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A Personal Watercraft (PWC) is a small jet-drive propelled powerboat which is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside the vessel. A PWC is further defined as a small vessel being approximately between eight and sixteen feet long that is powered by a self-contained engine with an enclosed propeller.
PWC exist in three main styles: stand-up, sit-down sport class (one or two people), and sit-down three or four-person. The stand-up style carries only one person who stands while operating the vessel, while the sit-down styles have seats for one to four people. Most models are designed to accommodate two to three passengers.
Jet-Drive Propulsion: How it works
Water is drawn into the housing through an intake located on the underside of the hull. The impeller pressurizes the water and forces it out the steerable nozzle at the rear of the craft, pushing the boat in the opposite direction of the powerful stream of expelled water.Place your cursor over the image for a sectional view of the impeller and steering nozzle.