Preparing for a long distance pwc ride

Travel by personal watercraft (PWC) can be very fun, but being on such a small craft in a large body of water can pose challenges. Riding 50+ miles in a day can really add a level of stress to what is usually something very fun. 

Most people ride their skis a few hours a year. Maybe they'll take them to the lake and putz around for an hour or two, then put it in the driveway to dry out for a few weeks in between runs. Then, there's us. We ride our skis (well, ski now) several times a week, and year round, often racking up over 50 hours a year. Since we aren't wanting to take on the additional expense of boat ownership at this time, we ride our skis all over the Chesapeake Bay. And I mean, ALL OVER! 

I'm an old Coastie, so safety on the water is my number one priority. In this blog post, I'm going to detail exactly what we do to prepare for the safest long distance rides possible, even in rough weather. Preparing for a long distance ski ride is similar to a trip on the boat, but with a few extra nuances that shouldn't be overlooked. 

File a float plan

The number one rule for boating is to file a float plan every time you get underway. This doesn't have to be a formal report to the nearest Coast Guard Station, or even a written plan. Just tell someone, preferably someone that cares about you, and consider two people if you aren't very well liked, where you are going, what time you are leaving, and when you will return. 

The number one rule for riding skis long distances is to file a float plan. 

The basics of an effective float plan start with telling a trusted person:

1. Where you are going
2. Where you are leaving from
3. Where you will return to
4. What time you expect to be at your destination, and what time you expect to be back
5. Send them updates via text message, radio, or telephone when deviating from the original plan. ie., you're going to be late or staying overnight, let them know.  
6. Check in at predetermined check in times, ie., when you leave, arrive, etc. 

When I ride long distances, it's usually to meet up with someone. So I'll shoot them a text when I'm on the ski and departing the ramp where I splashed. In the text, I'll say, "I'm leaving now and expect to be there at 'x' o'clock." If I'm alone on the trip I'll shoot a message to Kari, also. When I get there, the people I'm meeting will know, but I'll shoot Kari a message letting her know I made it safely. 

We also have an app on our phones called Life360 that allows us to see each other in real time. We can keep an eye on each other, even when it's not possible to make a phone call due to rough conditions, or whatever the case may be. We share our positions with the people that we boat with the most, so we can all keep an eye on each other. 

As morbid as it may sound, having a last known position when you go missing greatly increases your chances of being found.  

Gear up!  

Proper equipment and gear is one of the challenges of a safe PWC trip that you normally don't have to consider on a boat. If you are going to haul yourself across a body of water like the Chesapeake Bay, you have to have the right gear. What started off as a calm morning, can quickly turn into a rough, and potentially dangerous, afternoon. Skis aren't only susceptible to weather, but being as small as PWC's are, they can be greatly affected by boat wakes and small chop. The Chesapeake Bay fills up with boats on the weekends, especially in the afternoon. All those boats rip up the Bay, even when calm weather conditions are predicted. The number two rule for riding long distances on a ski is to prepare for rough water, no matter what, because even a 1' chop can be challenging to a PWC.   

The number two rule for riding long distances on a ski is to prepare for rough water, no matter what. 

It's imperative that your ski is up to the task. Perform your pre-ride checks per the owners manual. Don't attempt to cross the Bay if the ski needs maintenance or repairs. We generally keep our skis until they have over 100 hours, then we sell them. Sea Doo's like we ride are expected to last several hundred hours, and we change the oil every season, even if they are below the hours for an oil change. When we sell them, the new owners are getting a great ski that has been well taken care of, but they are reaching that point where I'm not comfortable taking it across the Bay. In my mind, it won't serve my purposes.

Have a full tank of gas.

Although you are a responsible skier and you checked the weather and distances and have concluded you can make it to your destination on half a tank of gas, keep in mind you might have to return on that same tank of gas. There aren't many places to fuel up on the Bay, especially since PWC's don't have the range boats do. I always leave with a full tank of fuel, and it has saved my butt on at least three occasions when the fuel dock was closed at my destination, or there just wasn't a fuel dock at all. 

I prefer to fuel my skis up at a gas station because the gas is much cheaper on land than on the water. This also insures that I'm getting in the water with a full tank of fuel and I don't have to worry about whether the local fuel dock is open or not. Also, it saves time on my trip since I can get in the water and go without having to stop for gas. I normally haul the skis to the gas station up the road the night before a big trip. 

Conserve gas! 

Riding a big trip isn't the same as taking the wave runner out for a spin on the weekend. You are going to need to conserve fuel, which means you aren't going to be in Sport Mode jumping wakes and doing doughnuts. Remember, you are going to be all alone and miles from the nearest fuel source. There are plenty of times on our rides we are 20 or more miles from the nearest fuel dock. Most of the time we are 5 to 10 miles from a fuel source. Still not a distance I want to paddle the ski just to find out the fuel dock is closed. 

We own our particular Sea Doo skis for several big reasons. But one of the biggest reasons is fuel economy. The skis burn about 3 gallons per hour in touring mode, or 1 or 2 gallons per hour in Eco mode. Eco mode is your friend on long trips and can help prevent a stranding due to running out of fuel short of your destination.  This brings us to our next section:

Pick the right ski!

Although many jet skis on the market today are capable of making long distance trips on the Chesapeake Bay, you need to do your research and choose the ski that is right for you. For example, as much fun as it is to go 70+ mph on a Sea Doo, I would not recommend a Sea Doo RXT 300 for touring. Here is why.

We have owned two types of Sea Doo hulls: a GTI and GTX. The GTI hull was our first ski; it was inexpensive so we could see if this was something we really want to do or not. Well, I guess it is something we really want to do! The GTI was great on gas, even better than the GTX we have now, but it was not comfortable. 

After doing some research, we decided the Sea Doo GTX 155 is the best ski for us, for the following reasons:

1. Comfort: The hull design cuts through chop MUCH better than the GTI hull. I caught myself bracing for the impact of an incoming wave when I first started riding the GTX, only to find that not only was the impact not jarring the way it was on the GTI, but it didn't phase it at all! The GTX hull is much more better suited for life on the Chesapeake Bay. The GTI hull was fine, but it is better suited for a lake. 
   1. Still in the comfort category, the GTX has a more comfortable seat and handlebars, which puts you in a better position for rides that last hours on end. The seat is incredible. The handlebars have comfortable grips, but also adjust up and down to your preference. Just awesome. 
2. Get all the bells and whistles you want, but you won't use them. We have cruise control, which is nice, but we rarely actually use it. Ours also has trim control, and although it is minimally noticeable, it actually does help to trim the bow up to slightly reduce the amount of spray you get in your face. We have the regular GTX 155, not the Limited. Never once have I ever wished I had the features of the Limited, which retails for $3,000 more. But spend your money how you want! Some people prefer to have the options and never use them. 
3. If you are buying new, prepare to spend about $14,000. Our ski retails for $12,700, but after all the dealer fees, taxes, trailer, etc., we were well over $14k to get it out of the door. This is the least expensive model I would recommend for long distance trips on the Chesapeake Bay (and actually the model!). It may be tempting to spend $7,000 on a Sea Doo Spark, and although you can do it, I wouldn't recommend it. Same with the $17,000 RXP-X 300. It will definitely make the trip, and be a ton of fun, but at a premium cost that amounts to nothing less than excessive consumerism.   
4. No turbo: We didn't get a supercharged ski for about three or more reasons. I'll list three:
   1. Speed: Our ski has a top speed of 55 mph, which is plenty fast enough. Most of the time on the Chesapeake Bay you aren't going over 20 mph. When the Bay is really flat and nice we cruise at about 30 mph to conserve fuel, or 40 mph if we don't need to conserve fuel and want to have a little fun. Every once in a while when I'm just out for a fun ride, or if I'm coming into the West River at the end of a long ride and I want to open it up it's really fun to go 55 mph. 70 mph would be more fun, but it isn't worth the additional upfront and back end costs of the more expensive turbo charged models. 
   2. Cost: The upfront cost of the supercharged model is much higher, as I explained above. Not only that, back end costs, or costs of ownership, are also much more. The supercharger on the Sea Doo models is cooled with oil and sea water. Since it has sea water going through it, it has to be winterized every year to keep the water inside the cooling system from freezing and cracking the turbo. Our skis do not have to be winterized (I've never winterized my skis), which allows us to ride year round (remember this YouTube video of me riding in a dry suit in the snow with ice on the water?). Also, the turbos have to be rebuilt around 200 hours, which means we would have to rebuild our turbos every three or four years.
   3. Fuel economy: We get much better fuel economy in our naturally aspirated versions. I'm not sure how much better, but when we ride with friends that have turbos, they are filling up when we are at about half a tank - even when they are in Eco mode! 
5. Make sure it has the capability to pump itself out. Water will always get inside the ski, so it needs to not sink. I'm installing a bilge pump (haven't done it yet, I know), but it also has a venturi system that constantly sucks out any water that gets in. The bad thing about this system is the engine has to be running, and preferably at a high rpm (aka, moving forward) to work well.  

There are certain laws in place for PWC's, so make sure you know them before heading out. 

Wear, and fasten your freaking life jacket. 

Other gear. This is the basics of gear. Leave a comment if you travel with something I haven't mentioned here:

• Dry bag. We have several, but our favorite is one really big one. It fits in the forward compartment of our ski, or it can also be tied to the swim platform if more room is needed up front. In the dry bag:
  • A change of clothes. You are going to get wet, no matter what.
  • towels for drying off
  • sunscreen
  • first aid kit
• Water: LOTS. You're going to be exposed to the sun, so bring as much fresh water as you can carry. And wear sunscreen! 
• Sunglasses with a leash: This is actually pretty important so you can see other boats coming at you in the glare of the sun. PWC's are pretty hard to see on the water, so you have to keep a sharp lookout. More on that in the next section. 
• Marine VHF radio: Important if you need to call for help and your cell phone is lost or wet. What to look for in a VHF: 
  • Floats
  • Waterproof
  • That's it. When you need a VHF on a ski, it's because the ski is underwater. 
  • I have this one, although the price has gone up since I purchased it. 
  • This one is good, too. 
  • Clip it to your person. It won't do you any good at the bottom of the Bay in a compartment on the ski. 
• Manual, or installed automatic bilge pump. Be careful with some Sea Doo bilge pumps, they only operate when the ski is on. So don't count on them to babysit for you while you are out and about the town and the ski is tied to the dinghy dock. I'm not sure about other manufacturers.  
• GPS for navigating. Although you can use your phone, cell service isn't always reliable out there, and you really don't want to risk water damage or losing your phone by dropping it in the water. Looking at Google Maps before you leave isn't good enough. I can dead reckon in most areas of the Bay that I'm familiar with, but when going somewhere new I need a GPS to show me where I am. The terrain from 3' off the water does not look the same as it does on the map you looked at before you left the house. 
• Cameras! Share those epic adventures with #ChesapeakeWanderlust and #ChesapeakeBay so we can see them and give you a like!

Know the rules of the road!

My biggest pet peeve on the water is some idiot not knowing, or worse, ignoring, the rules of the road. It isn't hard. Here's the parts you need to know on a PWC:

1. On the Chesapeake Bay, keep 100 ft away from everything: shore, boats, navigation aids, piers, bridges, OTHER PWC's, etc. If a boat is coming within 100' of you, it is up to you to avoid the boat, or slow down to 6 mph. 
2. The boat on the right has right of way (think of cars at a stop sign)
3. Sailboats under sail ALWAYS have right of way, no matter which direction they are coming at you from. If the sails are up, consider them under sail. If no sails are visible, they are a regular boat and fall under the same rules as everyone else.
4. You are responsible for avoiding collisions, even if you have the right of way!
5. As the operator of a PWC, I've added a third rule just for us: Be predictable and stay out of everyone else's way. 

That's it, y'all. If every boat kept those simple rules in mind, and put them to use, the waterways would be much safer and a lot more fun. 

Pay special attention to rule 4. It is very important. It means if some yahoo is breaking rule 1 or 2, it is YOUR responsibility to prevent a collision. This goes for all boats in all situations. PWC's are difficult to see, so stay vigilant to keep from getting run over. 

In my experience, it's difficult to see to the left and right beyond my shoulders from the seat of my Sea Doo. This is because of the splash from the bow wake that comes up about 4' in the air right next to where I'm sitting. Also, I wear goggles over my glasses, so they are normally wet, which makes it even more difficult to see. Most boaters on the Chesapeake Bay do not realize that PWC's fall under the same rules and regs as all other boats, and seem to be under the impression that their boat always has right of way. Very rarely has anyone given way to me when I'm on the ski. In almost every case, I have had to avoid the collision, whether it's ignorance on their part, or they can't see me is up for debate. I assume I'm invisible unless they give some sign that they see me and are giving way. 

The hardest boats for me to see are center consoles. I can see other jet skis from pretty far away. Long before I see the actual ski and rider, I can clearly see the splash. Larger boats are easy because you can see the superstructure, and most smaller boats create enough of a splash and wake that I can see that before I can see the hull, much like another PWC. But center consoles are small enough you can't see the hull from much more than a mile out, and they cut through the water so efficiently that there is no splash to give them away. Every close call I've had in the middle of open water has been with a center console that snuck up on me. They cruise at about the same speed, and faster in some cases, as jet skis do, so if you don't see them until they are a mile from you, you can easily miss them until they are right up on you honking a horn. 

I wish more boaters understood how difficult it is to maneuver a PWC in rough conditions, which even a 1' chop can be rough on a ski. But, they don't and never will. So it's up to us to keep an eye out and start avoiding the collision miles away from the intersection.

Have fun out there! Share your trips by PWC on the Chesapeake Bay on social media with the #ChesapeakeWanderlust and #ChesapeakeBay so we can see your posts and give them a like! We love hearing from anyone that loves exploring the Chesapeake Bay, so all boaters are welcome to flag us down and say hi if you see us out there! 

  

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