Jet boats and hydrilla

[JetBoatCop]

There is a lake that I go to near my house (Lake Bastrop) That has a lot of hydrilla floating around at the boat ramp. With my prop boat I usually don't worry about if and just go slow and make sure it doesn't get hung up on the water intake. I'm worried though about my jet boat. I don't have it running yet but I was wondering when I do, is it safe to run it there, or do weed really screw up the pump? Thanks.

[Luckie Stiff]

I'd say you'll be fine as long as you pay close attention to your water intake to your engine, you'll definitely notice if you have any excess shit in your pump, your speed will be way down and your RPM will be way up, at that point you're gonna have to get out and clear your intake.
What kind of boat?

[JetBoatCop]

It's a 78 Taylor SS w/ a 460

[SBjet]

There is a definite danger. Keep an eye on your temp guage. Then, take off slowly, to make sure you don't overrev.

[gqchris]

I know last year I sucked up a hula skirt at Park Moabi. Sometimes at the Avi too if the water is low. I know when I do because my boat just wont go. all RPM, no forward motion!:eek: I have to jump in the water and pull out the mess. Sucks especialy when everyone is watching you head out!:cool:

[Flat Broke]

The bigger danger isn't potential power loss, but cooling system blockages. You'll notice the power loss and can pull the crap out accordingly. Unforutunately, if small pieces get into the cooling system (remember the pump feeds the cooling system) it can cause a blockage resulting in systemic or isolated overheating. Assuming that you're not running OT headers, this is why it isn't a bad idea to flush out your cooling system after eact trip. If there is a blockage, you'll notice the reduced water ouput in one or both of the exhaust tips while flushing.

Chris

[RadMan]

I've had my jet on that lake and others with hydrilla. Near the ramp, don't mess around idling, just get out of that area quick, try to avoid it best you can and you will be fine in the open water. If it get's you, you will see your water temp rise and/or feel a big vibration. Just turn it off, jump in the 98 degree water you will have there in the summer and grab it out of the intake with your hand, then your OK to go again. This has happened to me a bunch on some of the lakes in Texas. It's never gotten to be a bigger problem than that for me.

[JetBoatCop]

Yeah I'll probablt be on Decker more than Bastrop even though Bastrop is closer just because Decker has less hydrilla. Gotta love that warm water! We were fishing there on day last summer on the bass boat and the water tmp read-out on the depth finder said 102! It gets hot!

[RadMan]

It's not a very refreshing dip when the air is 102 and the water is too. At least you toes might be able to touch 95 degree water.:hotdevil

[wolfie]

It's a 78 Taylor SS w/ a 460

I'd worry more about having a Ford in that thing!:D

Just kidding........

[screaming pete]

i went to the miners cabin one time in the summer down by martinez. and a friend of mine with a jet sucked up the hydrillia, it took about an hour to clean it all out diving under his boat, jet boats suck real good...lol they can suck rocks off the bottom at 3 feet