake and impeller will not pull in sand and debris, and follow your manufacturer's guidance for shallow water. Then coast, push or walk the jet ski in as conditions allow, and step off with the lanyard removed. A rinse after a ride and a jet ski hoist or sling at home can help keep the hull and machine in good shape. A video on cleaning a jet ski with boat soap shows one way to wash up afterward.
If You Fall Off
If you fall off, stay calm and follow these steps.
1. Confirm the engine has stopped. The lanyard should have shut it off when you left the seat. Then check yourself and any passengers for injury, and look around for boat traffic.
2. If the jet ski has capsized, roll it upright only in the direction shown on the decal on the hull, and check your manual.
3. Swim to the stern (back) and reboard from the designated boarding area, using the grab handle or handles on the back of the seat. Reboarding from the side can make the watercraft flip back over onto you.
4. Move to the seat and reattach the safety lanyard before you start the engine.
Riding Jet Skis with Passengers
Family and friends will want to jump on for a spin. These steps help when carrying passengers.
- Carry no more passengers than the jet ski permits. Even if the rated passenger limit is three, you must also stay within the weight limit.
- Seat all passengers behind the driver.
- Passengers should hold the driver or the grab handles and keep their feet on the footrests, never in the water.
- Show passengers the basics of driving a jet ski. Should the driver become injured, it could come in handy.
- Maintain a proper lookout while turning and watch for blind spots.
Stick with It
Riding jet skis is one of the summer's greatest pastimes. Doing it properly and safely takes practice. New to boating in general? The first-time boat owner guide covers the basics. Be safe, have fun, and get out there and ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a jet ski easy to drive?
Many riders find a sit-down jet ski straightforward to operate on calm water. Throttle sensitivity and the need for power to steer take getting used to, so a safety course and plenty of practice help. Stand-up models are much harder.
How do you ride a jet ski as a beginner?
Wear a life jacket, attach the lanyard, start the engine, and squeeze the throttle gently. Practice slow turns and stops in open, calm water away from other traffic, and follow your owner's manual for stopping.
What should you not do on a jet ski?
Do not ride without a life jacket or lanyard, do not drink and ride, and do not speed near swimmers, docks or other boats. Do not overload the machine.
How close can a jet ski get to a boat?
The required distance depends on your state and local waterway rules. Check your state boating laws, slow down near other vessels, and keep a wide gap.
Do you need a license to drive a jet ski?
Requirements vary by state. Many states require a boater education card and set minimum ages. See your state boating agency, and read about teen boat operation rules if a younger rider will be involved.
How fast can you drive with a jet ski trailer?
Towing speed depends on posted limits, your state laws, and the speed ratings of your trailer tires and tow vehicle. Check those and your manuals, and stay at or below the lowest limit.
What to buy for this job
- Jet Ski & PWC Dock Protection Kit. When quick tie ups at marinas and lake docks leave scuffs
- Air Horn 1.4oz. When you want a loud signaling device within reach on the water
- De-Salt Concentrate Salt Remover and Flusher. After salt water rides, when the engine and hull need rinsing
Quick quiz
Tap a question to see the answer.
Why should the lanyard come off when you dock?
Removing the cord makes unauthorized use harder, such as theft or a curious young rider taking the jet ski out.
What should you do before arriving at a dock?
Hang fenders such as the PWC Fenders Jet Ski Bumpers 2 Pk before you arrive, approach at the lowest speed you can control, and tie up before stepping off.
When do beginners most often tip over?
Most jet skis need some throttle to turn, and that is when beginners often tip over. Keeping the load balanced and centered helps.
Keep reading
Ready to try the Jet Ski & PWC Dock Protection Kit? The Jet Ski & PWC Dock Protection Kit is available at betterboat.com.
