Sea-Doo Onboard

Sea-Doo Onboard

Category Archives: Doctor Doo

Information for existing Sea-Doo owners. Designed to support owners and encourage Sea-Doo preventative maintenance and offer advice for applicable Sea-Doo watersports products

DR. DOO – WINTERIZING TIPS: FUEL SYSTEM PROTECTION

04 Wednesday Nov 2015

Posted by Sea-Doo OnBoard Editor in Doctor Doo, Uncategorized

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battery tender, boat ethanol, care, certified technician, dealership, DIY, Dr. Doo, fuel treatment, how to, lube, lubricant, maintenance, oil, post ride, preventive, reliable, rotax, Sea-Doo, spring, storage, watercraft, winter, winterization, xps

Dr. Doo is ready to help prepare your Sea-Doo for its winter downtime by providing technical information to help ensure the good health of your Sea-Doo watercraft.  This monthly blog will include tips and insight on seasonal maintenance, systems care, and the products to help maximize your Sea-Doo Life.

As the days have become shorter the Sea-Doo watercraft riding season comes closer to an end. Now is the time to prepare your Sea-Doo watercraft for winter months. Non-use of your watercraft can be more damaging than excessive use if the proper preventive maintenance isn’t performed properly and in a timely manner.

For those who live north of the Sunbelt, the long winter months can be torturous on various systems and components. BRP provides a host of XPS products specifically designed to compliment the winterization performed by an authorized Sea-Doo dealer.

A trained and certified BRP technician knows the procedures to properly prepare your watercraft for months of non-use and the harsh conditions of a cold winter.

You too can help the health of you watercraft by following these simple tips.

Prevent Fuel-Related Problems with the Right Fuel Treatment Products

Screen Shot 2014-10-10 at 9.46.14 AMTo minimize condensation build up in the fuel system, you should store your watercraft with a full tank. When you fill your tank for the last time, Use BRP’s XPS Fuel Stabilizer or XPS Carbon Free Fuel Treatment to properly store and treat today’s fuel.

Depending on your weekend adventure schedules, your watercraft may be used infrequently and fuel can be aged 30 days or longer before it’s utilized in an engine. Fuel-related problems increase as the fuel ages. Therefore, fuel should be treated to stabilize and combat the risks of fuel system corrosion, fuel oxidation, the accumulation of fuel system deposits and phase separation. Keep fuel fresh and help prevent these fuel-related problems using XPS Carbon Free Fuel Treatments. This goes beyond Sea-Doo watercraft but is applicable to any machine that uses a combustion engine.   

Fuel System Corrosion

Ethanol is an alcohol, and alcohols have corrosive properties. Both XPS Fuel Stabilizer and XPS Carbon Free have effective corrosion inhibitors that coat fuel system components to provide protection against the corrosive effects of ethanol-blended fuels. Blended fuels such as E10 degrade quickly and attract moisture that can lead to internal engine corrosion. Unlike your car, these problems are more severe for engines that sit idle and don’t have fresh fuel moving through the lines and injectors daily.

Fuel Oxidation

Both XPS Fuel Stabilizer and XPS Carbon Free have antioxidants that stabilize fuel and inhibit fuel oxidation. All petroleum products – gasoline, gasoline ethanol blends and all mineral and synthetic oils – contain hydrocarbons. Oxidation occurs when hydrocarbons react with oxygen and break chemical bonds.

This breakdown can occur in as soon as 15 days. Carbureted engines and vehicles with vented fuel systems are prone to rapid oxidation, and water contamination risk is increased due to humidity and condensation from temperature fluctuations – especially for watercraft that are near open water. For these reasons, fuel stored in a container or in an engine’s fuel tank should be treated quickly after purchase.

Fuel System Deposits

Fuel system gum and varnish deposits are the products of oxidation. These new, clustered compounds in oxidized clog fuel system components and can lead to difficult starting, non-starting, power loss or engine failure. XPS Carbon Free Fuel Treatment is a complete treatment and an addition to fighting the start of oxidation, it has functional cleaning/detergency properties to both prevent and help clean and remove system deposits that ruin engine performance. The XPS Carbon Free Fuel Treatment will help clean carbon deposits on the piston and in the combustion chamber, in turn helping maintain engine performance.

Phase Separation

Ethanol is hygroscopic, which means it has properties that attract. Approximately 0.5% water content will mix with E10 and burn harmlessly in an engine with few, if any, noticeable effects by the user. When this percentage is exceeded, most often from other methods of water contamination, the fuel blend can no longer suspend the water and it forms a separate, visible layer below the gasoline. Ethanol itself will not “grab” enough water vapor from the air to create phase separation – additional water comes from other contamination, commonly in the form of condensation from high humidity and rapid, broad temperature changes.

Unfortunately, there is no safe cure for phase separation and any product claiming otherwise makes a false claim. Once a fuel blend has separated, the fuel must be removed from the fuel system and discarded properly. The only safeguard for phase separation is to try and stop water contamination before it starts with careful fuel management.

  • Use XPS Fuel Stabilizer and XPS Carbon Free Fuel Treatment to protect against corrosion, stabilize fuel to fight oxidation and prevent fuel system deposits. It also cleans the fuel system and combustion chamber.
  •  Keep tanks full to reduce available interior surface area for condensation.
  • Try to avoid using non treated fuel in your Sea-Doo watercraft that was purchased more than 30 days prior.
  • Purchase fuel from busy fuel stations to ensure you fill up with the freshest fuel.
  • Avoid storing your watercraft and fuel containers in high humidity areas when possible.
  • Finally, avoid using a product that contains alcohol. Alcohol is often added to some manufacturer’s products as a means of suspending additional water in solution to prevent phase separation. Additional alcohol, when added to the an E10 fuel, is increasing the alcohol content to levels greater than the 10% rating that manufacturers warn users not to exceed.

 

Prevents Corrosion

Prevents Oxidation

Prevents Fuel System Deposits

Cleans Fuel and Intake Systems

XPS Fuel Stabilizer

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XPS Carbon Free Fuel Treatment

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 Taking your Sea-Doo Rotax engine to its most basic form explains why fuel treatment is so important. For a combustion engine to operate properly it needs three things: air, fuel, and spark. BRP XPS fuel treatment products can ensure 1/3 of that equation is trouble free. For more information on these and other maintenance products click on XPS.

Dr. Doo: Transition from Storage to the Water

11 Monday May 2015

Posted by Sea-Doo OnBoard Editor in Doctor Doo

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battery, cleaner, controls, detailing, dewinterize, Dr. Doo, personal watercraft, riding season, Sea-Doo XPS Lube, spark plugs, spring cleaning, summer, xps, XPS maintenance and oil change kit

2015-SEA-DOO-GTR-215-ACTION-8

After a cold and extended winter, we cannot be more excited to reunite with some warm weather and get back to riding! If you winterized your watercraft with the basic maintenance, you’re in great shape to get back to the water with minimal prep. Here are a few quick tips to ensure the best performance of your Sea-Doo watercraft and maximum fun this summer.

2015-SEA-DOO-GTX-155_STUDIO-Storage-frontSPRING CLEANING
After bringing your Sea-Doo watercraft out of hibernation, it’s a good practice to Clean & Detail to prevent sun damage and remove contaminates from the water.

  • c0c824a40d95c98a5fef9ecf825b18aeGrab the hose and rinse off with the XPS Boat and PWC Wash and Wax. Made exclusively for Sea-Doo watercraft, this material-safe product will bring back that showroom shine.
  • The long winter months can take a toll on your vinyl seats creating mold and grime from the moisture. Use the XPS vinyl cleaner to help restore your vinyl seat and handlebar pad.
  • Once your Sea-Doo watercraft is looking new again, grab the XPS microfiber towel to avoid scratching and polish to perfection.

BASIC INSPECTION ROUTINE
A clean ride also needs to be a ‘healthy’ ride. Before starting the season, be sure to perform a thorough inspection to make sure that all your watercraft parts are functioning properly. A basic check-up includes the following:

  • Inspect all fuel and water lines for cracks or any other types of damage. Always replace any lines that you notice with damage before riding.
  • Check all electrical connections for damage or build up. If any damages are noticed be sure to have them repaired. For build-up, a good cleaning will help reset for riding season.
  • t329_cd4cdc58b4cabb59dde74ad985e31d0fIf you did not change the oil and oil filter before winterizing, spring-cleaning provides the best opportunity to do this. The XPS 4-stroke Maintenance and Oil Change Kit includes XPS oil, an oil filter, three NGK spark plugs and an instruction sheet.
  • Spark plugs can develop residue or collect moisture over the winter due to the cold. Check and change your spark plugs if necessary.
  • Make sure your battery has been properly charged and reinstall the battery into your Sea-Doo watercraft.
  • 2015-SEA-DOO-RXP-X-260---STUDIO-AES_SteeringThe controls should be checked for proper movement. This includes (steering, steering cable, throttle, throttle cable and iBR, lever). If they stick, use the XPS lUBE so that they move freely.
  • Double-check that your Sea-Doo watercraft is running correctly by connecting it to a hose. Start the engine and run for no longer than two minutes.
  • If you run into any questions during the Spring-cleaning process, always refer to your Sea-Doo owner’s manual or ask your authorized Sea-Doo dealer.

Following these simple steps will ensure that you have the best riding season that you can. Now, it’s time to have some fun! Do you have additional pre-riding rituals to share? Share them with us.

DOCTOR DOO – GOING INTO THE SEA-DOO SEASON FULLY CHARGED

11 Wednesday Mar 2015

Posted by Sea-Doo OnBoard Editor in Doctor Doo

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boating fire extinguisher, boating safety, brp, charge, dealership, DIY, Doctor, doo, easy, fire, fully charged, how to, instruction, jet, learn, maintenance, order, preseason, pwc, recharge, rope, safety kit, sea-doo battery, sea-doo reliability, season, ski, teach, tips, watercraft, whistle

Sea-Doo fully chargedThe 2015 boating season is fast approaching and Sea-Doo owners are preparing for a full summer of family fun on the water. As you are taking your beloved Sea-Doo watercraft or boat out of hibernation there are some technical aspects that Father time may have had his way with over the past few dormant months. Your battery is where it all starts (or doesn’t start) and batteries can and do lose their ability to maintain a charge over time. But, there is another crucial component that can also lose its charge, your mandatory fire extinguisher.

sea-doo battery

The beginning of the season is the time to check both of these essential items as both your Sea-Doo watercraft battery and fire extinguisher can lose their charge over the winter months of inactivity. Regardless of age, your battery should be given a full charge as step one in pre-season prep.  Be sure to remove the battery from the PWC to avoid gas fumes and possible fire, and set it on a cleared work bench. Connect a battery charger to the battery and let charge over night (please refer to owners manual for exact charging procedures).  Most modern battery chargers include “fully charged” indicator and this indicator should inform you if the battery is accepting the charge  – meaning the battery is still good – or not. If the battery is not accepting the charge or holding the charge and shows signs of being weak after a 6+ hour charge, it is time to replace it with a new Sea-Doo specific battery from an authorized BRP/Sea-Doo dealership. Be sure to bring your old battery with you to your dealership so it can be properly and responsibly disposed of.

Every PWC, including Sea-Doo watercraft, must carry a fully charged fire extinguisher onboard at all times. This is for not only your safety but potentially the safety of others.

Sea-Doo Fire ExtinguisherBut you may ask, “why?” Why do I need a fire extinguisher on a watercraft when I am going to be surrounded by water? That is a fair question. The answer is you never know what can happen during a day of boating. If something were to happen where there was an open flame while you were riding you would be able to extinguish it. Having a fully charged fire extinguisher on board can also be very helpful when encountering another vessel with an open flame situation. The Coast Guard and local boating law enforcement agencies check fire extinguishers to ensure they are up to date and fully charged. The best rule of thumb is, if your fire extinguisher doesn’t have an actual pressure gauge, is to replace it every year.

Sea-Doo Safety KitAnd while we are discussing safety the Sea-Doo Safety Kit can also help you in, or out of, an unexpected situation. In case your friend didn’t replace his older battery, the kit includes a whistle that he can use to let you know he needs you to tow him back to shore with the buoyant 50′ nylon rope that is also included in the kit.  The Sea-Doo Safety Kit also includes a flashlight to help inspect the engine compartment and the container can be used as a bailer.

These three items should be first on your To Do list when preparing your Sea-Doo for the coming season and all three products can be purchased at an authorized BRP/Sea-Doo dealer. Check the Doctor Doo column of OnBoard for regular maintenance, service, and DIY tips to ensure you get the greatest reliability and most fun from your Sea-Doo watercraft.

 

 

DOCTOR DOO HOW-TO: WINTER TIME LOVE FOR YOUR SEA-DOO TRAILER

10 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by Sea-Doo OnBoard Editor in Doctor Doo, Uncategorized

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best trailer, bunks, how to, lube, lubricant, move, perfect trailer, quarter rule, Sea-Doo, sea-doo maintenance, show me, tire pressure, towing, trailer care, trailer wheels, winter project, winterization, xps

DR-DOO-TRAILER-MAINDr. Doo wants to help you maintain the health of your Sea-Doo trailer, as it is key in getting you to the water.

This BLOG includes tips and insights on seasonal maintenance, systems care, and the products to help maximize your Sea-Doo Life. The fact is, your watercraft spends most of its life NOT in the water but for most on the bunks and now is the perfect time to conduct a trailer check-up. Here are typical items to consider in establishing a trailer check-up program.

Keep it Clean

Corrosion can cause health problems for any maritime vehicle and the first defense against corrosion (rust) is to eliminate corrosive elements by keeping not only your Sea-Doo watercraft cleaned and dry but your trailer too. For those riding in salt, brackish or polluted water, this treatment is particularly important regardless if your trailer is painted or galvanized. When possible wash off the trailer at the boat ramp, or at the nearest carwash.

Store your watercraft and trailer in a well ventilated area.

Store your watercraft and trailer in a well ventilated area.

During the winter months, keep the trailer as dry as possible by storing it in a dry, well-ventilated area. For those storing their Sea-Doo watercraft and trailer outside and covering it, ensure that air can circulate under it and that it will not sag and allow water to pool.

During the down time inspect the trailer frame and wheels for scratches, rust or weak spots. Pay particular attention to joints and fasteners. If any corrosion is spotted remove it immediately, and apply a preventive coating such as a cold galvanizing compound. Weak spots should be repaired and rusted bolts or rotten bunks should be replaced. Exposed or cracked welds should also receive preventive treatment since they also can form galvanic cells that can cause expedited corrosion.

Rolling to the river

Ensure the tire pressure is at the proper PSI.

Ensure the tire pressure is at the proper PSI.

The majority of trailer problems involves the wheels and includes: flats, blowouts and burned-out bearings. Ensure the tires you use match the load requirement and are rated for your highest anticipated tow speed. Tires can loose pressure during times of non-use and the colder winter months. Check the tire pressure (cold) regularly to ensure they are at the proper PSI to ensure dry cracking or deformity doesn’t occur over winter. Also never use different size tires on the same trailer to ensure the trailer will track evenly.

The quarter rule can help determine tire tread health

The quarter rule can help determine tire tread health

To measure the health of your tire’s tread, conduct a visual inspection and implement the quarter test. If any cuts, slits, or damage of any kind visible replace the tire. The quarter test helps determine if the tread of the tire is acceptable. Place a quarter coin in the tread channel and if the top of the head on the coin is visible it’s time to replace the tire as less than 4/32” of the tread is remaining. Also inspect the wheels (particularly around the bolt holes) for cracks or deformation, and replace the wheel if you find problems. Check the lug nuts for tightness, and be sure they are not corroded and fused to the lug studs.

Use XPS synthetic grease to lubricate wheel bearings.

Use XPS synthetic grease to lubricate wheel bearings.

As you prepare the long-term storage of your Sea-Doo watercraft, repack the trailer hubs to prevent moisture in the bearings that could lead to corrosion. When you repack the bearings, use marine-grade grease, a new grease seal and a new cotter pin.

Be sure to pack grease into the bearing prior to installing it, and tighten the bearing to the designated torque. Most bearings require the nut to be hand tight (spin the wheel while tightening) then backing off the nut to insert the cotter pin. After the hub has been repacked the wheel should spin freely but without play.

Let the lights show the way

Ensure wires are strong and have the protective coating intact.

Ensure wires are strong and have the protective coating intact.

Being seen through the trailer lights are vital to safety and are also required by law. Proper functioning trailer lights start at the vehicle connector, which should match or adapt to the car’s system and should include a ground hookup. A ground connection through the trailer ball is not sufficient as a resulting poor ground may lead to dim or flickering lights and corrosion. The electrical wires should be free of abrasions and securely attached to the trailer. If wires are loose wires they can flap and wear and eventually fail so secure them with tie wraps or trailer specific wire routing.

To help ensure your lights are bright and responsive use silicone or rubber sealant to seal the lamps where the wires enter. Apply electrical grease to help protect the sockets and prevent connection corrosion.

And everything else

The bunks should fit the hull and provide even support.

The bunks should fit the hull and provide even support.

Be sure to inspect the overall stature of your trailer with your watercraft on the bunks looking for sags or the combination sitting unevenly. Give the springs a look for corrosion and breakage and the axle for straightness.

 

 

 

If your bunks show excessive wear, replace mounts and carpet.

If your bunks show excessive wear, replace mounts and carpet.

Check the wood bunks and carpet for rips or abrasions, as this is literally the cushion that is protecting your watercraft hull surface. If you must replace the trailer bunks, use pressure-treated wood.

 

 

Lubricate the winch gears with XPS Lube to ensure smooth operation.

Lubricate the winch gears with XPS Lube to ensure smooth operation.

Take the time to check the winch and lubricate the gears and cable or check the strap. Now is a good time to ensure your license and tag is up-to-date. Your trailer is where your watercraft spends most of its time and is what takes it to the water where the fun begins.

 

Take the time to check your trailer during the long winter months as Dr. Doo’s How-To tips help you live the best Sea-Doo life possible.

HOW-TO WITH DOCTOR DOO: SEA-DOO WINTERIZING TIPS – KEEP UP THE ENERGY

25 Tuesday Nov 2014

Posted by Sea-Doo OnBoard Editor in "How-To" Series, Doctor Doo

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battery, battery charger, best, dealership, DIY, doctor doo, gti, gtx, how to, maintenance, performance, reliable, rxp, Sea-Doo, service, show me, Spark, technician, tips, wake, watercraft, website, winterizing

drdoo Dr. Doo wants you to keep your energy up during the offseason so your Sea-Doo watercraft is in tip-top shape when spring arrives.

This monthly blog will include tips and insight on seasonal maintenance, systems care, and the products to help maximize your Sea-Doo Life. The winter cold is tough on batteries. It’s important to take the proper preventive maintenance steps to ensure your battery is healthy and ready-to-go when you take your watercraft out of hibernation.

The cold can cause troubles for your battery trauma in two ways;

  • Your Rotax engine requires much more current from your battery to turn over when it’s cold due to the thickening of the oil.
  • Colder temperatures slow the chemical reactions that generate electricity.

Although you may not be using your Sea-Doo watercraft in the cooler months as often, or at all, these tips from Dr. Doo will help ensure you keep the energy up with your electrical system. 

Give your battery a visual check-up.

Ensure your Sea-Doo battery terminals are corrosion free.

Ensure your Sea-Doo battery terminals are corrosion free.

Take a detailed look at the battery casing, looking for damage such as cracks or leaks. If you find any “flaws” in the battery, replace it immediately as a damaged battery can cause operational problems. The battery terminals (where the cables attach to the battery) should be clean, free of corrosion and the cable ends should be securely attached with no “wiggle.” Also, check the cables themselves for damage or wear. If there is any exposed metal of the wiring, replace that section.

Conduct a test.

A certified BRP Sea-Doo watercraft technician should check any battery three years old or older. The tech can conduct a cold cranking power test (CCA test) to measure the amount of power (amperage) the battery is able to produce for half a minute in cooler temperatures. A battery should produce a minimum voltage of 7.3 volts even at freezing. If the battery falls below these minimum standards, it’s time to purchase a new Yuasa° battery from an authorized BRP/Sea-Doo dealer.

Keep it warm if possible.

Providing a protected environment away from freezing temperatures and frigid winds can help keep the energy levels up. If possible, store your watercraft inside a garage or closed storage area. If storing your Sea-Doo watercraft inside isn’t possible you may want to consider removing your battery and storing it in your garage during the winter. When storing your battery, be sure to cover your terminals with a rubber cover or in a cardboard box to avoid possible arcing.

A "Smart" battery charger will maintain proper charge over extended times of non-use.

A “Smart” battery charger will maintain proper charge over extended times of non-use.

An IV for your battery.

To help ensure your battery maintains healthy energy levels Dr. Doo prescribes you utilize a smart battery charger. These tools are designed for this use and won’t overcharge your battery and ensure they are at maximum strength when it’s go time. These tools can also be used for your other motorized vehicles that utilize a 6-volt or 12-volt system.

Drdoo-levelKeeping up the energy during the long winter months is challenging but with Dr. Doo’s How-To tips to live the best Sea-Doo Life, your watercraft battery will receive a complete clean bill of health.

2016

AFTER RIDE – SEA-DOO XPS CLEANING KIT and XPS LUBE

09 Tuesday Sep 2014

Posted by Sea-Doo OnBoard Editor in Doctor Doo, MUST HAVE OF THE WEEK

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after ride, at home, care, clean, cleaning, detailing, finished, how to, jetski, kit, lube, maintenance, one the dock, product, protect, Sea-Doo, soap, xps

The past summer is sure to have provided you and your family a lifetime of Sea-Doo memories. Weekends on the water are what make the Sea-Doo life so fun . To help ensure the fun is maximized, here are some post ride basic maintenance tips. Most of your fun happens on the water but even with the splish, splashing excitement your Sea-Doo can build up grime and debris over a period of time.

Keep your Sea-Doo clean.

Keep your Sea-Doo clean.

To help keep your Sea-Doo looking its best it’s important to clean it and take the proper care after you ride. BRP’s XPS products are specially developed to ensure your Sea-Doo looks its best and is running at optimal levels. The XPS PWC Cleaning and Detailing Kit (part # 219701715) is a complete package of everything you will need to keep your Sea-Doo watercraft as clean as possible and to ensure you are the envy of all the boaters on your waterways.

Water alone can’t remove all of the grime and debris you may collect over time on the water and/or during the drive home while trailering. The XPS PWC Cleaning and Detailing Kit includes; all purpose cleaner, vinyl cleaner, spray cleaner & polish, 2 microfiber towels, a deluxe wash sponge and bucket.

Lubricate and protect met laic parts and electrical connections

Lubricate and protect metalic parts and electrical connections

After cleaning and drying your sea-Doo, be sure to protect the metallic parts and connection points. BRP’s XPS Lube (part #293600016) one of the most versatile lubricants available and ideal for misting key components and moving parts to help minimize corrosion and ensure all moving parts move with ease. Refer to your owners manual for areas and components to lubricate and how.

Take a look at the Sea-Doo How To – After Ride Care video for more information on how to care for your Sea-Doo. And while you are checking out our SeaDooTV YouTube channel, take a look at our other Sea-Doo How To videos for more Sea-Doo life insight.

XPS LUBE

XPS LUBE

XPS PWC Cleaning and Detailing Kit

XPS PWC Cleaning and Detailing Kit

Sea-Doo ‘How–To’ Video Series

18 Wednesday Jun 2014

Posted by Sea-Doo OnBoard Editor in "How-To" Series, Doctor Doo, Sea-Doo Lifestyle, Uncategorized, Where to Ride

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how to beach a sea-doo, how to buy a seadoo, how to clean my jetski, how to dock a seadoo, how to trailer a seadoo

It’s almost summer and Sea-Doo watercraft will soon be all over the waterways in North America. As BRP Sea-Doo is continually innovating new designs and technology, we want to ensure that Sea-Doo owners are informed and aware of how to maintain and proper use of their watercraft.

BRP Sea-Doo has created the new Sea-Doo How-To video series. This series of 11 videos, has been developed to guide new Sea-Doo owners and answers frequently asked questions. The videos will address everything from fueling your Sea-Doo to after-ride care and clean up.

The first video in the series, “Getting Started”, reviews the things you should know to start your Sea-Doo life.

This video covers the Proper Riding Gear, Equipment and Accessories.

This video is all about trailering your Sea-Doo. This video reviews the steps to take when towing, launching and learning to transport your Sea-Doo watercraft.

The Sea-Doo InfoCenter is the control center of your Seas-Doo watercraft. This video features information on all of the controls and functions of a Sea-Doo watercraft. Watercraft controls and features are dependent on the model of watercraft.

The Sea-Doo Spark includes some of the traditional Sea-Doo watercraft features and can include items such as Intelligent Brake and Reverse (iBR) and Sport mode. This video covers all of the controls and features of the Spark.

Fueling your watercraft is essential to ensure a fun filled day on the water.

Boating etiquette is essential for having a safe and fun time on the water.

How to stop using your Sea-Doo watercraft equipped with Intelligent Brake and Reverse (iBR).

How to Beach your Sea-Doo watercraft.

The fine art of docking your Sea-Doo watercraft.

After ride care is a critical step in ensuring that your time spent on the water is the best it can be!

To watch the entire series visit our YouTube Channel.

TIME FOR YOUR SEA-DOO SPRING CLEANING

16 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by Sea-Doo OnBoard Editor in Doctor Doo, Sea-Doo Lifestyle, Uncategorized

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cleaning your sea-doo, getting ready for the water, sea-doo maintenance, sea-doo vinyl cleaner, Sea-Doo watercraft, Spring Sea-Doo Cleaning, spring sea-doo prep

Sea-Doo_PAC_2013_Day4_1827_AC

Spring is in the air and soon summer will be here! Along with the sunshine and warm weather, spring is also prime Sea-Doo preparation time! Now is the time to get your Sea-Doo watercraft ready to go to the water!

Your Sea-Doo watercraft is built to provide over a decade of fun on the water and the best way to ensure optimum performance is to take ‘tender loving care’ of your Sea-Doo. We have a full line of XPS cleaning products designed specifically to keep your Sea-Doo looking its best and last for summers to come!

The five must have Sea-Doo cleaner products are:

  • XPS BOAT AND PWC WASH AND WAX – After you bring your Sea-Doo watercraft out from hibernation, grab the hose and wash off the winter
    grim with this material safe product made exclusively for Sea-Doo watercraft.
  • XPS VINYL CLEANER – Mold and grim can build up on vinyl over the long winter months and the XPS vinyl cleaner will help restore your vinyl seat and handlebar pad to prime condition.
  • XPS MICROFIBER TOWEL – Ensure you protect your machine during cleaning and avoid scratching with this XPS microfiber.
  • XPS PWC CLEANING AND DETAILING KIT – Keep your watercraft clean and protected to ensure your gelcoat, vinyl and other surfaces stay looking new with this all-in-one cleaning kit that doubles as a bucket. This kit includes:  All Purpose Cleaner, Vinyl Cleaner, Spray Cleaner & Polish, 2 microfiber towels and a Deluxe Wash Sponge.
  • XPS LUBE – Once you have cleaned your Sea-Doo ensure the moving parts, connectors and metallic parts are well lubricated with the water dispersing XPS Lube.

Start your Sea-Doo riding season shiny and clean with these purpose specific XPS cleaning products from BRP. Visit your favorite BRP/Sea-Doo dealer or store.sea-doo.com for more information on purchasing these premium products.

 

HOW TO: Winterizing your Sea-Doo Watercraft

13 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by Sea-Doo OnBoard Editor in "How-To" Series, Doctor Doo

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brp, business, doo, how to winterize, Personal water craft, Sea Doo Xp, Sea-Doo, Sea-Doo watercraft, storing your sea-doo, watercraft, winter sea-doo storage, winterization, winterizing your jet ski

Sea-Doo RXT-X 260Sea-Doo owners who live in the northern climates are ready to send their watercraft into hibernation for the winter, not to be heard from again until the first blooms of spring arrive. Winterizing is a critical maintenance function to ensure your prized Sea-Doo watercraft will be ready to go spring rolls around.

Even Sea-Doo owners in the south may be working towards winterizing their watercraft, not necessarily for the same reasons, but to prepare it for storage during the cooler winter months of non-use.

Winterizing is about preventive maintenance and the steps needed for proper storage, and where and how you choose to store your watercraft will vary depending on temperature exposure, weather, duration of storage, etc. Non-use can be damaging if specific procedures and maintenance products are not used, leaving you on the shore next spring while the others are on the water. We recommend consulting your authorized Sea-Doo dealer as they offer valuable advice and can assist in the maintenance of your personal watercraft.

Many negative implications can result from improper storage: gummed-up fuel systems, prematurely failed batteries, rusted precious internal metals to actual broken engine cases, and other areas with cooling jackets. Going through the proper motions is key to keeping your watercraft at peak performance. If you are in an area that reaches the water freezing range, complete winterization is a must.

Some individuals are able to do this on their own, but we recommend consulting your authorized Sea-Doo dealer as they offer valuable advice and can assist in the maintenance of your personal watercraft. This way you can be assured the right maintenance products, the right tools and technicians armed with the latest tech updates from BRP engineering, are utilized to ensure the best preventive maintenance is performed.

Here are a few tips to help you in the process of winterizing your watercraft.

Dry it: The biggest enemy of cold winters is water freezing where it isn’t supposed to be. Before you do anything, start your watercraft engine and give it several short bursts of power to blow out any excess water in the exhaust system. Do this until you don’t see any water existing the exhaust port, but not more than 20 seconds.

Soak it: Another option to protect the exhaust system from freezing fluids is to run a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water through the exhaust system via the flush system. Produce a two gallon mix of antifreeze and water in a five gallon bucket and using a hose or using a water pump or bilge pump attaché to the flush outlet and start the watercraft engine. Flush the system with the antifreeze mix and then shut the engine off when the mix has filtered through the exhaust system thoroughly and completely. The antifreeze should protect any fluids from freezing in the exhaust system.

Battery Care: As you are prepare your Sea-Doo watercraft for hibernation, pay special smart start batteryattention to your battery. Your battery is where it all starts (or doesn’t start) and batteries can and do lose their ability to maintain a charge over time and proper battery storage is essential.

Your watercraft battery should be removed from your watercraft to ensure no draw of any kind is made on the battery during months of non-use. To keep your battery fresh and healthy we suggest a Yuasa Smart Shot Automatic Battery Charger be attached to the battery to maintain a full charge. Ensure the battery is place on a secure surface in an open-air location away from any flammable substances.  If the battery is not showing a full charge after a day or two on the yuasa batteries 2charger, ensure all connections are solid and if the battery still does not charge, it is time to replace the battery with a new Yuasa battery.  Please see your local dealer about purchasing a new Yuasa battery for your Sea-Doo watercraft.

Fuel System Care: Time is the enemy with fuels that are untreated. This procedure should be conducted in below freezing climates as well as any time the Sea-Doo watercraft is going to be stored for an extended amount of time.

First, add a fuel stabilizer to the tank. The XPS’s fuel stabilizer will help prevent fuel fuel stabilizercontamination and residue build up in carburetor, fuel injection system and gas lines.  This stabilizer should always be used before storing your Sea-Doo watercraft for a long period of time and is suitable for all gasoline engines. If you do not have a full tank, we recommend adding the stabilizer before you fill your tank, and we recommend to fill your tank with premium gasoline if possible.

To further ensure your fuel system will deliver fuel to the engine properly, check fuel hoses for leaks and loose or damaged hose clamps. If you smell fuel or worse yet see fuel in the bilge you will need to trace the source of the leak using your hands and/or fingers and replace worn or cracked fuel lines, clamps, or gaskets.  Ensure you inspect your fuel cap and rubber gasket for cracks or leaks.

Winterizing is also the ideal time to check other normal wear items and possibly replace them if needed.

Drive Line: Wear on the impeller and impeller wear ring can negatively affect the performance of your watercraft. Even if you avoid ingesting a large rock into the jet pump system, shells, sand, pebbles, and other debris can wear the edges of the impeller and/or grind away at the wear ring.

The wear ring is a plastic ring that encases the impeller and is intended to sacrifice itself when debris is ingested as it is much less expensive and easier to replace than the high-performance stainless steal impeller. If you feel the acceleration isn’t what it used to be on your Sea-Doo watercraft a new wear ring can help return that legendary acceleration. The Sea-Doo wear ring is made of a high density polymer material and the part number can be found in the Sea-Doo Parts Catalog or contact your local dealer.

The impeller is what ultimately grabs the water and pushes you over it and even though it is produced a very high grade and hardened stainless steel. It is a finely tuned piece of the performance equation and a rock or other hard object can cause damage to the blades leading edge and rob performance. The impeller damage is usually easier to see than the wear ring as the leading edge is usually bent, chipped, torn. If the impeller is damaged a replacement is in order.  If your impeller is damaged, we recommend consulting your local dealer.

jet pump oilAnd finish by completing the jet pump maintenance with a fresh dose of XPS jet pump oil. The water jet pump put tremendous pressure on the drive line and it is important that all moving parts are properly lubricated including the jet pump and the impeller shaft.

Lubrication: A fresh oil change with XPS 4-Stroke

xps oilsynthetic oil and fresh oil filter is recommended to again ensure that your Sea-Doo watercraft will be ready to go as soon as you unwrap it for spring.  XPS synthetic 4-stroke oilis specifically engineered to meet the particular lubrication requirements of Sea-Doo watercraft equipped with Rotax 4-TEC 4-stroke engines.  And to finish the pre-storage care xps lubeshould always include a lubrication of all moving parts such as the steering nozzle pivot points and reverse/brake mechanisms with XPS Lube. It is also helpful to mist over the engine and electrical components with XPS Lube as it also displaces any left over water on components.

We know nobody looks forward to putting their Sea-Doo watercraft in hibernation but if you follow the above recommendations, come spring you will be on the water trouble free.  Please consult your local dealer directly with any questions regarding winterizing your Sea-Doo watercraft.

Dr. Doo Guest Post: Installing Cruise Control to your iEquipped Sea-Doo

09 Thursday May 2013

Posted by Sea-Doo OnBoard Editor in Doctor Doo

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

cruise control mode, do it yourself installation of cruise control, how to install sea-doo cruise control and ski mode, icontrol, jetski, jetskis, performance boats, pwc, Sea-Doo, seadoo, seadoo jetski, seadoo jetskis, seadoo waverunner, ski mode, trailers, waverunner

Watercraftperformance.com recently posted instructions on how to install cruise control to your iEquipped Sea-Doo watercraft.  We wanted to feature this instructional post to provide advice to our Sea-Doo OnBoard family.  Thanks to WatercraftPerformance.com for this informative post!

When people talk about “bells and whistles,” at least in the way of personal watercraft, it’s typically cruise control they’re talking about. Cruise control is a great feature that so many of us aren’t used to on a PWC that its often considered a superfluous option, like a backup camera or fuzzy dice.

Only when using your watercraft for long distance rides, cruises through areas with stretches of limited speeds (everyone who has traveled Florida’s St. John’s River knows what I’m talking about), or leisurely exploring your lake or river have realized that maybe cruise control ain’t all that bad after all.

One such enthusiast recognized this before bringing home their brand-new 2013 Sea-Doo RXT-X from America’s Motor Sports and opted to have BRP’s Cruise Control and Ski Module Kit installed. We followed along the installation process and were surprised how deceptively uncomplicated it truly was. But be warned, there’s quite a bit of wiring to be mastered in this installation, so if tangling with electronics is not your forte, then why not have your local shop or dealer tackle this.

Sea-Doo Cruise Control and Ski Module kit

The BRP Sea-Doo Cruise Control and Ski Module (Kit # 295 100 455) is designed to add cruise control and the ski towing options to all iControl-equipped runabouts and comes with all this equipment seen here.

Thankfully, the rear access panels in the S3 hull make wiring significantly easier. Start by disconnecting your battery, and follow each of the steps to wire your new harness into the existing factory plugs.

sea doo rear wiring installation

All iControl-equipped Sea-Doos (from 2009-on), are built in a modular fashion, meaning that parts and accessories can be added to or removed from all skis rather simply. This “parts bin” process helps to simplify assembly, reduce part numbers, reduce production costs and make working on them significantly easier. The iControl unit is a base foundation from which all levels of accessorized Sea-Doos are built upon.

In the case of this RXT-X, the sportier runabout came from the factory without cruise control. Expecting to take in some long hauls this season, this savvy buyer opted to have the cruise module installed – including the necessary Cruise button on the handlebars.

All work pertaining to electricity on your PWC should begin with disconnecting the battery cables. On this particular unit, the battery is found beneath the rear starboard access panel. The electrical component support is mounted to the battery holder with the diagnostic connector attached to it.

 

Don’t Get Your Wires Crossed

seadoo wiring, sea-doo wiring, intalling icontrol cruise control

Remove the connector and pull the plastic plug from the socket, as you’ll be inserting a new wire terminal and your new harness. With your new wire installed into the diagnostic connector plug, you need to route your new harness wire along

For many, wiring is not for the faint of heart. Installation of the cruise control module requires wiring in a secondary harness with accompanying fuses. The fuse positions are marked out clearly in the instructions and require little more than some patience to get them all in place.

Next, you need to detach and uncover the fuse box. Following the diagram supplied in the kit by Sea-Doo (also found HERE), remove the seal plugs and bus bar to install your new wire terminals to complete the circuit from your connector to the fuse box. Be mindful to follow the specific plug orientations in the fuse box. A audible “click” will be made when a terminal is properly inserted.

picture 4

 

Once the harness is wired into the connectors and the fuse box, the new module can be attached and plugged in. The module is held down tight with zip ties.

Once the fuse box is recovered and reinstalled,go back to your battery and reinstall the component support. reattach the diagnostic connector with a little big of dielectric grease to the module connector (input).

Now its time to install the Ski Module. Secure it to the battery support with a zip tie (check to make sure it won’t move), and apply some more dielectric grease to the module diagnostic connector, attaching it to the vehicle’s connector. (FYI, the new module’s connector can now be used for vehicle diagnostics instead of the standard connector.)

 

Getting a Grip On The Handlebar Control

picture 5

Accessing the back of the gauge cluster requires only a flat screwdriver. Disconnect the connector plug to insert two more terminals to control the cruise module and communicate to the LCD display.

As the RXT-X (and likewise all GTX and RXT models) feature tilt steering that pivots the entire gauge cluster, accessing the back panel of the gauges requires opening up the front storage cover and moving the steering to its highest position. Using a flat screwdriver, unlock all of the plastic tabs careful to pry open the panel from the gauge support. With the panel off, disconnect the gauge cluster.

Since this has the X-Steering package, remove the top cover over the throttle. The locking tabs should unsnap from the lower housing. The kit replaces the factory switch cover, all you need to be mindful of is carefully unsnapping the throttle accelerator sensor (TAS) from the plastic tabs holding it down.

With the TAS unplugged and removed as well as the gauge control switch, route the new cruise control switch harness through the factory sheath. This new harness will connect the new cruise control button to the terminal connector that plugs into the back of the gauge cluster.

Next, install the two new pre-stripped wires into the back of the connector. Once the terminals are coated in dielectric grease, reconnect the plug to the gauge cluster. Now, install the cruise control switch to the housing, followed by reinstalling the gauge control switch and the TAS. Using the new X-Steering button cover, install the rubber button and the new cover (making sure that all the buttons align with the new cover).

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