After enjoying your jet ski all summer, it’s time to prepare it for winter storage to ensure it stays in good condition. Properly caring for this watercraft is essential to prevent a need for repairs and restoration when spring arrives. For the best results, follow these steps.

How to Winterize Your Jet Ski

1. Drain the Water

Jet skis propel you forward by drawing in water with impellers at the craft’s bow before shooting it out through the back. This water will settle in the impeller system and can freeze, expand, and damage internal components if not removed in the winter.

To drain the water, place your craft on an inclined surface and run the engine for at least 30 seconds.

2. Stabilize the Fuel

Topping up the fuel tank may seem counterintuitive, but it'll prevent moisture buildup and corrosion.

After filling the tank, add a stabilizer to prevent the fuel from separating and turning to sludge, which can clog and damage the engine. Once you've added stabilizer, run the machine in several 30-second bursts to ensure the fuel has entered the engine.

3. Lubricate the Engine

Lubricate the engine to protect the carburetor and spark plugs when the watercraft isn't in use. To do so, locate the air filter and remove it to access these components. Then, run the engine and spray the carburetor with a fogging oil until the motor stalls before allowing it to cool.

Next, remove the spark plugs and spray fogging oil into the chambers where they were, then place a towel over the openings to prevent oil from spraying everywhere. Finally, turn the engine over once to spread the lubricant throughout the system.

4. Change Spark Plugs

The engine’s spark plugs are constantly exposed to gas and oil, which create clogs over time. Since they need to be changed at least once a year for optimal fuel economy, now is a good time to do it. 

First, check that the spark plug sockets you opened in the previous step are dry. Let air-dry if they’re damp. Then, add an anti-seize product to the plug threads before inserting them. Screw in the fresh spark plugs, then tighten them with a ratchet. Avoid over-tightening, which could cause damage.

5. Change Engine Oil & Filter

Engine oil cleans the motor, lubricates moving parts, and cools your watercraft. While intervals for oil changes vary across manufacturers, many recommend changing oil annually. Doing so now will ensure the oil is clean and ready to protect your vehicle come spring.

Next, change the oil filter. This component catches sediment and sludge before they enter the engine, protecting it from damage.

6. Fog the Cylinders

Even after draining your watercraft, corrosion can occur while the vehicle sits in storage due to fluctuating temperatures and humidity. Fogging oil coats metal components to shield them from rust.

To apply this treatment, start the engine and spray marine-grade fogging oil into the carburetor. Run the engine for 10 to 15 seconds to coat all system parts, then turn the jet ski off.

7. Remove the Battery

A battery connected to an engine will lose power over time, even if it's not in use, so remove yours and store it in an insulated location.

Disconnect the negative terminal first, then the positive, and connect the battery to a trickle charger. This device will slowly charge the battery while it's in storage so it's at full power when you're ready to reinstall it.

If you need parts or supplies to prepare your jet ski for winter, get in touch with Stretch Powersports in Cairo, NE. Serving Grand Island and the surrounding areas, they also offer reliable repairs and maintenance to keep your watercraft in top shape. Call (308) 485-1065 to schedule an appointment, or visit them online to find out more about their services and products.