5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Winterizing Your Jet Ski in Maryland

Winter in Ocean Pines and Ocean City can be tough on marine equipment. As the boating season winds down, it's tempting to cut corners when storing your jet ski (PWC). But proper winterization is the single most important thing you can do to ensure a hassle-free start next spring.

As a family-owned shop that has serviced hundreds of jet skis in the area, we've seen it all. Here are the top five most common (and costly) mistakes we see boaters make.

1. Using Fuel Stabilizer Incorrectly (or Not at All)

The Mistake: Many owners either forget to add fuel stabilizer entirely or simply pour some into a nearly empty tank before storing the jet ski.

Why It's a Problem: Today's ethanol-blended fuel can degrade in just a few months, turning to varnish and gunk that will clog your fuel lines, injectors, and filters. This is one of the most common reasons a jet ski fails to start in the spring.

The Right Way: Add the correct amount of a high-quality marine fuel stabilizer to a tank of fuel. We do not recommend filling your fuel tank completely full. You want to leave some room for expansion of fuel during temperature changes. After adding the stabilizer, run the engine to ensure the treated fuel circulates through the entire system.

2. Not Flushing the Cooling System Properly

The Mistake: Skipping the engine flush or only doing a quick, freshwater rinse.

Why It's a Problem: We operate in a saltwater environment. Even a small amount of salt, sand, or algae left in your cooling passages all winter can lead to severe corrosion and blockages. This can cause overheating and catastrophic engine damage next season.

The Right Way: Your jet ski's cooling system needs to be flushed with fresh water according to your manufacturer's specific instructions. For an even better result, a flush with a salt-dissolving solution (like Salt-Away) and antifreeze is the professional-grade method to prevent corrosion and freeze damage.

3. Skipping the "Fall" Oil Change

The Mistake: Thinking, "I'll just change the oil in the spring."

Why It's a Problem: During a season of use, your engine's oil accumulates moisture, unburned fuel, and acidic contaminants. Letting that old, dirty oil sit in your engine all winter long is like a poison. It can corrode internal engine components and lead to sludge buildup.

The Right Way: Change the oil and oil filter before storage. This ensures your engine is protected by a fresh, clean coat of oil all winter, ready to go as soon as the weather breaks.

4. Forgetting the Battery

The Mistake: Leaving the battery connected in the jet ski all winter.

Why It's a Problem: Your PWC's electronics can draw a very small amount of power even when off, slowly draining the battery. Cold weather also drains batteries. By spring, you'll have a completely dead battery that may not hold a charge ever again.

The Right Way: Disconnect the battery. For best results, remove it from the jet ski, clean the terminals, and store it somewhere cool and dry (like a garage shelf) on a battery tender or trickle charger. This will keep it healthy and ready for your first ride.

5. Improper Covering or Wrapping

The Mistake: Throwing a cheap, non-breathable plastic tarp over the jet ski and hoping for the best.

Why It's a Problem: A non-breathable cover traps moisture, which is a perfect recipe for mold, mildew, and corrosion. It can also become a cozy home for rodents and pests looking for shelter.

The Right Way: Use a proper-fitting, breathable PWC cover. For ultimate protection, especially for outdoor storage, professional shrink-wrapping is the best solution. A good shrink-wrap job includes vents to allow air to circulate and prevent moisture buildup, keeping your ski clean, dry, and pest-free.

Don't Risk Costly Spring Repairs

Proper winterization is your best insurance against expensive surprises next season. While it's possible to do it yourself, it's easy to miss a crucial step.

If you want peace of mind, let the pros at Odyssea Jet and Prop Shop handle it. We offer complete, professional winterization services for 4-stroke jet skis.

Call us today at (410) 973-2890 or click below to get in touch about our winter services.