SeaDoo!

June 10th was a very nice day; the kind of day that makes you think that a zip around the bay in a fast boat would be fun! It was time to take the cover off the boat and get it ready for the summer. The first (and very important) step is to screw in the drain plugs. The easiest way to do this is to wade into the water. Which is why I waited for a warm and sunny day (the water temp was 57 degrees F.)

Next step: lug the (recently charged) battery down to the boat and attach the red wire to the positive post and the two black wires to the negative post. The wires are sized so that the battery must be in a specific orientation. And secure the battery with the hold-down strap.

While the cover is off of the engine compartment take a look at the oil and gasoline levels. I use Mercury Premium Plus 2-cycle oil and regular unleaded gasoline in the SeaDoo.

On the starboard side of the engine compartment is the master switch. It is turned off during long term storage (be sure to open the drain plugs when the master switch is off, since the bilge pump will not be active!). Replace the engine cover and close the rear hatch and you are nearly ready to launch.

Make sure that you have a PFD for each passenger plus a throwable flotation device on board as per Coast Guard regulations. (There are a number of other required items such as a fire extinguisher, but the other required items are seldom removed from the boat).

Ready to launch? Lower away! And don't forget the safety lanyard (like I did) or the boat will not start. The owner's manual is stowed on the boat and has a very nice "my boat won't start" checklist.

Happy boating!