10 replies to this topic

[bbmac2010]

Does anyone have any tricks for clearing the intakes of debris while the boat is still in the water. The Delaware River isnt the cleanest body of water on the planet and needless to say odd objects find their way into the jets of our boat. Does anyone have any tips to try and clear the debris? We have tried rocking the boat side to side, powering forward and then in reverse.. Sometimes it seems to work, sometimes nothing.

[Kevin Leclair]

I would say you could drive slowly to force it out, but depending on what debris is in there it could be dangerous. Really your best way to clear it while in the water is get a pair of goggles, swim underneath the boat (when the boat is completely shut-off), and take a look what is in there. Remove what you find and get on your way. While it is not the most convenient way, it is the only sure way to know what has actually got caught in the intake grate.

If this happens quite frequently then you other option might be looking for an aftermarket intake grate with a different tine setup. Keep us posted.

[STEPHEN X-20]

Kevin is absolutely right about the intake grate. I have not sucked up any debris since switching to an 11-tine fixed grate.

http://seadoosportbo...uggestionshelp/

[bbmac2010]

Thank you so much Kevin and Steven this is helpful, I will look into aftermarket grates.

[Topwater]

Thank you so much Kevin and Steven this is helpful, I will look into aftermarket grates.

I'm new to SDSB and was searching for intake grate solutions for the same reason. I thought I'd offer what my dealer said on the issue. I'm always skeptical of their self interest on these issues. He said to be careful messing with the intake grates as this can cause cavitation. In my case I'm more interested in low speed performance than high. I'd be interested if this is a real concern or not. Certainly clearing debris will often require extracting the boat and some degree of disassembly.

[Ron310]

I usually shut each motor and run one at a time so I know which one is having the problem. I leave the clogged motor off and drive in reverse (trying to stay straight). Then I shut the motor and coast backwards. Then just drive forward. That usually works. Sometimes I just hit the throttle hard for a second to try and clear what's in there.

[FJHIII]

I jump in with a mask to clear the intake.

[DDR]

I do the same as Ron310. Sometimes coasting back works and sometimes it doesn't. I also have chopped up some sticks by hitting the throttle. It sounds bad while it is slicing up the stick. I don't know if that is an acceptable solution. I asked a district rep if there was a size that it was ok to chop up, but he didn't know. I had one that I chopped up a lot and it made the whole boat shudder and I quit cause I was afraid of damaging something. Took me 3 hours to get home @ 10MPH. Once on the trailer, I used a long metal bar from the rear to gently dislodge it from the impeller and removed it back through the intake grate. it was 4 inches long and an inch and a half thick. It had been sliced and appeared to be stuck on a knot. I probably could have gassed it some more and driven home on both engines.

If you go under the boat to clean out the intake, be sure you don't get your hand caught in the intake grate. Panic isn't a good thing under there. Drowning isn't worth it!

Dave

[FJHIII]

I now keep a extra long screw driver that can reach through the grate and touch the prop blades.

[ginper]

Can anyone recommend an aftermarket grate that fits a 2008 230 Wake? My grate only has 3 tines and I suck up debris all the time. very frustrating!! otherwise a great boat

[DDR]

Can anyone recommend an aftermarket grate that fits a 2008 230 Wake? My grate only has 3 tines and I suck up debris all the time. very frustrating!! otherwise a great boat

I'm also waiting for an answer to your question about a replacement grate.
I haven't seen any anywhere on the net.

Anybody have a suggestion.
Thanks,
Dave