In my experience with the dreaded hydrilla, it's the sucking action of the pump that actually gets the stuff stuck to the bottom. Even if you have a grate there, I would think much of that crap would still cling on as it's all tangled in itself. Once a few of the strands get inside the pump body, they'll keep the entire mass stuck there. Now chicken fence may prevent some of the weeds from making it into the pump, but my theory is that it takes very little to keep a mass of that crap stuck to the hull. Afterall, there really isn't much pulling it down.
I'm surprised mattydipps had any luck dislodging the stuff by putting it in reverse, as that still causes the pump to suck the weeds in. Personally, I don't think the redirected water from my reverse gate has enough velocity to push any of the weeds away from my intake grate. If you try anything, let me know. I'd be really curious to hear how it works. Good luck!!
PS You probably know this, but for anyone else reading: If you get a large enough mass of this stuff stuck to your grate, it can cut off the water supply entering your pump. It will feel like severe cavitation. Since our engines are cooled by the pump, this could (and has for me) stop all cooling. Your engine will run, and barely push you, but you take the risk of overheating your motor. It can be tempting to limp back to shore to dislodge the stuff, but if you do, make sure the ski is still "peeing".
Has anyone had any luck with it?
