Most Common Problems With Jet Boats
Jet drive boats are highly efficient, have excellent maneuverability, and are low-maintenance. Therefore, for people, who prioritized speed and maneuverability more than any other features, jet boats are the ideal deal.
However, boaters often encounter some common issues with their jet-drive boats.
In today’s article, I will be discussing the most common problems with jet boats, the reasons behind such commotions, and the quick fixing techniques.
| Problems | Reasons |
| Tendency Of Sucking Up Foreign Objects | Extremely powerful vacuums |
| Boat May Not Start Or The Motor Misfires | Battery failure |
| Engine Makes Extreme Noises | Clog or blockage issue on the intake grateDamaged thrust bearing or flooded bilge. Worn out or damaged joint needle rollers |
1. Tendency Of Sucking Up Foreign Objects:
Jet boats tend to suck up all types of foreign objects such as weed, sand, seaweed, rocks, algae, etc.
Every jet boat user can relate to this problem since this is the most obvious troubleshooting issue that people encounter while riding or cruising on a jet drive boat.
When the jet boat sucks up that excess amount of debris into the intake, it eventually damages the intake pump, impeller, as well other various parts.
Possible Fix
Since Jet drive boats feature extremely powerful vacuums on them, those vacuums are responsible for sucking up any object that comes in its path.
Whenever you encounter a similar issue, first, shut off your jet boat’s engine and try to shake your machine side to side. Now check whether the sucked-up or clogged objects get un-stuck. If the materials are still in there, you need to board your jet boat onto land.
If that is the case, the best solution is to take help from any professional mechanic or contact your dealer for the servicing.
However, if your jet boat is one of the newest versions and features with the patented pump clean out port, you do not have to get wet to clean that stuck-up debris. All you need to do is lifting the back hatch first. Then, turn the inside plug counterclockwise and lift it up.
Now, you have full access to your fellow chef’s so, take out all existing debris, which may clog the intake pump as well as damage the impeller gradually. After removing all the debris, put the plug back in and twist counterclockwise. Now listen, you will hear a slight click sound, that indicates the plug is locked in its place correctly.
Mostly ropes or dock lines get suck up, but you can easily prevent the chances by using an impeller protector like the Impeller Protector PWC Shock Tube, 24″.
2. Boat May Not Start Or The Motor Misfires:
Sometimes users encounter starting trouble with the jet boats and even people have experienced engine misfiring or the motor suddenly starts running irregularly.
This is another most common troubleshooting problem that arises with jet boats. Especially, during the beginning of the summer, many boaters encounter engine starting problems or misfiring issues.
Possible Fix
Various reasons can cause this particular issue, but most probably it occurs because of battery failure.
Your jet boat engine will give you a hard time if the battery is weak, damaged, or has low voltage. If the battery’s voltage is low or insufficient to generate the required spark, the ignition system will not fire up.
Therefore, you need to check the voltage level of your engine battery with the voltmeter testing process. If the voltage is low, charge the battery till it reaches full. Also, inspect the battery whether it is cracked or broken externally. If the battery is externally damaged, replace it.
Do not forget to check all the connecting cables, wires, terminals for existing debris, corrosion, or contamination. If required, clean all the connecting cables, wires, and terminals of the battery with cleaning solutions. If any connection looks loose, tighten or fix them.
The motor misfiring and irregular operation mainly occur because of weak or faulty spark plugs and low fuel or gas levels.
So, test your ignition system’s spark condition with any general spark tester. If no spark exists or the spark looks weak, inspect and remove the spark plug located inside your motor’s ignition system. If one or both spark plugs are damaged or broken, replace them and put them back accordingly. Remember to check the connections and tighten them properly.
Check your gas or fuel tank to see the fuel level and if required, refill the fuel with the correct fuel type. Also, check whether the fuel is dirty or not. If the fuel is old or dirty, either you should replace the fuel or clean it before refilling.
3. Engine Makes Extreme Noises:
One of the most common problems that the majority of jet boat owners complain about is that the jet boats have a tendency of making twice as loud noises after a certain increase in speed.
According to most boaters, the noise becomes extreme and annoying whenever the boat’s speed crosses the 30 MPH threshold.
In general, jet drive boats can run an average speed of 25 MPH and can reach up to 60 MPH as well. But with some of the old jet boat models, it becomes double noisy when you cross the 30 MPH speed mark.
Possible Fix
This type of extreme noise or sound problem can arise most probably because of cavitation, moaning, or whining and periodic vibration.
When the jet boat engine or motor making that excess noise because of the Cavitation, it mainly indicates either your jet unit is starving for water or has a clog or blockage issue on the intake grate.
If you hear a rattling sound or the sound seems like loose bolts are moving inside a can. That means your jet unit is starving for water so, you need to make sure the tank has enough water and does not dry out.
If the intake grate gets clogged because of an excessive amount of debris, disconnect and remove the intake grate. Then, neatly clean with a cleaning solution kit and remove all the existing debris or rust. Make sure to dry off the intake grate before putting it back accurately.
If you notice moaning or whining sounds coming out of your motor, that is the sound of the jet unit’s turbine whining, and it is common to hear. But if the sound echoes as a low-frequency growling noise at idle and if it increases with the increased RPMs, it is either because of the damaged thrust bearing or flooded bilge.
It mostly happens when water gets into the bearing and damages it. Therefore, check the thrust bearing condition, and if it looks damaged, you should repair or replace it immediately.
If you notice that the noise becomes too loud at a specific RPM speed and also disappears at other throttle openings, that is the sound of torsional vibration. This type of vibrating noise mostly occurs when you have an installation, connection, or damage issue in the universal joints on the drive shaft.
Therefore, you need to check the driveshaft area and make sure the installation is correct. Also, check all the connections and inspect whether the joint needle rollers look worn out or damaged. If required, replace the worn-out or damaged parts and connectors.
What The Majority of Users Feel About the Jet Boats?
Although jet drive boats perform great, still, have a mixed type of reviews from customers since some undeniable problems arise with any jet boat.
However, most of the problems that the majority of the users experienced with older models are no more a big issue since those faults are not available in the newer versions of jet boats.
Besides those typical technical issues, most consumers are satisfied with their experience.
Final Thoughts
Jet boats are an excellent choice for boating on shallow water because of their exceptional speed and maneuverability, but they also come with a fair share of problems.
So, consumers should be well aware of those troubleshooting problems before making the purchase decision.