Well it's that time of year again and it's time to do a little maintenance on the ol' jet ski so she's ready to hit the water in tip top shape next year and it's time to start riding again.

Follow a few simple steps in winterizing your jet ski and you will be able to hit the water faster while your friends are flailing around for parts, oil & gas you can spray them and laugh. Sounds like fun to me. So here are a few tips to protect your jet ski, get started faster when the time comes and possible save a little cash in the process. There are a few ways to do these steps just make sure you do them don't get caught up in the order too much just make sure you read your owners manual before you start.

Step 1.
Drain the engine of excess water
If you're like most place you may get a bit of an indian summer and get to go for a few more rides before the winter sets in. Just make sure you start preparing for the off-season when you are sure you're not going to be riding anymore. You will want to get a jump on getting ready to store your personal watercraft for the off-season as soon as you can, by that I mean right out of the water for the last ride of the season — drain the water from the engine right there on the loading dock no need to delay.

Start the engine a few times letting it run for no more than 30 seconds to prevent the engine from overheating. While the engine is running, turn the handle back and forth. This drains any excess water out of the engine.

Step 2.
Clean That Bad Boy Up Already
You do want the jet ski to look great the first time you take it out for a spin don't you? Take extra care to thoroughly clean you jet ski before putting it away for the season.

Wash down the exterior of the craft. You can just use the same soap you would use to wash your car. Make sure and get all the build-up from the season off, waiting would just make it that much harder. This should go without saying … make sure it's completely dry. Get ready to do a karate kid impression cause it's time to put on a coat of wax. No need to go overboard or anything just a light coat will do. When you're done waxing on and off grab some multi-purpose lube and coat any metal surfaces.

Step 3
Go Ahead and Gas Her Up
I know this sounds a bit backward but get you're credit card out and top the tank off. This will prevent an condensation from building up during the storing period. Make sure to add some gas stabilizer to prevent the gas from thickening. This is an important step so don't forget to add your stabilizer.

Start up the engine for a few short burst so the stabilizer can get through the carburetors and drain any excess water you missed at the dock. Now don't be stupid an store a full gas tank next to your grill or anything. Remember flame+gas=bad news.

Step 4
Oil Her Down
Okay so maybe it's not as sexy as it sounds. Spray some fogging oil through the carburetors and spark plug cylinders. Take off the air cleaning and spray the oil right into the carburetor, it's easy and only takes a second.

Now start the engine and spray the oil into the the carburetor while it's running and replace the air cleaners some some nice fresh ones please.

Take out the spark plugs and spray some oil down into the holes. Clean any oil the you've been sloppy with and replace the spark plugs.

Step 5
Remove The Battery Silly
Remove the battery by first disconnecting the negative terminal followed by the positive terminal. Store you battery in a shed or your garage, just make sure you keep it away from where you live since they can be quite toxic at times. If the battery is old you may think about recycling it and just getting a new one next season.

Attach the battery to a trickle charger and remember to check the battery water level every month throughout the storage period.

Step 6
Store The Old Girl 
This sounds like putting your in-laws in the quest house I know but trust me this is the best part because your almost done! Remember what I said earlier, flame+gas=bad news, so just think about where you are going to store the jet ski. Make sure it's in a level spot and off the ground. If you are storing your personal watercraft on the trailer take the tires off the prevent flats and corrosion. Use the cinder blocks out by the shed that your wife thought you would never use. 

Once the old girl is in place, unlatch the seat of the jet ski to allow air to circulate through and prevent any moisture from being trapped underneath. Go the kitchen grab a piece of steel wool or a rag and put it inside the exhaust to prevent any animals or bugs from nesting there.

Almost done, just do one more thing, place your cover over your jet ski to keep it clean and protected while it's being stored. Now if you followed these easy winterizing instructions your jet ski will last longer and you can spray your friends while they are still messing around on the dock … enjoy next season.

Check out our Jet Ski Rentals

Owning a jet ski and a fun toy to have but if you don't store it properly for the winter it will just take you longer to enjoy it come summertime. Winterizing your jet ski will save you a bunch of time and effort when the time comes to take it out of storage. Here are some simple steps to achieve that.

1. Drain the water. Since a jet ski uses the water that it rides on as a cooling systems it's important that your drain all of the water out of. After the water is drained it with fresh water especially if you ride in the ocean often. This is flush all of the salt, sand, dirt and any other junk left behind out of the system. Just make sure to follow the instructions in your owner's manual.

2. Clean it up! Take this time to get your jet ski all cleaned up and ready to go for next season. Take the time to clean the hull and the out side of the machine. Clean out the bilge with fresh water. Wax the shell to help protect it and get looking all shiny again before you go and get it dirty having fun again.

3. Fill and lubricate the jet ski. When you fill the fuel tank make sure to put in a stabilizer in. Protect your carburetors and pistons by lubing them up with oil. Take the time to lubricate all your cabling and rubber seals. Pay particular attention to your seals, use a vinyl lubricant to prevent drying and cracking. Grease up joints and flex points. Check the owners manual for advice on which ones to pay close attention to.

4. Remove your battery. Take this sucker out and clean all the terminals and coat them with a petroleum jelly to prevent them from corroding. Fill the cells of needed and keep it charges. You can use a drip charger if needed. The last thing you want in the spring is to get to the lake and have a dead battery. Fun with be put on hold for sure.

5. Store that bad boy. You don't need much space to store your jet ski anywhere with a roof will do. If you have to store it outside make sure to keep it off the ground. Get a cover and wrap it up. If you store it on a trailer make sure to pay attention to the tires since winter could rot them.

That's it… your done. Go get a beer, watch a bowl game and sleep tight knowing your jet ski is safe, sound a ready to go when you need it in the spring. We look forward to seeing you then.

Riding a jet ski can be one of the best things you can experience on Lake Conroe, however it can also be one of the most dangerous. Statistics show that jet skis are not involved in a significantly greater percentage of accidents than boats, accidents involving jet skis are more likely to be serious or fatal.

In order to ensure your own safety and the safety of others, there are a few basic guidelines you should remember every time you ride.

1. You must always wear a fitted approved life jacket. This can keep you above the water should you get knocked out or worse.

2. Use your engine-stop accessory that is provided by the jet ski manufacturer. Most jet skis come with a device that wraps around the wrist and will shut off the engine should you fall off and into the water. Once in the water make sure you constantly be on the lookout for other boats, skiers, divers, and swimmers.

3. It can be difficult, especially in choppy water, to see swimmers and fallen skiers, so you must be constantly keep an eye out for individuals in the water and keep a wide distance from boats and the shoreline. Obey all speed zones and just be patient and pay attention before hitting the throttle.

4. Do not use waves and the wakes made by boats as ramps. It may look fun but you can get hurt or worse. Many novice jet skiers have been injured when they lost control of their jet ski after trying to jump off of waves.

5. So that you may remain vigilant and alert on the water, never operate a jet ski if you are impaired in anyway.

Do not operate a jet ski unless you have reached the legal age to do so. Although in some states one only needs to be 11 years old to operate a jet ski, in many states one must be 16. At present, the personal watercraft industry recommends that jet ski riders be at least 16 years old.

Stay safe and enjoy yourself out on Lake Conroe with one of our Jet Ski Rentals.