Cleanout toolkit?

[BDOne]

I'm looking for recommendations on items to include in a kit to deal with "things that get sucked into my jet pump".

This is my first spring with a jet boat, and Lake Cumberland has quite a bit of debris in the water this year. The past couple of weekends I have been on the learning curve of how to avoid sucking things up, and how to clear the pump when I do suck something up.

Most incidents have been minor. So far I've only required tools to clear things up once.

This stick (plus another 6") went through the intake, and the impeller twisted it tightly around the shaft.


I was lucky in this case that I picked up the stick just as I was idling up to a friend's houseboat. He had a good assortment of tools to try to remove it. We eventually were able to cut through it with a small hacksaw. (I was pretty nervous about notching the shaft with the saw.)

This situation made me realize the shortcomings of my current toolkit. I would have been SOL if I had picked up that stick out in the middle of the lake by myself. So I'm looking for suggestions for additional tools to have on hand for situations like these.

 

[Julian]

Great question! I keep meaning to buy some of these hook blades for a utility knife. People have posted that these are great for cutting out ropes etc:

 

[the MfM]

Linoleum knife.

 

[BDOne]

I got a start on my Cleanout Kit at Harbor Freight today. For under $20 I picked up a linoleum knife and a "hacksaw kit". The hooked utility blades were out of stock, so I may have to hit up Amazon.

I think the piece of the hacksaw kit that will be the most useful is a saw handle that will fit any reciprocating saw blade, allowing me to wield fine or coarse tooth saw blades as needed.

 

[tdonoughue]

A length of line to tie around your wrist and attach the tool. So you don't drop it while cutting and turning down there...

 

[Liftr]

 

[bumpy]

This with a wrist lanyard: Amazon.com : Spyderco Tasman Salt Rust Free Serrated Edge Knife, Black : Hunting Folding Knives : Sports & Outdoors

 

[PeterB]

Good thread - just inspired me to add a few of the tools shown to my onboard tool kit. I’ve been lucky - 4th season with a jet boat and I’ve only had to clear the impellers a few times but last week one small piece wedged in tight and I went through several tools trying to find something to get it out. I think the curved utility blade would have been perfect - it will be in my tool bag for any future jams! Thanks for the good ideas!

 

[jsg73]

Search ”hawkbill knife serrated” on amazon for a ton of choices.
We were out last weekend for a day but didn’t suck up any trash. It was a mess.