Understanding Jet Ski Drive Controls: Brakes, Reverse, and Neutral

Controlling a personal watercraft (PWC), is an exhilarating experience that offers riders a thrilling sense of freedom on the water.

However, mastering the art of maneuvering a PWC can pose significant challenges, especially for new riders. Unlike traditional boats, PWCs rely on jet propulsion systems and handle more like a motorcycle or snowmobile, requiring a unique set of skills and techniques to operate safely and effectively.

For beginners, there is a small learning curve, as they navigate through understanding the dynamics of docking, throttle control, steering, and safety protocols specific to PWCs.

In this guide, we’ll explore the details of controlling a PWC and answer the most common questions people ask.

Do Jet Skis Have Brakes?

This may come as a surprise, but many models have a feature that slows you down when going at speed.

There is an electric actuator that moves the reverse bucket up and down to control movements. When you’re going at speed, and pull the lever, the bucket drops which creates drag to slow you down.

You’re basically putting the jet ski into reverse, so if you keep holding the trigger, you will go into reverse.

However, it’s important to note that not every watercraft features a braking system.

Braking has made driving and docking so much easier, as shown in the video below.

Slowing Down Without Brakes & Docking

Without brakes, releasing the throttle will slow you down. While it’s not as immediate as braking, you’ll gradually reduce speed.

It’s crucial to remember that steering requires a bit of throttle. Without it, your steering capability decreases.

For docking without brakes or reverse, a practical technique is to spin the craft in a circle at idle speed. This action effectively kills your momentum. Once you’ve aligned with your desired direction, simply turn off the engine and glide smoothly towards your target.

Do Jet Skis Have Reverse?

While you won’t find a transmission, many models do have a reverse.

The process of backing up is the same as hitting the brakes, as it’s basically the same thing. A bucket drops to redirect the thrust from the engine forward and thus moving the machine backwards.

You got manual and electronic reverse systems. You’ll find more models today have the electronic ones, so they can also use the brakes, but the manual options still exist.

Not to confuse with transmissions, but when I say manual, I mean a physical lever you move. You’re the one moving the reverse bucket up and down to control movements, and not an electric motor. The lever is easy to move as its spring assisted. All jet skis use an automatic transmission, so no shifting gears.

The video below does a fantastic job showing the reverse bucket in action as it redirects the trust.

Do Jet Skis Have Neutral?

While not in the traditional sense, but they do have a type of neutral.

Since a bucket directs the thrust, up is forward and down is reverse, this means if you put the bucket in the middle it cancels both forward and reverse out. In a way, you don’t move.

It’s not a true neutral you find on a boat, but it’s better than nothing. To get a true neutral, you need to turn the engine off.

One perk of this system is that you can steer the watercraft even in “neutral”. You can’t do this in other boats, besides jet boats. This also gives you finer grain control, especially if you got a manual PWC, as you can make smaller movements around the dock and get precision that no other boat on the water will be able to do. This is why I never understood why people say jet boats are hard to drive, anything with a jet drive is easy to drive because you got far more control at all times the engine is on.

Driving Video

The video below shows me riding a Sea-Doo going over the control systems.

History Of Watercraft Braking

I need to make a note of the history of braking for watercraft, as it’s not always been a thing.

Even to this day, a braking system is not for every model, some even lack a reverse!

Sea-Doo

In 2009, Sea-Doo revolutionized the watercraft industry by introducing the world’s first braking system, known as iBR (Intelligent Braking and Reverse).

Despite Sea-Doo’s initial emphasis on promoting suspension as their primary innovation, I have found the effectiveness of the iBR system garnered widespread acclaim and numerous awards.

The success and popularity of this braking system were so significant that it prompted other leading manufacturers to develop and introduce their own versions of the technology.

Yamaha

Yamaha, keen on not being overshadowed by the market’s enthusiasm for braking technology, launched its own version in 2015, named RIDE.

Described by Yamaha as a “dual-throttle” system, RIDE represented the brand’s innovative response to the trend.

Although Yamaha positioned RIDE as a groundbreaking development, in essence, it was their strategic move to align with Sea-Doo’s advancements introduced six years earlier.

Kawasaki

As of 2022, Kawasaki has models with their own versions that slows you down when going at speed.

Kawasaki does it a little different, forward and reverse is done at the right handle bar.

iBR vs. RIDE Vs. KSRD

Sea-Doo holds the exclusive rights, including patents, to officially use the term “braking” for its system. While Yamaha’s and Kawasaki’s versions might not be identical, they are certainly commendable in their own rights.

Each system presents unique benefits.

For novices, Sea-Doo’s iBR system is notably user-friendly and forgiving. Yamaha’s RIDE shines in emergencies, providing robust performance. Meanwhile, Kawasaki’s KSRD stands out for its convenience, offering both forward and reverse levers on one side of the handlebars, which is particularly handy for docking.

Ultimately, all these technologies are effective, enhancing safety for boaters across the board.

Can A Manual Reverse Be Used To Slow You Down?

I have gotten this one a lot.

Using the manual reverse lever as a way to slow you down at speed is not recommended.

Doing so above idle speed can damage the reverse system.

PWCs Don’t Have Transmissions

The engine is connected directly to the impeller by a driveshaft.

So if the engine is on, the impeller is spinning and the jet pump is processing water. This means you have the ability to still move even in neutral, just very slowly.

Sea-Doo uses iDF, which is very similar to transmissions, but you must shut the engine off to switch it, and it’s more about freeing debris.

How Reliable Are The “Transmissions”?

As mentioned before, these watercraft don’t utilize traditional transmissions; instead, they employ a bucket mechanism to redirect thrust.

This design, which essentially involves an electric motor moving a bucket, boasts simplicity and, in my opinion, reliability that often goes unrecognized. Initially, Sea-Doo encountered some challenges with their iBR system, but they significantly improved its performance over time, leading to what I consider a rock-solid system today.

It’s important to note a few things, such as ensuring your battery is in great condition. The reverse bucket mechanism can be quite power-intensive. A weak battery might trigger a check engine light, as the onboard computer detects insufficient power levels.

Can You Override iBR And RIDE?

If you have your watercraft encounters an issue where the bucket fails to move, leaving you stuck in the drive position, your options become limited.

If you have obstructions such as sticks or even straightforward manufacturing flaws can prevent the bucket from moving, effectively immobilizing you. In such cases, you may find yourself needing to swim back or have a folding paddle to return to shore.

However, if there’s no physical blockage hindering the bucket’s movement, and you need to examine the drive system, you got the possibility to manually override the system to raise or lower the bucket. The method of this varies across different manufacturers, but it’s a viable solution to regain control.