A personal watercraft has a hull and sub-deck (HSD) assembly, a deck above the sub-deck, and a suspension member pivotally connected therebetween. A suspension element, including a spring assembly, is connected between any two of the deck, the HSD assembly, and the suspension member. The spring assembly has first and second portions having first and second spring rates respectively. The second spring rate is greater than the first. A controller controls a lifting device to set an initial distance between the deck and the sub-deck to one of a first distance and a second distance greater than the first. The suspension element moves through a majority of a full stroke with the first portion of the spring assembly at least partially expanded when the initial distance is the first distance, and with the first portion of the spring assembly fully compressed when the initial distance is the second distance.