What two elements distinguish a Personal Watercraft from other boats?

• A. Water jet propulsion and operator sits or stands on the machine
• B. Sail rig and oars
• C. Inboard engine with propeller and stern seating
• D. Outboard motor with center console

Answer: (A)

The two things that set a Personal Watercraft apart are its water jet propulsion and the way the operator rides the machine. A PWC uses a water jet drive that draws water in and shoots it out a nozzle to propel the craft, with no external propeller. That jet system is compact and gives quick, responsive acceleration. At the same time, the operator sits or stands directly on the machine and uses handlebars to steer and throttle, rather than sitting inside a traditional boat cockpit.

This combination is different from other boats that rely on a propeller (whether from an inboard engine or an outboard motor) and from boats where the operator sits in a separate seat inside a cabin or on a traditional deck. The sail-rigged or oar-driven option, or a boat with an outboard and center console, doesn’t match the jet propulsion plus rider-on-the-craft setup of a Personal Watercraft.