If your jet ski features a brake and reverse system, you can dock more easily alternating the throttle with the brake lever. Use a combination of shifting forward and reverse until the hull comes alongside the dock. To properly dock a jet ski, approach the dock at a slight angle if possible. In general, the land side of a dock is the better choice.įinally, selecting your spot always requires compromise, but the best practice is to choose the most secure and protected location to park your jet ski. – Always try to avoid unprotected sides of the docks, which are exposed to the elements and the wakes created by boat traffic. – Keep security in mind and try to avoid unattended spots, the ones that are too far and not visible from the shore. To avoid this, always try to choose a lower dock if it’s possible. But the worst scenario is when the dock is so high that the jet ski accidentally slips underneath it. Unfortunately, docks are designed for larger boats so sometimes you have to “climb up” to the dock from your jet ski. – Check the height and design of the dock. Use these fuel docks only for as long as is absolutely necessary. – You can tie your jet ski to fuel docks only if you want to refuel. – Keep in mind that you can only use transient docks (often called day docks or guest docks) in many marinas, as these are the designated spots for guests. – If you have to dock into a tight place between vessels, make sure upfront that there is enough space for your jet ski. This is the best way to avoid hitting other vessels and to make your docking procedure much easier and less stressful. 1 rule is to always try to dock as far from other vessels as possible. When selecting your spot here are the most important factors to consider: If you feel you are in need of help, you can always ask for advice and guidance from experienced riders.įinding the perfect spot for your jet ski can be tricky, especially if you are in a new marina. The key is to always operate your jet ski at idle speed, so you can avoid bumping into the dock! When practicing, approach the dock many times from different angles. You should practice arriving and departing over and over again. It’s best if you try to get some practice in on weekdays when the docks are much quieter. Once you can operate your jet ski with confidence you can move to an empty dock. If your jet ski doesn’t feature these systems, beware that docking will be more difficult.
These not only help your jet ski to stop in a shorter distance, they also do a very good job when maneuvering the jet ski around the dock.
Keep in mind that jet skis are powered with a jet pump, which means you need throttle to steer!įortunately, more and more jet skis are manufactured with brake systems like iBR or RiDE. Thus, they have different characteristics.įirst, it’s recommended that you practice on the open water with a buoy before you try to actually dock the jet ski. Keep in mind that each jet ski has a different hull size, weight, and features.
#DOCK IT THE BAT SHISTLE PRO#
If you want to dock your jet ski like a pro you will have to practice first to get familiar with how your jet ski operates. Step-by-Step Jet Ski Docking Guide Practice First