9 replies to this topic

[fischspot]

Fellow Doo'ers,
I recently had the unpleasant experience of sucking an empty, plastic coke bottle into my jet-drive (@ 40mph). Since the grate over the intake is hinged, it allowed it to go in instead of keeping it out. Has anyone ever replaced their hinged grate with one that doesn't hinge? I'm sure thinking of dooing that now.

Steve in Houston
speedster 160

[thumper]

how often does stuff get sucked into these grates and how on the 4tec do you clear them - mask & snorkel time i guess, can you mod the intake to prevent stuff goin in???

[Kevin Leclair]

You could always replace your intake grate with a "rock" grate, this will prevent larger objects from being sucked up. See the attached picture*.

* Picture of Riverrat's rock grate from jetboating.net.

Attached Files

•  Rock_Grate.jpg   37.98KB   32 downloads

[fischspot]

You could always replace your intake grate with a "rock" grate, this will prevent larger objects from being sucked up. See the attached picture*.

* Picture of Riverrat's rock grate from jetboating.net.

After dooing a little research, it looks like the hydro-surge grate is fairly prone to falling apart and dooing some real damage to the jet-drive assembly. I'm definately going to change mine out.

How about the 6-tine vs the 11-tine grate? Doo y'all have any feedback on differences in performance?

Thanks,
Steve in Houston

[Kevin Leclair]

Personally I would go with the 11-tine, the more tines the more stuff you are going to keep from getting sucked up. Shouldn't effect performace, water is still being sucked in so I don't think you would notice any difference.

[Kevin Leclair]

Here is a good article about the stock grates:
http://www.network54...geid=1026232182

* Source SeaDoo/Merc Forum.

[thumper]

thats a good idea - the 2005 4-tedc has only 2 bars with about 50mm between each bar - i will see how it performs before worrying about changing it - nice to know you can if you need to though

[tiggerman]

thats a good idea - the 2005 4-tedc has only 2 bars with about 50mm between each bar - i will see how it performs before worrying about changing it - nice to know you can if you need to though

Don't worry about it since you don't have the Mercury powered craft- all the cases of tines breaking off that I have read are ALL Merc powered craft. I haven't seen anything concerning Rotax powered boats having grate problems. Which just proves that Mercs SUCK more than Rotax.........

[thumper]

good news! and v funny with it.

[Doooer]

You could always replace your intake grate with a "rock" grate, this will prevent larger objects from being sucked up.  See the attached picture*.

* Picture of Riverrat's rock grate from jetboating.net.

After dooing a little research, it looks like the hydro-surge grate is fairly prone to falling apart and dooing some real damage to the jet-drive assembly. I'm definately going to change mine out.

How about the 6-tine vs the 11-tine grate? Doo y'all have any feedback on differences in performance?

Thanks,
Steve in Houston

I changed mine to the 11 tine last year. The 11 tine grate is more expensive and constructed from stainless steel, whereas the 6 tine grate is cast aluminum. If you boat in a weedy area, the 11 tine will get blocked and you'll have to go in the water to clear it. A member of another board rigged up a garden hand tool on a long pole and claims to have had success with that without getting wet...I might try it this year. I haven't heard any complaints about the 6 tine with either weeds or sucking up trash.