After use maintenance

[1811Vette]

I would like to hear what various members do their Challengers after each use. Tell me your routines. I am trying to figure out how much I should be doing to it after each use in Salt water.

Thanks.

 

[shockerfd]

After I've flushed and washed the boat thoroughly I will Wd-40 the engine, the whole jet pump area and linkages, throttle cables, steering cables, etc. I usually open all my storage doors and let things air and dry out before I cover boat. Mildew will form pretty quickly in those areas if they stay damp. Salt water is brutal. Let no area go without cleaning.

 

[rich9426]

wash completly and spray parts with a silicone.

 

[1811Vette]

After I've flushed and washed the boat thoroughly I will Wd-40 the engine, the whole jet pump area and linkages, throttle cables, steering cables, etc. I usually open all my storage doors and let things air and dry out before I cover boat. Mildew will form pretty quickly in those areas if they stay damp. Salt water is brutal. Let no area go without cleaning.

When you refer to flushing the boat, are you talking about hooking up a hose to the flush connector on the motor? If so, how long do you flush it for and do you run the motor while doing it?

Also, do you just spray WD-40 or silicone on all the metal parts and connections or everything in the engine compartment?

Thanks, I appreciate the info. I have owned boats forever, but never a jet drive boat.

 

[fearthisinc]

Unless the Challenger is different I thought the worst thing you can do is not run the motor when flushing? I have the Speedster 150 and the manual and sales rep said to make sure you start motor first then release water and then shut water off and then shut the motor off.. Also my manual says to run the engine at 4-5k rpm for 20 seconds..

 

[shockerfd]

When you refer to flushing the boat, are you talking about hooking up a hose to the flush connector on the motor? If so, how long do you flush it for and do you run the motor while doing it?

Also, do you just spray WD-40 or silicone on all the metal parts and connections or everything in the engine compartment?

Thanks, I appreciate the info. I have owned boats forever, but never a jet drive boat.

Yes, always flush at the proper connector with engine running. Not sure where your connector is but check your manual. Usually a couple of minutes is sufficient. As Fear mentioned, start engine then water. Run for couple minutes and then shut off water followed by shutting off engine after a few more seconds.

I coat my entire engine and any metal parts after each salt water use.

 

[fearthisinc]

you let it run for a couple of minutes?? my manual says you should never run the engine more than 2 minutes if not in water... unless the speedster is different.. maybe because of the inter cooling or whatever it is...

 

[shockerfd]

Out of water on the hose it will obviously not run as cool as in the water, the pump that is, hence keeping the flush time on a hose short. Two minutes isn't very long.

Your manual says to flush engine for 15-20 seconds and at 4-5k rpms? Or do this after water is turned off after flushing? I'm curious.

Unless the rev limiter has changed on the newer boats you're going to have to put that in gear to get those rpms.

While mine is flushing it idles on the hose at 3000. I will put it in F and R for a fews secs throughout the flushing also.

But as always, follow what your manual says.

 

[DBSV8]

This may be obvious , but as a non jet boat owner yet .

Can you flush the engine with fresh water while the boat is still in the water , the reason I ask , the boat would be kept at the mooring ( salt water ) for two weeks of use then removed by trailer .

During this time can you adequately flush out the engine , would be very difficult if not impossible to remove the boat by trailer everytime

thanks

 

[RFoster130]

Nope, the boat will need to come out of the water to flush. Otherwise it is going to suck in through the intake.

 

[DBSV8]

then thats going to be a real problem ,

the only other option would be to reverse the boat at the mooring and lift the rear end out of the water using a chain lift ,until the intakes are out of the water , then flush through with a hose and fresh water

either way its going to be a pain , was hoping it would be possible to blank off the main intakes while flushing when in salt water

going to have to re think this before purchase

 

[RFoster130]

You need to really reconsider. Seadoo boats are not meant to be left in water. there is no way at all I would leave one in salt water longer than a day or two.