FX HO 2010

I have been reading forums on how to winterize my 2010 Yamaha FX HO. Its seems that I need to add fuel stabilizer...(how much 8oz, 32oz?) and do a couple dry runs 15 secs or so in order to get all of the water out of the ski. Is that all that is involved in winterizing the ski? I live in Maryland where the temps getting below freezing and want to make sure that I do not have any problems come spring. The ski is under a cover stored outside. Thanks for any help in advance

Ernest T

Winterization:

1. Fill the gas tank and add fuel stabilizer (Stabil Marine, and Startron are the 2 products that have proved the best in independent testing). Look at the bottle for how much to add. You want to use the "storage" amount listed. For Stabil Marine its 1 oz. per 5 gal. I'd add 4 oz. to your FX HO, which has an 18+ gal. tank (a little extra won't hurt anything). Personally, I recommend adding a fuel injector cleaner also. Yamaha Ring Free Plus is the best, Seafoam is another choice as is Techron. Run this mix through the engine for 15 minutes on the hose. Disconnect the hose and run the engine dry for 15 seconds, blipping the throttle to blow excess water out of the exhaust system.

2. Change the oil right after doing the above while the engine is still hot. Combustion contaminates in oil are acidic and can damage metal engine parts if left sitting in the engine during long storage. Therefore, putting in fresh oil as part of the winterization is a good idea.

3. Now wait a couple of hours or the next day (when the engine is completely cool), and run the engine again for 15 seconds dry, blipping the throttle to force out excess water from the system (it helps if the bow is up and the stern is down during this step). Repeat this process until no water comes out (usually 2-3 times). Now there is no need for antifreeze.

4 On the last dry run (step 3), fog the engine, but don't hit the throttle during this step.........just let the engine idle for 15 sec. while you apply the fogging oil. Yamaha recommends fogging the engine for any storage period, and this step will keep valves and piston rings from damage. On the older FX HOs you just spray fogging oil into the air intakes after you remove the air filter. On the newer FX HOs you remove the hose from the oil separator to the engine and spray the fogging oil in that hose for 5 seconds while the engine is running at idle.

5. Wash and wax and completely dry the ski inside and out.

6. Spray a coat of anti-corrosive spray on the engine and metal parts exposed around the pump. Fluid Film is the #1 choice, followed by CRC 656 or Corrosion X.

7. Remove the battery and place on a tender. Note the original Yamaha battery is flooded type and you will need to check the water level. Add distilled water to each cell to get it to the full line. You will probably need to add water at least once over the winter. If you have an AGM type of battery, be sure you use a compatible type of battery tender, or you may ruin your battery.

8. Put the cover on the ski, and add an additional cover (tarp) if it will be stored outside (the OEM cover is not waterproof). Therefore add a tarp etc. If you do add an additional cover I recommend putting a Damp Rid in the ski to help prevent mold, since an additional cover will reduce the venting and lead to moisture build up from condensation. Its also a good idea to get the trailer tires off the ground if you are storing outside. Some bricks under the axles, etc. will do the trick. This will prevent flats from developing on the tires over the winter. Not a bad idea to spray the trailer springs, hubs, etc. with some anti-corrosive spray before storage (Fluid Film, CRC 656, or Corrosion X).

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2008 Yamaha FX HO Cruiser
2010 Hurricane Sundeck 2100

jsdeprey

I keep my skis in my garage, and have never really winterized them at all, but was thinking of starting, I always put them on a battery tender, but even then the batteries seem to not last most the next season. I just had both skis worked on and the oil changed so, Ill skip that part, but was wondering if this stuff would be a ok fogging oil to use?

And I think you said this fuel stabilizer should be ok?

I am also going to be some of that Fluid Film spray, I have always use a silicone spray liek this one
And used this stuff on bolts adn things.

But I will try the Fluid Film and hope its better, I had been using a silicone spray that I had gotten at the store I bought my first ski at, but when that ran out found this one online. I buy most everything at Amazon cause I am a Prime member and do not have to pay shipping etc... They have Fluid Film here, but its a not a Prime item

jsdeprey

BTW I am pretty sure this is the battery tender I use with a non stock yamaha battery, I did not buy it on amazon, but in a local store, but pretty sure this is the model.

Before I had that one, I used a normal battery charger that I had from sears, and it seemed to work ok. But coupel questions.

1. Do you have to remove the battery from the ski? can you leave in ski but unhook the ski battery terminals? or do you have to even remove ski battery connections if used like I mention below.

2. That tender comes with a connection that looks like you can leave it on the battery semi permanent? like in this picture below, it has a cap on it, but seems like a bad idea, what you think?

Ernest T

All that stuff is good. Keep your silicone spray to use on the rubber parts.

Be sure you use the right tender for your battery, and check the fluid levels for flooded batteries every month. If you use the wrong type of tender or the fluid level falls too far it will kill the battery.

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2008 Yamaha FX HO Cruiser
2010 Hurricane Sundeck 2100

jsdeprey

Looks like I have this battery in both my Ski's, curious if this is a typical good battery that most of you use in your ski's or if there is something better I should get?
Yuasa Batteries :: Search Result

I am currently using one of these to charge them over the winter
Battery Tender Junior 12V @ 0.75A - Motorcycle - Batterytender.com

But I am thinking of getting he plus model here.
Battery Tender Plus - Batterytender.com

Curious if anyone else has these same chargers and what they think about them?

Ernest T

The Yuasa battery is the original (cheap) Yamaha battery that they put in all their skis. Its an OK battery if you maintain it. Problem is that the water level constantly has to be maintained (add distilled water). If you let the water level drop too low, or if it is overcharged at all it will vent and it could possibly damage the paint or decals on your ski...........I know this for a fact, since it has happened to me with this type of battery. There is a little hose that runs from this battery right up under the seat, and if it vents the acid comes out and runs down on the back of the ski. You will usually need to add water to this type of battery at least once or twice a season.

The next time you need a new battery look at getting an AGM type like this one: Odyssey PC625 Battery - Free Shipping: BatteryMart.com This is the absolute best type of watercraft battery.

You've got the right battery charger. The Battery Tender Junior will work on any type of battery, so thats not the problem if you are killing batteries. Some of the cheaper chargers will over charge the battery and cause them to vent.

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2008 Yamaha FX HO Cruiser
2010 Hurricane Sundeck 2100

jsdeprey

Is this battery below the same one you linked?


Looks kind of the same, but sticker looks different. I might buy 2 of these but wait till summer to get them, I have had battery issues before, and I never check the water levels, cause I am lazy , ill try to that on these new batteries, but I think I paid 100$ for these batteries last time I replaced them, and these are the same price, but if they will last longer and are easier to maintain I am all for that.

Having battery issue on the water sucks, I had it happen last time I was out in the ocean, and the ski had started fine that day, then all a sudden refused to start while out riding around and turned the engine off, it would not start back up, I have had that happen before with a loose connection, but this was not loose at all, I had to pull my buddy that was out with my back maybe 10 miles going very slow, its sucks! the battery tested bad, and the place I took it replaced it with this same battery listed in my last post.

Also can you use that same battery tender on htese batteries? or do you need too? and the terminals look different on this battery is that a problem?

Thanks Ernest!

Ernest T

That is the right battery. There may be different stickers on them depending on who sells them, but they are all made in the same place. The nice thing about the AGM type of battery, which is what the Odyssey battery is, is that they are completely maintenance free. No more worry about having to add water to this battery. Also because they are sealed, you don't have to worry about them venting and messing up your ski. You won't have to connect that rubber hose to this battery, because it doesn't even have a vent port. The other great thing about the Odyssey is that it can be deep cycled without killing it. The Yuasa and other types of flooded batteries, die if they are completely discharged even one time, but that will not happen with the Odyssey. It can be deep cycled multiple times with no problem. The Battery Tender brand of charger will work fine on the Odyssey, but you need to avoid other cheaper types of chargers that can over charge AGM batteries........like the ones they sell at Harbor Freight. I'd still pull it out at the end of the year and put it on a tender.

The terminals will work fine. Some sellers include the terminal nuts with the battery and some do not. I'm not sure about Amazon. If your battery comes without nuts, I'd to to a hardware store and gets some stainless steel nuts and washers to use. Be sure to tighten the connections well with a wrench and put on some dielectric grease.

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2008 Yamaha FX HO Cruiser
2010 Hurricane Sundeck 2100

jsdeprey

Really glad you pointd out these batteries, sounds like a good buy to me, wish I had not just put a new one of the YUASA batteries in my ski for 100$ but oh well.

BTW, nither on the 2 batteries in my skis have the rubber hose hooked up at all, that I can see anyway, and I did not install either of them.