Before getting boat or jet ski storage for the off-season, it’s important to winterize your vehicle to help extend its lifespan and avoid damage—which can also help you get back out on the water quicker next season! From cleaning your personal watercraft’s (PWC) exterior to flushing the engine system, here’s a comprehensive guide to winterizing a jet ski.
Collect Jet Ski Winterization Supplies
As with winterizing a boat or RV, making sure you have all the supplies you need before beginning jet ski winterization is crucial. Depending on the type of jet ski you have, the type of supplies you need may change, so be sure to check your PWC owner’s manual when collecting the following supplies:
- Soap and water
- Wash rag or cloth
- Finishing wax
- Antifreeze
- Jet ski fuel and fuel stabilizer
- Jet ski engine oil
- Oil filter
- Air filter
- Fogging oil for jet skis
- Motor oil and a bag
- Jet ski cover
Start With Exterior Jet Ski Winterization
As you get ready for jet ski winter storage, start by cleaning your personal watercraft’s exterior and storage areas. It’s important to clean and air out any storage spaces just in case there are pests or moisture that could cause mold or damage over time. Cleaning a jet ski’s exterior is also essential for removing residue and grime that can cause wear and tear. Here’s a quick rundown of how to winterize a jet ski’s exterior:
- Remove everything from the jet ski’s storage compartments.
- Wash the hull thoroughly to remove any grime, algae, or salt water residue.
- Clean and dry the jet ski’s seat, handles, and hull to limit any degradation of the material.
- Keep storage compartments open slightly to ensure no moisture is trapped and so air can move freely.
- Add finishing wax to the hull to seal the surface and protect it against moisture.
Drain & Prep the Jet Ski Engine
Because jet skis suck in water to help keep their engines cool during use, it’s necessary to drain the jet ski’s engine before moving your watercraft to storage. If you don’t, water can freeze in the engine and cause damage, potentially resulting in expensive repairs next season. Here’s how to winterize a jet ski’s engine:
- Tilt the jet ski up slightly and turn the handles side to side.
- In 20-second increments, run the engine and pull the throttle once or twice to remove excess water.
- When water is no longer visible, remove the air filter and spray fogging oil into the carburetor.
- Run the engine for about 15-20 seconds while spraying the fogging oil—this helps lubricate moving parts inside of the engine.
- Replace the air filter and carefully remove the spark plugs.
- Spray fogging oil into the spark plug cylinders, cover with a shop towel, and run the engine again for about ten seconds.
- Remove the throttle and shift cables, and lubricate by submerging in motor oil.
- Reinsert the spark plugs and wipe down any excess oil on the engine.
Winterize the Jet Ski Exhaust System
Preparing your exhaust system for jet ski storage is vital to keeping your PWC in good condition. As with the engine, if water is left in your jet ski’s exhaust, it can freeze, expand, and cause harm—so you need to prepare accordingly. Take these steps to winterize a jet ski’s exhaust:
- Make a 50/50 solution of water and RV antifreeze.
- Hook up a hose or water pump to the flush outlet and place the opposite end in the solution.
- Turn on the engine and run it until all solution has run through the engine.
- If worried about overheating, run the engine in short spurts for 10-20 seconds.
Prepare for Jet Ski Winter Storage
After you’ve washed the jet ski and drained its engine, it’s time to finish off the winterization process with more basic vehicle storage steps. These tips can help extend your jet ski’s lifespan while making it easy to get back on the water when the next season kicks off. If possible, plan for occasional visits to inspect your jet ski and shift its position to prevent any issues (like flat spots or dry rot). Identifying any problems early will help you tackle them before they get too big.
Step One: Drain or Stabilize the Fuel
Before storing a jet ski long term, you need to either drain the fuel system or top it off and add a fuel stabilizer, running the engine in short intervals to mix the stabilizer into the fuel. Old fuel that sits in the tank for too long can break down and gum up your fuel tank, causing issues with your jet ski’s engine. Draining your fuel avoids this issue altogether, while a fuel stabilizer helps ensure any existing fuel stays liquid. Both methods work, but your owner’s manual may specify a preferred method for your PWC. Additionally, some storage facilities may require you to drain the fuel tank before moving your vehicle into self storage.
Step Two: Remove the Jet Ski Battery
If you leave the battery in your jet ski during winter storage, you may return to find the battery dead or damaged next season. Removing the battery and storing it separately helps protect it from damage and last longer. Be sure to store it off the ground, in a dry environment that stays above freezing temperatures—and hook it up to a trickle charger if possible! If you’re keeping your boat battery at a storage facility, just make sure there’s a place where you can safely plug it in. If not, charge it at home.
Step Three: Change the Oil
When keeping a jet ski in winter vehicle storage, always change the oil. Old oil can become thick and create issues for your engine if not taken care of, especially after months of use. To follow the best practice in vehicle winterization, change the oil and add new oil (and maybe even a new oil filter) prior to moving your jet ski into storage.
Step Four: Cover the Exhaust
Covering the exhaust is another important step in vehicle winterization. While storage facilities are generally secure and practice pest control measures, there’s no guarantee that any vehicle storage environment is completely immune to pests and rodents—and if you’re using outdoor vehicle storage, it’s even more possible for small animals or insects to make their way into your jet ski exhaust. To avoid this, cover your exhaust or simply stuff a rag or a bit of steel wool inside to keep it clean.
Step Five: Add a Cover
While not necessary, using a jet ski cover is one of the easiest ways to protect your personal watercraft when not in use. There are a variety of options available today, from more affordable plastic jet ski covers that last only a few years to more expensive canvas jet ski covers that last much longer. Depending on how often you use your jet ski, pre-fitted covers are the recommended option.
Find the Best Jet Ski Storage Option
Looking for convenient, off-season jet ski storage? Depending on which area of the country you live in, you’ll want an indoor or outdoor vehicle storage option! Either way, it’s best practice to store your PWC on a jet ski trailer or stand. This keeps your jet ski off the ground, makes it easier to move in and out of a vehicle storage unit, and avoids putting pressure on different parts of the jet ski hull that could lead to damage over time.
Indoor Jet Ski Storage Options
- Garage Storage: If space is available at home, storing your jet ski in your garage is a secure and low-cost option. The only downside to garage storage is that it may force another vehicle out into your driveway.
- Indoor Storage Unit: Storing a jet ski inside a storage unit at a trusted self storage facility is an excellent option. Indoor vehicle storage units offer both security and protection from the elements, and you can even find units with climate control for additional protection.
- Dry Docking: Many marinas can store your jet ski on a stand or drying rack indoors over the winter in colder climates. Dry docking makes getting back on the water easy the next summer season, but you may not have as much access to your PWC during the off-season if the marina shuts down.
Outdoor Jet Ski Storage Options
- Parking in a Driveway: Storing your jet ski in your driveway throughout the off-season is always a viable option. This allows you to grab your jet ski and go right away next season.
- Covered Storage Unit: Some self storage facilities may offer a covered vehicle storage option, which puts a roof above your outdoor parking space. This provides some protection from the elements.
- Uncovered Storage Unit: These spacious parking spaces are typically the most common outdoor vehicle storage option at self storage facilities, but they don’t provide protection from the elements.
- Marina Slip: Known as “wet storage,” keeping your jet ski in a slip or floating docks at a marina is often ideal for those storing personal watercraft in warmer climates—especially if you use your jet ski year-round.
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Need indoor, covered, or outdoor small vehicle storage for your jet ski? Extra Space Storage has convenient self storage locations throughout the U.S. Find a storage facility near you!
