Approximately how far does a PWC traveling at 60 mph require to stop?

Approximately how far does a PWC traveling at 60 mph require to stop?

• A. 600 feet
• B. 100 feet
• C. 50 feet
• D. 300 feet

Answer: (D)

Stopping distance for a PWC is the sum of the distance you travel while you react to a hazard (reaction distance) and the distance it takes to slow to a stop once you start braking (braking distance). At 60 mph, you cover about 88 feet every second, so if you take roughly a second to react, you’re about 88 feet in before you even begin to slow. On water, stopping is slower than on land because there’s less friction, so the braking portion is quite substantial. When you add the reaction distance to the braking distance, the total comes out close to 300 feet. That’s why the best answer is about 300 feet. Real-world factors like rider reaction time, water conditions, and load can shift this a bit, but 300 feet is the standard approximate stopping distance at that speed.

Stopping distance for a PWC is the sum of the distance you travel while you react to a hazard (reaction distance) and the distance it takes to slow to a stop once you start braking (braking distance). At 60 mph, you cover about 88 feet every second, so if you take roughly a second to react, you’re about 88 feet in before you even begin to slow. On water, stopping is slower than on land because there’s less friction, so the braking portion is quite substantial. When you add the reaction distance to the braking distance, the total comes out close to 300 feet. That’s why the best answer is about 300 feet. Real-world factors like rider reaction time, water conditions, and load can shift this a bit, but 300 feet is the standard approximate stopping distance at that speed.