2001 Speedster 16' left in Salt Water

[cnchampion]

Hello,

I just purchased a Sea Doo Speedster and i have a boat slip in the ocean outside my apartment that i'd like to use for now. I want to leave it there for weeks while using it most days.

What is the recommended maintenance after use?
Are there some areas i should focus on cleaning every week?
I'd have to flush it with fresh water every time i use it?

What are the best products to protect the hull and other areas?

I will be getting a boat lift in a few months but I have to use a boat slip for now as don't have space for a trailer. Thank you for your help!

Christian.

 

[seadoosnipe]

Welcome...

Welcome to the forum Christian. Thanks for your support.

I'm afriad theres not a hole lot of info on this subject, since Seadoo recommends you pull your boat out of the water after each use, then flush the motor.

I leave my boat in the water for about 3 days. That's because I know where I stand with my carbon seal (where the shaft comes through the hull), bilge pump (and emergency) and weather conditions.

The boat will begin to grow marine life in a few days. By 7 to 10 days, you'll have a thin film of algae begin to form. Not long after, you'll start seeing the dimples of barannacles. In a months time, marine growth will be well established.

The cooling water supply line to your motor, which come from the venturi of your pump, will have marine growht in it too. This will slow the flow rates of cooling water to your motor, could cause it to run hot.

Boats that stay in the water usually have a hard bottom coat, then a anti-fouling. Anti-fouling is sorta like an underwater pesticide. The barannacles and other sea life, will not be able to stick to it and it also, is a poison to them. But, your pump is the one thing you really can't use the anti-fouling on.

If you have a way to get it out of the water, once a week. Then you might do o.k... Take it up to clean it, flush the motor out with fresh water, etc.... You'll be able to stay like that for several months.

But, generally speaking, we are not suppose to leave them in.:cheers:

 

[cnchampion]

flushing the engine inside the water

Thank you for your help! While it's in the boat slip, is it recommended to flush the engine every time i use it? If so, how is it done while the boat is still in the water?

 

[kustomkarl]

You can't flush it in the water...it needs to be running so it won't back up through the exhaust, and it will just pump salt water into the engine because the Jet Pump is always turning to pump water to the cooling system.

Karl

 

[Craigmri]

Christian,

If you were to leave any Seadoo in Salt water for three months your boat will ruined.

Salt water is not only one of the most corrosive substances known to man, the marine growth that will grow on your hull, pump and cooling lines will render your boat worthless.

Your best solution is to hold off on floating your boat untill you get that lift installed.

Craig

 

[seadoosnipe]

Anti-Fouling...

The hull can be preserved for long time docking with anti-fouling. It will keep marine growth at bay for several years, though most pull and inspect at least once a year. I've actually seen some of Seadoo's largest boats with it. It's not pretty, but it works. It will keep your fiberglass from blistering too.

But, just as myself and you have pointed out, there is no way to protect the pump unit. Which includes the cooling water inlet. Therefore, I'd agree with you that leaving the boat in the water under long term conditions, will eventually destroy the pump unit. But, the hull would be fine (protected with a bottom coat and anti-fouling).:cheers:

 

[cnchampion]

pump unit

Thank you all for your help. I've decided to keep the boat on the boat slip for no longer than 3 days at a time and flushing the engine every time. However, If the pump unit is damaged how much would it take to repair it or purchase a new one? Thanks.