jet boat operation below freezing?

[chico]

Anybody know at what temperatures and what kind of time frames you might have troubles with a jet boat? Im assuming only need to be concerned about the freshwater side of the cooling system freezing if it sits over night while beached.

[325 wsm]

not familiar with inboards but with outboards I lift the leg while it's running and pump the water out of it. Then turn it off and lower it back in the water. Also had some cracked throttle linkage cables freeze up from moisture in them. Poured boiling water over them to thaw them but then they continued to freeze up again on the river. Kind of scary on a river filled with sweepers and strainers as they won't restart in gear. Only real fix is new cables.

[Jack Russell]

The intake hose and sandtrap are two issues to be aware of in addition to the manifolds. Drain the sand trap nightly, if your boat is equipped with one. There is also a hose for water intake that comes off the pump to the engine - it usually has a "convenient" downward dip in it that will freeze solid and prevent water from entering the engine the next time you fire it up. Installing a tap in the dip helps to drain that hose, otherwise, disconnect and drain at camp if the boat is going to sit for a time. If engine cooling system is not self draining, drain the manifolds. Time frames are difficult to pinpoint with so many variables such as type of engine, engine housing size, ventilated and/or insulated housing or not etc., to determine how much time you have before a freeze up occurs. Just take the precautions each time - it will give you peace of mind and you can focus on driving and not the other issues.

[chico]

thanks for the info. Ill have a look for the dip and yeah I was more or less looking for a set of guidelines to follow and do consistently to minimize the chances of having to deal with a freeze up.

[mark]

Other issues to consider are ice chunks that can plug a grate, as well icing on the hull itself can slowly, but surely sink you!
Ive also had the steering cable freeze up. Lots of grease, helps this one!

[Barracuda]

how can ice on the hull sink you?

[sledforever]

how can ice on the hull sink you?
Ice is heavy. Eventually it gets to be more than the hull can take and it will sink

[Barracuda]

unless the ice is above the water ( on deck or inside ) not sure what the issue is as it is about 8%lighter then water.

[tuchodi]

Ice or slush can clog the grate and two things will happen you will slow down and low water flow to cool your engine. I have had the reverse and steering cable freeze which is no fun and yes lots of grease where the cable runs into the outer sleeve help but it can still freeze. Jack R is right on on the inboards with a closed cooling system, and drain the heat exchanger.

[mark]

unless the ice is above the water ( on deck or inside ) not sure what the issue is as it is about 8%lighter then water.

Obviously the ice will be above the water line, which is weight, which will drag you down, etc. Just something to be aware of!

[f350ps]

unless the ice is above the water ( on deck or inside ) not sure what the issue is as it is about 8%lighter then water.

Oh man, pretty obvious you don't watch "The Deadliest Catch" Ya gotta always make sure you keep the ice off the Bullworks! K