Jet ski and Sea Doo rentals are available for anyone who wants to do something fun for vacations and weekend getaways. They are a great way to turn a family outing into something spectacular and memorable. There's nothing like racing through the waves along the shore of a favorite lake or ocean front, or navigating out to an island in the middle of a lake.

Do you know anything about personal watercraft(PWC) rentals? If you're not ready to take the plunge and buy your very own PWC, you might want to consider renting one to see if they are for you. Take the following quiz to test your knowledge of the ins and outs of the PWC rental market and its general practices.

(1) What item must be worn at all times when securing a PWC from any marina that offers boat and jet ski rentals?

(a) Goggles
(b) Gloves
(c) Wet Suit
(d) None of the above

Answer: (d) Although it's recommended that all the items be worn, a personal flotation device (PFD) or life jacket is a required item one must wear when operating any PWC.

(2) What is another name for a stand-up PWC?

(a) A wakeboard
(b) A waverunner
(c) A sport craft
(d) A solo craft

Answer: (d) A solo craft is operated from the standing position which allows one person to control and occupy the vehicle.

(3) How is the cost of jet ski rentals determined?

(a) The renter is charged for daily jet ski rentals by the day.
(b) Jet ski rental rates are charged by every 4 hours of use.
(c) The cost of jet ski rentals is determined by a flat rate by either the half hour or hour.
(d) Most rental businesses determine the amount charged from the time you make the reservation.

Answer: (c) Generally, most businesses who provide daily jet ski rentals rent their equipment by the ½ hour or hour although some variances apply.

(4) What manufacturer first produced the WaveRunner?

(a) Kawasaki
(b) Honda
(c) Polaris
(d) Yamaha

Answer: (d) Yamaha Motor Company produced the trademarked WaveRunner personal watercraft (PWC) although the name "waverunner" can refer to a variety of personal watercrafts.

(5) The trademarked name Jet Ski is produced by what company?

(a) Honda holds the trademark on this name
(b) Polaris produces these vehicles
(c) This is the general term referring to personal watercraft produced by a number of companies.
(d) Jet Ski is the trademarked product of the Kawasaki Motor Company.

Answer: (d) The registered trademarked product is manufactured by Kawasaki although the general reference to one can mean a number of personal watercrafts manufactured by a variety of brands.

(6) What is the minimum age requirement if you want to rent a jet ski?

(a) The minimum requirement is 12 years of age.
(b) Minimum age is 22 years old.
(c) To rent one the minimum age requirement is normally 16.
(d) One typically must be 18 years old to rent a PWC.

Answer: When renting one, the minimum age for signing a rental agreement is normally in most rental facilities 18 years old with a driver's license. Generally the minimum age of a driver is 16 years old.

How'd you fare? Were you "at sea" when it came to answering some of the questions? Regardless, if you're interested in renting any PWC, you can find a variety of places on the Internet that can help answer your questions in this regard. Just take the time to do your homework and you can make your next water outing an exhilarating experience.