Personal Water Craft (PWC) have become a major force in boating over the last few years, now accounting for over 1/3 of new boat sales annually. There are about one MILLION PWCs in use today!

That is a huge number of boats, and unfortunately there is an equal amount of misunderstanding to go along with them. Did you know that a PWC was even considered a boat? Many people don’t, and think of them more as toys that require no training or knowledge of how they work. To start, think of the terms used for a boat - they will be the same for a PWC.

When PWCs first came on the market, they were generally designed for only one person and were designed for high maneuverability. They were usually only available as stand-up models, and had few features.

Over the last several years, two, three and even four seat models have become the top sellers. These craft are much more substantial than earlier craft, and are even capable of pulling a water skier. Today's models generally come with a good deal of storage space for gear, and have a very traditional "dashboard" with gauges. Remember, your PWC operator's manual will tell you the specifics of your boat, including tips on safe operation, and how many people you can safely carry.