Best way to clear Debra from intake grates

[johnathanrn]

Hi. Anyone figure out the best way to clear out the grates if something gets sucked up?

 

[FLSeadoo1]

Identify which grate has the debris in it and shut that motor off. Cruise slowly on one engine so the water flow can push it out. If that does not work then you can start the motor that is affected and throttle quickly forward and reverse and 90% of the time it will clear. What most people don't realize is that with the jet pump setup, when something is sucked up and you can hear the cavitation or feel the vibration, the damage is already done.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

I know a lot of boat owners who will carry a divers/swim mask and a knife AND some sort of long skinny rod with a hook on the end to pull weeds and such out of the grates.

 

[pvamax]

Reverse as fast as you can, kill the motor, put in forward. Had that work a few times, also keep on the boat a long rod with a hook on the end as stated above.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Of course the easiest way I found to remove the "debra" was to undo the hooks in the back then get naked with her.....LOL...sorry i couldn't resist.....

 

[TimIHB]

Seadoobuddy's advice makes sense!

 

[golfballa]

i just have the guy with the skinniest arm climb under it after i shut it off then reach in and pull them out

 

[bigJake]

If Debra keeps falling in the water and plugging up the intake grate I would leave her ass at home.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

If Debra keeps falling in the water and plugging up the intake grate I would leave her ass at home.

Good one Jake, i don't think johnathanrn will be back to answer this.......

 

[bigJake]

actually the last 3 times out on my ski I have sucked up seaweed. I've been lucky so far in that I've been able to clear it each time with several short burts of throttle and shuttign the ski off and rocking back and forth.

 

[johnathanrn]

What do you mean by the damage is already done?

 

[Seadoobuddy]

He means that once you hear rocks or whatever clanging around, any damage would have happen by that time.
If you see no damage upon inspection then you got lucky.

then just keep riding it, but in deeper water or watch for floaties.