PWC sinking from carbon seal?

[Scrappy996]

Hi guys, I heard that if the carbon seal on a pwc fails the PWC will sink? I know they have foam on the inside. What are your thoughts on this? Should a PWC be left in the water for long periods of time? How often should a carbon seal be replaced or checked for wear. Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

well, technically if the drain plugs fail, it will sink as well...

as long as you aren't in the habit of running your engine on land for extended periods, there really shouldn't be any wear issues w/the seal.

you have a '98, I'm not sure which year started the carbon seal, but I thought it was 99.

I've left mine in the water overnight before. Always makes you nervous, but they still float.

 

[Rosie2514]

IF your carbon seal is leaking Badly you'll know it .. trust me. You've never experienced cavitation until your trying to accelerate with a improperly/ or totally failed carbon seal. I never dock my ski totally in the water, always prop the nose of the ski on the bank.. Ya never know

 

[Scrappy996]

Thanks a lot guys that helps a lot.

 

[LKGrider]

I have owned skis since 94'. On the weekends at the lake we would put them in on Friday when we got there and would not take them out the water till Sunday afternoon. If we were down on vacation they would stay in the water for a week or more. Never had an issue.

 

[Scrappy996]

That's great to hear. Thanks

 

[AdamXP800]

Carbon seal started in 96



96 XP800!
Keep the 2 strokes alive!

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

A worn out carbon seal can sink enough to flood your engine with water, at least I'd put an automatic bilge pump(float switch type) in there so you might see it peeing and catch any surprises.

Otherwise I agree with the idea to pull the nose on the beach.

My carbon seal seems dry as a bone and after in the water all day with some riding around I might find a cup of water in the bilge which I think is a normal and acceptable amount. I would change the seal if my bilge pump kept cutting on.

 

[Rosie2514]

This here is a good example lol

 

[Scrappy996]

Ya I was looking at the electric bildge pumps with the white floating switches. Sounds like a good idea. Thanks for posting the picture. Thanks everyone for taking their time to help me out.

 

[davo94]

Just be careful leaving you pwc in the water over night. Most insurance company's dont cover theft if they are in the water.

 

[Jetskigoodies]

Yes the carbon seal started in 96 on the x4 hull but the parabolic in 98 had the old carrier bearing.

 

[blairwill4]

Yes the carbon seal started in 96 on the x4 hull but the parabolic in 98 had the old carrier bearing.

My 95 HX had a carbon seal on it that I had last year.

 

[racerxxx]

Carbon seal was on the 95 HX.

Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk

 

[Scrappy996]

I'll watch out when leaving it in the water. Thanks

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

Just be careful leaving you pwc in the water over night. Most insurance company's dont cover theft if they are in the water.

I find that interesting... is that an Australia situation? I can't imagine they wouldn't cover it here.

Although, somewhere in one of my old policies I read they wouldn't cover theft if it was parked at a place with more than "3 attached houses/rental units"

Because... you know.. only poor people steal stuff..?

*poor people being people living in mutli-unit buildings

including ME because I lived in a town house with SIX units across.

 

[Brian J]

Leaving any boat in the water carries risk and is nerve racking at first, you get use to it after a while.

 

[mikidymac]

The 1997 XP has the carbon seal.

 

[davo94]

I find that interesting... is that an Australia situation? I can't imagine they wouldn't cover it here.

Although, somewhere in one of my old policies I read they wouldn't cover theft if it was parked at a place with more than "3 attached houses/rental units"

Because... you know.. only poor people steal stuff..?

*poor people being people living in mutli-unit buildings

including ME because I lived in a town house with SIX units across.

Yeah down in Aus.

 

[Jetskigoodies]

Yes the carbon seal started in 96 on the x4 hull but the parabolic in 98 had the old carrier bearing.

I should have been more clear.

X4 hull got the carbon ring in 96
The 951 parabolic hull got the carbon ring in 99 the 98 had the carrier bearing

I was chiming in on sqrl's comment.

 

[Scrappy996]

That's quite interesting about the carbon seal, I didnt real know when it was first used. Thanks

 

[Scrappy996]

Just be careful leaving you pwc in the water over night. Most insurance company's dont cover theft if they are in the water.

Wow, when I first read this comment it made me think for a while. Its soo true, anyone could leave a boat, PWC in the water and it could be stolen the next day. Especially since I go up to cottages, you never really know what trouble there could be. Thanks for posting, I have to check my insurance again.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

I would get an automatic bilge pump with the built in float switch, I think that would save space and make installation easier.

I like the Attwood brand, a large pump might tend to cycle many times before actually pumping anything so I'd probably get the small one. If you do experience a large leak(such as total carbon ring failure while riding) even a large pump might not pump fast enough.

This one might be too large, 750GPH is a good size pump for a ski boat, but the price seems good (~$20) so maybe worth a shot:

 

[Scrappy996]

""""I would get an automatic bilge pump with the built in float switch, I think that would save space and make installation easier.""""

I was definitely going to add a bilge pump. I just have to figure out where the hose will attach too. Thanks

 

[racerxxx]

You will need a fitting to run it through the fiberglass above the water line. You can see it right next to the Skat Trak sticker


Image courtesy of Rosie2514