As someone who frequently uses their jet ski along the coast, you may have been enticed to park it on the sandy shores, however, it can be risky if proper precautions are not taken. This blog post will guide you on how to do it in a manner that minimizes the risk to your watercraft.
What Is Beaching?
Beaching refers to driving your jet ski onto the beach, which is often done for convenience to avoid getting wet or spending time anchoring in open water. However, it is important to note that in some areas, beaching a jet ski is considered illegal, and certain beaches prohibit the use of personal watercraft altogether, whether on land or sea. To avoid any legal issues, it is always recommended to check local laws and regulations before attempting to beach your jet ski.
Why Is Beaching Dangerous?
When deciding on a beach to park your jet ski, it is essential to assess the amount of debris present. If there are many hard objects, they could scratch your jet ski regardless of how you choose to beach your watercraft, so it is advisable to avoid such conditions whenever possible.
Jet skis employ an axial jet pump propulsion system, which draws in water through a grate and expels it back out at high speed. As a result, the primary risk is from objects in shallow water, such as rocks, seaweed, or garbage, which may get sucked into the pump and become lodged in the impeller or exhaust pipe of the cooling system. If not addressed promptly, these obstructions can cause significant harm to your jet ski, leading to overheating and engine failure.
Beaching Your Jet Ski Safely
To beach your jet ski safely, it's important to approach the bay slowly and directly to avoid overturning. Once the water depth reaches less than three feet, turn off the engine and manually drag your watercraft onto the beach to prevent it from running dry, which can lead to significant engine problems.
Another option is to let the waves carry you onto shore gradually. This approach takes more time, but it saves you the hassle of getting wet and expending effort to drag your jet ski onto the beach.
Importance Of Anchoring
After beaching your jet ski, it's recommended to use a sand anchor to prevent it from drifting away. Losing your watercraft while you're away can be a worrying experience. To avoid the challenges associated with beaching, consider anchoring your jet ski in deeper water in a manner similar to how boats are anchored.
It's essential to keep an eye on the tide to ensure that your watercraft stays secure. If the tide appears to be coming in, park your jet ski further up the beach. Conversely, if the tide seems to be going out, try to park your jet ski as close to the water's edge as possible.
Getting Your Jet Ski Back Into The Water
To return your beached jet ski safely back to the water, it's best to manually drag it down to the water rather than using the braking system, which can cause irreparable harm.
Once the water reaches a depth of three feet, you can clean the pump by rocking the jet ski from side to side and pushing down on its rear several times to remove any debris. Then, start up the engine and continue on your way.
We hope that this information has been helpful to you in understanding how to park your Sea-doo jet ski safely. Despite the potential risks of beaching a jet ski, taking the necessary precautions can help ensure that you have a great time on one of our Sea-doo jet ski rentals.