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Can You Drive A Jet Ski At Night With Nav Lights?

When Sea-Doo released the Sparks back in 2014, they had a huge party for all the dealers to come ride them. The Sparks had 5 unique colors and to show off these colors, Sea-Doo did something interesting.

Sea-Doo strapped color LEDs to the Spark and did a show in the dark. Sure, it looked cool, but it wasn’t normal. Better yet, it’s not something that is legal in most states as you can’t operate past sunset.

Then Kawasaki came out with the latest Ultras that have headlights, and it further confused people. Both Sea-Doo and Kawasaki do it because it looks cool, they are not functional, and the Spark thing was a one-time deal.

As a general rule, you can’t operate your PWC at night. I know some states and countries may allow it, but it’s still a bad idea. It’s a lot to unpack here, so let me explain.

What If My State Says It’s Fine!?

I’ve been getting a few people claim that their state or country has no laws against driving past sunset. While this is true, it’s the minority.

Most places have laws about driving a PWC past a certain time, and as this post will cover, it’s for a good reason.

Even if your state allows nav lights to be added and drive your jet ski whenever, I don’t suggest it. Everyone’s situation will be different, and I won’t stop you, but I do suggest looking for the reasons why it’s not a good idea before going forward.

Why Can’t We Go Out Past Sunset?

1. Too Small

Due to the small size, they’re harder to see in the dark and adding navigation lights confuses other boats even more, especially from a distance.

It’s not just the “length”, but the “width” is smaller than similarly sized boats!

2. Quick Movements

They move fast and quickly change directions, which further confuses other boaters.

With their small sizes, these quick movements further confuse other people on the water.

3. They Go Too Fast

During the night, you’re supposed to go slow!

The problem is that many jet-skiers don’t go slow, even when it’s pitch black.

It’s best to go slowly because it’s challenging to spot obstacles such as floating logs, rocks, shallow areas, and other potential hazards in your path. These things are already difficult to see during the day and become impossible to spot after sunset!

Which leads us to the next point…

4. Jet-Skiers Are More Reckless

Combined with the fact that even during the day people do “silly things” they shouldn’t do, we’ll safely assume they’ll do it during the nighttime too!

When dark, these silly things are much worse and makes it harder to help someone.

I’ve seen the aftermath of crashes (especially when two of them are playing chicken), it’s not good. If people do this stupid stuff during the day, what’s to say they won’t do it when it’s dark out?

5. No Reflectors?

There are no reflectors on anything, even life jackets, so when falling off, no one sees anyone in the water!

Falling off the craft happens often, which is another reason to avoid riding after sunset!

6. No visual Cues

Many models have visual cues to help other boaters see them during the day.

One example is the rooster tail. Another one is bright colors on life jackets; this is why there are so many bright colors in the industry.

The problem is that the cues are not visible during nighttime.

What If You’re Trapped after Sunset?

If someone gets trapped after dark, it’s best to seek the nearest boat launch or land.

PWCs don’t have lights, no one sees you, so getting to land is important.

Get Your Jet Ski Towed Back In

Use your boat towing membership, I suggest giving them a call and let them tow the machine back.

Call a friend or family member with a boat to tow your craft back home. But many find they don’t like driving after dark on a boat either, “it’s not fun for anyone”.

Use Your Phone To Call For Help

The good news is that most people have smartphones.

With the smartphone, call someone, use GPS to navigate, or signal for help.

DJ Khaled got stuck after dark, and it’s easy to see how confusing it is. I know it’s funny now, but it’s a legit problem for him.

The Special Watercraft

There do exist a few jet skis that operate in the dark, but the average customer can’t buy them.

Why can’t regular people buy them? It’s because they’re used by “search and rescue teams”.

Sea-Doo has the SAR, and it has navigation lights for running any time. This craft is also much larger, slower, and sturdier than your normal. It’s almost twice the cost, too!

Sometimes a PWC is needed in rescue missions, and sometimes these missions happen during nighttime.

Author

Steven

I started working at a power sports dealership in 2007, I worked in parts, service counter, and as a technician before moving to sales in 2013. I created StevenInSales.com in 2014 to answer common watercraft questions I would get from people. Now managing the site full-time, I continue to provide advice and web tools for my readers about watercraft. I've owned several watercraft, with a Sea-Doo Spark as my current main PWC.

Comments

  1. Last month we got to the boat ramp about 30 minutes before dark with a few boats ahead of us in line, no big deal we thought. Figured we would wait 10 minutes or so for our turn, nothing unusual and everyone was happily loading up their boats after a day out on the water. All of the sudden, 12 jet skis (must have been some sort of club) come flying through the no wake zone at 20 knots and cut off everyone at the boat ramp. Literally zipped up right in front of boats approaching the ramp and cut everyone off like it was their private boat ramp and they were entitled to special privileges (and not to mention the near collisions they almost caused by cutting off moving boats who had to abruptly cut throttle and the slam into reverse). They then proceeded to tie up both lanes of the boat ramp up for almost an hour while taking their time getting their trailers backed in and skis loaded up.

    This of course after seeing them earlier in the day running wide open inside a 6 knot zone in a swimming area where people were swimming.

    For those of you who like to push the time limits and head back just before dark, remember that you getting back before dark doesn’t give you special rights on the water – maritime navigational rules, rights of way, and speed limits still apply. You’re not entitled to special treatment because you’re on a jet ski and out of time due to poor planning. Also, had they been present, I don’t think DNR would have minded at all if there were jet skis patiently waiting on the water at the ramp after dark but they definitely would have issued fines (if not made arrests) for the dangerous and ignorant behavior of these jet skiers.

    80% of PWC operators are consummate professionals on the water but the other 20% are absolute degenerates who are so dangerous on the water that almost every state has had to impose restrictions on PWC usage. When you wonder why there are draconian laws applied to you operating your PWC, just take a look around next time you’re out and when you see one or two PWC operators doing something so completely asinine that you know the state is going to have to pass a law about it, that’s why.

    Reply
    • What state? I’d be surprised they’d pull that in South Carolina. Some of these good ole boys with boats would have knocked a few PWC guys out cold if they pulled that stunt here.

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    • The last time I checked the Sealver didn’t have nav lights. But even then I would side on no because it would ultimately be up to water patrol and I have a good feeling they would not allow it.

      Reply
  2. Good information.

    Sadly, I see a lot of PWC operators break laws designed to make PWC ownership a safe, fun activity. Driving at night is one of them.

    My biggest pet peeve is adults letting their children drive a PWC alone. For some reason, some adults think their child is immune to the laws of physics. They aren’t.

    There is a reason there are rules about operating watercraft. Just like with ATVs, it’s sad some children have to pay the price for an adult’s bad, irresponsible decision.

    Reply

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