Box With Skis to Pull Behind Four Wheeler With Tracks

December 11, 2021

Thread: Temps to Freezing OverNight - Can't Pull Ski Out!! Thoughts?

04-29-2016,08:59 AM #1

Temps to Freezing OverNight - Can't Pull Ski Out!! Thoughts?

I'll be at the lake this weekend!
I only have the ability (truck with hitch) to put my ski (2011 GTI 155 Limited) into the water on Friday.

Then moor on the dock no problem.

I only have the ability (truck with a hitch) to pull my ski out of the water on Sunday.

Over the weekend temps are supposed to drop and hover around the freezing point overnight then came up well above freezing.

What's the risk of water freezing inside the exhaust system / hoses overnight and causing damage/issues?

04-29-2016,09:26 AM #2

Slim to no chance of freezing hurting anything after you fire up the ski for 30sec or so on the lift.
04-29-2016,09:33 AM #3

I researched this a few years ago because of my wake board boat sitting on the lift. Understand a few things. The water will not freez and will radiate that temp to the ski or boat also it takes like 24 straight hours of 25 degrees to start to freeze water inside a hull. Hope this helps.
but of coarse you could use the old light bulb trick if your un certain.
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04-29-2016,09:44 AM #4

Thanks for replies so far - would like to hear more from others.
Water4fire: "Light bulb trick"?
04-29-2016,09:55 AM #5

Extension cord and a shop light in the hull. Hang it were it doesnt touch anything.
04-29-2016,10:23 AM #6

Click avatar for tech links/info

Originally Posted by Water4fire

Extension cord and a shop light in the hull. Hang it where it doesn't touch anything.

Old school incandescent light bulb, not a modern LED lamp. The old 'classic' light bulbs produce lots of heat, the LED lights very little heat.
Bulb wattage? 40 watts, maybe 60 watts perhaps. 100 watt light bulb seems kinda excessive for hanging inside a sealed hull.

You just want to keep the hull nicely above freezing temperatures, not cook a chicken dinner in there.

This non-supercharged model has a closed cooling system with anti-freeze circulation, correct? If so, a few quick blips on the throttle with the hull out of the water should clear out most of the residual water in the exhaust system. Many guys who fully 'winterize' their PWC don't do much more than that for full on below freezing winter storage.

Last edited by K447; 04-29-2016 at 10:54 AM.
04-29-2016,10:39 AM #7

I don't think you have anything to worry about on that ski without an intercooler.
The engine bay is somewhat insulated so it would take several hours of below freezing for anything in there to drop in temperature enough.

If you're just hovering at or slightly below freezing for few hours during the night you'll be fine.
04-29-2016,12:07 PM #8

Hold my beer and watch this...

Now if it stays cold, you might have do something else....
04-29-2016,01:32 PM #9

Originally Posted by JohnnyMac

Now if it stays cold, you might have do something else....

This is gives me a sinking feeling
05-01-2016,06:53 AM #10

Guys, thanks for the thoughts and replies on this thread!
Well, I made it through the weekend, two evenings of temps hovering at/near freezing point.

No issues with starting, running or anything!
‎
Pretty brisk at sunrise
Thanks again - this forum rocks! ‎
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