Maintenance Post Take-out

[seed_81]

What is the recommended routine after taking the boat out of the lake. When pulling the drain plug, I noticed a label mentioning something about flushing lines. I've also heard of people starting the engines to blow the water out.

I've only had the boat in the water 3 times and haven't done either of those. Is this something I should do everytime I take it out of the water?

 

[seed_81]

ok, more questions.
When I pull it from the water.. start the engines to blow the water out then take it home and hook up a hose to the flush ports/nozzles (whatever they're called) by the back seats... How long should I run the water for and should I fire up the engines again to blow that water out?

 

[haknslash]

Yup you should always remove water from the exhaust system for any jet ski or boat. On my previous skiis I would just crank them up and give a few bursts of power to clear out the exhaust. Should take but just a few seconds before all the water is blasted out. Never run it for more than 15 seconds or you'll overheat the engine since no water will be flowing through.

See the attached Post-operation checks from your Owner's manual. I've highlighted the two areas you are asking about. Normally most people only flush after running in salt water but it doesn't hurt to flush every time, even in fresh water, as all bodies of water carry some form of particulates and debris. FWIW, I've never flushed my skis after fresh water use and have not had any issues. Salt water use you for sure must flush with fresh water as the salt will eat into your cooling jackets, exhaust and engine.

 

[2nazt]

I flush for 10 minutes a motor but I am salt water but it doesn't hurt it. Remember though Start Engine-Turn Water On-Turn Water Off-(blow out water)Stop Engine. I blow out at the ramps and also after flush. Just a couple bumps to 3000-3500 rpms about 3-4 times is all I do. The main thing is DONT run water without the engine on!!!

 

[Bill D]

If you're boating in fresh water, I don't feel it is a requirement to flush the engines. It is a must after boating in salt water. If it makes you feel better, by all means, go ahead. Just remember, engine on, water on, water off, engine off.

Revving the engines blows the remaining water out of the exhaust. It just takes a couple bumps of the throttle. This is my last step when pulling the boat out of the water.

Also, don't forget to take your cleanout plug out. You can leave it in the tube, just don't leave it in position or it will likely become stuck.

 

[seed_81]

The main thing is DONT run water without the engine on!!!

Oh geez, I'm so thankful for this site and your input now. I would have totally just turned on the water without starting engines and expected the flush to do its thing.
How long can you run the engine without causing damage? Can it run for the 20-30 seconds it takes to walk over and turn the water on?

We had an inboard growing up and running without water was a big no-no so this makes me nervous.

Also, don't forget to take your cleanout plug out. You can leave it in the tube, just don't leave it in position or it will likely become stuck.

Again, thank you.. on this note, do you take the clean plugs out when blowing water out at the ramp?

 

[haknslash]

@seed_81 did you see my attached image? It warns not to run it more than 15 seconds without a source of water cooling the engines. i would highly advise reading over your Owner's manual for proper care and maintenance. If you don't have an Owner's manual there is a thread on here with links to the PDF's.

 

[2nazt]

You can take out clean out plugs at ramp, I do it as they usually have water on top of them. Make sure no one is removing drain plug unless you wanna get them wet.

As far as starting the water that is fine. I usually just undo the cap to flush line, kink hose, start the engine and then install the flush line and un kink.

 

[scokill]

9th season, never flush as I'm in fresh water. If you do flush, engines on, water on, water off, engines off. No water on ever with engines off. I only rev the engines a few times after pulling from ramp to blow water out of exhaust.

 

[haknslash]

 

[swatski]

@seed_81 You are getting great advice here.
Not to muddle the water, but something I think is worth keeping in mind - probably not a good idea to go too crazy revving a motor up out of the water (with the pump not loaded) - it can put a lot of stress on the timing chain. I think it was recently pointed out by @Cobra Jet Steering LLC.

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[scokill]

If it works for you great; however, I am too accustom with boats myself (#1 If it can break, it will break...#2 Its not a matter if but when it does break). I always...always flush.

2 ways of the 22 ways you can screw up your boat

http://www.boatingmag.com/22-ways-to-screw-your-engine

Jets Suck. Water jets let you run in shallow water, so you go in freely. Unfortunately, you may not come back out. Jets use some of the water they suck in for cooling. If that water has sand, muck, or rocks mixed in, your cooling system may get clogged. One jet drive manufacturer goes so far as to warn: "Avoid shallow-water conditions." Continuing with, "Always be in at least two to three feet of water, especially when accelerating from idle speeds." If you must run in skinny water, go fast. This way the jet sucks in cleaner surface water as the boat rides high and well above the bottom.

Forget to Flush. Put your jet drive away after each use without thoroughly flushing the engine and you may have to put it away permanently. Although it may not ingest something large enough to cripple it while underway, it can develop a slow buildup of crud. Clean out internal passages by flushing your jet with freshwater for 10 minutes, and use plenty of pressure. All current models have a flushing port

I flush mine with freshwater every time I use it I'm only in freshwater. Now if by freshwater you mean chlorinated tap water from a hose , then no. What about folks with well water? Is that fresh enough as opposed to lake water? I can see being religious about flushing after salt water use, but not lake water. I'm only going by my experience on 9th season and hundreds of hours on the boat, and I'm pretty sure not everybody flushes in fresh water and in total thousands and thousands of combined hours with no issues. Just my take.

And to add...the manual finishes up the section of flushing and mooring with "...maintenance will depend on whether the water is salt or fresh and other local water conditions"

 

[seed_81]

Thanks for the input. I'm on a lake so it sounds like it's not required to flush but certainly wouldn't hurt.
Maybe I'll flush once a month just to be safe but i'll certainly start blowing the water out after every trip.

Thanks again.

 

[scokill]

Flushing isn't done soley to remove "harmful types" of water. It is to remove anything that maybe in the cooling system itself...dirt, sand, small plant life, etc etc...

It's a 10-15 minute process that takes 1-2 minutes effort.

Better safe than sorry, but that's just me.

I know exactly where you are coming from. It would preclude folks from docking or using a slip unless they have a water supply.

 

[2nazt]

Not to feed the fire but freshwater lakes have higher mineral contents and particulates that can build up in passages. That periodic flushing with additives like Salt-Away or Salt Termintor can help dissolve and protect build up in cooling passages. Is it needed? Maybe not. Could it hurt? Probably not.

 

[scokill]

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by that. Why would they not be able to dock or use a slip? I live on the water and have a dock in my backyard. I dock it every weekend there...in saltwater.

It's pretty simple. You have access to water, not everybody does at their dock or marina. Again, you are in salt water where it's probably ubiquitous....I know it's not ubiquitous in all lakes and marinas with slips...and you couldn't really flush unless you had a lift.

 

[swatski]

Good discussion. I agree @ClemsonTiger - these are all good points. But not always doable or practical.

My dry slip in a dock in a river marina has shore power but no municipal fresh water supply. As much as a good flush with a Salt-away type of product would be great for jet/motor's passages, I don't think I would want to do that at my dock. Active ingredients include sulfamic acid with very low pH, sodium nitrites, etc. - nothing I would want to flush into my river dock. Come to think of it, I have also never flushed my outboards (in the river), or seen anyone do it.

That said, I think I will now include a Salt-away flush whenever I bring the boat home for quick service. That strikes me as a good idea!
Incidentally, @CrankyGypsy has devised a more elaborate flushing/descaling system for our boats, but I can not find it now.

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[Bennie]

IMHO - I flush every time. I am mostly in brackish water.

I placed a plastic ball valve to one of the extended hose Yamaha flush adapters. I attach to hose to the flush port, start the engine and being flushing, while I clean and let at least two songs play on the radio. Then kill the water and rev the engines a few times.

At the very least this gives a reason to drink another beer or two!!

 

[seed_81]

Best of luck. You can lead a horse to water........

you seem a bit offended so I'll explain.

1) I'm boating freshwater and the general feel I get is that it's not necessarily required as it is for saltwater.
2) Easy access to a hose to flush with isn't easily accessible where I'm storing the boat. Flushing after every trip would require towing home, flushing, then back to storage.

I understand the benefits of flushing after every use but if even the manual indicates it's not required for freshwater I'm not seeing the justification to do it every time.
On another note, when I say once a month I mean once every 3-4 trips to the lake. I'm not using it multiple times per week.

I do appreciate the input.

 

[Bennie]

Though I'm with @ClemsonTiger on the flushing I truly can't disagree with you on this. I clearly see your point of view.

May I suggest when you do flush to go ahead and use a cleaner. Salt-Away, though clearly for saltwater application, would assist in cleaning out any freshwater biology that may decide to be hiding in your cooling system.
just imho