JetSki Grrrrhhhhh!: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Aug. 29, 2011 1:12 p.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

Just a quick rant to say that I have been working on an older Polaris ski over the winter, and have not had much time to get it out until this weekend. I finally had a window to get on the water, and a fishing tournament had the public boat access completely shut down! Pittsburgh has only one place to get on the rivers downtown (stupid, I know) and no one can use it because of a darn Bass Tournament.

I went back Sunday, but the damn thing wouldn't start. Apparently, all the work I did on the prop shaft bearings somehow made the fuel system malfunction. WTF!?!?

I give up until spring.
Aug. 29, 2011 1:24 p.m. N Sperlo Dork

Public pools?
Aug. 29, 2011 6:24 p.m. 93gsxturbo HalfDork

Polaris skis are not the best. Can you get it running, sell it, and buy a Kawasaki or a Yamaha? Your life would greatly improve.

I may or may not have been involved with riding a Jetski (Kawasaki) in the Econolodge pool at last years DSM Shootout.
Aug. 29, 2011 6:36 p.m. fasted58 Dork

maybe this will help:

http://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/rec/recwater/blramps.htm

I'm not a boat guy nor familiar w/ the 'burgh launches.

If all else fails check out Yough Lake, over an hour drive from the 'burgh tho.
Aug. 29, 2011 7:00 p.m. Osterkraut SuperDork

PWC riders are the ATV riders of the nation's bodies of water. I loathe them.
Aug. 29, 2011 7:40 p.m. jstand New Reader

Polaris ski's seem to real susceptible to water in the carbs.

Once there is water in the carbs the only way I was able to get rid of it was to open the carbs up. The diaphragms seem to trap enough water to cause no start and major misfires.

The older ones were definitely more fun to toss around than the small boats they call jet skis now. I think my grandfathers sears row boat was smaller than a new sea doo.
Aug. 29, 2011 10:36 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

Osterkraut wrote:

PWC riders are the ATV riders of the nation's bodies of water. I loathe them.

I tend to agree with you. They certainly do a good job of keeping the marine police and Coast Guard busy around here
Aug. 30, 2011 8:50 a.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

In reply to Osterkraut:

I would generally agree, but then I tend to have my 12 year old on the back and we gently cruise around and stop for lunch. I have never, EVER jumped a wake 3 feet behind a boat (or any other distance for that matter) or ridden fast in a no-wake zone or any other form of hoonism. I guess it's my age!

The issue seems to be a kinked fuel line, which will be straightened and repaired shortly.
Aug. 30, 2011 9:08 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

that explains why overhauling the bearings would cause it not to run
Aug. 30, 2011 9:11 a.m. nderwater Dork

Slight hijack...

The new Jet Ski Ultra 300LX retails for $15,000. Its 1.5L DOHC I-4 engine is fuel-injected, supercharged and intercooled, making 300 HP. People have been putting superbike and snowmobile engines in track cars for years now. Imagine what you could do with this beast.
Aug. 30, 2011 10:26 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

why does anybody need 300hp in a "boat" that is not even 10 feet long and 4 feet wide? Water is VERY unforgiving at highspeeds.. probably more so than asphalt (it's hard to drown on asphalt)
Aug. 30, 2011 11:43 a.m. nderwater Dork

Why does anybody need 200hp in a superbike? Because it's badass
Aug. 30, 2011 11:58 a.m. Snowdoggie HalfDork

nderwater wrote:

Slight hijack...

The new Jet Ski Ultra 300LX retails for $15,000. Its 1.5L DOHC I-4 engine is fuel-injected, supercharged and intercooled, making 300 HP. People have been putting superbike and snowmobile engines in track cars for years now. Imagine what you could do with this beast.

Stuff it into the side of somebody's cabin cruiser at a high rate of speed?
Aug. 30, 2011 5:07 p.m. Cole_Trickle Reader

Ugggh. I had an older Polaris Jet-ski. I think it was the 750 model. It wasnt that fast and no gauges worked, but still loads of fun.
Aug. 30, 2011 5:12 p.m. iceracer SuperDork

mad_machine wrote:

why does anybody need 300hp in a "boat" that is not even 10 feet long and 4 feet wide? Water is VERY unforgiving at highspeeds.. probably more so than asphalt (it's hard to drown on asphalt)

But you won't get road rash
Aug. 30, 2011 8:50 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

no.. you will get a highspeed seawater enema
Aug. 30, 2011 9:56 p.m. carguy123 SuperDork

300 hp doesn't give you a huge top end, but sure does get you there quickly.

Makes 360s more fun too!