Helpful Guides Archives - Page 11 of 11

Jet Ski Insurance: Should You Get It?

February 15, 2022October 8, 2019 by Joshua Smith

Some people ask us often if you should take out an insurance policy for their jet ski. After all, the premiums can be expensive.

So it’s wise to question to ask. Much of it depends on a range of scenarios:

Where you live
How often you ride
Where you actually ride
The type of storage you have
Your level of risk-adversion

Today I’ll be answering the question as to whether you should take out jet ski insurance for your personal water craft and trailer.

Jet Ski Insurance overview

In my straight forward opinion, jet skis need insurance. This is often a state requirement, but also, if you’re under finance for your jet ski, your bank will almost always require an insurance policy.

Those in California, Florida, Texas and Georgia are those who generally take out insurance first. Even if you live in a safe neighborhood and only take your PWC out on lakes, it’s still important to have.

Evaluation Of Pwc Insurance — Jet ski insurance evaluation. Should i get a policy now or later?

In other countries such as Australia and New Zealand, jet ski insurance is seen as mandatory by other users. They say that “if you can’t afford the insurance, you can’t afford to go out on the water”. That is to say, do yourself and all others a favor and get a policy that covers you and the machine.

After all, you don’t want to spend so much money, only to write off your jet ski in a crash and have nothing left. Or even worse – have your PWC stolen when you’re not watching. An insurance policy can really give you peace of mind to sleep at night.

Coverage of jet ski insurance policies

Jet ski insurance does cover a range of things, such as theft, damage (both on water and on the trailer) and even public liability. So if you crash into someone out on the water, you can be protected. It really depends on the particular company that you’re using, as to the level of cover that they provide.

How it works generally is that you’ll ring up a company and provide them these basic details:

The make and model of your jet ski including year of manufacture
Your name, address and age, so the insurance company can provide an accurate quote
Any additional performance modifications that you’ve made to your PWC
The hours on the clock, plus registration number and your license number
If you own your jet ski outright, if it’s under financing with a lender

From there, you’ll get a fair idea of what you’re looking for.

Please note that most jet ski insurance providers won’t help those under the age of 16. This is because very few states, if any, provide licensing for minors, nor do they have the confidence or ability to handle the bigger machines without adult supervision.

Why insurance is important

Now that we have an overview of what is required plus coverage, let’s look at why you should get a jet ski insurance policy ASAP.

Because it shouldn’t just be a case of “I hope everything will be OK” because it’s those without any insurance policies which are often caught out when they crash their jet ski on the rocks.

Jet Ski Insurance Compulsory — There are varying prices for jet ski policies across the country and even the world!

It’s very important to get jet ski insurance for these reasons:

Makes you feel more confident as you’re protected from liabilities
Is a requirement of many banks and lenders when taking out finance
Helps you sleep better knowing that you can simply replace the ski
Thieves still can get through the biggest locks and alarm systems
Hull damage and engine problems can sometimes be covered with policies

The biggest one I discovered is the organized group rides. You know – when a whole bunch of people get together and aim to ride somewhere for the day. 100 miles out.

What the group leader(s) will ask for is a photocopy of insurance policies from each PWC rider, no matter which brand that you are riding. Yamaha riders are just as likely to crash and cause damage as SeaDoo riders.

So it’s very important to have an update to date jet ski policy to cover any damage or theft, but also, to avoid embarassment and having to ride on your own, whilst others are having fun as a group.

Choosing the right policy

One mistake that many beginners make when choosing the right jet ski insurance for their particular make and model, is selecting the right policy.

There are things you’ll want to look out for. After all, there is cheap jet ski insurance policies out there, but they only cover the real basics. You need to read the fineprint, to make sure you know exactly what you’re looking at.

I would recommend you ask things such as:

If your insurance policy will carry-over year after year
How many passengers are also covered in the event of a crash
Any restrictions on the rider, such as age, speed and their abilities
Whether the jet ski insurance also covers the trailer and accessories
If your engine and hull is covered in the event of a sinking
Interstate or overseas coverage, such as day-trips to the Bahamas
If you can get a discount if you pay your policy yearly instead of monthly
What happens if your jet ski catches fire. Are you still protected?

The right policy isn’t the cheapest policy. Jet ski insurance policies really do vary a lot, so I wouldn’t recommend that you choose one at the bottom.

I do have my #1 recommendation. A resource that helps beginners find the right insurance for their personal watercraft, as well as for themselves, so they’re protected for personal injury too.

Cost of jet ski insurance

The pricing for a PWC insurance policy can really vary. A good question to ask is “What is the cost of NOT taking out this policy?” as you could damage someone else’s boat or jet ski out on the water, and not have the financial ability to pay for that damage.

Jet Ski Insurance Cost — There is a range of jet ski insurance policies where the cost can really vary

When researching for my own jet ski, I found that insurance policies varied in price from $400 per year, right up to $2,700+ per year! It really depended on a range of factors. This is why it’s important to look at various options.

Certainly, a new model off the showroom floor is more expensive than a 10-year-old ski. Because generally those with older skis which aren’t worth much in the marketplace only decide to get 3rd party damage cover.

As I mentioned in the part about choosing the right policy, you’ll want to look at what you really want with your insurance. There are various add-ons which can increase your monthly or yearly premiums, but some of these you could do without, depending on your situation and riding style.

In summary

As I’ve mentioned, jet ski insurance is almost mandatory for the serious rider. Most people who take up this sport are riding fast and are often sharing waterways with other riders.

If someone crashes into you, having a jet ski insurance policy that’s up to date will give you peace of mind that everything will be covered. Likewise, you can also sleep better knowing that if your jet ski is stolen, that everything will be alright.

So the main question: Should you take out a policy? In my experience, yes – you should! As they say, if you can’t afford the insurance premiums, you probably can’t afford to go jetskiing on the waterways.

For that reason, I recommend that you highly consider taking up a policy starting today. Our #1 recommendation here at JetSkiAdvice.com is to look at this policy comparison site for the lowest prices.

4 Best Jet Ski Covers To Keep Your Plastics Looking New

February 21, 2022October 4, 2019 by Joshua Smith

So you’re looking at different types of very high-quality jet ski covers to protect your PWC from the harmful effects of sun and water.

Sounds a bit strange, doesn’t it? That the two biggest elements that your personal watercraft is exposed to, also happens to be its main enemies.

But of course, all beginners have some questions:

How big of a jet ski cover do I need for my particular model?
Is it going to survive for years and years in harsh conditions?
Should I even buy one for protection, or just ‘wing it’ for now?
What are the differences between brand name and non-brands.

So those questions, and more, will be answered below in as best accuracy as I can.

Jet ski cover sizing

The first thing you’ll want to consider is the actual size of your jet ski. There simply is no such thing as ‘one size fits all’ with PWC rain covers. Anyone who markets one is generally lying, as either it will be too small (and require stretching) or be good big and flap about on your trailer to and from the boat ramp.

Pro-tip: There is a false belief that you can’t use your cover when transporting the jet-ski. Truth is: You can! It won’t tear to shreads. The secret is to buy a brand-name cover for your personal watercraft, as opposed to a cheap one which uses low-quality materials.

Also use some extra straps. This can prevent it flying away when traveling at highway speeds.

So here is what you’ll want to do:

Find out the size of your jet ski in length and width
Look at jet ski covers that are matching or slightly bigger
Avoid the cheapest models. These will only last a few months

You can always tie down a little if you buy one that’s a bit too big. Just avoid anything enormous.

Quality and branding

I’ve touched on this already – you’ll want to invest for the best. Avoid the cheap PWC sun cover listings on Amazon that claim they have high quality, when the price is super low. Read those reviews and see what others are experiencing.

You’ve already spent a fortune on your jet ski, so it’s wise to protect your investment. Both sun and water can really damage your surface, and having your seating upholstery replaced isn’t cheap. Let’s not forget the electricals which can be easily damaged from rain events.

My recommendation is that you buy OEM if possible, particularly by the same manufacturer of your PWC. Whether that’s SeaDoo, Yamaha or Kawasaki, you’ll likely find something that suits you.

Then again, the argument against OEM is that they are sometimes a bit hard to fit. This is because they’re snug – they’re designed to fit your jet ski. So you won’t get the lag that universal covers provide.

Best Jet Ski Covers

Now we’re on to the fun part! Actual personal watercraft rain/sun covers that will protect your machine.

This list of jet ski covers are all from non-manufactuers. This is because you can easily find the ideal cover from the manufacturer who built your jet ski.

But you’re also looking at pricing. They can be 3x to 4x the price. So for a lot less, you can still get a reasonably good quality PWC cover for protection on the trailer.

I can recommend:

Budge Jet Ski Cover
North East Harbor Trailerable PWC Cover
Jetpro Jetski Watercraft Cover
EliteSheild 3 Seater Jetski Cover (My #1 choice)

Of course, in front of that list is still your own manufacturer. They have covers that perfectly fit your make and model, with a much higher quality, though also, at a much higher price too.

My helpful advice

As someone who understands jet skis very well, especially as he runs JetSkiAdvice.com, I’ve learned a thing or two.

In particular, that jet ski covers vary a lot in their quality and fit. For that reason, you’ll want to make sure that you get the right fit. Having a cover which can slip off is embarrassing and frustrating, but also, so is a super-tight fit.

Going ‘bare back’ and not purchasing a jet ski suncover is a bad idea, unless you do have undercover storage to protect your machine from the sun and rain. Even if you do have storage, how will you ensure your jet ski is protected between the boat ramp and home?

I would also advise that you care for your cover too. Regular cleaning is essential as well as checking for holes and leaks. Check the straps too, as these are often the first things that break.

Some food for thought. 🙂

In summary

These 4 options are great for beginners. They’re much more affordable than the jet ski covers from Yamaha, SeaDoo and Kawasaki. With that reduced price does come reduced quality, but more often than not, these models do hold up for the medium-term.

I would 100% recommend a jet ski cover for most people. It’s a cheap insurance policy knowing that your pride and joy is protected and ready to hit the water!

4 Best Jet Ski Anchors That Won’t Drag (2022)

June 1, 2022October 1, 2019 by Joshua Smith

Choosing the right jet ski anchor to protect your PWC from floating away can be challenging for the beginner, especially as there are many types.

In essence:

Budget Option

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Sea-Doo Sand Bag Anchor

Buy on Amazon

Best Value

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Extreme Max Anchor Kit

Buy on Amazon

Most Secure

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SandShark Sand Anchor

Buy on Amazon

Dealerships sometimes give different advice than what you’ll find within Facebook groups. Guess what? Everyone is sort of correct!

Today I’ll detail some of the best jet ski anchors available, so you can lock down your jetski and prevent embarrassing swim-outs.

Best Types of Jet Ski Anchors

So let’s firstly see what are the best types. The type that you can rely on.

1. Sand Anchor

In my opinion and experience, you’re better off with a sandbag anchor for your PWC first and foremost. How it works is that you fill the bag up with sand, then the rope connects to your front hook.

Many beginners prefer to start with these, because:

Very minimal risk of damaging your hull and its paintwork
The bag packs up small once the sand has been emptied out
Can be purchased for reasonably cheap from Amazon.com
Generally will last for years, so it’s there when you upgrade

Some people also put rocks in the bag, though I generally don’t recommend this. Rocks can wear out the bag liner faster than if you were to just use sand. But to each their own!

The main disadvantage of a sand anchor is that it isn’t so reliable in rougher swells and surf beaches, or rapidly moving tides. Also, there is often going to be a tiny bit of residual sand going into your jet ski storage compartment.

My #1 recommendation is the Sea-Doo generic sandbag anchor.

2. Fluke Anchor

This is the most popular type of anchor for boats. That said, jet ski enthusiasts will also use them in rougher conditions.

This type of anchor is best suited if you wanted to anchor in the middle of the water, as it’s better designed for tidal conditions than the popular sand anchors. Those who go jet ski fishing absolutely love the sand anchor.

Fluke anchors work well for jet skis that are anchoring in both sand and muddy areas. It is generally too much if you’re simply looking to ride the hull up onto the sand and use this as a security device.

There are some key reasons why people don’t choose this type of anchor:

It’s really quite expensive for a piece of metal
They’re big and bulky, with rec-lite jetskis not offering enough storage
In rough conditions, they can bang around in your storage compartment
Potential damage to the hull of your PWC as you throw it over the side

Not only do you have the capital outlay, you also need some anchor chain, shakes and rope. So this can be an expensive exercise and reduce your PWC performance, plus take up a lot of storage space in the front locker.

3. Umbrella Anchor

Sometimes known as a mushroom anchor, this ‘upside down umbrella’ is really the best of both words. These do weigh quite well just like the sand anchor, but that weight also can’t be disposed off. Wrapping them with a towel can work very well.

I recommend a jet ski umbrella anchor that has plastic or vinyl coating, as opposed to metallic. This is because you’ll be less likely to scratch your personal water craft hull when retrieving the anchor.

These sometimes can be more pricer than typical fluke anchors, but make up for less potential damage. I would use a 12-pound minimum for even a rec-lite PWC, especially in high tidal-flow areas.

4. Screw Anchors for Jet Ski

This is my favorite if I’m beaching my jet ski and don’t want it to go anywhere whilst I’m out of sight. Sometimes you’ll bring your ski up to the shoreline without realizing that there is an incoming tide. Just an hour later and your PWC is starting to float on the water once again!

With these, there is a physical side of it. You have to screw the anchor into the sand, then unscrew it when you’re ready to leave. For that reason, it simply doesn’t work when anchoring normally, but is ideal for beaching your jet ski.

These are very lightweight and highly secure, though less popular for the reasons I mentioned.

Beginner Tips

Some people will avoid purchasing an anchor altogether, in the hope that they will find a tree, pole or something to latch on to if they need to physically stop their personal watercraft from drifting. In my experience, this is a wrong move. You’ll simply need a jet ski anchor more often than you think.

Kettlebells and weights are often recommended but will last just a few weeks before rust inhibits them. Then you’ll have a rusty weight that lives in your storage compartment. A very bad idea!

Anchors are generally deadweight, but the sand anchor bag can also hold a normal fluke anchor at the same time. As you almost always bring a towel for a day out on the water, it’s great to wrap one around any type of PWC anchor that you pack.

Lastly – I would always recommend at least 30 feet of anchor rope. Invest in some quality rope, not the cheap stuff. This is especially handy too if you’re needing to tow someone whose jet ski has broken down. That 30 foot of rope allows some ‘lag time’ in case you need to suddenly stop.

PWC Anchoring: In summary

As you can probably tell, it’s tough to give the most precise anchor. There is a good range of jet ski anchors on the marketplace and available worldwide.

You will have to anchor your jet ski at some stage, even as a beginner. You won’t always have a nice sandy beach in which to ride up on. Even if you do, a sandbag or screw anchor is extremely handy to have for that peace of mind feeling.

At the end of the day, anchors for PWCs and small boats are extremely affordable. When you outlay so much capital for your new water toy, it’s wise to spend the minimal amount on a good bottom anchor to protect it drifting away.