I have a 1999 Sea Doo Sportster 1800. If I leave it in the water for a week will the auto bilge keep pumping water well enough to not worry about the boat sinking. I know Sea Doo recommends taking the boat out of the water every day but it would be a major pain. I plan on running the boat every day but don't want to pull it out on a daily basis. Seems like the auto sensor for the bilge should keep it bailed out. Thanks for your feedback.
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JT
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robin savell lloyd
Active Member
If your bildge pump is good and you use the boat every day I see no harn in leaving it in the water. :cheers:
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It's not just about the rain water in the boat, seadoo recommends it not be left in the water due to growth in the cooling lines. If your boat does develop a leak and it does rain it might fry the bilge in a short time from running continuous and run the battery down also.
Karl
Karl
Water front property...
I live on the water; Dog river, which is a tributary to Mobile Bay.
I have the 1997 Challenger and a 97 GTX. During the riding season, I leave them both in the water. I generally pull them every 5 to 7 days, wash and clean the hull (waxing about once every 6 weeks) then put them back in. Like you said, it's a PITA to take them out daily. BRP does recommend that we take them out but that's becaues they do not want to be held responsible for a leaky carbon seal and a dead battery not working the bilge pump, then utlimately sinking the boat.
I would not leave it in the water if you can't keep a visual on it daily. The reason is you really can't depend on that sensor. I've had to rework mine several times. If you will not be able to see if, I would put a secondary pump in it, higher than your original with the automatic float switch, directly connected to the battery.
The workings of those sensors are fairly simple. There are two wires that are seperated by about 1" distance, exposed by the screw heads. Because water is a conductor of electricity, when they are both wet, water provides a closed circuit to the sensor and in 10 seconds, will start the bilge pump. When the water has broken that link, the pump will shut down in 30 seconds.
You can also disonnect that sensor and use a standard float switch type, to the same wires. It will have the same affect as far as signaling the bilge pump to come on but in my opinion, is more reliable.
If you leave the boat in the water longer than 7 days, you'll begin to see signs of marine growth and the baby barnnacles are kinda hard to get off. I use Stare Brite hull cleaner. This stuff is awesome if you wipe it on and let it sit for a few minutes, then blow it off with the water hose.........
But... what ever you do, don't leave it in the water without checking on it, preferably daily. But at least once every two days no matter what.
You don't have to worry about rain. The boats are designed for water captured inside around the cockpit and seating area, drains through the rear of the boat, not into the engine compartment. Make sure the door in the floor is closed well. The lipped weather seal is upraised, so water should not get it there either............so, just check on it and realize that you can't depend solely on that water sensor to the bilge pump and you'll be fine.......:cheers:
I live on the water; Dog river, which is a tributary to Mobile Bay.
I have the 1997 Challenger and a 97 GTX. During the riding season, I leave them both in the water. I generally pull them every 5 to 7 days, wash and clean the hull (waxing about once every 6 weeks) then put them back in. Like you said, it's a PITA to take them out daily. BRP does recommend that we take them out but that's becaues they do not want to be held responsible for a leaky carbon seal and a dead battery not working the bilge pump, then utlimately sinking the boat.
I would not leave it in the water if you can't keep a visual on it daily. The reason is you really can't depend on that sensor. I've had to rework mine several times. If you will not be able to see if, I would put a secondary pump in it, higher than your original with the automatic float switch, directly connected to the battery.
The workings of those sensors are fairly simple. There are two wires that are seperated by about 1" distance, exposed by the screw heads. Because water is a conductor of electricity, when they are both wet, water provides a closed circuit to the sensor and in 10 seconds, will start the bilge pump. When the water has broken that link, the pump will shut down in 30 seconds.
You can also disonnect that sensor and use a standard float switch type, to the same wires. It will have the same affect as far as signaling the bilge pump to come on but in my opinion, is more reliable.
If you leave the boat in the water longer than 7 days, you'll begin to see signs of marine growth and the baby barnnacles are kinda hard to get off. I use Stare Brite hull cleaner. This stuff is awesome if you wipe it on and let it sit for a few minutes, then blow it off with the water hose.........
But... what ever you do, don't leave it in the water without checking on it, preferably daily. But at least once every two days no matter what.
You don't have to worry about rain. The boats are designed for water captured inside around the cockpit and seating area, drains through the rear of the boat, not into the engine compartment. Make sure the door in the floor is closed well. The lipped weather seal is upraised, so water should not get it there either............so, just check on it and realize that you can't depend solely on that water sensor to the bilge pump and you'll be fine.......:cheers:
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robin savell lloyd
Active Member
I do wonder how well the scupper valves work when the boat is not moving and you get a few inches of rain. Will you get wet feet when you return to your boat or will it drain? :rofl:
JT - Sportster 1800
Thanks for all the great info. Marine growth on the boat or in the lines is not a problem as my camp is on a lake in the Adirondack's with freshwater and is pretty clear and not brackish. I have a cover for the boat and should get very little rain water accumulation. Taking these factors into consideration how long do you think I could leave the boat in the water as long as I check it daily. I also plan on running it daily to re-charge the battery through the alternator. I am new to boating but I assume the 1999 Sportster 1800's have an alternator.
Also, are the carbon seals designed to let water in or do they just begin to let water in after normal wear and tear. Thanks again for all the imput as I am new to jet boats and have alot to learn. Happy holidays!!
JT
Thanks for all the great info. Marine growth on the boat or in the lines is not a problem as my camp is on a lake in the Adirondack's with freshwater and is pretty clear and not brackish. I have a cover for the boat and should get very little rain water accumulation. Taking these factors into consideration how long do you think I could leave the boat in the water as long as I check it daily. I also plan on running it daily to re-charge the battery through the alternator. I am new to boating but I assume the 1999 Sportster 1800's have an alternator.
Also, are the carbon seals designed to let water in or do they just begin to let water in after normal wear and tear. Thanks again for all the imput as I am new to jet boats and have alot to learn. Happy holidays!!
JT
robin savell lloyd
Active Member
The carbon seals are designed to keep the water out, they just begin to let water in after normal wear and tear. But hopefuly they do not leak at all. inspect the engine compart for leaks and you should have a good idea of how much leakage you may have. water can come in from a few places. what I dislike about my boat is that the bilge can not remove all the water it leaves about a half gallon of water in there to make a mess of things. I hope to find a solution for that. :cheers:
Freshwater growth...
Aquatic growth is not limited to salt and brackish water. Algae's and bacterial growth are in all types water. In fresh, you'll also find the fresh water mussels, that will attach themselves to your hull. You'll have mineral deposits build up also.
But I do think you'll have less of a problem than us in the South, along the Oceans and the Gulf of Mexico.
You have a magneto used for your electrical system needs.
And your right Craigmri, I wasn't even thinking of the larger models. It went right over the top of my head. I did an engine job on a 98 Sportster 180 last year and it had the scupper drains. It was a nice boat. He later sold it for almost as much as he paid for it. Wish I'd have known, I'd probably bought it. I loved the little lights in the floor. Here, at night, I use the moon to light up my floor.......:rofl:
The scuppers....? No, I don't like them. They don't really work like they were designed. When you are on plane, the water will drain out. But, when you sit it back in the water, the scuppers (on mine and most others I've talked to) leak by and water is at your feet.
Last year, I cut out a section of my line where it runs through the engine compartment and put a PVC valve in it. I keep it closed unless I need it. That way, I don't keep water at my feet........:cheers:
Aquatic growth is not limited to salt and brackish water. Algae's and bacterial growth are in all types water. In fresh, you'll also find the fresh water mussels, that will attach themselves to your hull. You'll have mineral deposits build up also.
But I do think you'll have less of a problem than us in the South, along the Oceans and the Gulf of Mexico.
You have a magneto used for your electrical system needs.
And your right Craigmri, I wasn't even thinking of the larger models. It went right over the top of my head. I did an engine job on a 98 Sportster 180 last year and it had the scupper drains. It was a nice boat. He later sold it for almost as much as he paid for it. Wish I'd have known, I'd probably bought it. I loved the little lights in the floor. Here, at night, I use the moon to light up my floor.......:rofl:
The scuppers....? No, I don't like them. They don't really work like they were designed. When you are on plane, the water will drain out. But, when you sit it back in the water, the scuppers (on mine and most others I've talked to) leak by and water is at your feet.
Last year, I cut out a section of my line where it runs through the engine compartment and put a PVC valve in it. I keep it closed unless I need it. That way, I don't keep water at my feet........:cheers:
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