I have seen some pretty impressive hours on engines on this forum. I was curious what all you guys are doing for preventive maintenance on your skis after riding all day? I currently,

1. Wash the Hull
2. Flush the engine
3. Lightly spray the engine with fresh water
4. Spray silicone on the engine and hoses

Just curious if there may be some minor details I could be missing.

BTW I only ride in saltwater... Thanks

there's a product called salt-away (I think thats the name) that might be useful for you since you're in salt water all the time..does a good job of cleaning out that nasty salt

Yup. Salt Terminator is good stuff too. And I'm not afraid to admit that I use a shop-vac to get every last bit of water out of the hull and compressed air to get moisture out of the cracks and crevices. Just a little salt water under bolt heads will lead to rusting in short order.

sw

If you ride in brackish water or salt water always use Salt-Away on everything. Outside of hull, inside of hull, flushing the engine, on your trailer, on tools if needed when riding! It's your best friend. Unless you get it in your eyes or mouth.

Don't flush the engine completely allowing the fluid in the mixer to turn clear. You want to leave Salt-Away in the engine/cooling system. That way it will continue to work on water that pools. Do rinse it off of everything else though. Don't let it sit. Especially in direct sunlight.

If you ride a lot and thoroughly clean your ski afterwards every time (which you should) silicone can build up making working on the craft somewhat difficult. For that reason we always use WD-40. It doesn't build up like silicone. Spray a light coat on everything while things are wet. I like to use compressed air after that to remove excess water taking care not to force any into the engine's intake system or electrical components. On our race craft we would go as far as to blow out the cooling system (carefully) using the bypasses. That's a little overkill though!

Apply another light coat letting it sit for a little while and then wipe off any excess.

Most importantly, allow the craft to dry thoroughly inside and out after you're through cleaning it. If you can, leave the seat and any storage covers slightly cracked. Otherwise the inside of your hull will turn into a science experiment!

quote:

If you ride a lot and thoroughly clean your ski afterwards every time (which you should) silicone can build up making working on the craft somewhat difficult. For that reason we always use WD-40. It doesn't build up like silicone.

WD-40 is not good if it comes in contact with anything rubber in the engine compartment. The silicone can easily be stripped off with Simple Green every now and then and re-coat with silicone afterwards. WD-40 breaks down the elasticity of rubber over time.

I've heard and read that plenty of times and figured it would be brought up after my post. However, I have always used WD-40 (10+ years now) and haven't had a problem due to it. (knocking on wood while typing!!) Not sure if it's because I don't absolutely soak everything in WD or because I'm lucky. With the way things have gone in my life I doubt it has anything to do with luck though....

RC, how long do you keep a ski before getting rid of it?

I have use CRC 656 marine on my Yamaha SR500 motorcycle for 27 years and its rubber and plastics are still great,the paint just shines!!!
My ski's get an entire bath in it.
It leaves a light machine oil film when the lighter distillates evaporate.Will not yellow like WD40.

No set time limit. It depends on what's available. I was also referring to craft that buddies own that rely on my suggestions. Which if weren't right I wouldn't make seeing as I'm the one that will have to do the work if I'm wrong!!!


CRC is good stuff! Used it on regular boats exclusively before I got into watercraft and never had a problem.

I suspect you can get "salt away" at any marine store??
Is "CRC 656" just a detergent or does it protect as well?

Thanks

Yep, I see Salt-Away at Boater's World all the time. CRC 6-56 is a multi-purpose light libricant with water-displacement properties. I use it the same way you'd use WD-40.

sw

Where can I get the CRC at? Does PepBoys or WalMart carry it?
Thanks,
Steve

Walmart does and your local Ace should(boat supplys/fishing).I buy mine from a bulk supplyer by the case.
They do also make a good spray on marine protectorant,like cosmoline,its thick.