Newbie Questions

[vxooxv]

So I've looked and can't find - complete newbie questions but I have to ask. I've spent at least 50hrs working on the boat batteries and audio and i've not even been in the water. Figured i'd better start gearing up for actually enjoying myself..

What's the startup procedure out of the water? I've done all this battery work and i'd like to make sure both motors crank. I'm used to a prop - so those suction cups are dead to me.

What are.. those hose connections by my rear speakers? Is this just for a flush or is this where I hook up to run the motors? Isn't there a particular order i must turn on/off water motors etc?

The previous owner said even at idle the impellers still have a slight spin?? Really...?

Can i put it in gear (out of the water)? Not sure why i would need to, but i'm on the subject.

No wake controls. This stupid factory DVD manual doesn't really tell me HOW/WHEN to use them. Do I need to be in gear... is there a neutral and "in gear" on a YJB? I think back to prop boat.. in out of gear.. barely in gear for no wake, docking etc. r/ No wake is there a speed i need to be at to engage/disengage? Limitations.. I really have no idea what it does other than jack up the RPM's.

Changing the oil - read the faq; is it the same for an '06 SX?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bruce]

Welcome Aboard!

You can start the engines briefly out of the water without supplying cooling water. You will hear more noise from the jets than if you were in the water. Keep the engines in neutral and do not run for more than a minute.

The hose connections are for flushing the engines. You do this to clean the engines after usage. Start the engine first then turn the water on. Let it idle with water flowing for five minutes then turn the water off before the engine. Water can go bad places if it is on while the engine is off. I only flush after boating in salt water or a dirty lake.

You can move the throttle back and forth out of the water with the engine off. The middle part of the range moves a bucket that controls the direction of thrust. Beyond that it increases the throttle. The impellers are spinning anytime the engine is running.

You can engage no wake mode anywhere in the range of throttle that you are adjusting the bucket postition / thrust direction. It bumps up the RPM to a level that should provide 5 mph of forward movement with the buckets in the forward postitioning. I often use it for a little more thrust in low speed manuvers.

 

[Scottintexas]

ugggh, why did I type this knowing someone would respond first, I'm not deleting it all though now,


if you run your engines out of the water for more than 10-15 seconds you will want to have the hose hooked up. You should only run one at a time and the hose connection is that port by your rear speakers, you must follow these steps to avoid sending water through your exhaust and into your engine
1. engine on 2. water on 3. water off 4. engine off
This is the same reason if you have an engine problem you either must be towed or run at idle speed back to safety.
If I'm just doing a pre launch check in the drive way I don't hook the hose up, just start them to make start ok,

The impellers are always spinning and creating some thrust, the only thing that changes is the bucket position in neutral the buckets are half up/half down to hopefully hold you in one place
on your throttles you have
1. neutral - in the middle
2. an indent at the forward and reverse movement (this change in throttle position only opens and lowers the bucket for the forward/reverse action)
3. after the indent in either forward or reverse you will start creating rpms/additional thrust

when I get home I start the engine and will rev it up to 6-7k rpm to help blow remaining water out of the water box/muffler

no wake mode is a very nice feature but can be finicky if you battery is fully charged, engage it whenever you want but the throttles have to be in the neutral to first indent (sometimes mine acts up and it won't engage unless I have the throttle in neutral) and it will usually increase your rpms from 1k to 2k (aprox.) I usually use it only in no wake zones, if I'm docking or loading I usually want less rpms

for changing oil and plugs just make sure you're looking at a MR-1 engine instructions,

 

[Bill D]

The best way to get a feel for the no wake button is to play with it on the water.

It will be important to remember that the isn't really an "in gear" on the jet boat. The impeller is spinning whenever the engine is on and it only ever spins in one direction. The buckets control your forward - reverse. It will be possible (and likely) that the boat will move slightly forward or backward in "neutral". The gates are simply dividing the thrust forward and backward to simulate neutral. When pulling up to the dock or something you'll want to kill the engine when you get in position. It is the only way to stop the thrust.

You don't have to worry about a prop contacting anyone in the water behind the boat, but the jets move a lot of water. It is a good practice to have the engines off when people are behind the boat.

These boats are very manueverable and easy to operate once you get the hang of it. Just practice in open water for a bit and it'll be second nature in no time.