PWC Maintenance
Your personal watercraft is your ticket to instant on-the-water fun. No matter what style you have, stand-up or sit-down, you’re sure to enjoy the high-speed thrills you get while coasting across the surface of lakes and rivers.
But just like any land-based vehicle, your PWC needs to be carefully maintained to prevent it falling into disrepair. You don’t want to end up stuck in the middle of the lake because you didn’t add enough fuel or change out the oil. So how do you keep a personal watercraft working properly? Big St. Charles Motorsports is your St. Louis area PWC dealer, so we’ve provided this guide to personal watercraft maintenance to help you keep your ride in great shape all summer long! If you are looking for personal watercraft for sale, visit our dealership. We proudly serve those in St. Peters, St. Charles, and Columbia, Missouri.
Read Your Owner’s Manual
The first step in maintaining your personal watercraft is to read the owner’s manual. This will teach you where every control is and what it does. The manual generally has suggestions on what maintenance tasks you need to perform and when to do them and you can make note in it of any parts you replace or repairs you have done. You’ll also learn how to properly use your personal watercraft so you don’t break it through misuse.
Use The Correct Fuel
If your personal watercraft is going to sit in storage for a while, make sure you fill up the fuel tank and add stabilizer to prevent corrosion. You’ll get the best performance out of your PWC if you use the right gasoline in it. Marine engines are designed to run on pure gasoline, so the 15% ethanol mixture that’s commonly used in passenger cars and trucks isn’t ideal. Older two-stroke PWC models might need a mix of oil and gasoline to work properly; consult a professional mechanic to learn what percentage to use here.
Flush The Engine Regularly
Whether you’re riding in saltwater or fresh water, it’s a good idea to thoroughly flush out your PWC’s engine frequently. Saltwater merits a flush after every ride, while you can flush it every few rides when riding through fresh water. Salt, algae, sand and debris can build up in your motor over time, so a good flushing will clear all that out and prevent irreversible engine damage.
To flush the engine, hook it up to a source of fresh water (a typical garden hose will do). Turn on the water and let the engine flush out, engaging the throttle every so often to push water out. Never use saltwater to flush the engine, and don’t twist the throttle as soon as you pull your PWC out of saltwater, as you could cook the salt into the engine and ruin it.
Keep Your PWC Waxed & Covered
After you wash your PWC, which you’ll want to do on a regular basis to prevent corrosion and algae build-up, you should take the time to wax the hull. A good marine wax will protect the hull from UV rays, which can bleach or fade its color over time and damage the finish. The wax can also prevent build-up from forming.
When your personal watercraft is not in use, you should invest in a strong canvas cover to keep it protected. This will prevent dirt and debris from collecting on it and protect it from weather and sun damage.
With some patience and the right tools, you can make sure that your personal watercraft serves you well all season long. If you’re looking for PWC for sale near St. Louis, you’ll want to come to Big St. Charles Motorsports. Our dealership carries a great selection of new and used personal watercraft for sale, so you’re sure to find the precise model you want with all the features you crave! We also welcome our customers coming from the cities of St. Peters, St. Charles, and Columbia, Missouri.