Broken intake grates

[Gumbeaux]

Well I made an interesting discovery this morning when I was cleaning and inspecting the boat. BOTH intake grates are broken.

The only incident I had all summer was a ski rope that was quickly untangled. There was a little cavitation for a few seconds right after I freed that rope, but since then I have been out several times and did not notice any major issues. BUT, thinking back, this is probably why my throttles were not synched as well the last couple rides of the season.

From what I have read, this is not a big deal. I just need to replace the grates. Ordered them already. I checked the shafts, hull, impellers, etc. and fortunately everything seems to be in great shape. The marks on the hull in the pictures are just superficial scuffs and fingerprints through the dust.

I guess this is a weak failure point for a reason...

Looks like I left some metal in the lake. Glad it sank and did not get sucked up in the impellers.

Just posting so people will know to check their grates occasionally. Feeling lucky I don't have any hull damage.

 

[ToddW850]

Wow! Yeah, a ski rope can cause that. But did you get a ski rope caught up in both intakes??? At least you'll be back out in no time.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I agree it sure looks like a rope was wrapped around the grate

 

[itsdgm]

WOW, I don't think I've seen one broken clean off like the second pic. Especially without the ensuing pump damage after some of it gets sucked in.

I was racking my head trying to figure out another possible cause such as loading it on the trailer, or hitting debris while towing the boat down the road. But I think it would be almost impossible to strike both grates without hull damage too. So Put me down for guessing that sucking up the rope caused your issue.

Thank goodness it's just a simple bolt on fix!!

 

[Gumbeaux]

Update. Changing these grates took me 10 minutes.
Checked again and no damage to the boat anywhere. They did their job.
She goes in the water this week!

 

[maboat]

... They did their job...

How do you figure that? I don't believe they are intended to be a sacrificial part.

 

[Gumbeaux]

How do you figure that? I don't believe they are intended to be a sacrificial part.

I was sort of being sarcastic...I don't think they are intended to be sacrificial, but I am glad they broke instead of ripping the threads out of the hull. THAT could have been ugly...
Ski ropes are stronger than I thought...