Tips for keeping your personal watercraft running smoothly all year round.

It’s a lot of fun getting wet and wild on the water with your jet ski. Even more so when you know both you and your personal watercraft (PWC) are protected. That’s why Coast Insurance provides extensive coverage to give you the peace of mind you need to get the most out of your ride.

At Coast Insurance we care about you and your PWC and so we’ve put together a guide to help you maintain your jet ski and optimise performance.

How to Clean Your Jet Ski or Other Personal Watercraft

The most important step in maintaining a jet ski is to learn how to properly clean it. This might seem paradoxical considering that your PWC goes in water. But just because your vessel is in the water, doesn’t mean it’s clean. Quite the opposite. The effects of salt water in particular can cause significant damage and you need to do more than wash your jet ski every now and then if you want it to last for years.

Below are the steps we recommend for cleaning your PWC after you take it out on the water:

1. Clear the decks – Take out as many accessories as you can, including storage and glove boxes, and open the hood. Also, remove the removable seats and seat covers. This will allow you to access as much of your craft as possible so that you can clean out every crevice.
2. Drain it – Take out any bungs and open any bung plugs. This allows water to drain from the craft and any compartments as efficiently as possible. These plugs can be opened to allow any sand, dirt, or debris that has made its way into your PWC to drain out faster. These plugs should be removed after every few rides to ensure maximum drainage.
3. Maximise drainage – Carefully hock the trailer’s wheels. To maximise drainage, place a crate underneath the jockey wheel.
4. Hose it – Spray the entire craft from one end to another with a hose. Be sure to not let water get into the fuel breather, coils, or air intake.
5. Don’t block the bilge – You should take extra care when cleaning under the fuel tank, coupler, and motor as the syphon bilge could easily get blocked. Pay attention to the supercharger belt, and pulley.
6. Clean around accessories – After you have cleaned the body, make sure to clean around and under accessories such as the seats and tubs. This will remove salt and sand from these areas.
7. Be thorough – You should spend extra time cleaning the area around the pump at the back and the intake. Salt can build up and cause corrosion. If this is a problem, lift the reverse bucket.
8. Rise it – Once you’re done cleaning, rinse the craft with warm water and dry it using a microfiber cloth. 
9. Pump it – Use a pump to drain any remaining water from the craft.

Don’t know where these parts might be located? You can consult your PWC manual to find out!

Every craft is different. It’s worth spending some time learning about your personal watercraft.

After Using Your Personal Watercraft, Flush It

Flushing is not cleaning. Flushing is a different type of maintenance that can help increase the life expectancy of your jet ski. The procedure involves using water to flush the cooling system, intake and pump to remove salt residues that could cause corrosion or breakdown.

Salt build-up is less of an issue for freshwater riders, but it can cause problems for those who use them in salty environments like estuaries. Sand and algae can also be problematic. For this reason you should still flush your PWC.

• There is no specific flushing method that works for all personal watercrafts. This means that the time it takes to flush can vary. Always consult your owner’s guide before flushing the first time. This will help to reduce the chance of any problems.
• Check that your craft is level. This will prevent water from getting trapped within any internal system.
• To “blow out” any water in the water box, you can use the traditional approach of lightly breaking your throttle. The PWC is not in water, and the cooling system is lacking. Double-check your manual to find out the exact number of revolutions.
• Applying a mild additive cleanser now is also a good idea to keep your craft’s internal components clean and prevent further corrosion.

Proper Personal Watercraft Fuelling

Proper fuelling should be an integral part of any PWC maintenance plan. This includes filling up the gas tank and getting rid of any unused fuel. It’s essential to making sure that your PWC runs smoothly and is safe.

Fuelling a jet ski is not always an easy task. It will vary depending on the model. If in doubt, you can always refer to the manual. An oil/gasoline mixture is required for early PWC models. This is not necessary for modern models. Instead, they come with separate containers for oil or fuel.

Consider where you plan to keep your personal watercraft over the winter. Do you plan to use it? Be sure to fill the tank with petrol before you put it in storage. This will prevent condensation from building up while it is unused. A gasoline stabiliser can also be added to ensure your fuel is not causing any problems when it is time to start it.

If you are removing your PWC from storage for a prolonged period, empty out any fuel and then replace it with new fuel before hitting the water.

Oil Change

We recommend changing the oil in your jet ski at the start and end of every summer season. Because both engines and pumps require attention, you can do both at once.

Get Your Personal Watercraft Out of the Water!

Your jet ski can be damaged if left in the water for too long. After you have returned from your ride, it is a good idea to use a lift for storage. These lifts help prevent hull fouling and lamination problems. This makes it much easier to clean and flush your boat.

Jet Ski Insurance

Jet ski insurance, often called PWC insurance, will help you avoid expensive damage from storms, fires, travel and unexpected accidents. It covers you in a similar way auto insurance covers your car. You can choose from different coverages or protections, depending on what your policy provides.

Contact Coast Insurance regarding your pleasure craft insurance requirements.

Get Out There and Enjoy

This should help you maintain your favourite summer toy, giving you years of enjoyment and memories.

If you are interested in purchasing insurance to protect your jet ski, we can help.

Our team is dedicated to everything outdoors and wants to share our passion with you. Get in touch today.