| Personal watercraft, also known by the more | | | | water. The water-jet pump is generally driven by |
| familiar name of jet ski, have become an | | | | a two cylinder gasoline engine. |
| extremely popular water sport vehicle for use on | | | | The jet ski, in reality, is a full-fledged boat. The |
| lakes and waterways. They are a great source of | | | | operator of a jet ski has the same responsibilities |
| recreation on the water and have become an | | | | as the operator of any other boat and must |
| alternate method of towing wake boarders, | | | | adhere to many of the same rules and regulations |
| water skiers and inner tubers. | | | | of larger boats. Because of their unique operating |
| The name jet ski derives from the fact they are | | | | characteristics some states have a separate set |
| propelled by a high speed jet of water shooting | | | | of rules for the operation of jet skis. |
| out the back of the craft and that the early | | | | There are many different models and sizes of jet |
| models required the rider to stand up and hold on | | | | skis. They range from the smaller single person |
| to a steering mechanism. The jet skis ability to | | | | craft to the large three seat models. The larger |
| carve sharp turns and jump wakes reminds of | | | | three seat models have powerful engines that |
| skiing thus the name jet ski. These models are | | | | allow them to pull a water skier. To legally pull a |
| hard to ride and require a certain amount of | | | | water skier there must be room on the craft for |
| athletic ability of the rider. Because of this they | | | | an observer and the skier in addition to the driver. |
| soon gave way to the today's models that the | | | | Safely operating a jet ski requires knowledge and |
| rider sits on similar to the way a motorcycle is | | | | skill in its use. The operator should understand the |
| ridden. | | | | operation of all of the controls and where they |
| The jet ski is propelled by a water-jet pump | | | | are located. This knowledge along with respect for |
| which draws water in through an underwater | | | | others who are on the water will result in an |
| grate and shoots it out the rear of the craft | | | | exhilarating and fun time on the water and bring |
| under high pressure pushing the craft through the | | | | you safely back to shore ready to go out again. |