🚨 Emergency Tow Guide

Jet Ski / PWC – No Tow Insurance

⚠️ First Priority: Safety + Timing

Before anything else, remember:

  • You're racing daylight — not distance
  • Prioritize shore, harbor, or safe anchoring point
  • If weather or visibility drops → stop towing and stabilize

If night is approaching fast, your goal shifts from "fast tow" to safe controlled extraction

Even in emergencies, try to gather:

  • 1–2 tow ropes (marine grade if possible)
  • Bow or stern tow hook points (never handlebars)
  • PFDs on ALL riders
  • VHF radio or cell phone in waterproof case
  • Navigation lights (if dusk is close)
  • Spare clip/carabiner or tow bridle (if available)

Option A: Single Tow (Most Common)

Lead ski pulls disabled ski from behind

  • Tow rope from rear tow hook of lead ski
  • Attach to bow eyelet of disabled ski
  • Keep rope length: 15–25 ft (shorter in wind/waves)
✔ Best for: calm to moderate water ❌ Avoid: long slack rope

Option B: Two-Ski Assist Tow

If you have 2 working skis towing 1 disabled ski, this is stronger and more stable:

  • Both working skis stay side-by-side
  • Each ski uses its own tow rope
  • Ropes attach to a single bridle point on disabled ski
✔ Benefits
  • More power
  • Better control in chop or current
  • Redundancy if one ski struggles

⚠️ Critical:

  • Keep both skis perfectly synced speed
  • One accelerating too fast = rope snap risk

Option C: Leapfrog Tow

  • Ski A tows for 10–15 minutes
  • Then switch with Ski B
  • Disabled ski always follows one controlled tow
✔ Best when:
  • Long distance back
  • Fuel conservation needed
  • Rough water or operator fatigue
  • Flat water: 5–15 mph
  • Chop/waves: 3–8 mph
  • Approaching harbor: idle speed only

Never "full throttle tow" — jet skis don't behave like boats under load.

  • Keep rope slightly taut — NEVER slack
  • Avoid sharp turns (wide arcs only)
  • Stay aware of rope sinking or wrapping jet intakes
  • Keep distance from props/jet pumps at all times

If you are losing daylight:

Step 1: Stop extending distance

Pick nearest safe point:

  • Harbor
  • Beach landing zone
  • Cove protection

Step 2: Simplify formation

  • Switch to single tow line only
  • Put strongest operator in lead ski

Step 3: Reduce speed + increase control

  • Slow is safe
  • Visibility > speed

Step 4: Prepare for emergency float/anchor

If you cannot reach shore:

  • Anchor disabled ski (if possible)
  • Stay grouped
  • Turn on lights / phone strobes
  • ❌ Long tow ropes in chop (whiplash danger)
  • ❌ Towing from handlebars (breaks instantly)
  • ❌ High speed towing
  • ❌ Sharp turns with 2 skis pulling
  • ❌ Ignoring fuel limits of lead skis

🧭 Simple Rule of Survival

If you remember nothing else: "Slow, straight, tight rope, eyes on sunset."