Hello all,
I am new to the forum and wanted to post some info about myself while asking a general question?
I just purchased my first pwc (1994 Seadoo SP with no mods) about a month ago. I consulted this site before my purchase and almost daily since (it's about time I join, ha ha).
My wife and I have been looking for a hobby we both can enjoy together and I think we found it. I didn't want to invest alot of money to start with because I wasn't sure how much we would use it. (We bought a new motorcycle and she has been on it 3 times and I didn't want to make the same mistake.) We have played with the idea for awhile to get a pwc and with my aunt and uncle moving to Lake Norman, NC (we live about 15 miles from LN) we figured we would definetly be more apt to go to the lake. I was also able to talk my brother-in-law into purchasing a pwc (1993 Yahmaha 650) so that we wouldn't have to go out alone. Safety in numbers in case we have a problem.
Since owning the Seadoo we have made about every mistake you can make and I'll share a few with everyone for laughs and to learn from:
1.) Starting the ski with with the fuel turned off. It started and I got about 25 feet out when it cut off. Couldn't figure out for the life of me what was wrong. Jumped in and swam it back and then figured out the problem. This happened to my brother-in-law also. You would of thought he would have learned from me.
2.) Putting the ski back onto the trailer Trying not to get wet (I just changed into my dry clothes) I was standing on the trailer winching the ski back on and slipped and fell. Tons of people watching. It was ok, my back and face took most of the impact but still had the ski out of the water in less than five minutes
3.) Putting the ski in the water without the drain plug and flooding it (not bad about two inches of water). At least I caught it before we took off. Put it back on the trailer and let it drain and then took off.
4.) Starter died on me (not really my fault and happened right after I bought it). Had to have my uncle tow me back in.
5.) My favorite: I was going to let my wife drive and we were going to switch places while idling. I took off the lanyard and before she put it on we both fell off and the ski kept on going. Luckily the steering was turned and it made a big circle right back to us. Now we both have a lanyard attached to our jackets so this shouldn't happen again.
While I sound like an accident waiting to happen I do follow all safety rules on the water and drive responsibly (except number 5). I have learned from the mistakes and they haven't happened twice. If you have any embarassing moments feel free to share.
This site has been very helpful for me. I was able to use old postings to figure out it was my starter that went bad before taking it in to have it repaired. (Should of did it myself.) When my ski died on the water I knew not to tow it over 15 mph. etc.
I just want to say thanks for the help that everyone provides and I hope to one day contribute.
And finally the question:
I have been on my brother-in-law to buy oil for his ski. The other day when we were going into the marina from the dock (a quarter mile at no wake speed) I noticed my brother in laws ski started smoking about halfway there. When he stopped we checked the oil and it was bone dry and the marina didn't have any. It was crowded and I told him to crank it up and get out of boat traffic (about 25 feet) coming in and cut it off. I then towed him back to the dock. He said it was running rough. We went and bought oil and started the ski and let it idle for about 5 minutes before giving it any throttle. The smoking cleared up for the most part (it has always smoked a little at idle) and it started running smooth. He then drove it normally for about 10 minutes and everything seems fine, but haven't had it back on the water yet.
My question is did he do damage? If so how much and what can we expect down the road? How bad is this for any two stroke engine? I know its not good for it, but how much abuse can these machines take? I know his ski is a Yamaha, but I have looked at other forums and they are no where near the quality of this one and it is more of a general question about 2 strokes.
Sorry for the life story, but maybe it made you laugh a little today.
Thanks
Joshua
I am new to the forum and wanted to post some info about myself while asking a general question?
I just purchased my first pwc (1994 Seadoo SP with no mods) about a month ago. I consulted this site before my purchase and almost daily since (it's about time I join, ha ha).
My wife and I have been looking for a hobby we both can enjoy together and I think we found it. I didn't want to invest alot of money to start with because I wasn't sure how much we would use it. (We bought a new motorcycle and she has been on it 3 times and I didn't want to make the same mistake.) We have played with the idea for awhile to get a pwc and with my aunt and uncle moving to Lake Norman, NC (we live about 15 miles from LN) we figured we would definetly be more apt to go to the lake. I was also able to talk my brother-in-law into purchasing a pwc (1993 Yahmaha 650) so that we wouldn't have to go out alone. Safety in numbers in case we have a problem.
Since owning the Seadoo we have made about every mistake you can make and I'll share a few with everyone for laughs and to learn from:
1.) Starting the ski with with the fuel turned off. It started and I got about 25 feet out when it cut off. Couldn't figure out for the life of me what was wrong. Jumped in and swam it back and then figured out the problem. This happened to my brother-in-law also. You would of thought he would have learned from me.
2.) Putting the ski back onto the trailer Trying not to get wet (I just changed into my dry clothes) I was standing on the trailer winching the ski back on and slipped and fell. Tons of people watching. It was ok, my back and face took most of the impact but still had the ski out of the water in less than five minutes
3.) Putting the ski in the water without the drain plug and flooding it (not bad about two inches of water). At least I caught it before we took off. Put it back on the trailer and let it drain and then took off.
4.) Starter died on me (not really my fault and happened right after I bought it). Had to have my uncle tow me back in.
5.) My favorite: I was going to let my wife drive and we were going to switch places while idling. I took off the lanyard and before she put it on we both fell off and the ski kept on going. Luckily the steering was turned and it made a big circle right back to us. Now we both have a lanyard attached to our jackets so this shouldn't happen again.
While I sound like an accident waiting to happen I do follow all safety rules on the water and drive responsibly (except number 5). I have learned from the mistakes and they haven't happened twice. If you have any embarassing moments feel free to share.
This site has been very helpful for me. I was able to use old postings to figure out it was my starter that went bad before taking it in to have it repaired. (Should of did it myself.) When my ski died on the water I knew not to tow it over 15 mph. etc.
I just want to say thanks for the help that everyone provides and I hope to one day contribute.
And finally the question:
I have been on my brother-in-law to buy oil for his ski. The other day when we were going into the marina from the dock (a quarter mile at no wake speed) I noticed my brother in laws ski started smoking about halfway there. When he stopped we checked the oil and it was bone dry and the marina didn't have any. It was crowded and I told him to crank it up and get out of boat traffic (about 25 feet) coming in and cut it off. I then towed him back to the dock. He said it was running rough. We went and bought oil and started the ski and let it idle for about 5 minutes before giving it any throttle. The smoking cleared up for the most part (it has always smoked a little at idle) and it started running smooth. He then drove it normally for about 10 minutes and everything seems fine, but haven't had it back on the water yet.
My question is did he do damage? If so how much and what can we expect down the road? How bad is this for any two stroke engine? I know its not good for it, but how much abuse can these machines take? I know his ski is a Yamaha, but I have looked at other forums and they are no where near the quality of this one and it is more of a general question about 2 strokes.
Sorry for the life story, but maybe it made you laugh a little today.
Thanks
Joshua
