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can i leave my ski in the water all season?

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vaser21

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hey all i was wondering if its ok to leave my ski in the water all season tied up at the dock next to my boat?

thankss
 
Some people do it that way, and some had problems of leakage.
As in another thread today, I would use a lift...much safer and better for your ski in regards to water scum mark lines. For you boat too!!!!!
 
I personally would not.Others do.Electrolysis can cause damage to pump and engine conponents.There is the sinking type issues also.U.V.damage.Just my thoughts
 
i see, well thanks guys, i kept my 95 xp in the water all season right infront of my boat with a cover on it and luckily had no problems.. well see how this season goes
 
Electrolysis is usually only a problem in salt water.

Yes, you can do whatever you like with your ski, however it may, sink. it may get stolen, it may rot. PWCs are not really made to sit in the water for months / years at a time like some boats are/can be. Can you get a dolly and wheel it up on shore?
 
:agree: During the summer months I will leave my ski in the water for 2-3 weeks at a time. But I leave it under a covered dock with a solar battery tender. Also I have bilge pumps in my skis. Unlike boats PWC's are not water proof especially if it rains. Also if you leave it in during the winter you can plan on replacing the battery in the spring.

Here the lakes don't freeze, but if there's a chance don't leave your ski in the water.

Lou
 
yes crisso, good point..why would you ask if you were already doing it..?
and sabr, yes electrolysis is most definitely true in saltwater... in as little as less than 24 hours, salt water that reached my battery level LITERALLY ate clean through my positive battery terminal bolt, as well as eating thru parts of the bolts on my old motor mounts..
nothing to mess with...also, as sabr mentioned, I would even consider getting a few guys to help you even move it a little bit on shore...

Lou, just curious, if you leave your ski under a covered boat dock, how would the solar battery tender work?
 
Only the top is covered so enough light gets on the solar panel to keep the battery charged.

Lou
 
If ANYTHING is left in saltwater you have to have sacrifical anodes.They are mainly zinc..Even in fresh water they do a job.Electrolisys can build up in any water situation where there is two different metals.Salt water has more chemicals so it is worse.If there is 2 metals,a charge will flow from one to the other.The weaker one will get eaten away.Aluminium and stainless is already in the ski as parts.Dont want that eaten away.Zinc is next.Cheap and easily replacable
 
From what I can remember from reading the owners manual, they are NOT meant to be stored in water all the time. They should be on a lift with an incline so you can pull the plugs and drain any water that is in there, MUCH better for the ski.

But hey it's your ski so as it as you wish!
 
i was asking to see if it was bad or if i cause any damage to it, and to help make my decision on what to do for next year
 
sorry i think i need to clarify, by season i mean from june till about end of september.. otherwise i take them out and winterize them and store in winter
 
i see, well, to be honest...unless you have the ability and discipline to go out, TAKE THE SEAT OFF, and check it EVERY DAY, it's a bad idea...
mine wasn't even in the water..it was on a concrete boat ramp, at least ten feet from the water....and i STILL was paranoid driving to work every morning, wondering if today was the day my hull was flooded...
and sure enough, took it out one day, was beat up from the sun and was lazy, so i didnt pull it ALL the way up the ramp as i usually did, tied it off, didnt fog it or clean it at all (p.s., i do that EVERY TIME I RIDE NOW), and just tied the front up to a concrete anchor...
sure enough, came back not even 12 hrs later(the next morning) and my ski was filled to spark plugs with salt water...
electrolysis occured and ate thru alotta stuff...
just not worth it...
 
oh man i feel bad for you man, sorry that happened, see mine stay in fresh water, lake michigan downtown chicago, i didnt have a problem with my 95 xp this season it was in the water for about two months straight, with a cover on parked infront of my boat... i was there atleast once a week always checked it out, also my 96 yamaha waiveraider was parked right next to it, i think next season ima give it a test week and see how it goes, making sure to check them often, the only thing i did was get in the water once with a brush and scrubed down the hull to get all the algee off
 
Have left my 2000 gtx rfi in the water from may to october for since new. I have a shut of connected to the red positive terminal that I shut off when not there to save the battery. No probs in 11 years so far. But the water is cleaner up here in Canada. :)
 
Vaser asked if it might do any damage to leave the ski in the water.my answer was yes because of electrolysis.Aside from the salt water situations,if you put a s/steel rivot in some aluminium and stick it outside.The aluminium will start to corrode.If you want to wreck somebodies aluminium boat,throw some lead sinkers in the bilge or a few fish hooks.You really don't need salt water for this to happen.It only makes it quicker.But it WILL happen.Hope this helps
 
i see, well thanks guys, i kept my 95 xp in the water all season right infront of my boat with a cover on it and luckily had no problems.. well see how this season goes


Then go away.

If you ask, and you don't get the answer you want, and do what you want... then you are wasting our time.

Read your owners manual... is says "Don't leave it in the water."

With a 95... you have a real drive shaft seal, but you can still cause damage since there will still be moisture in the exhaust, and the engine internals. Taking it out of the water, allows the exhaust to dry out.

On a 96 or newer... the carbon seal leak by design... and it will sink.
 
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Finally a voice of reason, I think that's what most of us were thinking but didn't want to say it.

Lou
 
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