Whether you’re a seasoned jet ski owner or are just diving into the world of personal watercraft ownership, preparing your vessel for the winter season is crucial for maintaining its performance, safety, and longevity. Taking the time to carefully winterize your watercraft is critical to ensuring all systems perform to their capabilities the following season. It’s important to follow a few simple, yet imperative steps to winterize watercraft before the temperature dips below freezing.
Unless you live in Florida, chances are you’re not going to be doing a lot of boating during the winter. And that goes double for personal watercraft like jet skis and Sea Doos. The easy route is to take it in to a professional shop and let them do the work. But if you want to save a little bit of money, there are lots of important steps you can do yourself when winterizing a jet ski.
Remember, these are general guidelines and your watercraft manufacturer may have other recommendations it wants you to follow. The owner’s manual should be your go-to resource.
Preparing your jet ski for storage is important, and SBT is here to help. Winterizing your jet ski is crucial for maintaining its performance and preventing costly repairs in the future. By following these detailed steps, you can ensure that your ride will be ready to go when the warm weather returns!
How To Winterize Your Jet Ski \\ How To Store Your Jetski (Seadoo, Waverunner, Jetski)
Essential Steps for Jet Ski Winterization
Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to winterizing, using a 2007 Sea-Doo GTI SE 155 as an example. To prepare for winterization, it’s important to first remove any towels, gear, or other items from the storage compartments.
1. Drain the Water
Before storing your jet ski for the winter, drain the water from the engine and exhaust system. After hauling your personal watercraft (PWC) out of the water, tilt it to allow water to exit through the drain plugs. Remove standing water from the bilge area, and flush the cooling system with clean water until it runs clear.
Another important part of winterizing your personal watercraft is removing drain plugs before storage. Doing this allows any remaining water to drain fully, preventing potential damage from freezing temperatures. Frozen water inside your jet ski can cause structural damage when the temperature drops.
After flushing with antifreeze, check the hull’s interior for any water. Draining it will reduce any risk of freezing damage to the hull.
Washing the hull and engine compartment will take off dirt and salt that may have been left from use (salt, obviously, only if you’ve been tooling around in salt water). And removing as much water as possible from all parts of the machine will prevent condensation and corrosion.
2. Treat the Fuel System
This next step will ensure your fuel and fuel system remain in good condition throughout the winter. It’s important to store a PWC with a full tank to prevent condensation on any exposed surface within the fuel system.
Select the Right Fuel Stabilizer: Choose a high-quality fuel stabilizer, following the instructions for the amount needed per gallon. Sea-Doos generally hold between 10-15 gallons, so adjust based on your tank size.
Adding a high-quality fuel stabilizer to the gas tank is a great preventative measure that will prevent condensation from forming. After adding the stabilizer, start the engine and run it for a few minutes to make the stabilizer circulate throughout the system.
Fill Up with Non-Ethanol Fuel: I prefer to fill the tank with non-ethanol fuel to prevent issues caused by ethanol separation and moisture build-up. After adding the fuel stabilizer, run your jet ski for a few minutes to ensure that the treated fuel circulates through the fuel lines and injectors.
Add a quality fuel stabilizer and run the engine at 30-second internals to ensure it mixes into the fuel. This is also an ideal time to check the fuel delivery system for leaks. If you see or smell fuel, this will indicate a leak.
3. Change the Oil and Filter
If you haven’t performed an oil change recently, now is an ideal time to do so. Fresh oil eliminates contaminants and impurities and reduces the risk of gunk build up during storage. Replace the oil filter to guarantee optimal engine performance and extend its life. With a new filter, clean oil can circulate efficiently in your PWC.
4. Fog the Engine
To safeguard against internal corrosion over the winter months, apply a fogging oil spray to the inside of your jet ski’s engine before storage. It creates a protective barrier that prevents moisture accumulation and rust formation.
Apply fogging oil to the carburetor and spark plugs. Start by removing the air filter and spray the carburetor and spark plug cylinders with fogging oil. It’s best to do this while the engine is idling and waiting until it stalls. Place a clean rag over the holes and turn the craft to ensure the oil coats all internal parts. Keep in mind - the engine probably will not start at this point. That’s perfectly normal.
Coat all cables, seals, and exposed parts with a lubricant and protectant that is recommended by the manufacturer of the PWC. To prevent rust and corrosion from forming on moving parts, such as the throttle cable, steering system, and intake grate, apply a marine-grade lubricant. Doing this ensures that these components operate smoothly and reduces the risk of seizing, which can be particularly dangerous for your PWC after long periods of inactivity. small amount of fogging oil into the cylinders.
5. Protect the Raw Water System
Protecting the raw water system from freezing is crucial in areas where temperatures drop below freezing. If you live in an area where temperatures tend to reach below freezing, it’s very important to run antifreeze through the system.
Start by mixing the antifreeze with water in a bucket. Then place a hose or water pump in the flush outlet and the mixture on the opposite end.
Pump Setup: I used a 5-gallon bucket filled with antifreeze and a 12V bilge pump wired to the Sea-Doo’s battery.
Activate the Bilge Pump: Once the engine is running, turn on the bilge pump. Monitor for Clear Pink Exhaust Output: Keep the engine running until you see a steady stream of pink antifreeze flowing out of the exhaust. This indicates the entire water system has been flushed.
6. Battery Care
Removing your jet ski’s battery and storing it in a cool, dry place is a great winterization tactic. Start by disconnecting the negative terminal and then the positive terminal. Then store them both in a spot that won’t get below freezing. Keep in mind - you should never store a battery directly on concrete.
To prevent the battery from losing its charge and potentially dying during storage, charge it every few weeks using its charger. You might even invest in a trickle charger to maintain the battery’s health, making sure it’s ready for your next ride. Even though your jet ski will be inactive during the winter, it’s important to continue regular maintenance tasks, such as charging the battery every few weeks. Making this a habit ensures a smoother transition when it’s time to return to the water, keeping your personal watercraft in prime condition and ready for action.
7. Cleaning and Protection
You will want to give the hull and body a deep cleaning before the PWC is stored for a long period. Thoroughly clean your PWC to remove corrosive substances, including salt, grime, and algae. Also, use a gentle marine cleaner and a soft brush to scrub the exterior. After cleaning, apply a coat of high-quality marine wax to protect against potential damage or fading.
The type of cleaning products used to wash the watercraft will depend on your model and the manufacturer’s recommendation. Many products are designed to remove grime, water stains, and marine organisms from the body.
Next, rinse the jet pump with soap and water to remove leftover debris and apply a coat of lubricant to avoid corrosion. Additionally, inspect the jet pump intake and outlet. Look for cracks and other clear signs of excessive wear. If you notice any damage, consider fixing or replacing it.
8. Inspection and Addressing Issues
Winterizing is a perfect opportunity to inspect your jet ski for any signs of damage or wear. Carefully examine the hull for cracks, dents, or deterioration, which could worsen if left unattended. Then, address these issues before tucking your jet ski away so you can prevent minor problems from developing into major issues.
9. Storage
Ideally, you should keep your jet ski in a dry, climate-controlled environment to prevent moisture from seeping in and causing damage. If indoor storage isn’t feasible, consider using a shed or a secure cover to shield the vessel from harsh weather conditions.
Consider leaving the storage compartments slightly cracked open to prevent moisture from accumulating, which can lead to mold and mildew buildup. But do not leave them fully open.
Bugs and critters are on the hunt for a safe and warm home during winter. You can cover it up with plenty of materials - including sheets of galvanized metal (the same material used to install flashing along a chimney).
No matter where you choose to store your PWC (preferably in a marine-dedicated storage facility), it should always be properly covered or shrink-wrapped.
If you don’t have the option to store your watercraft inside a secure location, take the tires off your boat trailer and put them in a garage.
10. Theft Prevention
One final set of steps to consider have to do with making sure your jet ski doesn’t get stolen. Bell’s home state of Florida leads the nation in watercraft thefts (1,700 a year), but even an average state like Pennsylvania reports almost 100 thefts per year.
tags: #jet #ski #winterization