New boat, new troubles, no Neutral, idles too fast I hit everything in the dock

[john1923t]

I started the 2008 seadoo speedster 150 and it took off pulling at the dock ropes, I had to shut it down to get the tension off the ropes. IT WAS IN NEUTRAL, We jumped in the boat hit the starter and took off instantly at 5 mph before I put it into forward and could not go slow enough not to make a wake. I drove around for a while and found a spot to put it in neutral and try to sit in one spot and idle, I constantly was changing from forward to reverse, and it idled at 1800 rpm. It's a pain to get docked while fighting for control and trying to get a hold of the dock. I tried to get it started again now it gives me one long beep then 4 short beeps, (neutral safety switch possibly?) Now it's done this every time we tried to get on the water, the performance is amazing once it starts. My question is whether or not the boat is capable of idling in one spot and why does it have to idle so fast? I'm learning to hate this boat, it was bought new in 2010 (it's a 2008) and I have a year warranty left on the boat. I just bought it with 65 hours on it. Any suggestions?

 

[johnathanrn]

Is this your first jet boat? If it is then you just have to get used to not having a "true" neutral..meaning the boat is always moving due to the way the boat uses the jet stream and buckets to go forward or reverse. I find that I can find a sweet spot where it really doesn't move forward that much. But why do you need the true neutral? You could also buy fins that help stabilize the boat more. Hope that helps

 

[WaTeRMaNiaC407]

I personally would never start my speedster while still attached to the dock. I always push off then start the boat. As johnathanrn mentioned above, there is no true neutral and the impeller is always spinning when the motor is running.

 

[xintersecty]

I personally would never start my speedster while still attached to the dock. I always push off then start the boat. As johnathanrn mentioned above, there is no true neutral and the impeller is always spinning when the motor is running.

As much as I would like have the motor running before casting lines, I would have to agree push away from the dock then start the motor. These style of boats have been a learning experience for me. And once you get the hang of using the neutral while docking they are a breeze to dock.

 

[speedster32940]

Welcome to the quirky joys of jet boating. The lack of true neutral is the toughest part to get used to. still seems very unnatural (and somewhat unwise) to cast off from the dock before starting the engines. My best analogy for jet boats is that they are like an ADHD kid. There is always something moving all the time once you hit that start button. No more letting the engine warm up at idle before casting off the lines! That being said, now that I know what to expect, and know that "neutral" really resides slightly aft of the "neutral" shift setting, controlling the boat around docks is very easy to manage. It's always an awkward start at the dock though.

 

[Dr Honda]

Ummmmm.......


Yep to all the above.

You can adjust the cable to get a better "Neutral"... but since it's always pumping water... it's always going to be moving.


BUT......

Once you get use to a jet drive... they are WAY more maneuverable since you aren't shifting gears!! Even the 5000 Lb, 22' monster in my avatar can be thrown around like it was a tiny inflatable... and I can pivot on my axis, and get turned around, in the docks. Let's see an I/O do that.


Go out on a calm morning... and just get a feel for it.

 

[merc596]

I agree with everything that everyone has said. Neutral is the best guess between forward and reverse as Dr. Honda said it can be adjusted but you will never not have movement as water is always pumping thru the jet pump. Turning the wheel left or right with move the transom of the boat left or right. However, this very movement and difference of the jet pump over the prop boats are what make them so maneuverable.

 

[wveers92]

Yeah, I learned this the hard way. Thought neutral would be more “neutral”. Especially if you turn the wheel, it really moves the back end pretty hard. I almost crashed my motor cover into the dock walk way the first time in the water. I shut off the engine and stood up just in time to catch the boat. I have had jet skis for years, but I tried to run it like prop boat the first time. Very much like the skis, nothing like the prop and true neutral. I also agree once you are used to it…great for docking

 

[Steve_Cay]

Hmmm ... seems like you all don't know about the "true neutral" button that stops the impeller from turning. On my Speedster it is just to the left of the steering with a red cap on it! Half-joke aside, the 4-tec is so quick and reliable to start up, the start stop is a true neutral substitute.

I saw some video's demonstrating the forward/neutral/reverse shuffle ... and when the seller of my boat was kind enough to come out on my first ride, the first thing he did was teach me that technique like a strict school teacher. So I do the juggle, and when I come into the dock at 45 degrees: I line it up at the right speed, kill the engine, and drift right in. Have not screwed up yet.

Here are two videos's that show the technique (hopefully queued up to the right time at 3:10 and 8:32 so you can avoid the sales pitch):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=1LLlaCBj1vA#t=190s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=NI9aOqPvzLw#t=512s

P.S. Not me in the video, even though his name is also Steve! His videos, although he is selling boats, are quite informative!

 

[mrfixitct]

had the same early experiences as you have, and agree with all input here. on my sportster "neutral" is about 1/3 the way between "N" and "R" and the only way to get good is practice, practice, practice.. once you get used to it, it becomes second nature.. now, reverse, a whole different ballgame (for me anyway) ;-)

 

[KK40384]

Welcome to the world of jet drives my friend!!! Oh and the idle isn't high. That's normal for your boat.

 

[ID62]

:thumbsup:Same happen to me at the first time. Once you figured out that you never let go the steering wheel while the engine is running you are on the way to became an experienced driver ;-)
In the beginning I had my problems to drive on the trailer since in reverse the bow moves always to the “wrong” side. But after a couple of rides it’s just normal and you can do things with your Seadoo, which others can’t do with their conventional drives. Here in our area there are very less jet boats on the river and last time when I took the boat out of the water I saw some guys with a Bayliner watching us. So we did it a little bit show like and we approached the trailer back-wards and did shortly before the trailer a 180° turn without stopping and slipped just onto the trailer. Only possible with a Seadoo…..
Don’t worry, you will love this drive after a few rides!
Greetings from (cold) Germany

 

[RodeoDriver]

I just purchased a 2010 Wake 210: awesome speed and great features on the boat, but yes, same issues on finding a neutral "hover" point - and boat lurches forward when started and docked - pulling on ropes and cleats; making un-docking very challenging at first. See here that most agree that a true neutral is a bit of trial and error - and best approach may be to throw lines off and start away from the dock (maybe even the boat slip ?).

Related question: how "sticky" should the thrust control lever be on this boat to move from forward to neutral and reverse. Seems you need quite a bit of effort to move those control gates. Not sure my daughters will be able to drive the boat if they are wrestling with the lever all the time. Should it be a "smooth" back and forth - or do I have a cable/control issue ????

Thanks!

 

[timeman]

There is a distinct click that requires some pressure to engage F or W, otherwise you could accidentally drop the reverse bucket with you elbow at an inopportune time, but unless your kids are really little they should be able to shift the lever with a little practice.
And just to let you know, trial and error or not...there is no 'true neutral' , some have been able to find a half way point between F or R where the boat has less movement but you will never find a point where the boat isn't moving somewhat, no escaping the fact that the engine is running and pumping water through the jet, ricocheting off the reverse bucket. You can actually use that neutral movement around the dock to your advantage...slip the dock lines and simply turn the wheel one way or the other to gently swing the stern of the boat away... then use R to back away just enough to give yourself room to go forward and clear the dock. Like everyone says, practice is the key, lots of guys who dread the launch / retrieval spend all day out on the open water. Pick a day when things aren't crowded and practice, you'll actually look forward to docking when you know you can walk your boat into a tight spot while everyone's watching! Happy Boating!

 

[gverva]

RodeoDriver, you just have a single lever that for throttle and F-N-R, correct? A lot of people don't realize the 210 models only have the single lever where most, if not all, the other models still have the traditional 2-lever setup with separate throttle and shifter. I know exactly what you are talking about with trying to shift in and out of neutral. I've previously owned a Sportster 150 and the lever on my 210 is much, much stiffer when crossing neutral. I would still consider my lever to be smooth but it takes a lot of effort.

Because of the forward thrust in neutral and the effort to involved with feathering between F-N-R while docking the 210, I ended up adjusting the neutral position of the reverse buckets. I don't have the step-by-step details (I found it in another thread a while ago), but the adjustment takes place at the reverse bucket itself, where the control linkage meets the bucket. I made one full turn of the adjustment piece of the reverse linkage and it made a world of difference. My boat now only creeps forward ever so slightly. Since the adjustment can only be made in "full turns" I think another turn would put me going in reverse slightly. I haven't tried this yet, but it could be desirable.

I'll see if I can't find the post with a write-up on how to make the adjustment. I believe the adjustment would be similar for all models.


Geoff

 

[chlarson23]

I use to have a '97 challenger 1800, it was not only my first jet boat but also my first boat and i'm not sure if it's just me or if anyone else would agree but I felt like my old challenger barely moved in nuetral and was incredibly close to what so many are calling a true nuetral. I use to be able to start her up and spin 360s at the dock and it seemed to never really get any closer or further away. '05 challenger on the other hand is just as everyone says, constant moving with fethering of the controls.
Anyone else agree that the older boats were different? I know it took some getting use to for me when I bought my newer one.

 

[hancop]

I have a 2012 speedster, and would say that it pretty much will stay in one spot in neutral but except if you are not careful it will spin one way or the other on it's axis. So agree with everyone that you should be pushed off and away from the dock before you start it in case it wants to spin. It takes some getting used to but once you master it you can even make these things go straight sideways John1923t I think that maybe you should get your reverse bucket and shifter looked at. Maybe the reverse bucket is not actually in the neutral position anymore when you have it in neutral. It sounds like it might be up a little to far and allowing more forward thrust then reverse thrust so it jumps forward.

Cheers