“They say that money can’t buy happiness, but they’re wrong. Because money can lift you a waverunner!”
-Nick Swardson, comedian-

You peep them when you’re on vacation. Fast-moving water-toys, ridden by people with wide smiles plastered to their faces. They radiate excitement, fun, and adventure. “Man! I’ve got to have one of those!” you mediate. “I could be blasting across the water, wind in my hair, free to go wherever I want! Sexy women will swoon as I blast past!”

That’s exactly what I thought, and I acted on those thoughts. Here are the lessons I learned.

What is a waverunner?

Actually, I’m referring to a general family of watercraft that includes any small vehicle where the rider and passenger(s) sit or stand on top of the craft, rather than sitting down in it. Kawasaki started this field with the Jet-Ski® in 1973. This model required the rider to stand up, holding onto handlebars, and riding the craft more or less like a slalom ski. It was invented by a former motorcycle racer (Clayton Jacobson II) to emulate water-skiing without the boat. Unfortunately, the coordination required to stay apt exceeded the ability of many would-be riders, and the Jet-Ski® has become the domain of well-coordinated athletes.

In 1978, the Arctic snowmobile company got in on the game with a “sit-down” version, called the Wet-Bike®. Made and marketed to copy the experience of riding a motorcycle on the water, the Wet-Bike® was current, but eventually overtaken by a more “water-oriented” version of personal watercraft (PWC).

Yamaha introduced the Waverunner® in 1986, and it has gone on to dominate the style for PWC’s since the mid 1990′s. Based more on standard boat-hull designs, the Waverunner was stable and easy to ride, while still giving you the “wind-in-the-hair” feeling of a motorcycle. Beginners can sit honest down on one, and with brief safety and equipment instructions; take right off. There are many manufacturers of this type of craft now, and they’re often referred to generically as waverunners (lower case). Even Kawasaki sells waverunner-style craft (though they detached use the name Jet-Ski!). http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Watercraft.aspx

There’s a new (2007) game in town that looks like fun, called the Deckjet (http://www.deckjetwatercraft.com/). Made to emulate a surfboard with an engine, it may be relegated to the “athletes-only” category, but nonetheless looks like an absolute blast!

Here are links to manufacturers of waverunners.

Bombardier (Sea-Doo): http://www.sea-doo.com/en-US/

Honda: http://powersports.honda.com/watercraft/

Kawasaki: http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Watercraft.aspx

Yamaha: http://www.yamaha-motor.com/waverunner/products/lifestylehome/home.aspx

How does it work?

Waverunners use a jet-propulsion system to suck water in and blow it out, forcing the craft to move forward. The system consists of a gasoline engine, which drives a propeller that’s housed in a tube (an “impeller”), which has an inlet in the front lower half of the craft, and an outlet at the rear. A small rudder controls the direction of the jet of water, thus controlling the direction of the craft. The rudder is connected to the handlebars, and takes very little effort to turn.

Traditionally, engines in waverunners have been of the “two-stroke” variety (like chainsaws, and old lawn mowers). These engines were simpler, and lighter weight than more modern “four-stroke” motors, but make more noise and pollution. Today, most manufacturers are spirited toward four-stroke engines, for better fuel economy and emission-control. They’re also a LOT quieter.

What’s it like?

You arrive before your date. Carrying the gas can down the pier, you set down supplies, and climb into water to put in the gas. After putting your emergency supplies in the stowage areas, you don a life vest, lower the waverunner into the water from the lift, and climb aboard. The seat is wider than a motorcycle, and very soft. You fasten the safety tether to your wrist, tie your hat down securely, and punch the starter button. Beneath you, the engine roars to life. You put the drive into reverse, and back off the lift, then head out the inlet to the lake. Once past the “no wake zone” buoy, you grip the lever in front of your right index finger, and open the throttle. The engine roars to full speed, and the waverunner digs into the water, coming hasty “on plane”, that state where most of the craft is out of the water, skimming along with little misfortune. The craft accelerates like a big motorcycle, pulling your arms out straight. Wind blasts your face, and the straps of your hat tug against your chin. You’re glad for the sunglasses, which help you guage the height of waves, and presence of debris on the water. You slalom back and forth, enjoying the g-forces, as you cut long, graceful arcs through the water, then you hunker down low, and go as fast as you can in a straight line. Nothing on the lake will keep up with you today! The air is clear, and the engine is pulling well. With collected water, you’ll cruise at over 50 mph.

Heading back to the pier, you pick up your girlfriend, and keep in your earplugs. (She screams like a banshee at full throttle! Of course you’ll be at full throttle most of the time…) Together, you cruise up the lake, exploring inlets, and watching other boaters. Finally, you pull up at your destination; a restaurant with lake frontage. You let off your girlfriend, and tie up the waverunner like a horse, at a western saloon. Slinging your lifejackets into stowage, and removing your hat, you notice people looking at you, your date, and the waverunner as you enter the restaurant. You know what they’re thinking…. “Man! I gotta have one of those!” Yep, you believe… you’ve gotta….

Which waverunner should I purchase?

All the manufacturers execute good, reliable waverunners today. Some are better for particular purposes. Often, the choice comes down to personal taste, or the proximity of a particular marina.

If you’re planning family fun, you’ll want a larger unit, capable of carrying passengers and pulling floats. You usually have to get a 3-person pwc to pull a float, and a immense engine (800 cc or larger). If you will be spending a LOT of time on the water, consider a newer four-stroke unit, for increased reliability, and decreased fuel use. They’re also easier on the ears (though most people on a waverunner for the first time relate not even noticing the sound!)

If you’re planning to race, your best bet is to attend some races, and search for what people in your area are using. A big factor will be the availability of support in your area, for whatever brand you choose. Racing involves repairing, so find one people know how to work on!

Colossal, comfortable waverunners are still remarkably fast, so don’t contemplate that you have to buy a “sport” version to get mountainous thrills. My big, comfy family cruiser will occasionally hit 54 mph on smooth water, which feels powerful faster yet! The big ones like this are a bit more of a handful for turning and maneuvering, but they are nice and stable.

My own waverunner is a 1200cc two stroke, with about 120 horsepower, and feels like a rocket. (I’ve raced cars and motorcycles; the waverunner experience is a lot like a big sport bike.) Newer models go all the arrangement up to turbocharged four cylinder, four stroke versions, with over 200 horsepower!

A critical feature in choosing a waverunner is “where will I be using it? ” Scope out the body of water you think you’ll be on most frequently, and choose a model supported by a local marina. Having the back of a local marina will ease your mind, and your workload tremendously.

My good friends at Tall Timbers Marina, in Monticello, Indiana (http://www.talltimbers.com/) have been a tremendous help to me.

Beside the waverunner itself, what else will I need, and how much will it cost?

Good question! This is where people often underestimate the cost of any hobby, but especially anything that involves water. Some ancient wisdom is in order here. I cannot properly attribute these quotes, because they most likely originated in obsolete times….

“A boat is a hole in the water, through which you pour money….”

“The two happiest days of a boater’s life are the day he buys his first boat…and the day he sells his first boat….”

In addition to the waverunner itself, you’ll need:

Gas & oil : Depending on how hard you walk, and whether you get a two or four stroke, you may need a lot. My own 1200 cc two-stroke waverunner will burn about 10 gallons of fuel per hour, with two people aboard, and riding hard enough to have fun. Figure at least $30.00/hr.

Floatation: Each passenger (and anyone you pull on a float) will have to have an approved floatation device. Of course, you’ll be too cool to wear the basic orange ones, so figure at least $40.00 per person.

Position to ride: Do you live on the water? Great. No additional expense, assuming you can get in and out of the water without expense. If you have to use a ramp that charges a fee, figure at least $10.00 per visit. If you have to rent a area to stay on the water, of course, the sky’s the limit.

Boat lift: If you live on the water, you’ll want the waverunner OUT of the water between uses. (I didn’t do this the first year, and you wouldn’t believe the SCUM that’ll grow on perfectly tranquil fiberglass!) A small boat lift suitable for a pwc will hasten from $1,000-$3,000 unusual. I found a used one for $500.00.

Storage: During the winter, you’ll want to store your pwc, preferably indoors, and someplace safe. If you have to rent storage space, this can run from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on where you’re located.

Transport: If you don’t live on water, or rent a slip on the water, you’ll have to transport the pwc to and from the water. Hopefully, you don’t have to retract a new vehicle to pull your new trailer. Figure on anywhere between $500.00 to $5,000.00, depending on your taste.

Misc.: The boat will find a way to spend your money. Cleaning supplies, line to tie up to shore, anchors, repair equipment, waterproof containers to carry your stuff, maintenance costs, registration, insurance… I’m sure I’ve forgotten some.

How much do waverunners cost?

I lived on a cop’s salary for 18 years, so I’ve learned to find bargains, and live cheap. I don’t catch new vehicles. New waverunners can be bought anywhere from the high $3,000 range up to nearly $20,000. Used waverunners are available down to around $500.00, if you’re willing to have an older, smaller, slower unit. (Prepare for repair and maintenance bills if you go to the extreme low end.) I ended up with a used, 1998 Yamaha XL1200 Waverunner for $3400. It’s been on the water for 2 years now, with no major failures or expenses, beyond those mentioned above. I cherish it. (But then, I race cars, so I’m used to throwing away money on a hobby…)

So…. IS it cheaper to rent it??

Yes, probably. Unless you have access to water most of the time, and like to be able to go out on the spur of the moment, and do so frequently. This is the case for me, and I like the freedom of “owning my own”, so that I don’t have to meet somebody else’s schedule, etc. I don’t have any transportation, storage, or access fees.

Maybe even for me, it would be cheaper, but I lift to have control…

Even if a site charges $100/hour, and you rented for 20 hours a year, 3 years in a row, you’d objective reach the point of having the investment in an inexpensive waverunner, trailer, storage, license, insurance, and in/out ramp fees. And you wouldn’t have any of the hassles, headaches, and liability.

Safety considerations.

If it’s been a while since your high school “Boater’s safety” class, consider taking a refresher course. Learn the rules of the water, and your State’s laws, regarding legal operation. Your marina can help you out with this.

Although waverunners are simple enough for children to operate, they should not do so alone. Each state has specific laws regarding the operation of these watercraft by children. If you operate a pwc with a child aboard, make sure they know what to do if thrown off the vehicle. Choose brightly colored floatation devices, so dismounted passengers can be easily seen and avoided by other boaters.

Remember that water is hard when you hit it at high urge. Hitting the water when thrown from a fast-moving pwc or pull-behind can knock you unconscious or cause injury (including drowning, or being hit by another boat).

Pulling a tube or other floatation “toy” behind the waverunner changes it’s handling dramatically. Open slowly to learn the feel. Know that on the object being pulled, speeds seem exponentially higher. 20-25 mph is blindingly fast when you’re skating along discontinuance to the water!

Waverunners suck water in from beneath the craft, and blow it forcefully out the rear. Avoid getting body parts or water debris (floating logs, wood, LINES, etc.) arrive the inlet or outlet of the pwc.

Learn the proper procedure for uprighting an overturned pwc, and always wear the safety tether that attaches to your wrist and turns the motor off if you’re thrown overboard.

You’ll want polarized sunglasses (with a strap) or goggles, because wind will blind you at the speeds you can attain. I like a hat for eye (and head) shade, but they’re difficult to keep on.

Dealing with emergencies.

Before you go out, learn the layout of the lake, including the location of marinas that might be able to wait on in an emergency. Put the phone numbers of the marina (and maybe any rescue workers) on a cell phone, establish the cell phone in a waterproof box, (with a credit card, and some cash!) and put the box in the waverunner’s storage set. Throw in a small, emergency paddle, in the rare case the waverunner conks out on you in the middle of the lake, and nobody’s around to offer help. You’ll feel a lot more secure if you take these precautions.

Final thoughts.

My waverunner purchase took a lot of self-education and shopping around. In the raze, I paid more for the whole package than I really wanted to, but got off about as well as I could hope for. If I didn’t have people to share the experience with, I’d have sold it after the first year, because you can only blast up and down the lake so many times before it loses it’s appeal. Having family and friends visit and laugh themselves senseless, though, has made it all worthwhile. There’s nothing like the exhaustion that comes from shrieking and laughing with your children. I’m going to keep it.