A Beginner’s Guide: How To Winterize A Jetski
You finally got that jet ski that you’ve been scouting out for a while now. You got to make an abundance of summer memories out on the water with your new toy.
Sadly, summer has come to a close, and it’s that time of year again. The temperatures are dropping and the time has come to store your jet ski for another winter.
If you live in a climate that has a cold winter, then there are some things you need to do to make sure that your jet ski is protected.
From draining the water, to adding fuel stabilizer, we’ll teach you the ins and outs of how to winterize a jet ski in this article.
How To Winterize A Jet Ski
Gear Needed
- Fuel
- Fuel stabilizer
- Antifreeze
- Fogging oil
- Jet ski cover/tarp
Drain Water
When in use, jet skis take in water to keep their systems cool. Before you put your jet ski into storage, you should drain any water still left inside.
Find a way to tilt up your jet ski to help the water drain away. You can do this on a boat ramp or use something sturdy to prop the backup. Run the jet ski for 30 seconds while using the throttle. Do this a few more times until the water stops coming out.
Add Antifreeze For Cold Climates
If you’re storing your jetski outdoors or experience particularly cold winters, there’s a risk that any leftover water in the system could crack vital components as it expands.
To prevent this from happening, run antifreeze through the system. Mix 2.5 gallons of antifreeze with 2.5 liters of water. Turn on the engine until all of the solutions has moved through the system
Top Off Your Gasoline, And Add A Stabilizer
To stop any condensation from developing within your system, it’s always recommended that you winterize jetskis with a full fuel tank.
Add a fuel stabilizer and then run the engine for up to a minute so that it has a chance to combine with the fuel.
Spray Fogging Oil In The Carburetor And Spark Plugs
You don’t want vital parts to start corroding when winterizing a Waverunner or winterizing a seadoo. To prevent this, apply fogging oil to the carburetor and spark plugs.
The easiest way to do this is to spray it while the engine is idling. Remove each spark plug in turn and spray the fogging oil in it. Cover the holes with a cloth and turn the engine on so that the oil is distributed. Replace the spark plugs.
Remove The Battery & Store It Safely
After winterizing a jet ski, you’re probably going to end up with a flat battery. To save it, disconnect the battery. Make sure to undo the negative terminal before the positive one.
Store it somewhere it won’t be exposed to very cold temperatures and make sure that it is on a raised surface.
Cover & Store Your Jet Ski In A Secure Location
Find a safe place to store your jet ski for the winter. Ideally, it will be on its trailer (with the wheels removed). Always cover the jetski with a suitable material to prevent debris, dirt, and critters from moving in.
Don’t be tempted to store your jet ski indoors as it will continue to emit toxic fumes, which can be very dangerous to those inside.
Check Out This Tutorial on How To Winterize A Jet Ski
Conclusion
You’ve spent the summer enjoying your jetski, seadoo or Waverunner. If you want it to be in good working order next year, you’re going to need to spend a little time preparing to winterize it to prevent any expensive damage occurring when in storage. Follow these tips and you’ll be enjoying your jet ski for years to come.