Not so good vibrations

[Art Traver]

Had a chance to finally get the boat out yesterday for what I hoped to be the last test run prior to leaving it at the marina for the season. Launched in the upper Niagara River and ran about for 15-20 minutes at 6,000+ RPM without any issues. Then we went into the Erie Canal to tie up and have dinner. When we got back into the river to head back to the launch and throttled up there was a pretty bad vibration over 3,000 RPM. Short of shutting down the boat to check the clean out ports, upper Niagara River without power is not a good idea, we limped back to the launch. I climbed under the boat once it was on the trailer and there was a small, maybe 1/4" diameter by 8" long stick or vine tangled in the port jet. Hoping that this was the only cause of vibration. Plan to head out again this weekend without any issues.

 

[haknslash]

Yes even the smallest thing like a piece of a bottle cap in the jet pump can cause vibration you felt. I'm sure you're fine now that you've removed it.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

When docking be careful about using reverse in shallow water as it kicks up the bottom and sends trash into the pump.

 

[TheGreekTitan]

@Julian has a good write up here about clearing debris.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/easy...ut-of-your-jet-pump-without-pulling-plugs.16/

I was on the lake and sucked something up, and remembered reading his post. I forgot the part about killing the engines before throwing it in forward. Still wor ked though.

 

[Art Traver]

@Julian has a good write up here about clearing debris.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/easy...ut-of-your-jet-pump-without-pulling-plugs.16/

I was on the lake and sucked something up, and remembered reading his post. I forgot the part about killing the engines before throwing it in forward. Still wor ked though.

I will have to remember this tip next time I am out.

 

[Julian]

Anything in the pump will cause cavitation...so that was your issue for sure. The reverse trick will become your friend!

 

[tdonoughue]

I am rarely on moving water that way, but I have been in higher winds when that happened. I drop an anchor quick and then clean out the debris. Hate that vibration...

Glad you got it fixed.

 

[Art Traver]

Thanks for the responses. Being early in the boating season with a new "propulsion system" that I am not used to it is great to have this forum to learn from others. Most of my boating is within 4 miles of Niagara Falls, so knowing tips and tricks for keeping my newish boat working will be critical. On the upstream end of where we boat the current ranges from 5-8 MPH. You wander a bit closer towards the falls and the current picks up to 42 MPH, so not a lot room for error.

 

[buckbuck]

YIKES! Does that mean your boat would go 90 mph downstream and about -5 mph upstream?