How to drive a Sea-Doo Personal Watercraft?

Let’s start with a quick overview of how the jet propulsion system moves a Sea-Doo PWC. Water is drawn up through an intake grate underneath the personal watercraft. It’s then pushed out of the back of the watercraft by an impeller that produces thrust and forms an accelerated jet of water through the jet nozzle at the back. Ultimately, this is what moves the watercraft forward.

The jet nozzle changes direction when you move the handlebars, which makes the personal watercraft change directions. It’s important to remember that any personal watercraft needs to be under power to steer; as soon as you turn the Sea-Doo PWC off, you lose the ability to steer.

Before pressing the Start button on your Sea-Doo PWC, make sure you’re in 2 or 3 feet of water to avoid sucking any debris off the bottom. This would cause damage to the intake or impeller. 

Connect your tether key to your personal flotation device with the clip, and the other end just below the center of the handlebars. Then push the red Start/Stop button to start the engine.

There are two ways to stop the engine. The common method is to press that same red Start/Stop button. But the engine will also shut down if the tether key is disconnected from the watercraft. This is a safety feature if the driver falls off, and it’s important to make sure your tether key is always connected to you.

The throttle lever is on the right handlebar. Squeezing the throttle on the right accelerates the Sea-Doo. Most Sea-Doo personal watercraft are also equipped with a brake lever on the left handlebar. 

Squeezing the left-hand brake lever activates the Sea-Doo-exclusive Intelligent Brake and Reverse (or iBR) system. This slows the personal watercraft down 30% faster than coasting to a stop. This same lever will also activate reverse at idle speed, giving you an incredible amount of confidence and control around places like crowded sandbars, boat ramps and docks. Simply squeeze and hold the left lever and modulate your reverse speed with the right-hand throttle lever.

A few final tips before you head out for all the amazing Sea-Doo adventures in your future:

• Always wear your personal flotation device and neoprene shorts or wetsuit.

• Take a boater’s safety course. It’s important to know and understand the navigation system and to learn the specific rules like no wake and slow speed zones, restricted riding areas and navigational buoys before leaving shore.

• Always ride responsibly and safely.

• Know the waters you will be exploring. Shallow water, hidden objects under the surface, currents, tides, wakes, waves and other hazards can affect safe operation.

• Plan your ride and always inform someone you trust of your planned route and estimated time of arrival before leaving.  

• Check local weather forecasts before departure. Beware of rapidly changing weather conditions.

• Practice! This will help you better understand stopping distances and be more confident in responding to various riding situations. Start slow and wait to increase your speed until you’re confident in your driving.