| Personal Watercraft are typically designed for the | | | | The other negative about the personal watercraft is |
| rider to either sit or stand on. Some are designed for | | | | normally related to some of the daredevil and |
| one person, but can carry two; and now they are | | | | careless drivers that jump the wakes of larger boats, |
| made in models for three and four people to ride on. | | | | cut across in front of bigger watercraft at a |
| They have become more popular in recent years. | | | | dangerous distance, and drive too fast for the water |
| Original models were stand-up watercraft, designed | | | | conditions, such as waves, obstacles, or currents. |
| for one person. Now, they are a means of | | | | For the most part, the majority of the riders follow |
| entertainment and water transportation capable of | | | | the rules and ride them safely and at proper distance |
| holding the whole family. | | | | from other, larger watercraft. It is recommended |
| They have been referred to generically as | | | | that riders wear life vests and neoprene suits for the |
| WaveRunners, Jet skis and SeaDoos, which are | | | | safest operating conditions. |
| actual models of Yamaha, Kawasaki and Bombardier. | | | | The most popular brands are Bombardier's Sea Doo, |
| But much like the Jacuzzi was a term used for every | | | | Yamaha's Wave Runner and Kawasaki's Jet Ski. All of |
| hot tub made until it was clarified as a brand name, | | | | these are similar in features, and are top sellers. |
| there was some confusion in the past. | | | | The largest personal watercraft is the Sea Doo LRV |
| They have no exterior propeller and are fairly easy | | | | model, which is 13 foot long and 5 feet wide with 180 |
| to use and affordable. The larger models can even | | | | gallons worth of storage space, and the largest fuel |
| tow a skier or tube behind them. They get good gas | | | | tank available at 25 gallons. It has enough power to |
| mileage, which makes them more affordable than a | | | | pull a skier with three riders. Bombardier's Sea Doo |
| boat to operate. They have a kill switch, and will | | | | has 50.3% of the United States market of sit-down |
| typically circle the rider, once they have fallen off. | | | | type personal watercraft. |
| While they were once equipped with two stroke | | | | Several manufacturers like Polaris and Arctic Cat have |
| engines, the majority of the newer models now use | | | | gotten out of the personal watercraft market, |
| a cleaner burning four stroke engine. There are still | | | | leaving fewer competitors, and only the strongest |
| some issues regarding the safety of personal | | | | remain. Bombardier, Yamaha and Kawasaki still have |
| watercraft, as accidents and deaths have been on | | | | strong sales in the most popular units, and consumers |
| the increase with the burgeoning popularity, and | | | | are still in love with personal watercraft for fun and |
| many states now require a rider to be 14 years of | | | | transportation. |
| age to ride alone. | | | | |