In the past year new products from Bombardier and Kawasaki have broken the mold on PWC steering:  Kawasaki’s Smart Steering ™, a throttle-reapplication system, and Sea Doo’s ® Off Power Assisted Steering ™  (O.P.A.S). In addition, Honda recently entered the PWC marketplace with a product which utilizes a throttle-reapplication system similar to Kawasaki’s.  Reportedly, the Honda Model provides a wider radius of turn when off-throttle. 

Both innovations will undoubtedly save lives.  It is our hope that other manufacturers will follow suit and redesign their craft with the needs of the consumer in mind. Of the two, the O.P.A.S. ™ answers both off-throttle and off-power steering needs.  While the Smart Steering™ feature allows controlled thrust when the motor is on, it does not work when the power is disengaged for any reason. 

Presently the US Coast Guard is working with manufacturers to set a standard for collision avoidance.  Underwriters Laboratories provided the basis for a standard with testing done in the spring of 2001.  A proposed standard is being reviewed at this time through the ABYC’s (American Boat and Yacht Council) PWC panel.  The Society of Automotive Engineers is represented on this panel, and works closely with the Personal Watercraft Industry.  In addition to the SAE, other boating safety concerns are represented on this panel, including the National Association of Boating Law Administrators, (NASBLA), representatives of the US Coast Guard, and others having a strong interest in PWC safety.  Should the process become bogged or derailed for some reason, the Coast Guard will be prepared to “pull rank” with rulemaking—directly requiring a given standard when the boat manufacturing community fails to adopt a reasonable one.

After-market products known to us include: WaveTrax Rudder System and the Murray Blow-Back Rudder.

The Coalition is following this process closely.*  Updates will be available as they are made known to us. 

*See http://www.uscgboating.org/nbsac/nbsac_minutes.aspx to review past meeting minutes of the National Boating Safety Advisory Council. 

The Coalition of Parents and Families for PWC Safety does not endorse products.  The above information is provided  as a public service.

©2007 Coalition of Parents and Families for Personal Watercraft Safety.  All rights reserved.