Braking on a JetSki with Reverse

Hi there, I was recently reading over some of the findings on http://www.pwcwatch.org and concerns that jetskis are notorious for not being able to stop properly (people when they panic go off throttle and forget that you need throttle to steer) Anyways, my question is can JetSkis that are equipped with reverse/neutral/forward lever (Seadoo has them on select models as does Yamaha I believe) could that in theory be used to supplement a brake in an emergency? I am not sure how safe it would be to jam your ski in reverse at a panic situation, but would like to sollicite your thoughts. Thx.

- Nick W.

Doesn't work very well as a brake. The real problem is Stupid People with skis. Way to many people without enough common sense to ride properly, much less safely.

This is not a car. PWC's do not have brakes. They need to be operated correctly by someone who knows how to. A reverse on a PWC is NOT for braking and NOT recommended to be utilized at any other speed then a hair over idle. If there are that many close calls or emergencies, ride in a different spot or stay off the water.

Just to be clear

No boat - sailboat, ski-boat, bass boat, cruiser, yacht, PWC, etc. - has brakes.

As the Coast Guard says (I'm paraphrasing), the Captain of the vessel is responsible for its operation. That applies to all boats, including PWC.

For example, my PWC is not 'notorious for not being able to stop properly.' It stops just fine when I want it to.

Idiots are 'notorious for not being able to stop properly.' And I think that statement applies to more than just PWC.

So while some of these new technologies may help those not familiar with a PWC's operation, the real issue is rider education. As PWC owners, we are responsible for knowing how our boat operates and making sure that anyone we allow to ride on our PWC does the same.

There is no substitute for personal responsibility.

By the way - for newsgroup regulars - the question from the 'pwcwatch.org' reader is a setup. No one reads that site but people who want to ban or restrict PWC, or lawyers who are looking to make a buck off the pain of others. Otherwise, why would you read or frequent that site?

Actually, on one point I would beg to differ. I was not attempting to troll at all. I just wanted to know what people were thinking of. Since I can't go out on my RX yet (it's a little breezy up here in Toronto) I stumped across this site when I was looking for safety info on PWCs. I said before, and I'll say it again, it angers me that people mis-represent facts and put up a site like that basically is supposed to make your heart bleed for the people that died. I am not attempting to disregard that accidents happen, but the onus REALLY REALLY has to be on education. Regular riders know how to handle their machines and are expected to have control on them.

On that note however, I was just wondering what kind of things besides the OPAS that Seadoo has, would allow for people to steer off throttle. Keeping in mind that the normal panic response for people is to ease off the throttle when they get into trouble. My message was not intended to spark a forest fire in the newsgroup, I just wanted to talk about something new.

- Nick W.

Nick,

Actually, the manufacturers have played with a braking system based on a trim tab type operation where a tab is deeply deployed with a hand lever. Problem is, once they call it brakes, they are then opening themselves up for liability claims that they didn't work fast enough or caused the rider to lose control, etc. In reality, I can stop a jetski a whole lot faster than a boat by putting it into a side slide. Jet skis are no more inherently dangerous than any other boat, it's just that most people aren't educated by the dealer, rental operator, private seller, etc.. I am a big proponet of mandatory rider education but Virginia tried and it was shot down by the legislature because it would have required 'boating education' in general and they were afraid of the watermans industry in the state.

ULTRAC tried to sell the rudder idea to pwc'ers.....and I NEVER seen one of those things on a pwc...

BAN THE RENTALS see all the injuries and accidents go away.