How to Maintain a WaveRunner or Jet Ski to Keep it Lasting for Years

First things first, you always want to refer to your owner manual for your equipment to check about specifics pertaining to your specific equipment. The knowledge in this article pertains to 2017 to 2018 Yamaha Waverunner EX’s and VX’s as well as 2014 to 2016 Yamaha Waverunner VX’s. Though, most ideas will apply to most any equipment being operated on salt water daily.

What is Maintenance, Anyway?

The idea behind maintenance is to extend the life of your equipment. At a jet ski rental business, the jet skis are the life of the business. They’re a very large investment, so getting the most potential profit from them while also showcasing the best equipment in the area to your customers is very important.

When Should Maintenance be Done?

Maintenance is usually done at the end of the day to the waverunners that were operated that day. This daily maintenance is necessary because of the salt water that the skis are ran through is very corrosive (Fresh water is far less corrosive). It needs to be performed with the boat(s) out of the water, either on a dry dock or trailer.

What You’ll Need

There are a few common tools for waverunner maintenance. Every tour company offering jet ski rentals and tours should keep the following tools on hand.

• Waterhose connected to fresh water
• Shut off valve
• Flush hose attachment for your equipment (does vary)
• Rags
• Bucket
• Boat soap
• Sponge

Daily Jet Ski Maintenance Checklist

1. Remove all seats from all used equipment
2. Flush engine
   1. Attaching flush hose to the shut off valve connected to the water hose
   2. With the water off, attach flush hose to waverunner
   3. Turn the engine on and then the water on and run engine for approximately 2 minutes
   4. Turn the water OFF first and then the engine
   5. NEVER allow the water to be on with the engine off. This will cause serious damage to your equipment.
3. LIGHTLY mist all engines with fresh water
4. Wipe down engine with rag to remove water and residual salt (pay special attention to oil filter)
5. Spray silicone spray all over engine
6. Check oil
7. Inspect battery terminals for corrosion
8. Replace seats
9. Rinse outside of ski with fresh water
10. Wash outside of ski with boat soap
11. Rinse ski

Performing these steps every time the ski operates in the salt water will insure that your waverunners will start every time, will last longer, and with less corrosion.