168 Chapter Four
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PWC and expels it under high pressure
toward the rear.
• Typically expels a small stream of water
straight upward to aid others in seeing the
PWC.
• Designed for planing; is awkward at slow
speeds.
HOW A PWC WORKS
This section describes the parts of a PWC
and how they work together to help you
control your craft. Figure 15-2 illustrates
the parts described here.
Propulsion
A PWC uses an efficient, low-draft waterjet
pump (Figure 15-3). An internal impeller
draws water in through an underwater
grate and forces it out the rear of the craft
under high pressure.
• This pushes the boat through the water.
• At idle speed, the craft will move very
slowly.
• As the engine speed increases, it will go
faster.
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steering
lanyard deck
Figure 15-2. Parts of a personal watercraft
throttle
start/stop
choke
jet drive
tow bar
stabilizers
bow
stern
hull
Figure 15-3. PWC jet drive and steering nozzle