hydro in saltwater

cbrittain · 11-24-2009, 11:48 AM

we are looking at having a surf race this year in texas. i really dont wanna put it in saltwater but this is my home town and might have to race it. if i do what you suggest on cleaning ski after race. flush motor! do i need to remove intercooler and flush? what is best way to clean motor? thanks

momarski · 11-24-2009, 12:14 PM

I suggest you pass, only you are responsible for your boats future and unless you got big bucks why bother

JoeyD232 · 11-24-2009, 05:33 PM

I agree Cory, After all you have done to get your thumper right and very reliable, why chance it. Dont you still have a SXR? Race it and have fun! If its gonna be in your area help promote and get some new folks out there and try to dig up some old folks and get them back into surf racing. See if anyone has a ski you can race? If you do decide to run it in the salt then talk to BILL HAIG about prep and clean up, cause he has overhauled Brian Kemps skis a few times. I know that Hagest has run his in the surf on tour and Farthing. You could even try e-mailing that AA52 racing in Austria and see what they say. If you want me to talk to one or any of these guys PM me and I get you in touch with them:

Yamahaman3 · 11-24-2009, 07:21 PM

Bill and I did all the updates which included pulling the motor out of both of my Hydros and the one Andrew Harris used to own . But the furthest we have been inside the motor is a valve adjustment . If it aint broke ......... Neither of my skis have ever been in the salt water . The 160 never will . But I have decided the stocker is going to Myrtle Beach SC and Colonial Beach Va. this season . Cabrera Has run his in the salt since 07 .

JoeyD232 · 11-24-2009, 07:31 PM

Sorry for the misquote Brian: Any chance you and Bill are gonna come race in Texas next year? Bump for answers for Cory....

Yamahaman3 · 11-24-2009, 08:52 PM

Bill may , I doubt I will be able to pull it off . I used to live outside of Houston and would love to make it back to Tx one day . Sounds like there will be some great racing and practice racing down there !
In addition to routine flush and cleaning , I will definetly ride in the fresh water asap after racing in the salt .

cbrittain · 11-24-2009, 11:25 PM

yeah i think im gonna leave it at the house. my wife is wearing the sxr. thanks for the help

RJ · 11-25-2009, 12:32 AM

Salt water is ugly... But managable.. If you ride in saltwater, a complete disassembly of every nut and bolt is necessary every few months.. If you get new skis every year, then it's no big deal.. But if you plan on keeping your ski for more than a few years, plan on some serious maintenance.. The freestyle guys have the worst time, as they spend half the time upside down in the stuff..

I attached a few images of a Polaris engine that has been running perfect for a few years now, but the owner decided it was time for a crank seal upgrade, etc.. The trouble started when I disassembled it.. The corriosn that had seeped past the cylinder base bolts seized the studs in the cases and it took some major work to get the crankcases apart.. This guy is very good with maintenance, but this stuff you can't flush out with a garden hose, salt-away & WD-40.. Fresh water boats are the best!!

one1one · 11-25-2009, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbrittain

we are looking at having a surf race this year in texas. i really dont wanna put it in saltwater but this is my home town and might have to race it. if i do what you suggest on cleaning ski after race. flush motor! do i need to remove intercooler and flush? what is best way to clean motor? thanks

Race it, then wash it.

Our turbo SEA-DOO's with open loop cooling are ridden in salt water EVERY time they race (except Havasu).

My S4 Hydro is only ridden in salt water.

The best defense after salt water is soapy water & a rinse, dry it out & a good WD spray (fog the motor if you are really concerned, with 2 stroke PWC engine oil).

RyanO · 11-25-2009, 03:00 AM

My 2006 hydrospace has been run in saltwater since the day i bought it in december of 2005.. I flush the ski after every use and cover the thing in WD-40.

The Gold Coast in Australia is on the coast and all the waterways are salt water.. Polaris MSX110's have been running around for years.

Just ride the thing.