Well, it’s that time of year again. There was a frost last night and as I sit here writing, I can hear the rain bouncing off the roof, so that can only mean one thing . . . it’s the end of the season.

Now whilst some of you die hard nutters will don your dry suits and carry on riding (and all credit to you) there are those who are probably in a majority, who will be stoking up the wood burner, cranking the central heating up flat out and putting their PW in the garage.

But just shoving your ski in storage and forgetting about it until the spring can be one of the costliest mistakes you will ever make. You can do this work yourself to prevent this happening, or if you are unsure then take your ski to your local dealer as they will be happy to do it for you.

Putting your ski away without properly winterising it can seriously damage your wealth and under the present financial climate you certainly wouldn’t want that. Over the years having worked on skis there are quite a few questions that arise of which I have listed the most commonly asked ones below.

Why do I need to winterise my ski?

Well, you wouldn’t want to press the start button on your pride and joy in spring ’09 and find the engine locked up with rust now would you?! Followed by a four figure quote from your local dealer.

What is winterising?

Look at it as putting your ski to bed properly for the winter to avoid costly bills at the beginning of next year. In short its removing water and fuel from your machine and getting special oils and lubricants into the working parts.

What cost is involved?

Your average machine takes around a couple of hours to winterise so most dealers will charge around £70 to £100 (plus parts).

What other advantages are there?

Whilst the mechanics at your local dealer are working on your pride and joy, they will be looking out for anything out of place and will be able to inform you of any other work that could be done at the same time. This is a huge advantage, as repairs now won’t delay your start to the new season.

What if I intend using my ski through the winter?

That’s no problem. You won’t need your ski winterising but getting your ski serviced at this time of year has the benefit of a quick turn around as most dealers tend to be quieter at this time of year.

What’s the turn around time?

Most skis can be winterised while you wait, saving you time and money on journeys.

If you are going to undertake this work yourself, the following is a guide as to what you need to do and what to look out for.

Prepping the fuel system

When prepping the fuel system it is a good idea to change the fuel filter (two-strokes). Some manufacturers suggest adding fuel stabiliser and others say to drain the fuel system completely, I guess both are correct, but check in your owners manual for further information. I prefer to drain the fuel system using a siphon pipe or pump to remove the fuel. Then I leave the fuel cap off to prevent condensation build-up in the tank.

Prepping the cooling system

In areas where the temperature drops below freezing you will need to introduce anti-freeze to the cooling system after you have flushed the engine with fresh water, this will stop the water from freezing and cracking the cylinder. The other option is to store your craft in a garage that does not get below freezing. Note: Some types of antifreeze can be damaging to aluminium and gaskets over a prolonged period. Be sure to use antifreeze that is formulated for us with aluminium engine components. Do not run the engine after you have introduced the antifreeze otherwise you will just wash it all away.

Prepping the engine internals

Start the engine and spray fogging oil into the carburettors. You may be required to remove part of the air box or flame arrestor to access the throat of the carburettors to do this.

Disconnect the spark plug wires and remove spark plugs. Place the spark plug wires over bolt heads on cylinder head to ground them. Next, spray fogging oil into each cylinder (spray for approx one to two seconds) and then bump the starter a few times.

Note: Cover open spark plug holes with a clean rag. You can then leave the clean rag over the spark plug holes to stop dust and debris from getting in during the winter.

If you have not got access to fogging oil, I have found that two-stroke oil works just as well. All you need do is put a dessert spoon of oil down each carburettor and down each spark plug hole, you will still need to bump the starter a few times.

Battery Storage

Disconnect and remove battery. Place the battery on a rubber mat in a well-ventilated area. You can attach a trickle charger or a smart charger to the battery. I recommend the Optimate III.

Note: Be sure to connect the red clip to the positive terminal and the black clip to the negative terminal.

Prepping engine and craft externals

Wash the craft inside and out. Note: Cover the intake system with a plastic bag to prevent any water from possibly entering the engine. Thoroughly dry the craft inside and out.

Using protective spray such as Castrol DWF, coat the exterior of the engine, electrical connectors, electric box and all metal components (including the jet pump, latches, cables and steering components). Wipe off any excess.

Craft Storage

Unlatch the hood and/or seat of the craft and prop open slightly to prevent any moisture from being trapped inside the craft. Loosely install drain plugs. Thoroughly inspect the craft and make any notes of any problems that may need to be taken care of prior to riding next spring.

It is also a good idea to jack your trailer off the ground and set it on blocks, this will prevent the tyre from “flat-spotting” whilst being parked in the same position for a few months. From a security point of view you could also remove the wheels, this would make it very difficult for crooks with sticky fingers to make off with your pride and joy.

You can now cover the craft either loosely with its own cover or throw a sheet or blanket over it. The most important thing is not to trap moisture inside the engine compartment or inside the engine itself.

If you are unsure about anything related to this article you should either consult your owners manual or your local dealer.

Now is the time to put your feet up and start dreaming about skimming across the water on those long summer days.

Remember, the water belongs to everyone, relax safe.