So summer was fun, but now the temperatures are dropping. To ensure that you have a “lifetime” of such summers, we need to ensure that you store your jet ski properly.
Key Takeaways
- Clear out the compartments
- Drain all water
- Run antifreeze through the system
- Lubricate and refill the ski
- Wash and dry it
- Oil it
- Remove the battery
It might seem impossible, especially if this was your first summer with a jet ski. But don’t worry; your jet ski’s manual will be your greatest go-to when it comes to specifics on how to winterize your particular model.
It is perfectly okay if you cannot make heads or tails of the manual; here’s a simple how-to guide.
Winterize a Jet Ski – Step by Step Guide
1. Clear out the Jet Ski’s compartments
You definitely do not want animals nesting in your jet ski’s storage compartments while it’s stored. Clear out any knick-knacks, the life jackets and give the inside of the cases a thorough wipe down. You should leave them slightly cracked and can even put in a dry sheet to keep the moisture out.
2. Drain the Water
Ocean or lake water used by a Jet Ski automatically lowers its interior temperature. However, because moisture can be detrimental to all vehicles kept in storage, including jet skis, we recommend draining the machine completely.
It’s advised to run the engine at 30-second intervals while tilting the handle back. This is to drain the water completely. We also recommend cleaning the cooling system once all the water has been drained and all debris, algae, and dirt have been removed from the vessel.
3. Run antifreeze through the system in colder climates
If you reside in a location where winter temperatures drop below freezing and plan to store your jet ski outside, the antifreeze will keep any fluids in the exhaust system from freezing while the jet ski is stored.
Only use RV antifreeze! It is far less damaging to the environment. Regular automotive antifreeze should not be used. For example, in a five-gallon (18.9 L) bucket, combine one gallon (3.8 L) RV antifreeze and one gallon (3.8 L) water.
4. Lubricate and Refill your Ski
To keep the gas tank clean, fill it to the top with a stabilizer. 
Before adding a stabilizer to your fuel tank, read the guidelines on the bottle. Then, to ensure the stabilizer is well blended into the fuel, run the engine at 30-second intervals.
Following the fuel stab, oil all seals and cabling with a lubricant and protectant specified by the Jet Ski’s manufacturer.
5. Wash and dry your jet ski
Fill a bucket with warm water and a couple of squirts of automobile-safe soap. Soak a scratch-free cloth in soapy water and use it to clean the surface of your jet ski. Pay special attention to the jet ski’s bottom, where scum and slime like to accumulate. Dishwashing liquid and hand soap should not be used.
6. Oil Your Jet Ski
Spray fogging oil to the carburetor and spark plug cylinders. 
You’ll need to remove the air filter from your Jet Ski to get to these pieces. Once the filter has been removed, start the engine and spray the spark plug cylinders and carburetor while idling. Continue spraying until the engine stalls, then replace the air filter.
Take out your spark plugs and spray fogging oil for a few seconds in each hole. Then, slip a towel over the openings and start the jet ski, allowing the oil to coat the internal parts without spraying oil everywhere. The engine is unlikely to start at this stage, which is fine.
7. Remove the Battery
It is vital to remove the battery from your jet ski. 
This is because batteries lose their charge over time. The negative terminal should be disconnected before the positive terminal. Keep it somewhere that won’t get below freezing, like your garage. Never store a battery on concrete; instead, lay it on a mat or another raised surface and put it on a trickle charge.
Final Thoughts
Finally, the best place to keep your jet ski is covered in a garage on its trailer, but you can also keep it outside or in a barn or shed. Either take the tires off the trailer or place wood blocks underneath them to stop dry rot and rust. Since it is full of gas, keep your jet ski away from combustible materials when storing it. Check out the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more expert information!
