Riding a jet ski is hands down one of the most fun activities out there. But natural calamities like hurricanes or strong winds can make your water adventure troublesome. Do you know if you can jet ski in high winds or not?
You are not supposed to ride a jet ski when the wind is strong or the water is rough. If you face such conditions in the middle of the water, you should think about keeping yourself safe first. You can get yourself and the jet ski out of trouble if you know how to ride a jet ski in rough water.
This article will exactly tell you how to handle your jet ski in high winds and rough waters to keep you safe from a disaster. It also discusses ways to make your jet ski more stable for riding. So, let’s get started.
How To Safely Drive A Jet Ski In High Winds And Rough Water?
You have to keep calm while riding a jet ski in high winds and rough water. If you need to move, move slowly and steadily.
The best way to make yourself safe from high winds and rough water is to avoid taking a ride in that situation.
Follow Weather Forecasts
Global climate change has made weather conditions very unpredictable. But you can still count on the weather forecasts from weather.gov.
Remember that it doesn’t matter how adventurous or brave you are. Jet skiing in large waves and strong winds is difficult for anyone.
Rain will limit your visibility while riding the watercraft. So, it is always wise to check weather forecasts.
You should monitor the wind speed the most before jet-skiing since strong wind creates big waves in the water. If the wind speed is more than 15 miles per hour, it will make your jet ski ride unstable.
It is too dangerous to get your watercraft into the water if the wind speed is more than 40 miles per hour.
Be Prepared for the Worst
You never know when unfavorable weather will strike and make your jet skiing dangerous in high winds and rough waters.
That is why you need to keep your jet ski prepared for the worst conditions all the time.
Keep a colorful flag or a flare in the vehicle to send visual SOS signals in the event of distress in the middle of the water.
According to the law, you must have a life jacket on your watercraft. Always keep your eyes open to notice a storm in the distance.
When you see one, you must know how to put yourself together to get yourself out of the situation safely.
Your jet ski should have an anchor to make the vehicle stable in big waves. Also, make sure that the bilge pump works properly.
Be Calm
Your calmness is the best weapon to overcome nasty weather in the middle of the water. You must assess the situation very calmly and then decide your course of action.
The first decision you have to make is whether to anchor your jet ski and wait for the bad weather to pass or to flee the situation as soon as possible.
Use your intuition and previous experience at your best. If you decide to stay in the water, stop the engine and anchor your jet ski. Fasten your life jacket for better safety.
Take it Easy
If you decide to get to the shore in rough weather conditions, move your jet ski slowly. Do not try to move fast. It will only put you in more trouble in the big waves. Always keep the speed slow and consistent.
If you cross rough water quickly, your ride will become bumpier. You may even fall from the jet ski because of the strong waves.
At the same time, your jet ski will also capsize. So, always keep your head calm and drive slowly in rough waters.
Tackling the Waves
Never attempt to face a big wave in a head-on position. Otherwise, your jet ski will receive the nastiest blows from the waves.
Whenever there is a large wave in front of you, the best way to face it is in a 45-degree angular position. In that angular position, your jet ski will have the least impact from the huge waves.
Watch for the Unpredictable
Stormy waves can carry any large object afloat with them. One common thing is large tree trunks. While waiting for the storm to pass or moving towards the shore, keep your eyes wide open for such floating objects.
Remember that your visibility will become limited in storms and heavy rain and sometimes, you may suddenly see another watercraft right in front of you.
Use your driving skills to avoid being hit, because a small blow can cause trouble in rough water.
To avoid collisions, try to make your jet ski as visible as possible.
How To Make A Jet Ski More Stable?
You have to start thinking about the stability of your jet ski in the buying phase. The thumb rule is that the bigger the jet ski, the more stable it will be in the water.
If you plan to ride the watercraft alone, buy a jet ski that can carry two people.
If you have a partner in jet skiing, buy one that can accommodate three people at a time.
On a jet ski, you have options for speed, maneuverability, and stability. Always choose the jet skis with the best stability report. Practice a lot with your new jet ski to find your comfortable foot position.
Before taking your jet ski into the water, you can upgrade it to make it more stable. Installing a quality intake grate will make your watercraft more stable.
You can also add a ride plate to it. It will help the jet ski tackle rough water smoothly.
Some even upgrade the steering of the jet ski to suit their body structure. You can also adjust the trim nozzle for a safer ride.
Precautions You Should Follow For Safe Jet Skiing
The first precaution for safe jet skiing is to check with the weather service to see if there is a marine warning in the area where you will be riding your watercraft.
Officials post separate alert notices for dangerous waves, winds, high tides, etc. You also have to look for the weather forecast for the specific region.
Never get your jet ski into the water if there is a warning for tropical cyclones, thunderstorms, cold fronts, sea fog, waterspouts, or monsoon rains.
Carefully notice the prediction of wind speed. If the forecasted wind speed is more than 15 miles per hour, do not go for the ride. Higher wind speed means stronger waves in the water.
You also have to consider the tide times. Moments of high and low tide are crucial while entering or exiting a crossing bar of a river.
Because low tides can make waves steeper and more dangerous for jet skis.
Bottom Line
In dangerous situations, your calm mind is your best help. Never try to fight strong winds or rough waters on your jet ski. Instead, try to avoid confronting them technically.
After reading this article, I am sure that you know if you can jet ski in high winds and how to ride a jet ski in rough water.
Thanks for tuning in and I hope this article was able to help you out. See you later.