Buzz
Jet skiing under the sun is an incredible way to enjoy summer. To ensure your next season is just as thrilling as the last, it’s essential to properly winterize your jet ski. Neglecting this step may cause damage or even prevent it from starting when the warmer months return. Winterizing involves draining fluids, cleaning, filling the gas tank, lubricating parts, and storing it safely.
Steps to Winterize
Draining Your Jet Ski
Take Your Jet Ski Out of the Water. After your final ride of the season, it's crucial to remove your jet ski from the water promptly. With your trailer securely attached to your vehicle, back down the ramp until the trailer is mostly submerged. Then, carefully drive your jet ski onto the trailer and secure it. Once the jet ski is on the trailer, slowly drive forward to pull it out of the water.
- If possible, ask a friend for help—one of you can drive the vehicle while the other handles the jet ski.
Position your jet ski for proper drainage. The front (bow) of the jet ski should be elevated higher than the back (stern) to allow for effective drainage. Ensure your jet ski is securely fastened on the trailer with the rear end lower than the front to achieve this angle.
Alternate the throttle to expel water. Start your jet ski and gently move the throttle back and forth in quick bursts. Do this in 30-second intervals to prevent engine overheating. Keep going until water stops flowing out of the jet ski.
Prepare the antifreeze mixture. Use only RV antifreeze, as it's safer for the environment compared to regular automotive antifreeze. This antifreeze will keep the exhaust system from freezing while in storage. Combine one gallon (3.8 L) of RV antifreeze with one gallon (3.8 L) of water in a five-gallon (18.9 L) bucket.
Flush the antifreeze through the exhaust system. Attach a hose or water pump to the flush outlet, ensuring the other end is submerged in the antifreeze mixture. Start the engine and allow the mixture to run through before turning the engine off once the full amount has passed through the exhaust system.
Cleaning, Refueling, and Lubricating Your Jet Ski
Clean the exterior with gentle car-safe soap. Prepare a bucket of warm water and add a few squirts of car-safe soap. Soak a soft, scratch-free cloth in the soapy water and carefully clean the exterior of your jet ski. Focus on the underside, where algae and slime often build up.
- Avoid using dish soap or hand soap.
Rinse and dry your jet ski thoroughly. Give your jet ski a good rinse with fresh water using a hose or by pouring water from a bucket. Once rinsed, allow the jet ski to air dry completely.
- If you'd like, apply a car wax for a high-shine finish to give your jet ski an extra gleam.
Add fuel stabilizer to your gas tank. Purchase a bottle of fuel stabilizer and follow the instructions on the label to add it to your gas tank. This will help avoid fuel contamination and prevent residue from accumulating in the carburetor, fuel system, and gas lines.
Top off your gas tank with fuel. After adding the stabilizer, fill the gas tank with premium gasoline. This will prevent moisture buildup inside the tank and reduce the risk of condensation.
Lubricate the moving parts of your jet ski. Apply lubricant to the parts of your jet ski that experience frequent movement, such as the steering nozzle pivots, reverse mechanisms, and brake components.
- It's also wise to lubricate the engine and electrical components to eliminate any remaining moisture.
Storing Your Jet Ski for the Offseason
Disconnect the battery. Batteries naturally lose charge over time, so it’s important to remove the battery from your jet ski before storing it. Start by disconnecting the negative terminal, followed by the positive terminal, to ensure a safe removal process.
Recharge the battery. Connect the battery to an automatic charger and make sure it’s placed on a stable surface away from any flammable materials. Additionally, ensure that the battery is charged in a location where the temperature doesn’t fall below freezing.
Store your jet ski in a safe, dry place. The best option is to keep your jet ski on its trailer inside a garage. However, if that’s not possible, you can store it in a shed, barn, or even outdoors. To protect the tires from dry rot and corrosion, either remove them or place blocks of wood underneath.
- Be cautious of storing your jet ski near flammable substances, as it’s still full of gasoline.
Cover your jet ski to keep it protected. Use a tarp or dedicated cover to shield your jet ski. Additionally, stuff rags in the exhaust outlets and air intakes to prevent rodents from entering. If storing outside or in a shed, consider covering it with a second tarp for extra protection.
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Now is the perfect opportunity to address any repairs your jet ski may need. Take a moment to fix any dents, dings, or cracks before covering it and storing it for the winter season.
Important Warnings
- Never operate the jet ski engine for more than 30 seconds while it’s out of the water.
- Do not store your jet ski indoors, as it releases hazardous fumes.
Essential Items You'll Need
- Jet ski trailer (and a vehicle for towing)
- Antifreeze
- Bucket
- Water
- Hose or water pump
- Car-safe soap
- Scratch-free cloth
- High-shine protectant car wax
- Fuel stabilizer
- Premium gasoline
- Lubricating spray
- Automatic battery charger
- Safe storage space
- Cover or tarp
- Wooden blocks (optional)
- Rags
