self baling hull?

[acooper]

I was helping do some maint on a 2010 215sc and the question came up about baling out the hull.

The unit took on water (a mistake) and they played hell trying to get it emptied out.

I said I had always thought that my 2003 gtx4tec had 2 self baling pickups to pull out residual water.

Does anyone know the facts on this subject?

 

[BMANN06]

I'm not a pro on the PWCs but I had an 06' GTI with a really weak bailing system, there was two tubes that picked up water, it's a pretty pathetic system IMO. I now have a 05' RXT it appears to have two pickups that mount to the hull it looks to be a better system. My advice put a $40 automatic bilge pump kit in. I've heard several members doing this to ensure a dry hull ... Come to think of it my engine in this RXT is out ... now's the time to put that bilge pump in!

 

[Sea dog]

id put in a automatic one in...

 

[PaterNovem]

Here's a stupid question: I bought a used 2007 GTX recently. Does it have a bilge pick up system or bilge pump? What is a pick up system? A pump or something pulling water from the bilge using engine energy or flow?

Thanks!

 

[dbdave]

Sea Doos have had bailers since they came out. Look in the outer end of the pump. You should see 2 tubes. They are connected to units in the bottom of the hull and suction is provided by water rushing through the pump creating a low pressure area which will cause any water in the hull to be sucked out. They don't work with the motor shut off.

 

[Michael211_2000]

They don't work with the motor shut off.

In other words, if you spring a leak while at anchor or tied to a dock it'll sink and you're screwed.

An auto-electric bilge pump won't keep your hull bone dry inside, in fact it should never even activate UNLESS you're taking on water that the auto-bailers can't suck out... carbon ring failure, blown water line, intake grate bolt came out (that forward intake grate bolt goes all the way thru the hull btw, if you lose it you're sinking!), etc. IF you see the auto-electric bilge pump kicking on that's your alert that something's seriously wrong get it on a beach on a trailer or boat lift something and do it fast! Do not try to start a PWC that's already sinking it's an excellant way to tear up your engine if the water has gotten up to the air intake system you'll suck water in and that's $$$$$$$$!

A ~600 gph auto-electric bilge pump flows at about the rate of a wide open garden hose faucet, which should be more than enough to buy you some time to get it out of the water or onto dry(er) land. Wire the auto hot line directly to your battery hot post so it's in auto mode all the time no matter what (don't forget to put an inline fuse in the line also though!). The cost is less than $100 and about 3 hours of your time, the peace of mind is priceless though!

- Michael