Hulls? Am I getting this yet?

[pbolden]

Hello Everyone,

Displacement, semi-displacement or semi-planing, planing then v, deep v, modified v. I spent several hours reading about hulls and I'm still not clear on this but its beginning to seem that my dreams of owning an Islandia are fading fast.

Here's my situation. I will need to dock the boat in the water at a marina during the season (Ohio). I will not have access to a lift nor float at this time. If I understand what I have read on this forum then the Islandia is gone as well as the rest of the Sea Doo line because optimally these boats should be removed from the water each day. Am I right so far? If so, is this the case because its a Sea Doo, or the case with all jet boats (i.e.Yamaha)? Is it because its a deck boat or a planing boat, all or none of the above?

I have not been able to find clear information on this subject but what I have pieced together would suggest that it is boats with (at a minimum) a semi-displacement hull that can stay in the water. If this is true, it would also seem that there are no deck boats with this type of hull?

I understand in part that the issue with Sea Doos and staying in the water has to do with the growth of marine organisms, corrosion, etc. What I don't understand is the difference between those boats that can stay in the water at a marina and those that can't.

Can anyone clear this up for me? Will I be kissing the Islandia good bye?

Thanks again everyone.
Paul

 

[Craigmri]

Paul,

You are correct. It is not recommended to leave any jet boat in the water for extended periods of time(more than a week for example). The jet pump efficiency will deteriorate as marine growth grows inside and before you know it your boat just wont perform right.

If I was in a situation where I wanted to keep my boat in the water all season I would be looking at an outboard powered craft. You would simply raise the engine up out of the water when not in use and you will have many many years of trouble free operation. If you like the Islandia style boat you should look at the many outboard powered deck boats available today. My brother has a Hurricane deck boat powered by a Yamaha 4 stroke outboard that is really nice.

I would love to see you in the Seadoo community but if your not able to remove the boat from the water I dont think you will be happy with an islandia.

Are there any "high and dry" marinas where they rack store your boat when not in use? This would be a solution.

Craig

 

[Sikiguya]

Every Seadoo I have seen on a lake has been on a lift of some sort. They are not that expensive and you can search Craigslist for them.

If you are undecided, go for a test drive and see for yourself the difference between a prop and a jet.

 

[jswope]

As others have said, if your only option is to keep it in the water, then the best way is either outboard or I/O. As Craigmri said the ideal would be an outboard because when not in use you can raise the lower unit out of the water. Depending on the size though it may not be available as an O/B. I/O's are OK too, just try to run it as least once a week to warm the engine up and clean the critters out.

Also as Craigmri said you might consider rack storage. Then you could still have your jet boat and don't have to trailer. Another good side to racks is that most marinas that rack offer winter storage too, so you basically rent your rack for the whole year, not just the summer. And your boats always inside, out of the weather when not in use. I've got friends who won't even consider a bigger boat because then they couldn't rack.

As for hulls, if your looking at boats designed for speed, you're more than likely looking at a V or deep V of some kind. Displacement and semi-displac. are intended for larger slower boats like trawlers that are designed for fuel efficiency, not speed. Typical top end for displacement hulls would be around 8-10 knots. A V of some kind will give you a much better ride at speed.

 

[seadoosnipe]

Thru hull seal?

Because you have a thru hull seal, it is also recommended to be removed from the water. The carbon seal is designed to seep water to keep it cool while in operation. It's not much,......but, if it were to go bad, you could flood the engine compartment and sink the boat.

Those that will leave them in, usually but a bottom coat and anti-fouling on them. This will protect the bottom from marine growth, but not the pump. You can spray the outside of the pump with it but while driving the water would remove it from the pump. You also can not spray the inside, at the impeller and water pick up tube. Marine growth can take place in that water inlet and restrict your water flow to the engine.

So, if it's a must to leave it in, then Seadoo may not be your better choice. But, if you plan to leave any boat in the water, anti-fouling is a must to keep your hull from blistering.:cheers:

 

[Sikiguya]

You guys are making me worry now. Okay, last summer, I took my boat up to my buddy's cabin up north. The lake is super clear..in fact, I wouldn't hesitate to drink from it. There are still weed in it. I left it in the water for about a week. And I plan to do that next summer as well. Do I need to do anything or the advice for keeping it for much longer span in time?:ack:

 

[pbolden]

GEEEZ!

All I can say guys is THANKS! The time and effort you folks took in responding to my questions was extraordinary!

Again...much thanks.
Paul

 

[Craigmri]

Jim,

I think your fine. There are so many variables that contribute to hull damage by way of marine growth and corrosion. In your case your in fresh water so no salt water to stress over. In addition, your lake water was probably cool water, by Florida standards, so I would think it will take longer for marine growth to form on your boat. In addition, you probably used your boat daily during that week so this too will slow the growth process so your probably fine. Just keep an eye on your hull monthly and look for any blistering or the like. As you clean your hull keep a close eye on its condition. If you have no issues after your week in the water there is your answer before you.

Craig

 

[jswope]

Paul, One last thing about Lake Erie and marine growth. While there is some problem with algae type slime growth on the hull, the biggest problem will be the zebra mussels. If you're going to keep it in the water, try to keep an eye on the intake and impeller. I guarantee you will eventually start to find these little critters and when their shell is crushed the pieces are sharp. They'll also like the protected areas around the stern, in and around the stearing cone and reverse gate.

 

[hardtarge]

You guys are making me worry now. Okay, last summer, I took my boat up to my buddy's cabin up north. The lake is super clear..in fact, I wouldn't hesitate to drink from it. There are still weed in it. I left it in the water for about a week. And I plan to do that next summer as well. Do I need to do anything or the advice for keeping it for much longer span in time?:ack:

well how much do you value your boat?

one good soaking rain your boat is gonna sink. the motor is low in the hull and will be submerged. $$

40 min of put it on the trailer and leave it chained to a tree at your buddies cabin. think how much time it would will take to pull a boat with a dead motor across the lake then manhandle it onto the trailer then to the dealer

 

[Craigmri]

Maybe not sink

I dont know if I would say "Your boat is gonna sink"......Maybe the boat would sink if the bilge pump fails.

Craig

well how much do you value your boat?

one good soaking rain your boat is gonna sink. the motor is low in the hull and will be submerged. $$

40 min of put it on the trailer and leave it chained to a tree at your buddies cabin. think how much time it would will take to pull a boat with a dead motor across the lake then manhandle it onto the trailer then to the dealer

 

[don't sink]

I kept my Utopia moored in a fresh water lake for 4 weeks straight and did not see any growth or blistering of any type. Granted, it is bottom painted including the clamshell and exterior jet components.
Looks like doo-doo but does it's job!

There are about 6 other Seadoo boats on our lake and ALL are moored or docked for 12-14 weeks. I spoke with several owners before I bought mine and all of them said they they never had any issues.

Put a cover on it- make sure your bilge pump works and that should be fine. I also keep my boat moored in about 3 feet of water so if there is a catastrophic failure it will not go completely under. Any leaks in the hull fittings need to be corrected when found. My last boat [I/O] sank due to the bellows for the outdrive developed a split an sank the boat VERY fast. Too fast for the bilge pump to keep up with the flow.

Funny thing was when we finally got the boat back to shore the bilge was still running under 10 feet of water!

 

[pbolden]

Question,

In hind sight, was there anything that you should have/could have done to have prevented your I/O drive from sinking or was it just "one of those things" so to speak?

Paul

 

[jswope]

I don't mean to speak for Don't Sink, but being the owner of a I/O driven boat I can probably answer that.

First and foremost, just keep an eye on it. If you trailer, inspect it every couple weeks, look for cracking, dry and brittle areas. If you're in fresh water you can usually expect bellows to last at least five years, but that doesn't mean you wait till five years to start looking at them. At the very least look at them every spring when you bring it out of storage and are getting ready for the season. Winter's cold temps can be nasty to the folds and pleats. Also, don't leave the outdrive in the fully up, trailering position when it's just sitting in the driveway. In that position the bottom section of the bellows is stretched and pulled to it's extreme length, puts a lot of stress on it especially if it sits in the sun.

If you boat in salt or brackish water, hose it off at some point after you pull it out, try to do that before it dries. Salt water is one of the nastiest things a boat and systems can be exposed to, it's especially nasty to rubber. You should be flushing the engine with fresh water anyway, when done flushing keep the water running and wash down the bellows and outdrive.

I've had guys tell me their bellows have lasted 10 years, others have complained they've only gotten 2-3 years. That's why they should be inspected as often as possible. It all depends on the stresses they're subjected to, how carefully they were installed and how good the material was to begin with.

 

[don't sink]

I don't mean to speak for jswope who was speaking for me but...wait..what did I say?!

He is right on though- strange thing is I did look at my bellows and did not see any issues. Did I do enough of an inspection? Obviously not! Rubbers break::lols:

A jetdrive seems to be less prone to sinking due to water intrusion- I could be wrong but don't want to know- keep it a secret so I can think I am safer!

 

[jswope]

Unfortunately, there isn't a boat built that's totally safe unless it's kept on the trailer. As soon as you put a boat in the water, the waters trying to find a way in.