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WCs are more commonly called jet-skis in New
Zealand. ‘Jet Ski’ was the brand name given to
the original Kawasaki stand-up PWC from 1972
and the name is now also used to describe the
larger sit-down PWCs that makes up the bulk of
the market.
Unlike the noisy, two-stroke machines of yesteryear which
seemed to be exclusively piloted by young oiks keen on buzzing
honest ishermen, annoying boaters and colliding with swimmers
(I’m showing my age here), modern jet-skis are positively reined by
comparison, and useful too.
Not only are they larger and more powerful than before, they
also use much less fuel and emit fewer harmful exhaust gases. PWC
owners have on average become older and manufacturers such as
Yamaha (WaveRunner), BRP (Sea-Doo) and Kawasaki (Jet Ski) have
successfully pitched their machines at families.
Bigger PWC models can seat up to three people and tow skiers,
wake boarders and all sorts of water toys. hey have the range to stay
out all day or cover long distances in comfort, and with their compact
nature, they’re easy to tow, launch and store.
For many, a PWC represents a viable, practical alternative to a
trailer boat.THE SPORT FISHING PWC
One of the fastest growth areas for PWC sales in New Zealand is
sport ishing. On any given weekend – and ine evenings during the
week as well – hordes of keen jet-ski ishers around the country race
out for a few hours of quality ishing time.
Using personal watercraft for ishing is nothing new – you can
ish from anything that loats, including a jet-ski – but buying and
equipping jet-skis speciically for sport ishing is a relatively new
development. It has spawned an industry devoted to rigging jet-ski
ishing machines and supplying accessories.
But why is jet-ski ishing so attractive?P
BELOW Trent brings
a Seargeants Channel
snapper to his ski.
RIGHT John Eichelsheim
with a 9.4kg snapper
taken fishing from a PWC
at the Aldermen Islands.