Mooring waverunner in lake for extended periods

N

NorthvilleJim

New Member
Mar 14, 2008
88
Michigan
Boat Info
280 Sundancer 2007
Engines
Twin 4.3 L Mercruiser w/ Alpha drives
I know this is a bit off topic, but because there is so much expertise on this forum, I thought someone may have the answer.

I just purchased a used 2008 Yamaha VX110 Deluxe waverunner. There is space in my slip at the marina where I keep my 280 Sundancer to also moor the waverunner. The problem is there is no place to install a lift and therefore I will need to leave (moor) in the water for up to 4 months (June-September). I am on a clean, freshwater lake (Lake St. Clair). I know the manufacturer recommends the waverunner be removed from the water and flushed out after each use, but does anyone have experience mooring their waverunner in a fresh water lake for extended periods of time. Any damage to gelcoat or mechanicals?

Thanks
 
I keep mine on a jetport at the end of my dock, but one of my slip neighbors leaves both of his (Yamaha and Kawasaki) in the water all season and he has no problems. I believe the flushing after each use is for salt water operations - no need to flush after fresh water use.
 
Your main issue will be electrolysis. I don't think jet skis are set up with sacrificial "zincs" like boats are. Your jet drive may suffer.
 
re: your main problem will be electrolysis.

and probably staining. I boat in what most would consider "clean" freshwater lake, and there is still dirt in the water (from airborne and waterborne particles). Boats that spend any amount of time in the water have stain marks along the section exposed to water. But, that's just a visible issue, not a functional issue as above would be.

-VtSeaRay
 
I used to leave mine in a fresh water lake all summer. Just had to clean the hull.
 
If you paint your boat. . you have to paint the jetski. Or get a jetport.
 
tobnpr said:
Get a floating dock- I use EZ-Ports. I'd protect the investment.
http://www.ez-dock.com/
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I thought about these, but have just about ruled it out unless someone tell me I am going to cause some real damage by leaving it in the water.

Besides a price tag of around $2000, the waverunner will only be in the water for 4 months out of the year and I don't like the idea of having to pull a floating jetski dock in and out of the water at the beginning/end of the season. Also, I have limited space and limited ways to secure it in my marina slip.
 
IMHO - you do need to pull it and wax the bottom a couple times during the summer.
 
You should be fine leaving it in the water. Its the older ones you need to worry about. Seals rot out and leak. Just keep an eye on water in the engine compartment. If you notice more than usual its a good indication something is leaking. It IS a good idea to pull the jetski out after use but you'll be fine without.
 
NorthvilleJim said:
I have never heard of anyone bottom painting a waverunner/jetski. Has anyone ever tried this?
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Not to my knowledge. In my area, NOBODY leaves a jetski in the water. They either haul it onto land/dock with a crane or they install a jetport.

Bottom painting a jetski is stupid talk. . (I am now the Czar of stupid talk). . you would find a way to get the bottom out of the soup.
 
comsnark said:
Bottom painting a jetski is stupid talk.
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Agree with you on the bottom painting. At my marina yesterday, I counted at least 10 jetski/waverunners that are moored in the water. I will try and speak with some of those owners this weekend to see if they have had any issues with gelcoat damage, electrolysis corrosion, etc.

I appreciate everyone's input, especially from those that have first hand experience (Chuck1 and Beer Thirty) with leaving them in the water for the season.
 
Jim, I kept my old Kaw in the water on Evergreen. My neighbors kept a pair of GTX's in as well. We never had an electrolysis issue.

The machines were fine until the end of one summer when I stopped riding mine. It sat in that still, warm water and grew about 4" of green "fur" on the hull. I had a powerwasher ready when I pulled it out, and a good amount of the gelcoat came off with the slime. I'm convinced that the problem was my nelgect, warm water, an old machine and my cleaning method. In fact, some PWC's spend the entire winter in the water in the boathouse.

My neighbors, who had nicer, new machines and rode them regularly and didn't shoot them with 1,400 PSI, never had a problem.

They also used the PWC lift over by the hoist to occasionally lift them out for cleaning etc. That was in the "Jason" days though, so I'm not sure if that's an option now.
 
RollerCoastr said:
Jim, I kept my old Kaw in the water on Evergreen. My neighbors kept a pair of GTX's in as well. We never had an electrolysis issue.

The machines were fine until the end of one summer when I stopped riding mine. It sat in that still, warm water and grew about 4" of green "fur" on the hull. I had a powerwasher ready when I pulled it out, and a good amount of the gelcoat came off with the slime. I'm convinced that the problem was my nelgect, warm water, an old machine and my cleaning method. In fact, some PWC's spend the entire winter in the water in the boathouse.

My neighbors, who had nicer, new machines and rode them regularly and didn't shoot them with 1,400 PSI, never had a problem.

They also used the PWC lift over by the hoist to occasionally lift them out for cleaning etc. That was in the "Jason" days though, so I'm not sure if that's an option now.
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Great information! Thanks. Not sure what you meant by the "Jason" days, but the PWC jib crane is still there. I used it last weekend to drop mine in the water.
 
VTSeaRay said:
re: your main problem will be electrolysis.

and probably staining. I boat in what most would consider "clean" freshwater lake, and there is still dirt in the water (from airborne and waterborne particles). Boats that spend any amount of time in the water have stain marks along the section exposed to water. But, that's just a visible issue, not a functional issue as above would be.

-VtSeaRay
Click to expand...

No issues with staining.... easily removed with IronOut
 
I use to leave mine in the water in LSC and it was fine. I did this for 5 years, no problem. BTW, it looks nice sitting behind your boat. I wouldn't leave it all week like that. Someone might hit it if it gets windy, you're better off putting up near the seawall. Less opportunity for the ducks to $hit all over it, trust me they will....
 
JYurgo said:
I use to leave mine in the water in LSC and it was fine. I did this for 5 years, no problem. BTW, it looks nice sitting behind your boat. I wouldn't leave it all week like that. Someone might hit it if it gets windy, you're better off putting up near the seawall. Less opportunity for the ducks to $hit all over it, trust me they will....
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Thanks, that makes me feel better. I agree on the location. The behind the boat thing is temporary until I get my seawall set-up finished. The swim platform is great though for loading and unloading passengers. I'll be out on Sunday. Hope you are able to enjoy this great weekend!
 
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