winterize (warm climate)

[Zwill]

I live in North West Florida. Own a 2005 Seadoo 180 Challenger and I would like to know if it's a good idea to have it"winterized". Rarely, if ever does it get below freezing temperatures. I called the seadoo dealer and they want over $200 to accomplish the task. I simply planned on disconnecting the battery and calling it a day. Is the fogging required? If so, what else would anyone recommend? Thanks for your time.

 

[kustomkarl]

In Florida...unless it gets below 32* for more than 3 hours you should be ok. Keep the battery charged up over the winter. Disconnect it before you charge it, or charge it the garage on the bench.

Karl

 

[Squidoo]

I would fog it. You are going to get condensation in the engine from the temperature swings. Fogging will help protect the engine from the moisture.

 

[bo799]

I have had one seadoo or another since 1990. I have never winterized any of them. If it gets cold enough I just put a drop light in the engine compartment. I have battery tenders that stay on them all the time.

 

[seadoosnipe]

Heat...?

I have had one seadoo or another since 1990. I have never winterized any of them. If it gets cold enough I just put a drop light in the engine compartment. I have battery tenders that stay on them all the time.

:agree:,......I live on the Gulf Coast of Alabama and like you, I rarely see freezing temps. If I'm not going to run my boat for any period of time, for more than say 2 weeks, I do as you say, put the light in the engine compartment. This keeps the humidity in the engine bay from clinging to the engine.

To keep humidity at it's lowest, you should also take a shop vac and remove all the water in your bilge, around the motor.

One last thing, I keep my boat under a cover but I leave the engine compartment lid cracked open, wedged so air can ventilate out.:cheers:

 

[seadoomichael]

What kind of light, specifically, would you put in the engine compartment?

 

[kustomkarl]

A rough service 60 watt should do it.

Karl

 

[seadoomichael]

Place in what? My wife's decorative lamp? Or something more manly...

 

[kustomkarl]

For the fixture you could use just a short standing light, like a table light...Get one in a yard sale. It should have a stable base so it won't fall over.

Karl

 

[seadoomichael]

And where do you put it exactly? Just find a flat surface somewhere in the engine compartment?

 

[seadoosnipe]

Shop light....

And where do you put it exactly? Just find a flat surface somewhere in the engine compartment?

I use a mechanics drop light with a 75 watt bulb. It's basically an open bulb that hangs from it's wire. I hang it in from the top and let it drape next to the engine's head on the exhaust side. What you really are trying to achieve is, keeping the temperature inside the compartment from freezing....

This can also be a very dangerous way to keep your boat/ski warm from freezing. If you have any oil or fuel vapors that have accumulated inside the engine compartment and that buld breaks somehow, you could have an explosion and fire. So if you choose to do this, check to make sure you can secure it well and that you have no fuel smell. When I do this, I also leave my engine cover open, wedged with a piece of wood. The center seperator is also removed. This way, you will have a small amount of ventilation. Do not seal the engine compartment off with that light bulb inside.:cheers: