General maintenance on jetboats?

[stone]

Hi there, I'm wondering if anyone can share some advice on general jetboat maintenance. I have purchased my first jetboat, alloy hull with lexus engine and kodiak two stage jet unit. It's used mainly on rivers for fishing (Waitaki mostly) Bloke i bought off just paid people to look at and wasn't sure what they did?
Any advice would be appreciated
Cheers

[wrongway2]

Does th eengine have a heat exchanger?

[Tony777]

Every 50hrs give it a oil change, oil filter, new fuel filter(s) & maybe pull the unit down and check the blades, run a file over any sharp edges, eventually the blades will need to be built up & have the OD's done, check bilge pumps still work, etc

keep an eye on fuel & water hoses for aging signs, replace as req'd.

[PM]

Grease in the main bearing (don't over-grease), also on the driveshaft spline.
Check for excessive play in the bearing and spline.
Check battery fluid levels (if applicable),
check bilge pump functions correctly (especially if on an auto-switch) and is clear of debris.
Check bilge for unwanted fluids (oil, glycol, unusually high water levels).
Check exhaust seals, and for hot spots on the manifolds.
Check steering knuckles and cotter pins EVERYTIME YOU GO OUT. Also check for fatigue around the nozzle pins.
Check tension in your steering lines, and that the lockwire is still functioning properly (amazing how many people botch this simple job.
Check the steering wire rope for freys or fatigue,
check the chain and grease lightly if necessary.
Check the pulleys aren't being cut or have excessive wear.
Check and lube the forward / reverse mechanism.
Regulary get under the boat and inspect the grill, clear it of possible debris, and check the alloy casting at the front and rear of the grill bars.
Check hull structural integrity, even if not hitting the bottom, chines, keel, dashboard, transom all get a hard time.

Some of these should be checked everytime you launch the boat, get your head right in teh engine bay when you back teh boat in teh drink and before you hit the key. Others should be done at the recommended interval in your jet unit service manual (about 40hrs from memory)

[wildrj]

To that I would add
Check anodes on boat and inside heat exchangers and oil coolers.
Clean raw water side of heat exchanger occasionally.
Remove and back-flush exhaust manifolds occasionally to remove debris
Grease nipples on steering nozzle if fitted every time boat is used.
I've found spark plugs normally last around 150 hours.
Doesn't hurt to check plug lead resistances occasionally.
Also check electrics for corrosion and coat terminals with vaseline or whatever you prefer.
Check for binding on throttle pedals or hand controls. Also throttle spindles.
Seat mounts also get a hard life and should be checked from time to time.
Check engine drive belts.

[Irish]

all this info would be good in tech section, handy lists for people to have as a tick of list.

[PM]

To that I would add
coat with vaseline or whatever you prefer.
Seat mounts also get a hard life and should be checked from time to time.

You aussies and vaseline...

[stone]

Thank you all for the advice, i shall print this off and try identify some of the gadgets/parts on the boat. It doesn't have a heat exchanger, just water with sand trap?
Cheers

[Nigel]

Where are you located Stone?

[wildrj]

You aussies and vaseline...

You Kiwis and Lanoline......

[stone]

Just inland from Oamaru

[Nigel]

Ok... just if you were in the canterbury region the Canterbury JBNZ Branch has good new boater days and nights

[Nigel]

I'm down that way this weekend (Waimate) and got a free Saturday 

[spud]

are you on a bike this weekend signvision ?.

[Nigel]

are you on a bike this weekend signvision ?.

yip sure are...