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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.

 

 

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

Sea-Doo FAN Q&A NEW YEARS EDITION – Answering YOUR Questions!

16 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by Sea-Doo OnBoard Editor in Questions of the Month

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130, 2012, answers, best, boat, boats, california, carbon, chicago, deal, dealer, DIY, drain, drive, fan, fiber, Florida, for, gti, how, inside, january, lake, learn, look, minnesota, new york, next, pac, personal, pontoon, price, pro, pwc, questions, rat, review, river, sale, Sea-Doo, see, show, stern, teach, texas, tips, to, video, wake, water, watercraft

Welcome to the NEW YEAR and welcome to the January 2012 edition of the Sea-Doo Fan Question and Answer session where you the fans can ask BRP various Sea-Doo related questions and have them answered by brand and product experts. This month we answer your questions LIVE from the New York Boat Show where boaters could see the full 2012 Sea-Doo line up for the first time in one place.

Have you wondered why something is the way it is on a Sea-Doo watercraft or boat? Ever wondered why BRP did this and not that? Post your question here or on the Sea-Doo Facebook Fan page and your question may be one of the randomly picked for the next edition of Fan Q&A.

 

SEA-DOO FAN Q&A – DECEMBER 2011 EDITION – Answering YOUR questions!

04 Sunday Dec 2011

Posted by Sea-Doo OnBoard Editor in Questions of the Month

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2012, boat, boats for sale, california, carbon fiber, chicago, dealer, december 2011, fan questions answers, Florida, gti 130 price, jet ski, jet ski maintenance, lake, learn, minnesota, new york, next deal, pac, personal, pontoon, pro, pwc, river, Sea-Doo watercraft, show, stern drive how to, teach, texas, tips, Wake Boat, wake drain

Welcome to the holiday season and welcome to the December 2011 edition of the Sea-Doo Fan Question and Answer session where you the fans can ask BRP various Sea-Doo related questions and have them answered by brand and product experts.

Have you wondered why something is the way it is on a Sea-Doo watercraft or boat? Ever wondered why BRP did this and not that? Post your question here or on the Sea-Doo Facebook Fan page and your question may be one of the randomly picked for the next edition of Fan Q&A.

 

 

 

 

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