Was this cavitation?

[JThomasLambert]

Sunday I found myself turning my Challenger in a mass of weeds. Once I had the boat turned, I gunned it and instead of shooting forward like usual, the RPMs went up to 7000 and I didn't go anywhere. For a while I couldn't get more than 10 mph out of the boat and any attempt to increase throttle gave me high RPMs but no real thrust. I THINK it's ok now so am assuming the magic auto-deweeder did it's trick but not a fun day out there for sure. Anyways, is that what cavitation is?

 

[MooF]

Sounds like that's what 'weeds caught in the impeller' is... Cavitation is a consequence of the weeds.

 

[JThomasLambert]

Ok so is it reasonable (usual) that once the weeds ejected, cavitation would stop? Would weeds cause wear-ring or impeller damage or do they just get chunked out after a time.

Sorry for all the questions--it's the first time it happened to me and I'd like to be prepared if it happens again.

 

[MooF]

Correct.
and hopefully weeds don't cause damage, but anything's possible.. If you're sure the weeds are now clear, do you notice any more acceleration problems? or did you not get that far over the weekend?

 

[seadoo GTS 1993]

from my point of view, cavitation is a hesitation in acceleration.. for example, wen ur carbs need to be cleaned, ull experience cavitation..

 

[JThomasLambert]

from my point of view, cavitation is a hesitation in acceleration.. for example, wen ur carbs need to be cleaned, ull experience cavitation..

THAT is exactly what I was experiencing. It's like I'd throw the throttle down and the engine would rev but it would take a while to "catch" and start moving (I'm used to this little boat hauling a$$). Anyways, I'm going to head down tonight and take it out again just to make sure it's all cleared up.

 

[Elite6]

Have you dived under the boat yet to check it out? That is the only way you'll know for sure IMO... I did that last year after bombing around a weedy bay. I took off the intake grates while on the lift and pulled out a few big dogs wrapped around the shaft. Ran like a champ afterwards.:cheers:

 

[JThomasLambert]

Well, the problem seems to be fixed. Took it out tonight and after putting it into reverse and wagging the wheel back and forth a whole crapload (technical term) of weeds came out of the impeller. Acceleration is back to where it should be and hitting my usual benchmarks (20 mph at 5000 rpm; 30 mph at 6000 rpm; 40 mph at 7000 mph).

Thanks for your help folks!

 

[Chester]

from my point of view, cavitation is a hesitation in acceleration.. for example, wen ur carbs need to be cleaned, ull experience cavitation..

Those are 2 different issues. Carb problems will not cause cavitation.

Chester

 

[Cid6.7]

Cavitation is air bubbles or pockets of air going thru your pump out the impeller..Water looses its density with too many air bubble thus making your jet pump pretty much useless..Its like running your boat out of the water..doesnt go anywhere does it ..? Put it in the dense water & we go like a bat outa hell..Mix the 2 air & water together & we go like a snail...