Fresh Water ski+salt=Problems?

Just wondering what type of problems occur for those you run the salt for the first time with their freshwater ski. I have seen a lot of posts of people saying fresh water ski's run like ass in salt sometimes. I have taped up all my wires and greased a lot. Any pointers for us freshwater guys so we can get there and rip instead of get there and fix?
 
try searching, there was a thread about just this week







salt wont necessarily cause a problem with a freshwater ski, but if your wiring harnesses are all hacked to hell..butt connectors here and there, old and crappy exposed wiring, worn out plug wires and boots etc etc..

the saltwater will ground out the electrical signal and cause the ski to drop a cyl or run poorly

sometimes handlebars will shock you if the ground is poor as well




If the ski is in good shape, and properly maintained electrically then it should be fine


Saltwater will basically magnify ANY and ALL electrical gremlin. These gremlins may or may not be symptomatic in freshwater

When we build a ski here it gets built it first gets a freshwater test...If all goes well then it gets dropped in the ocean

If it passes both tests you are good to go!


Here's a tip..98% of the time if it runs crappy in salt if you trim back the plug wires a bit for a better connection, and/or replace the plug boots

Make sure the tips of the plugs are screwed on tight if you use that style, and ziptie the boot to the plug to keep it snug..

a touch of dielectric grease (or vaseline) inside the plug boot isnt a bad idea either

good luck!
 

BruceSki

Formerly Motoman25
Location
Long Island
its kinda fun when you ground your bilges to the flywheel cover...and have shorted out hot wires

that way when you touch the alum trigger throttle it gives you a little shock every time you goose it.

bad throttle hand... bad throttle hand:chairshot:





but seriously just make sure your electrical system is up to snuff...
like idok said... cheapo butt connectors wont fly in salt water.

taking the plug wires back a half inch(and a fresh set of plugs) usually works great for me if that is the problem
 

djkorn1

kidkornfilms
Site Supporter
Location
Cleveland Ohio
Bring electrical tape and di-electric grease. If your boat is running crappy, grease and tape every wire in sight to keep salt out.

Fire your Ski up in the dark at home and spray it with salt water.... look for sparks and fix them.
 
Top Bottom