They actually serve in many ways the same purpose as an 18' runabout with the difference being they're much less expensive.
As to purpose, pleasure is their purpose. Pleasure of speeding along the water.
As to Texas law, since that is where you are. Jumping wakes is not against the law, jumping the wake of another boat recklessly or unnecessary close is. Here are the Texas laws which I think are quite reasonable.
All operational rules for regular motorboats also apply to PWC. In addition to those requirements, it is unlawful for any person to:
operate PWC at night (sunset until sunrise);
operate PWC within 50 feet of another PWC, motorboat, vessel, platform, person, object, or shore except at headway speed without creating a swell or wake (Headway speed = Slow, idle speed, or speed only fast enough to maintain steerage); and
operate a PWC and jump the wake of another vessel recklessly or unnecessarily close.
It is unlawful for any person to:
Operate at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and prudent or greater than will permit him to bring such boat to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.
Operate so as to cause a hazardous wake or wash.
Operate in a circular course around any other boat or PWC occupied by a person engaged in fishing, waterskiing, or similar activity.
Moor or attach to any buoy, beacon, light marker, stake, flag or other aid to safe operation, or to move, remove, displace, tamper with, damage or destroy the same.
Anchor in the traveled portion of any river or channel so as to prevent, impede, or interfere with safe passage of any other boat through the same area.
Operate within an area designated as bathing, fishing, swimming, or otherwise restricted.
Operate within designated "no wake" area except at headway speed without creating a swell or wake.
Engage in water skiing, surfboarding or other similar activity between the hours of ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise; provided that this shall not apply to vessels used in recognized water ski tournaments, competitions, exhibitions or trials, provided that the water area is adequately lighted.
Operate while intoxicated (loss of mental or physical faculties, or blood alcohol content of .08 or higher). First conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000, confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days or both; second conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $4,000, confinement not to exceed one year or both; third conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000, imprisonment for not more than 10 years or less than 2 years.
**Failure to submit a specimen to determine blood alcohol content may result in suspension of your driver's license.
Operate any vessel or manipulate any water skis, aquaplane or similar device, in a willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others and at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property. (Violation of this provision shall be punishable, upon conviction, by a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $2,000 or by confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days or both.)
Swim or dive within two hundred yards of any sight-seeing or excursion boat except for maintenance purposes or unless within an enclosed area.
Operate within 50 feet of a "Diver Down Flag" or operate a boat within 150 feet of a "Diver Down Flag" except at Headway/Steerage Speed.
Fail to comply with the U.S. Coast Guard Inland Rules of the Road.
operate PWC at night (sunset until sunrise);
operate PWC within 50 feet of another PWC, motorboat, vessel, platform, person, object, or shore except at headway speed without creating a swell or wake (Headway speed = Slow, idle speed, or speed only fast enough to maintain steerage); and
operate a PWC and jump the wake of another vessel recklessly or unnecessarily close.
It is unlawful for any person to:
Operate at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and prudent or greater than will permit him to bring such boat to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.
Operate so as to cause a hazardous wake or wash.
Operate in a circular course around any other boat or PWC occupied by a person engaged in fishing, waterskiing, or similar activity.
Moor or attach to any buoy, beacon, light marker, stake, flag or other aid to safe operation, or to move, remove, displace, tamper with, damage or destroy the same.
Anchor in the traveled portion of any river or channel so as to prevent, impede, or interfere with safe passage of any other boat through the same area.
Operate within an area designated as bathing, fishing, swimming, or otherwise restricted.
Operate within designated "no wake" area except at headway speed without creating a swell or wake.
Engage in water skiing, surfboarding or other similar activity between the hours of ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise; provided that this shall not apply to vessels used in recognized water ski tournaments, competitions, exhibitions or trials, provided that the water area is adequately lighted.
Operate while intoxicated (loss of mental or physical faculties, or blood alcohol content of .08 or higher). First conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000, confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days or both; second conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $4,000, confinement not to exceed one year or both; third conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000, imprisonment for not more than 10 years or less than 2 years.
**Failure to submit a specimen to determine blood alcohol content may result in suspension of your driver's license.
Operate any vessel or manipulate any water skis, aquaplane or similar device, in a willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others and at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property. (Violation of this provision shall be punishable, upon conviction, by a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $2,000 or by confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days or both.)
Swim or dive within two hundred yards of any sight-seeing or excursion boat except for maintenance purposes or unless within an enclosed area.
Operate within 50 feet of a "Diver Down Flag" or operate a boat within 150 feet of a "Diver Down Flag" except at Headway/Steerage Speed.
Fail to comply with the U.S. Coast Guard Inland Rules of the Road.
All those rules seem reasonable for all boats. It comes back to reckless vs safe operation. That comes back to education and enforcement. I do believe in that regard PWC's should be treated like other boats and states should require some form of licensing to operate any boat. I believe that in spite of the fact I grew up operating boats very young and operating them safely. The problem often comes about when a rental facility just allows people to jump on and take off without even advising of proper operation.
I do believe Fort Lauderdale rentals are doing the job right, based on the operation I see and I know enforcement is there.
The worst wake we had was from a Coast Guard boat answering a call. LOL. Many luxury boats and sport fisherman go down the river at ten knots plus. WTF
. A device looking for a purpose. In 5 minutes operator boredom sets in, and strange antisocial behavior follows.
