'12 GTS drain plugs and intake newbie

[day181]

Noob here. Getting ready for my first voyage. I'm a bit confused with the drain plugs and intake on this thing ('12 GTS). The manual says to unscrew the drain plugs when it's on the trailer to drain the bilge. Confusion #1 since both drain plugs don't seem to actually drain anything while on the trailer. I read they only drain the bilge while you ride around the water. Confusion #2 since you're supposed to plug them while in the water. Also if you look in the bilge they're plugged up with hoses that seem to lead back to the exhaust and bypass the bilge altogether. So I just pumped out a gallon or so manually no big deal but are these plugs just placebo?

Confusion #3, while flushing the exhaust start the engine first then turn on the water otherwise you'll get water in the engine. But doesn't the boat sit in the water with the intake open all day long? Someone is going to say the hose pressure is greater than the pressure of a giant lake I just know it

 

[ryffish]

Some people hook up power bilges on there skis because those vacuum pumps on bottom do not work very well. The plugs just drain the bilge when it's out of the water . Always screw them in place before putting in water. At least someone is bringing a boat . In case of emergency. Are you planning on taking Xtra gas in gas cans with you

 

[red2blue]

The water cooling the exhaust from the hose is being blown out by exhaust gases on a running motor. Hence the golden rule.....motor on, water on, water off, motor off. Do it the other way and risk water filling the water box and then a cylinder. On the lake....water is not being pumped into the exhaust system till the motor is running. Very little water backfills into the resonator on a ski just sitting there w/o the motor running. And it definitely won't get all the way to fill the water box and beyond.

 

[day181]

Thanks guys. Motor on, water on...seems like an easy mistake to make, especially if you're used to a pressure washer which is opposite. I'll get used to it I guess but the fake drain plugs are hard to swallow. I towed a couple gallons of water from Florida with both plugs open. Anyone want some free salt water?

 

[red2blue]

The bailers work while the ski is running down the he lake. Vacuum pressure as water runs past the ends in the pump. The drain plugs in back are just that. If you had your ski in the water without running it before you put it on the trailer....they wouldn't bail. Consequently....if you have a couple gallons of water in the hull.....you have a leak somewhere.

 

[Coastiejoe]

You should have several fittings in the back.

Two thread that are the hull-draining plugs. These should be threaded in anytime the ski is on the water. Removed when not on the water.
You should have two Venturi tubes coming out from the Nozzle. These are connected to the Bilge Drain Tubes and only work when the ski is moving. If the rear tubes are missing at the nozzle, it is common for the tubes to allow water in and not remove the water while moving.

Depending on the year and ski, there is normally a fitting you thread a garden hose into and this is used to flush the exhaust, Super Charger (if equipped with one), and the impeller area. This fitting is NEVER plugged. It needs to be open as it allows water to dump out of it when the engine is running. So, it is either open or has the garden hose on it.

 

[day181]

Thanks for the details. Red2blue, love the avatar. :thumbsup:

 

[red2blue]

Thanks for the details. Red2blue, love the avatar. :thumbsup:

Thanks....conditions like that don't come around very often.

 

[Nike12000]

the fake drain plugs are hard to swallow. I towed a couple gallons of water from Florida with both plugs open. Anyone want some free salt water?

The drain plugs are not fake you are talking about 2 different things the exhaust recycle system and the drain plugs for the hull are 2 completely different things.