Waverunner and PWC trailer upgrades (oic

[tpspeier]

Thanks for the feedback on the charging port. I probably won't do it because I'm too nervous to drill into the skis.

I do agree with @biffdotorg on not keeping the batteries on a charger all the time so I use charger maintainers.

Sorry I should have been more clear. I installed Noco maintainers similar to what you have.

Now my ski batteries are always ready to go since they are plugged in whenever They are in storage.

Exactly my thought.

 

[Ronnie]

A few more pics to close out the first season with these skis. My new “too me” 2007 Acura MDX is now my daily driver (had to replace the Ridgeline and expedition unexpectedly this summer). I think it looks good with the Waverunners in tow, especially when the oem covers are on them. The generic covers are silver so they look good as well but they are not as secure when trailering so I only use them for storage.



Here are the stats for each ski at the end of their first full season. The FX has more hours because it was purchased in October last year, roughly six months before the GP was purchased, but we were only able to take the FX out twice before storing it during the off season.





On a related note, I installed a two camera dash cam in the MDX and love it. The display is built into the rear view mirror and the camera angle (up and down) may be adjusted via the touchscreen.


Finally, I was able to position the rig at Costco so I could use the same pump without having to reposition the rig. I still had to swipe my card more than once and the people behind me in line weren’t to happy but it made things a little easier for me. Why people would jump in line behind me when I’ve got a boat or skis in tow is baffling especially when there are shorter lines or other lanes open. Thankfully it doesn’t just happen to me. I e seen people line up in compacts behind one or several RVs.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Wow that is some serious long lines for gas I can't recall being in line behind even 1 car let alone that many. are you experiencing the chine walk at 20 to 25 mph and the bird wing water spray out the side of the hull, I fixed the chine walk but the water shooting 10+ feet out the side of the hull may be more work than it is worth to fix. I also fixed the water spray in the face on every little wave. Log into Facebook Log into Facebook

 

[Ronnie]

Wow that is some serious long lines for gas I can't recall being in line behind even 1 car let alone that many. are you experiencing the chine walk at 20 to 25 mph and the bird wing water spray out the side of the hull, I fixed the chine walk but the water shooting 10+ feet out the side of the hull may be more work than it is worth to fix. I also fixed the water spray in the face on every little wave. Log into Facebook Log into Facebook

These lines are average size for Costco anytime after 8a. I usually avoid them by either going in earlier (they open at 6 or 7) or by fueling up at pumps on the opposite side of my filler port (Costco has long fuel lines and doesn’t hassle customers about which pumps to use).

ive Experienced chime walking on the FX and GP but nothing that concerns me enough to take action, yet. I will keep your post in mind if I change my mind, so thanks for sharing. The ride is wetter on both new skis when compared to the 2006 FX I had but it’s much more noticeable on the GP. I used to have bow splash guards (like a keel shield but mounted vertically along the perimeter of the bow just under the bond line) on my seadoo pwcs that really helped with this so i might look into those soon. The first rains of fall are hitting this week in NCAL so I don’t have a lot of motivation to work on the skis or the boat.

 

[Ronnie]

I mounted the camera to the back of the boat trailer and routed the line to the front of the trailer. Here is a pic of the camera mounted as well as new pics of the display for all and each camera. Note the viewing angle (tilt up and down) from each camera is adjustable via the touch screen display/mirror. All in the system costs about $350.

 

[Ronnie]

These just came, six pairs (three per Waverunner).
my wife estimated they cost $50 in all. Actual cost was $22 plus shipping and handling per pair but worth it if it keeps me from having to fumble with fenders and wonder if a cheap suction cup held them ($50 each) in place.

 

[Ronnie]

Any guesses as to what I will use these for?

 

[Jim_in_Delaware]

@Ronnie, they look like irrigation valves.

Jim

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

water shutoff valves for towing

 

[Ronnie]

But for what in my case?

 

[Neutron]

Vertical spray shut offs

 

[Ronnie]

@Neutron. You nailed it. We know the spouts/rooster tail are nice for increased visibility / safety but we also know how shockingly cold that water can be when the wind blows it back on us or one of us squirts the other (whether accidental or international, sometimes it’s _______ cold) and can easily change the mood.

I think these are the least expensive mod I can do, other than a sticker and even some of those cost more than the $3.50 I paid for each of these. The SS hose clamps may cost more than that but if I don’t have any or enough I may just go with zip ties.

 

[Neutron]

I would buy reinforced rubber hose that is high pressure and hose clamps because once you just cut factory hose and put in valve, it will burst under the high pressure on the shut off side.
Trust me.

 

[Liveto99]

Well my FSH is in New York and I’m towing my new FX limited down to Florida because my truck uses 400 gallons to pull the boat. Rather than use the 12 inch tires on the ski trailer I moved over the 14 inch tires from the Shorelander boat trailer. I moved over the fenders too because little fenders did not cover the tires. I’ll try and grab a picture tomorrow but I believe it might be a good upgrade to the trailer for a 1,500 mile plus tow.

 

[Liveto99]

Towed great 80+ no problem 25 mpg with Highlander hybrid.

 

[Liveto99]

 

[Ronnie]

Getting ready to do some off season modifications to the pwcs and trailer. My wife installed this on the trailer. Maybe I can get her to install the new light too? ? I’m kidding.


I’m going to have to drill small 24 holes (12 per ski) to install the fender mounts, plus another two larger ones for the power ports. I’m also going to install valves on the visibility spout lines and extensions to make greasing the intermediate bearings easier. That should do it, this year anyway.


Monday will probably be boat maintenance / repair day.

 

[Liveto99]

Definitely report how those thunder hangers work out I was looking at them

 

[Ronnie]

I just installed the fender mounts and like the way they look and function. I may add 3 to 4 pairs to the boat.

I also installed the visibility switch cutoff valves and the lighted 12v usb chargers but haven’t taken pics of the latter 2 things as there isn’t much to see.

finally, the extension hoses I made for the intermediate bearings Didn’t work out, at least not yet, the zirc fitting replacement is the wrong size.