Howdy from the FL Panhandle by way of MO

cybercop106 · 03-05-2010, 01:00 PM

I'm a service-connected, disabled-retired Army vet (83) and a retired MO civilian Police Sergeant (09) who moved to FL. I brought my powersport toys with me but haven't had much time to use them.
My Seadoo is a 1990 SP that was owned by a mechanic friend. He gave me a great deal on it. Now generally I'm an ATV guy, mostly Kawasaki's, (currently have a 4x4 Prairie), but I love boating and fishing (have 15' fish and ski with 85hp Suzuki) too, so I figured a waverunner is a cross between a boat and an ATV, so what's not to like, right!?! I rode it on lakes in MO a few times before moving down here, but been busy and never got it out after the move. So the other day I finally took it out on the (weedy) lake I live by, and within a few minutes the Doo sucked up a little piece of driftwood thru the intake that lodged in the rear prop........... so I basically idled backed to the dock and trailered it..... day of fun over. At home I pulled the wood chunk out thru the grate with the help of a dowl rod and a hooked metal pole. Never realized the water intake was a big hole on the bottom without any cover. But a little research made me realize some metal mesh covering the intake grate would cause problems.... restricted flow, cavitation, etc.... so I guess it's something you just try to adjust for and live with!?!
Anyway, so goes my story...... Looking forward to meeting some folks here and maybe some local riders who don't mind slowing down periodically for the noob-old retired guy with the antique 587......
But to be fair, it's a good machine that runs great: Rebuilt engine and new upholstery (2008), new wiring, battery, steering rod and starter (2009) and a some touch up paint (2010 ongoing).

justforfun · 03-05-2010, 11:47 PM

Welcome to the forum its a great place to hang out when its to cold to ride, Did I say cold? yeah Florida has been cold.

madscientist · 03-06-2010, 10:59 AM

there should be a 2 or 3 bar grate on the bottom to restrict most large debris

seadoo_newby · 03-06-2010, 08:31 PM

CC, welcome to PWCToday! There's nothing wrong with those 587cc engines. Those skis are light and you can have a lot of fun on it. I certainly miss my 94 sp 587cc; that was a fun ski! Have fun!

cybercop106 · 03-07-2010, 10:02 AM

justforfun, yeah I moved to FL to get away from the cold but too much of it followed me this last year for sure! At least no snow here........
madsci, it has a two bar grate, too small to fit my hand past but obviously large enough for a piece of wood the size of a pill bottle...... bummer! At least I was only a hundred yards from the dock.
SN, it's a lot of fun until it eats debris.... LOL. I need to move near a better lake. This one is pretty big but has a lot of vegetation.
Well thanks for the welcomes all! Ride safe! -Jim

The Greygoose · 03-08-2010, 01:54 PM

Welcome to PWCToday !