History Of Personal Watercraft

Most people are at least passingly familiar with personal watercraft or PWCs. Essentially, PWCs are to boats what motorcycles are to cars, meaning that they are generally smaller and operated by a driver sitting in the seat using a pair of handlebars. However, most people are not familiar with the history of PWCs. To help shed light on the subject, the experts at Roseville Motorsports have created this short history lesson about the development of the PWC. 

Early Beginnings

The very first PWCs were developed in Europe during the 1950s. These first models, called water scooters, were certainly unique at the time but didn’t perform well enough to gain much popularity. That wouldn’t change until the 1960s. Clayton Jacobson II, a Norwegian-American inventor and motorcycle enthusiast lamented the frequent injuries he suffered while riding in the Mojave Desert. He sketched a plan for a “water motorcycle” in the hopes of attaining the same thrills with less risk of injury. 

Jacobson eventually quit his job to develop his idea further. His second prototype caught the attention of Bombardier Recreational Products, then mostly a snowmobile manufacturer. Though Jacobson’s initial prototypes resembled the modern “stand-up” style of PWC, Bombardier wanted something that handled similarly to its snowmobiles, resulting in the development of the “sit-down” style model that most modern PWCs utilize. Jacobson went on to make several further stand-up-style prototypes and licensed his patents to various companies. Today, Jacobson is credited as the inventor of the PWC. 

21st Century PWC

In the decades since, several manufacturers have come up with their own takes on the PWC concept. Advances in technology have resulted in PWCs that are quieter and more fuel efficient yet more powerful. You can find models with high-tech features like Bluetooth sound systems, waterproof storage compartments, modular seating, and redesigned hulls. While recreation and sports competition remain the most popular usages for PWCs, they have also been adopted for niche uses like rescue operations and fishing. 

To view our selection of new and pre-owned PWCs, visit Roseville Motorsports in Rocklin, California. We also offer parts, accessories, financing, and servicing, so come to us for all your powersports needs. We are proud to serve communities like Roseville and Sacramento, California.