Putting Away Your PWC's

[SAMIAM]

I've owned quite a few boats in my 40 years on the lakes but this year we're first time PWC owners. Can't believe what we've been missing....having a ball and out almost every day these last few weeks.
My question is....what do I need to do to service them for the winter since they will be in a heated garage?
Wondering if they'll need a tune up...maybe a mobile marine service...or just put them away and pull the batteries.

[Patofnaud]

I'd purge the water and replace with pink antifreeze and toss a battery tender on it. That's about all they need.

[HomeWood]

And run good dose of marine sta-bil fuel treatment prior to storing. You could even go as far as emptying the fuel tank after running the fuel treatment through.

[Island Girl]

If the power goes out is your garage still heated... do the winterization just in case. Your user manual will have instructions, or you can find your user manual online. We run RV antifreeze through the hose connection in the back of the PWC, change the oil, put dryer sheets in the storage areas to keep away the critters and put into my garage, with a tinge of sadness.

[rowinghelmet]

Make sure to fog the cylinders too

[nhboat61]

I know it's that time of year... run fuel down to 1/4 tank then load it up with stabilizer and take it for a good ride. Get that stabilizers in the fuel lines.

First, clean the hull and add some wax. I just use some spray on and wipe off stuff.

Mist the pistons
Drain any water
Add fuel stabilizer to fuel tank
Remove battery -
Put key in a place you will remember...


I know there is much debate on how much fuel to hold... last year I left 1/2 tank. Did not have any problems, but I did add a lot of stabilizers.

I'll take it for an oil change in the spring.

Good idea on the dryer sheets will try that this year. had a couple of nest this spring.
Cover it and secure it. I lock the frame with a chain to a deck post. I also lock the hitch. I keep it under our deck and very little snow gets to it.

[SIKSUKR]

Mine is in a garage under that never freezes. I've never done any real "winterizing" except pulling the battery. I use stabilizer on my last few rides. I do tip mine up on the trailer and start her up and blow most of the water out. Not too long as not to overheat. Thats it. 12 years on 2 pwcs and each spring its great.

[Merrymeeting]

I'm surprised no one has asked about the type of PWC. There are more winterization steps involved in putting away an older, 2-stroke PWC as opposed to a newer one with a closed loop cooling system.

On the newer ones, it's not much different than storing a car as the cooling system is closed and uses a type of antifreeze. But the older ones are water cooled from the lake and those hoses need additional care.

As always, consult your manual and maintenance schedule.

[SIKSUKR]

I didnt think there were many closed loop cooling systems on pwc's. I know Seadoo had some. Both my Yamy 2 and 4 strokes are open and really present no freezing problems.

[SAB1]

If its a 4 stroke, better practice to change out the dirty oil now in the fall. Dirty oil is acid so little more engine friendly to store clean.

[SAMIAM]

They are two strokes.......thanks for all the great tips