Choosing A Personal Watercraft

Buying a personal watercraft is a big decision and it’s not easy with the sheer number of different styles available. Whether you’re looking into a new Yamaha or a used Sea-Doo, you’ll find so many options, colors, styles and features that you’ll have to take into consideration before you buy.

If you’ve been browsing personal watercraft for sale, but you’re finding yourself at the end of your tow rope with frustration, then this guide should help. Developed by your local personal watercraft dealership, Riva Marine and Motorsports of the Keys, these tips on choosing a personal watercraft should take some of the headache out of the process and make it easy to find exactly what you want in a PWC.

Amount Of Seating Needed

First of all, how many people do you intend to ride with? If you’re only looking for a model that seats yourself, you’ll have an easy time finding one, whether it’s a short and wide model or a narrower sport model which do typically only seat the operator. Some of the larger and wider models are made to hold two, three or even four passengers, driver included. This way, if you want to bring children or friends uninitiated in the PWC lifestyle along for the ride, you can. Certain models have modular seating that can be removed when you don’t have passengers so you can use the extra space however you like.

Buying New Or Used

Another factor you should consider is whether you want to buy a brand-new PWC or a used model. New models have all the latest bells and whistles such as Bluetooth connectivity and more sensitive and responsive controls. In some cases, they even have modes that lower the engine performance for new riders to help them become used to riding their PWC. Newer models are likely to be a little more streamlined, but that does come with a high sticker price.

When you buy a PWC, you’ll want to take into account all the safety gear, licensing and insurance you’ll need to purchase with it, so if your budget is somewhat slim, you may want to go for a used model instead. Used models come in many varieties and, if you purchase them from a reputable dealership, you’ll get a high-quality watercraft that’s been thoroughly inspected. If you’re not sure whether the PWC life is for you or if you only plan to use your watercraft every so often, buying used can reduce the sticker shock while still ensuring that you get a great PWC you’ll love to take out on the water whenever you can.

Features You’ll Want

Determining the features you want on your PWC will help you narrow your choices down even more. For swimming and relaxation, you’ll want a wider personal watercraft with a swimming platform at the back and a step or a ladder for entering and exiting the water. If it’s speed that you’re looking for, you should go with one of the shorter and narrower one-seater models that can offer you the power you want. Other features on many personal watercraft include waterproof storage compartments for your devices and other supplies, and Bluetooth sound systems that let you play your music while you’re riding. Look at a range of models and take notes on the features that appeal to you so you can get an idea of what brand might suit you best.

If you’re in the market for a new or used PWC, come down to our Key Largo dealership to see our wide selection of personal watercraft for sale, including the latest models from Yamaha and Sea-Doo. Riva Marine and Motorsports of the Keys serves the cities of Key Largo and Miami, Florida.