fresh or salt??

[chillholm]

Hi,

This thread has probably been covered before, so sorry in advance for being a pain in the butt!!

But I recently had a 1999 GTX 951 LTD motor rebuilt and the guy that rebuilt it said that he wouldn't recommend putting it in salt water. I have done about 7 hours with the new motor and it purrs like a kitten and growls like a tiger BUT I live about 1.30 hours drive from fresh water and only 20 minutes from the ocean-I live in Melbourne Australia. We went to the beach and put both skis in the water for the 1st time( we also have a Yamaha vx cruiser) and after using them washed them down thoroughly-flushed etc. Is what the guy saying right? I mean we are meticulous with the cleaning and flushing surely salt water if cleaned can't be that bad? Appreciate ant feedback Cheers.

 

[kustomkarl]

I live on salt water...if you rinse/ flush it after use and wash it down you'll be fine.

Karl

 

[chillholm]

Thanks Karl.

 

[seadoosnipe]

Ignorance....?

Hi,

This thread has probably been covered before, so sorry in advance for being a pain in the butt!!

But I recently had a 1999 GTX 951 LTD motor rebuilt and the guy that rebuilt it said that he wouldn't recommend putting it in salt water. I have done about 7 hours with the new motor and it purrs like a kitten and growls like a tiger BUT I live about 1.30 hours drive from fresh water and only 20 minutes from the ocean-I live in Melbourne Australia. We went to the beach and put both skis in the water for the 1st time( we also have a Yamaha vx cruiser) and after using them washed them down thoroughly-flushed etc. Is what the guy saying right? I mean we are meticulous with the cleaning and flushing surely salt water if cleaned can't be that bad? Appreciate ant feedback Cheers.

Some people just don't have the knowledge of what these motors/skis are built to withstand. Anything exposed to sodium chloride (salts) will succomb to salt water corrosion. This guy is obviously ignorant to water chemistry. Fresh water also has several minerals that are also harmful to your water jacket.

Like KustomKarl said, the key is to wash down, everytime you go out for a salt water ride. Not just the hull and backflushing but washing down the inside as well. When I rinse the inside, I am very observant as to where the water is going. OF course, you don't want to spray full blast at your electrical system. All engine/electrical components have been sealed to be water resistant (resistant!, not water proofed; there is a difference). So, gently wash down your interior and be gentle around your electrical system....

 

[chillholm]

Thanks for that! You know I was on a hired couple of Seadoo GTI when holidaying in Queensland with wife and kids. We each rode one mine had 750 hrs on it and my wifes had about 1000 hrs on it and they were fine. When I mention this to the saltwater DOOMSAYERS they never have a comeback.....you're right some of these guys are a little ignorant, as mentioned we are very meticulous with the post operation of our jet skis, we rinse the inside of the hull ( obviously keeping watch of all the engine and electric parts) and don't have any problems. Thanks for your thoughts.....It's weird you know some of these guys are big on saying don't do this or that but most treat their skis like s***, and probably never really enjoy the sport. Mate ours will be down at the beach all the time now..thats where the real fun is. Cheers and thanks again.

 

[nikko_m]

yes i also ride in salt water,just wash the body and engine bay with soup and water and then flush the engine and youll be fine,after i was my skis,i use air through compressor to dry it and spray wd40 to the engine bay and pump.