Helpful Guides

Have you ever wondered whether you can assist a distressed vessel out there that needs a tow back to the boat ramp? Well, I’m keen to shine some light on that.

You can tow a boat with a jet ski for rescue purposes but only for a short distance of less than 5 nautical miles in calm conditions. While personal watercraft can tow tubes and skiers, they aren’t designed for towing heavy marine vessels. If towing is required in an emergency situation, riders should monitor their engine temperature and aim to tow at 6-knots.

It’s actually more common for a jet ski to tow other jet skis due to mechanical breakdowns.

Towing a Boat Behind

This isn’t something you’d typically do and neither is it the other way around. In other words, you wouldn’t usually tow a jet ski behind a boat because it would be constantly putting a strain on both vessels and their structural build.

That said – there are times when this has to happen. This includes:

• The boat has fully run out of fuel
• A major mechanical breakdown
• The boat is no longer seaworthy
• The boat has become abandoned
• Their stuck on a sandbar and need some assistance

Through this guide, I’m going to give you some key safety tips to make this process better.

Choose a Proper Rope

Avoid anything you get from the hardware store unless it’s marine-grade. Even the rope you use for your anchor may be insufficient to handle the weight of a 2-tonne boat with twin outboards on the back. If you absolutely have to tow and can plan for it in advance, then pack some rope with you.

Use a Spotter

If you’re towing people on tubes, boards or skis then you legally need to have a pillion passenger in most areas. However, you don’t need one for towing a boat yet I’d still have someone anyway. This individual can keep an eye on things. You also need someone on the boat being towed despite the additional weight as this individual can also look for any potential hazards.

Be Mindful of Your Engine

Even if you have a 300hp race weapon, your jet ski engine isn’t designed to have a heavy load placed on it. It can run for a little while if you’re doing a boat recovery but just be mindful of the RPM and engine heat. If you’ve been riding for a while then you’ll probably get accustomed to knowing your engine and what its limits are. Don’t be afraid to pull up for 20 minutes for a break to let the engine cool down.

Have Clear Lines of Communication

One of the biggest issues is that the noise of your engine may cause you to not hear communication from anyone. I’d recommend that you have 2 VHF radios with one with you and the other in the actual boat with one person on board. This way you both can respond to issues right away.

Your Steering Will Be Affected

Just be mindful that your steering will be impacted. Of course, jet skis don’t steer too well at low speeds by themselves, but now you’ll have a boat behind you. In calm conditions, your steering might actually improve but if it’s windy and you have a beam-reach, then expect the boat to start pushing you over to one side.

In Summary

While not ideal, there isn’t much stopping you from towing a boat that’s a bit stuck out there. I’d avoid trying to tow a yacht, cruiser or catamaran above 5 tons as they have a lot of displacement and don’t quite cut through the water so easily. Then again, stay with the vessel until other help arrives such as the Coast Guard.

Stay safe out there! 😃

Have you seen those guys at the boat ramp or on social media heading out fishing with their jet ski? It’s certainly become very popular in recent years.

So much so that SeaDoo actually has its own Fish Pro designed primarily for those seeking to head out there without the expense of a boat.

Even if you have a performance-orientated jet ski such as a Kawasaki, you can still go fishing. In this guide, I’ll help you get set up properly paired with some tips so you can go out there safely. Let’s begin!

How To Go Fishing With A Jet Ski

Some planning really comes into a day out there on the water. PWC fishing has its perks but it’s not simply a case of hooking up the trailer and heading out.

Here are the basic steps for a jet ski fishing adventure:

1. Fit A Rear-Mounted Rod Mount and Cooler

A cooler, or esky as the Australians call it, is necessary to mount your fishing rod(s) while you’re out there. Of course, you’ll want to mount one of these before you head out.

Some jet ski dealerships nowadays sell them in-house although you can also buy them online. If you have an older jet ski then you may need to get one made up. If you’re handy with metalwork then you can make your own mount or get some of your mates to knock one up.

2. Check The Weather Conditions

Going out fishing with your PWC is no different than a conventional boat. You’ll want to check the weather conditions and consult the tide tables before heading out. Anything above 15-knots it’s going to be fun if you’re in seawater.

3. Pack Some Sun Protection

Unlike a boat, you’ll be pretty exposed out there on the water. This is why I recommend you get a wide-brimmed hat to be worn once you pull up to an epic fishing spot.

In addition, I’d aim for a long sleeve shirt which you can change into. Wearing a rashie will cause you to sweat too much out there. One thing that works really well for most fishermen is those shorts that have zips so you can turn them into trousers.

4. Bring a GPS and Fish Finder

Not just for the sake of safety but for discovering where the fish are biting, I’d recommend that you get yourself both of these. In fact, you can get a fish finder and GPS combo nowadays and a VHF radio is a good idea as well.

I actually wrote a guide on finding the right jet ski GPS which has been well praised.

5. Top Up The Fuel Tank

Never leave the boat ramp without a full tank of fuel. Chances that you won’t need additional fuel tanks or bladders if you’re just going out 10 miles for some fishing, but a full tank will add slightly to the stability of your vessel while giving peace of mind if you start heading into a headwind on the way back to the boat ramp.

6. Consider Additional Accessories

If you are aiming to use your jet ski for fishing a majority of the time, then you’ll want to get some additional accessories. Luckily, I’ve created an accessory guide to help you get the very best out of your day out there on the water.

At a glance, some things to buy later are:

• Rescue board for big game fish
• A bimini cover to hide from the sun
• A front-mounted set of rocket launchers

👉 Here Are 12 Accessories You Should Buy to potentially yield a bigger catch.

Other Thoughts

I’ve done a lot of research on this subject and the best thing I can tell you is that you should look at other riders’ setups. This includes in-person and through the numerous YouTube videos around which can help you better understand what will work best for you.

In Summary

There you have it! A basic yet simple guide to making the most out of your fishing adventure. Once you head out for your first session, you’ll pretty quickly discover what the fuss is all about!

Catch you out there!

You can really expand the amount of fun you can have on a PWC by utilizing your rear tow hook and finding some good quality marine rope.

Because it’s not just about riding fast, looking cool or jumping waves. Ownership of a PWC really opens up an entire world of opportunities.

A Guide to Jet Ski Watersports and Towables

In this guide, I’ll show you some great things and types of people who can be towed behind you while riding your jet ski. Note: In most states and countries you’ll need a spotter to keep an eye on those around you in addition to you as the operator at the controls.

1. Tow Tubes

The most popular way for a group to have fun with a jet ski is by buying some good quality tubes. You’d want to aim for a maximum of 2 riders as most jet skis don’t quite have the power and torque as a ski boat does. Don’t forget to pack the pump in the car and aim for an electric one so you don’t exhaust yourself before you head out!

2. Waterskiers

Waterskiing is another popular activity and you’ll want to have a reasonably powerful (ideally supercharged) jet ski to get this done properly. A GTR 230 would be reasonable while a Sea-Doo Spark would really struggle, but wouldn’t struggle as much with a tube since a water ski causes less drag on the water, though these skiers need some decent speed.

3. Wakeboarders

Wakeboarding is super fun on a jet ski and even Sea-Doo has the Wake Pro 230 model exactly for this purpose! This is most commonly done in freshwater environments like rivers, lakes and canals. There are some other models that can tow wakeboarders though avoid anything in the rec-lite range as the lack of acceleration won’t allow the individual to get up on plane easily.

4. Tow in Surfers

In some places, it’s difficult for surfers to get out to the best waves and away from the ‘impact zone’. I know personally that South Stradbroke island on the Gold Coast is popular for jet skis towing surfers over through The Spit inlet. There may be rules and regulations about towing surfers into waves but as for transporting them, it’s often not a problem and much easier with a rescue board.

5. Other Jet Skis

When another jet ski breaks down then you can tow ’em quite easily though I’d aim for max 10-knots unless the chop/swell is quite high, then you’ll want to go a little faster to get up on plane. This is why I’d aim to always keep about 30-yards of rope in the front locker just in case. Often the anchor rope is enough.

6. Boats

Just like towing a jet ski, you’re able to tow a boat should it break down in the middle of nowhere. Can this cause you some damage to your jet ski engine? Potentially. It really depends on the size and the current weather condtiions. I wouldn’t aim to be towing 40-foot cruisers but certainly towing a small trailerable fishing boat 2 miles to the closest boat ramp shouldn’t be a problem.

7. Fishing Lines

If you’re into fishing with your jet ski then you can start trolling a line behind at low speed. You’ll want to aim to let out about 200-yards so the distance will not disturb the big game with your idling engine noise. Some guys I know get themselves a large size trolling motor but it’s not that common.

In Summary

If you’re ready to expand your fun, then get yourself into towables and some friends together for a weekend of fun. You may need to upgrade your insurance policy and don’t forget to bring an extra fuel can or two.

Have you ever wondered if the little humans amongst us are allowed to ride on a jet ski? Well, I got wondering that myself recently and did some research.

After all, I too wanted to take my son with me riding along our local canals but hadn’t really seen any others with PWCs actually do this. Here’s what I found:

In most states and jurisdictions, children need to be at least 2 years old to be allowed to ride on a jet ski either behind or in front of an adult who is aged 18 years or older. In other areas, teenagers can start riding their own jet skis once aged 16 years or older. As for being a spotter for water sports, the age minimum is generally 12 years old.

Let’s go into further detail about the responsibilities of parents while children are riding.

Kids and Jet Skis

Certainly, children are allowed to ride on jet skis and the legalities differ slightly between countries and local laws. Most kids don’t start riding as a pillion passenger until they are aged 4 to 5 and even then, the speeds travelled are often 20-knots or less.

There are things that we need to really think about first. Namely, you’ll need to get them a kids lifejacket specifically for jet ski usage and doesn’t cause them to overheat out there on a hot day.

Top Speeds

Taking kids along for a day of jet ski riding means that you’ll be sacrificing speed for life experiences. Yes – taking children along for the journey is fun, but you’ll probably be cruising around at 20 to 30 knots. You can let your kids have a turn of throttle control but switch your jet ski into learner mode prior just in case (assuming it has this function, that is).

Weather Conditions

Something to be mindful of is heading too far away from the boat ramp. If the weather conditions do change then you’ll get yourself a little stuck and potentially an embarassing situation on the evening news. I’d aim to stay less than a mile away from the boat ramp at all times and only head maybe 100 yards off any beach if necessary.

Safety Lanyard

What I think is best is if you have the child’s cut out switch connected to the jet ski. If they do fall off (unlikely) then it will immediately depower the jet ski. If you’re a heavier human and you’re wearing a thick jet ski then you may not feel the grip of a child when you’re bouncing around and listening to that Rotax engine.

Sun Protection

It can get seriously hot out there without any sun protection. I’d aim for a hat, long sleeve rashie and some sunscreen. Also avoid riding in the hottest part of the day and take plenty of water stored in the front locker. Kids toast quite easily and you’ll want them to have an enjoyable time out there as much as you are, so they keep begging you to head out again!

Children Riding Solo

Once kids get to a certain age, they’ll want to have some fun riding a jet ski on their own. People in more remote areas generally let their kids ride on their own from age 10, but this of course has some risks involved including fines for the parents. If you do want your child to start learning how to ride, then be their pillion passenger and let them get a real sense of how to ride safely.

In Summary

It appears that children can certainly join us in our passion of jet ski riding. As I’ve outlined, there are some considerations that you’ll need to follow to have a safe time out there on the waterways!