Pump intake grates- thinking of trying something taboo

[Eric Ballard]

The black paint looks awesome! What kid of paint did you use?

 

[Bruce]

Guys, you are doing some amazing work here.

This is the thread where @Jim Robeson provided advice on 3M products. I was considering using Belzona 1341 to paint the pumps after polishing.
https://jetboaters.net/threads/possible-project-to-smooth-and-coat-jet-pumps.12408

 

[McMark]

Do you guys remember when they would “extrude hone “ the pumps back in the 80s on the skis?

 

[swatski]

Do you guys remember when they would “extrude hone “ the pumps back in the 80s on the skis?

I did not know that! But - they don't seem to be doing it anymore anyway, not is our yammies that's for sure. And there are plenty of post on jet ski forums showing brand new SVHO skis with quarter inch gaps around their transom plates!!! Unbelievable.

Now, on the flip side, the truth is these things have so much power these days that a person new to these propulsion systems or even an average user may or may not necessarily notice or care.

There are serious gains to be made with pump sealing and tuning - that's for sure. And in turn those gains can make other components like Cobra steering enhancements work crazy sharp.

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[Neutron]

I put a seal kit in my FZS and it made a noticeable difference. Next is a top loader intake

 

[2kwik4u]

Took the intake grate off the boat this evening to reseal the jet pump. More on that in another thread coming soon. Snapped these pics of the stock AR190 intake grate for comparison to what you guys have been doing to the 24' grates.

I find it pretty interesting that the factory already "knife-edged" this grate. It wasn't sharp enough to cut me right out, but it was uncomfortable when I was holding it up and re-installing it. There is easily less than .030 in of "flat" on the edge, if any at all. It appears to be "as cast" as well, which means they didn't come in and smooth it out after it was manufactured. I'm not sure there are any mods to be made here @swatski I've already broken one of these, so I don't want to thin the bars any, and the edges are already about as thin as you can get. No cross bar to remove either. Here's some pictures:

You can see the knife edging here:


Here's the overall shape of the thing. Pretty basic design really:

 

[LukePrinsloo]

@swatski I do not think you ever posted a response to doing this. did you feel a difference? (Especially after smoothing out the jet pump tunel)

 

[Jgorm]

Do you guys remember when they would “extrude hone “ the pumps back in the 80s on the skis?

I can extrude hone mine with an anchor and sand bar for free!
It's interesting that the waverunner has grates but the boat does not. The boat has a larger opening too. Same mr1, 02 waverunner, 04 boat.

 

[I know You know]

I hear you @gmtech16450yz , I assume you are going to experiment on what's installed already and save the new grates just in case you need them, actually I just noticed you have a 2017 model so those grates at new as well.

I also understand the weed comment and agree it would fall out a lot easier without a grate but it won't help in those situations where the vegetation is long, enters the intake and goes into or through the pump. I've had they happen a couple times, in that situation the reverse trick won't do it, had to use the clean out plugs or get in the water and do it the old fashion way.

Here is some video of me clearing the pumps in the delta near Tracy marina. This was not even the worst it's been. Two tips about the clean outs: 1. Try to use them in a no wake zone if possible/put an anchor out to keep you in the no wake zone if necessary. 2. If you are going to check one check them both.

Where do you boat at? Maybe we could hook up on the water, uh next season, unless we have another hot weekend but I think last weekend may be the swan song for this boating season.

Why is there a Football inside your Port side Clean out port??

 

[Zonie]

I was thinking to do the exact opposite for going through the Erie canal.
Please keep us posted. I love experiments done on other boats and I get to learn for free LOL

The canal is looking great right now! We haven't had much rain (until today) so there is very little current, therefor very little debris.

 

[Ronnie]

Why is there a Football inside your Port side Clean out port??

There used to be. I put them in there to protect the hatch In case of a plug blow out. I stopped using them as I’ve realized I have never had a plug blow out and I’m not likely to since I have the locking kit from Jeff @Cobra Jet Steering LLC . FYI this kit probably won’t work on boats with the new plugs.

 

[Ronnie]

Here is a pic of the intake grates available for boats powered by mercury sport jets and pumps (e.g. early 2000s Seadoo challengers, sugar sand boats, euroline, etc.) they labeled the one on the left an SS grate they are more commonly known as rock grates, note there are a lot more times than the standard grate. I purchased to rock grates for my two mercury powered sport jet boats and didn’t notice any performance difference between the rock and standard grates but it was harder to suck up a line with the rock grate in place, it was also a lot harder to clear a line that did make it through the rock grate tines.

 

[jacoviii]

Lots of good info thanks

 

[Speedster]

DJC Marine Technologies has developed 2 intake grates, both patented. Check them out at www.repellergrate.com. Contact us with any questions, Dan will be happy to talk to you about our products. We currently have the Stationary Blade on our Sea Ray Rayder and it works as it is designed to. Give us a call or email us for more information.

 

[swatski]

DJC Marine Technologies has developed 2 intake grates, both patented. Check them out at www.repellergrate.com. Contact us with any questions, Dan will be happy to talk to you about our products. We currently have the Stationary Blade on our Sea Ray Rayder and it works as it is designed to. Give us a call or email us for more information.

Do you have those available for a 240/242 Yamaha (twin)?

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[Speedster]

Do you have those available for a 240/242 Yamaha (twin)?

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@swatski if you could give us a call Dan would be happy to talk to you about the options. We can be reached at 207-784-3177 we look forward to talking to you.

 

[swatski]

@swatski if you could give us a call Dan would be happy to talk to you about the options. We can be reached at 207-784-3177 we look forward to talking to you.

Thank you! I did the grate mod, as in this thread, and just noticed one of my bars in one of the grates already broke, I guess sharpening and taking the material off of the aluminum factory bars does not make them stronger, lol. I was about to order the OEM replacements, so the timing's perfect.

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[Speedling]

Thank you! I did the grate mod, as in this thread, and just noticed one of my bars in one of the grates already broke, I guess sharpening and taking the material off of the aluminum factory bars does not make them stronger, lol. I was about to order the OEM replacements, so the timing's perfect.

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let us know about the experience of it all if/when you replace. I personally can't get my grates off at all. They won't budge. Decided it wasn't worth getting a torch. They work just fine as they are. I don't see any weeds unless i decide to go to Bimini. Apparently then i see a truckload on the way there. Certainly caught me off guard. Could totally see how you guys would want to reduce the issue on your boats if you live near that!

 

[2kwik4u]

Thank you! I did the grate mod, as in this thread, and just noticed one of my bars in one of the grates already broke, I guess sharpening and taking the material off of the aluminum factory bars does not make them stronger, lol. I was about to order the OEM replacements, so the timing's perfect.

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I didn't mod my stocker, but found it broken after the first 2-3 outings of ownership. The 190 intake grate is very similar to the mods you guys did to the 240 grates. Wonder what caused your failure? Impact with something? Hitting a waves heavily cross-ways? Reduced strength from the mods? I'm very curious as this is only the second or third grate failure I've heard of, including my own.

I'm going to have to climb under mine tonight and double check it.

 

[swatski]

I didn't mod my stocker, but found it broken after the first 2-3 outings of ownership. The 190 intake grate is very similar to the mods you guys did to the 240 grates. Wonder what caused your failure? Impact with something? Hitting a waves heavily cross-ways? Reduced strength from the mods? I'm very curious as this is only the second or third grate failure I've heard of, including my own.

I'm going to have to climb under mine tonight and double check it.

I think there have been occasional reports of breaking those grates, not surprising.. In my case, I initially used the wrong tools and might have overheated the bars as I was trying to hone them, might have weakened them. I just noticed one of the bars in one of the grates missing, but don't have pics. I would think the worst case scenario would be sucking a bar in when those break - to that just freaked me out thinking of the carnage but fortunately did not happen. I am frequently plowing through some debris in the river. Those are only $50-60 a side, too. If there are some solid aftermarkets that are stronger and perform better, I would gladly switch.

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