First time out lessons!

[glish]

Hello! This is my first post but I've been reading this site for awhile. Bought a 2008 Challenger 180 a few months ago. This past weekend was our first time. This is my first boat and I have no experience so I enlisted my dad to help out. I towed it and got it in the water no problem. Boat ran great, steering takes a bit to get used to tho.

So my dad was driving while a few of us were kneeboarding. After the kneeboarding session we wanted to ski, we pulled in the kneeboard but not the line... bet you can see where this is headed. My dad is playing on his phone and before we know it the line is under us and he puts it in gear and 2 seconds later the engine dies. Needless to say we sucked the line right up. We got most of the line out but it wouldn't go over 5mph so I knew it was lodged or we damaged the wear ring (something I learned from this site!)

We got it back on the trailer and sure enough we can see the line in the pump but can't reach it. So she's in the shop now. I'm hoping it's the wear ring at worst and not the prop. Can't imagine a ski line could break the prop tho?

So I learned a few lessons here:
1. Always pull the line in
2. Never put it in gear when you can't see the line
3. No playing with phones on boat!

This trip will cost some $$$ but I'm ready to take her out again.

 

[crisso]

Just a thought.Jets are not like prop boats.The pump IS always spinning.When you are in N ,the water isn't getting blown out the back,it's getting pushed downwards.Thats why you can spin the boat left or right in N.
So.Your number one.
1.Always keep driving forward,In wide circles slowly around the person in the water.Other boats will see this and steer clear of you and the person in the water doesn't get run over by other boats.
2.If you cant see the rope.shut it down(reread my initial comment.)
I cannot see a rope stuffing the wear ring.It is softer than the wear ring.There should be no damage to the prop/impellar if only rope went up there.
Shame its already in the shop.its an easy fix.
Throw the offending phone in the water

 

[bigJake]

Just a thought.Jets are not like prop boats.The pump IS always spinning.When you are in N ,the water isn't getting blown out the back,it's getting pushed downwards.Thats why you can spin the boat left or right in N.
So.Your number one.
1.Always keep driving forward,In wide circles slowly around the person in the water.Other boats will see this and steer clear of you and the person in the water doesn't get run over by other boats.
2.If you cant see the rope.shut it down(reread my initial comment.)
I cannot see a rope stuffing the wear ring.It is softer than the wear ring.There should be no damage to the prop/impellar if only rope went up there.
Shame its already in the shop.its an easy fix.
Throw the offending phone in the water

I agree with Criss, but I would have thrown my dad overboard, not just the phone.

 

[glish]

My dad felt bad about it so he bought me dinner at least! Thanks for the info. We'll see what the shop says. If they say anything is damaged, I will demand to see it!

 

[crisso]

Tell them to take photos BEFORE they pull it apart!!!!
It keeps them a little bit honest.

 

[bigJake]

Tell them to take photos BEFORE they pull it apart!!!!
It keeps them a little bit honest.

An honest dealership, now that's funny!

 

[crisso]

Yeh.I suppose you are right there.
What's it called an Oxymoron.
I think thats the correct word.
It's like getting killed by FRIENDLY fire

 

[Macster]

Not sure on US laws, in Australia we must have a designated spotter in the boat. I ensure this person manages the slack in the rope and keeps it clear of the intake whilst I (the driver) manouvere around.

 

[LouDoo]

We have a similar law here, however the observer's responsibility is to watch the skier, or tuber, not to watch the rope.

The rope police are assigned to watch the rope. :lol::hurray::lol:

Lou

 

[glish]

Yea it was a rookie mistake. Def will not happen again. The rope was behind us and since the engine was still on, we started to spin right over it. Many points of failure! Saddest part, we didn't even have any beer with us!

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Correct. we must have a spotter for the skier or tube.
In my boat, I designate the spotter and a rope watcher and I demand that they do their job or otherwise no tubing, etc.
You know what, they soon learn to follow the rules of boating and helping to keep a safe trip.
I spend a lot of time with my nieces and nephews.
I've never ran over a rope or a skier (LOL) but I've helped many undo a rope from their shaft or prop.
They used to call me "Tough Uncle Tim" but now they all know what to do and they even volunteer.

It's your boat or ski...do what is needed to be safe.

 

[LouDoo]

Here's a trick that might help in the future. Go to Lowe's and get a piece of pipe insualtion, slip it over the rope. It won't prevent the rope from being sucked up but it will help.

Lou

 

[crisso]

In Aust. we do have to have an observer.Must be 16years old or older.The rope should be looked after by the observer so the driver can stay in complete control of the vessel.A float on the rope about 10-15 foot from the boat may also help.It makes it a bit easier to spot

 

[RFoster130]

Here's a trick that might help in the future. Go to Lowe's and get a piece of pipe insualtion, slip it over the rope. It won't prevent the rope from being sucked up but it will help.

Lou

I use a pool noodle. You can get it at the dollar store in the color to match your boat for a buck. O never have the engine running unless i can see all the rope. Someone needs to be responsible for letting the rope out till its tight and then pull it in when you stop. but as a rule, the engine is off while messing with the rope. I have never sucked one up.

 

[Macster]

I use a pool noodle. You can get it at the dollar store in the color to match your boat for a buck. O never have the engine running unless i can see all the rope. Someone needs to be responsible for letting the rope out till its tight and then pull it in when you stop. but as a rule, the engine is off while messing with the rope. I have never sucked one up.

Elaborate more on the noodle please - never heard / seen this method. I'm guessing you have cut a slit from top to bottom and slot the rope inside? Or have you threaded the ski rope through the centre of the noodle permanently? Is the noodle positioned next to the ski pylon, to give it some rigity over the stern? Or is it placed halfway along the rope to help it float in the water....?

 

[LouDoo]

Pipe insulation already has the hole, the only problem it's not as visible as the noodle, it's also 1.00. It's placed near the boat.

Lou

 

[glish]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Good news from the shop... nothing damaged.

 

[crisso]

I have skiied most of my life.The pipe insulation and noodle are a very good idea.I have never seen it used but with new people joining your crew every day,it makes the rope stand out.In sight,In mind.Great suggestions

 

[chlarson23]

this is just a thought but I have on '05 180 and I had a '97 challenger 1800 before that. I am not the greatest mechanic in the world but I know my way around a tool box. both of my boats have needed repairs and i have found info on how to do all of it from this forum. don't be so quick to run to the dealer when there is a problem, give the forum a chance and save some money. the pump on the 180 comes of in 30 minutes and it's really simple. I think that most people could easily manage taking it off and you probably could have saved some money. congrats on not having anything messed up though.

 

[moochy]

Organised my tubing robe today. Went down the noodle path at Australian store Clark Rubber. Cut it into 4 sections and only used three. Was a little loose on the rope so 2 x cable ties on each section fixed it good. I imagine the small air pocket in there will hopefully help with boyancy too.

 

[LouDoo]

Looks like a good job. I heard another Aussie talk about the rubber store, sounds kinky, I asked Cousin Criss about it but he's been pretty close lipped.

The problem with a jet boat is it creates a suction and is more likely to suck up a rope than a prop boat, and then gets stuck between the impeller and the wear ring. With a prop boat your likely to cut up the rope but other than that doesn't do any damage.

Anyway have fun, you do know it's WINTER here!!!!

Lou

 

[moochy]

A cool 38 deg Celsius here which I think is getting close to the 100 mark in Fahrenheit but not sure

 

[griz400]

the rope is one thing mate, the most important thing is not to spill any beer, ask crisso, he will tell u, nice job on the rope !!!!

 

[moochy]

Thanks Gris. Thats a seadoo R3 towable I picked up on eBay stuffed in te boot of my buzz box too btw. Will get some photos of it out on the water.Chris is a cool 2000km away from me so I haven't ad te pleasure of meeting yet but will let you knw when I do!