2005 GTX Wake - OPAS/Steering Issue

[chrishet]

My second post! One other thing I am trying to figure out that ya'll might have some thoughts on....when I reach max speed it sometimes will suddenly lurch to one side and becomes difficult to steer....not sure which way, will test that next time out...i also noticed that it will lurch to one side when I decelerate rapidly (I.e let go of the throttle) I am thinking it might be the OPAS...any suggestions? I've seen some here remove the unit entirely...good idea or bad?


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[Coastiejoe]

It almost sounds like the cable or linkage to the nozzle is damaged. OPAS do not generally cause an aggressive turn as much as they aid in the turn. With boats, it is VERY common for the housing to come undone and loose the ability to hold the nozzle in place. Since the cable can flex, it allows the inner cable to move. And the cable movement is what allows for a sudden turn. Take a real good look at the cable, connections and housing. Grab the nozzle and have someone hold the handle bars. See if you can move the nozzle and not move the handle bars..

 

[chrishet]

Thx. I'll check that. I did move the nozzle to see if I could feel any looseness but didn't have anyone to help hold the bars...will try again.


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[red2blue]

My second post! One other thing I am trying to figure out that ya'll might have some thoughts on....when I reach max speed it sometimes will suddenly lurch to one side and becomes difficult to steer....not sure which way, will test that next time out...i also noticed that it will lurch to one side when I decelerate rapidly (I.e let go of the throttle) I am thinking it might be the OPAS...any suggestions? I've seen some here remove the unit entirely...good idea or bad?


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Okay...sounds like a paddle is dropping or never lifting. You can easily solve the prob in two ways...

remove pump...inspect screens feeding the opas system...clean out obstructions.

Or...what I and many others do...block them up with a 2" piece of 1/2" pex and a coupla zip ties. They'll still help w/ slow speed maneuvering...w/o the sudden and unexpected "turning assistance" when they hang low on re-entry to the water after a jump.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Okay...sounds like a paddle is dropping or never lifting. You can easily solve the prob in two ways...

remove pump...inspect screens feeding the opas system...clean out obstructions.

Or...what I and many others do...block them up with a 2" piece of 1/2" pex and a coupla zip ties. They'll still help w/ slow speed maneuvering...w/o the sudden and unexpected "turning assistance" when they hang low on re-entry to the water after a jump.

Will this cause a "sudden" or aggressive unexpected turn?

 

[red2blue]

Will this cause a "sudden" or aggressive unexpected turn?

Picture this...cruising along wide open throttle...obstruction causes loss of pressure one side drops...sudden increase in drag on that side will cause a sometimes drastic change in direction.

What's even better?...when it happens landing a jump. Happened to me one painful time.....blocked mine up after that since I couldn't(still can't) afford BO's...never happened again.

Not saying it his prob...somethin to look for is all.

 

[Coastiejoe]

I wasn't questioning or arguing,, just couldn't imagine it being a severe reaction. I was asking for a "Learning Opportunity" on my behalf.

I will follow this thread to see the end result.

Thanks..

 

[red2blue]

Oh I know..no offense taken. It's the only time I've left my ski in pain. When I landed...ski basically bit hard to the right...dunno if my leg hit the top of the footwell or the handlebars....but left one hell of a bruise on my thigh.

After I got back to the ski...I couldn't tell what'd happened...both paddles were down...cause there was no pressure keeping them up...so I cruised gingerly home...couldn't see/feel anything wrong...started reading...found a bit of crap in one of the screens...couldn't trust it after that though and blocked them up...nvr looked back.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Oh I know..no offense taken. It's the only time I've left my ski in pain. When I landed...ski basically bit hard to the right...dunno if my leg hit the top of the footwell or the handlebars....but left one hell of a bruise on my thigh.

After I got back to the ski...I couldn't tell what'd happened...both paddles were down...cause there was no pressure keeping them up...so I cruised gingerly home...couldn't see/feel anything wrong...started reading...found a bit of crap in one of the screens...couldn't trust it after that though and blocked them up...nvr looked back.

I don't blame you. Hard falls do suck. I took one that was so nasty that I honestly hurt for over a year. Still rode whenever I could though,,, We are stupid that way.

 

[chrishet]

Okay...sounds like a paddle is dropping or never lifting. You can easily solve the prob in two ways...

remove pump...inspect screens feeding the opas system...clean out obstructions.

Or...what I and many others do...block them up with a 2" piece of 1/2" pex and a coupla zip ties. They'll still help w/ slow speed maneuvering...w/o the sudden and unexpected "turning assistance" when they hang low on re-entry to the water after a jump.

Looking for some info on this...sounds intriguing....so just cut a 2 in piece of pvc tubing and use it to prevent the OPAS from moving down?


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[red2blue]

Looking for some info on this...sounds intriguing....so just cut a 2 in piece of pvc tubing and use it to prevent the OPAS from moving down?


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1/2"pex...smaller than pvc....easier to work with.

cut two, 2" lengths....one long slice down the length so that they form C shapes when viewed from the ends. Push the paddle up and pop them onto the shaft. Some don't even use the zip ties afterward...I did.

I'll post a pic tonight after I get back from work.

 

[chrishet]

1/2"pex...smaller than pvc....easier to work with.

cut two, 2" lengths....one long slice down the length so that they form C shapes when viewed from the ends. Push the paddle up and pop them onto the shaft. Some don't even use the zip ties afterward...I did.

I'll post a pic tonight after I get back from work.

Thx. Makes sense. I'll give it a try as soon as it stops raining down here!


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[chrishet]

That worked! Thanks! The ski is operating great at this point, no sudden jerks to the side. I can open it up and rapidly decelerate with no problems so it must be the OPAS causing the issues. I got her up to 60mph which is plenty fast enough for me. Sure helps to have online friends willing to help!


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[chrishet]

FYI, I installed the 1/2 inch PEX on the smaller of the 2 shafts...didn't seem possible to install 1/2 inch on the larger one...assuming this is ok....


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[red2blue]

FYI, I installed the 1/2 inch PEX on the smaller of the 2 shafts...didn't seem possible to install 1/2 inch on the larger one...assuming this is ok....


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looks like this.....?

 

[chrishet]

Nope...I could not get the 1/2 in PEX around that shaft (maybe 3/4 in pipe would work)so I put it on the other shaft, the one that attaches to the steering...does it matter? It works....


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[red2blue]

hmm...don't think I'd place it around the steering. It's strength is lateral...dunno bout vertical sheer stresses.

I apologize if it's a 3/4" pex...memory's a btch. I'm a check that again.

You were correct...3/4" pex. Sorry for the bad info.

 

[chrishet]

Ok. Back to Depot...dude you cost me $1.59!!!!! Lol., jk.....Thx, I'll adjust...the good news is I know this works! Thx again man!


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[red2blue]

glad to help.