Personal Watercraft : What is it?
| Often called a sea scooter, a personal watercraft is a recreational water vehicle run by powered by a pump jet, an inboard engine, and an impeller for steering and propulsion. Using jet drive as an alternative to high-pressure gas, it creates powerful streams of water. The rear steering nozzle allows its impeller to push a large amount of water from beneath the shell. A typical personal watercraft can accommodate between one to four persons. It is particularly popular because it is small, nimble, and easy to handle. Depending on state laws, users may be required to undergo safety training before using a watercraft. The US Environmental Protection Agency regulated the use of this vehicle because of the 1990 Clean Air Act.
Personal watercrafts is are used for many applications, including racing, towing water skiers on flat water, and tow-in surfing. They are also used by lifeguards for surveillance and rescue operations. Lifeguard watercrafts are equipped with rescue platforms to carry rescued people into shore. Law enforcement officers also use this type of personal watercraft to patrol rivers and lakes. |
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Kinds of Personal Watercrafts include the following: |
Two-stroke cycle engine
A personal watercraft powered by a two-stroke cycle engine is smaller and lighter yet produces more water pollutants than a four-stroke cycle engine.
It used to be the standard engine used for PWCs before personal watercraft emissions were regulated in the US.
It is lubricated using a “total loss” method in which fuel is mixed with lubricating oil.
It uses up more than 25% of unburned fuel and oil along with the products of complete and incomplete combustion.
The more advanced and environment-friendly model uses direct injection and catalytic converters that reduce emissions to as much as 75%.
Four-stroke cycle engine
A personal watercraft that uses a four-stroke cycle engine is the more popular PWC because of its environment friendliness.
It is bigger and heavier than a two-stroke PWC because it needs a bigger housing for its engine.
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Dead man’s switch: Choose a personal watercraft with a lanyard attached to the dead man’s switch. It allows you to turn off the watercraft in case you fall into the water and prevents it from running on its own.
Standards: Choose a personal watercraft that meets the current regulations of the US Environmental Protection Agency. In some areas such as in Lake Tahoe, only a new personal watercraft that strictly follows current regulations is permitted to be used.
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