Taking to the water for the first time? The RYA’s Chief Powerboat Instructor, Paul Mara, talks you through how to launch, basic steering controls and getting back on when you fall off.

LAUNCHING

Once your trailer’s bearings have cooled down, towing electrics have been removed and you are dressed to thrill, you are ready to launch. Well, almost.

What happens next depends on if you are single-handed, and also on the state of the slipway. If you are alone, simply reverse your trailer down until your ski gently slips into the water. Remember that you will need a long length of rope attached to prevent it disappearing over the horizon. Top tip here is to keep the kill cord (also called lanyard) with you whilst parking your car, to prevent theft of your ski.

If there are two of you, get the rider mounted with buoyancy aid securely on and kill cord connected, then reverse down the slipway. The ski can now be pushed off the trailer into deeper water. Try to point the machine in the direction that you want to go. If you have reverse on the ski, use it to get off the trailer.

If you are launching at a shallow slipway there is a possibility that you will have to immerse the car exhaust. To avoid this, attach a long line to the trailer and with the rider mounted push it into deeper water.

The trailer can be recovered by securing the rope to the tow hitch. At last, you’re finally afloat and ready to get underway. As soon as you are on board, attach the kill cord. From a beach, try not to operate the engine in less than three-feet of water, as you could pick up stones and cause expensive damage to your impeller. Likewise, watch out for weed and proceed slowly into deeper water. Check that your mooring line has been removed and stowed safely. I’m not sure which is worse, your morring line getting sucked into the impeller, or getting whipped in the face with a wet piece of rope at 30-knots?!

Tune in to what is around you, paying particular attention ro swimmers who can be obscured by waves, and get yourself well clear before speeding up. Finally, if setting off from a harbour, make sure that you stay within the speed limit. Generally, when in a harbour go no faster than a quick walking pace.

STEERING

Now the fun begins. If it is your first time at the controls of a ski then remember – no throttle, no steering. The jet drive relies totally on the water jet to steer. A burst of throttle with the steering turned will turn the craft with very little forward momentum. If your ski has reverse, try at slow speed going from forward to neutral and then reverse.  Practise steering in reverse, as it may not do what you expect. Reverse is not a brake – you’ll rip the reverse bucket off if you use it for stopping at high speed.

FALLING OFF

When you fall off, your ski should come to a stop nearby. If it doesn’t and continues off into the distance you have just made your first very big mistake. You didn’t attach the kill cord. Hopefully this will not be the case and your ski will have stopped nearby. Now swim over to the back of the ski.

CAPSIZE / REBOARDING

If you should capsize your ski, check the label on the stern (rear) for the correct way the rotate your craft. You can damage the engine if you rotate it the wrong way. If you cannot rotate it from the stern, swim alongside, put one hand in the grille and one on the grab handle. Roll the craft over so that the water drains off.

Move back to the stern, climb over the back keeping your body low as the craft may be unstable. Avoid treading on the jet and reverse bucket. Once back on board, re-attach the kill cord and restart the engine. If the engine does not restart the carbs may be flooded with fuel – leave it for a few minutes and then try again. If it still won’t start, don’t try to effect repairs out on the water, as the open engine hatch will unseal the machine and it could be sunk by a capsize. Signal for help and get a tow back to land. Stay with your ski - don’t try to swim ashore. If you end up needing to be rescued, it is far easier to spot a person with a ski.

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If you are new to PW riding or would like to learn more, why not attend an RYA PW proficiency course. This one day course teaches you how to use your PW safely, responsibly and with confidence, ensuring you get the best out of your craft. All PWs purchased new come with a £50 training voucher sponsored by the major manufacturers, and most insurance companies offer discounts if you have done the course. Having gained your certificate, you can apply for an International Certificate of Competence (ICC), which is often required for riding abroad. For further details on RYA training courses, please go to www.rya.org.uk/courses or call RYA training on 0845 345 0384 and they will advise where your nearest centre is.