Waterlogged Superjet

[Techzan]

My '06 is waterlogged and I would greatly appreciate some help. A few days ago I installed a 1 inch drain plug and hoped water would gush out. Instead, it's draining very slowly, maybe 1/4 cup in a few days. I used a coat hanger and tried to make a path for the water to pour out. My exhaust on the right is in the way for a standard 1 inch sea doo/sxr drain plug. I'm now searching for a T-Nut to install below exhaust as a drain plug. Today I did a pressure test with soapy water and found two leaks next to a foothold. Ideally I would rip out the padding, re-fiberglass over cracks and I'd be done. If possible I'd like to avoid cutting out tray & refoaming it. I've read all the threads about it and it sounds like a pain in the ass. My ski isn't completely vertical but probably 3/4ths of the way there. Is it necessary for it to be completely vertical? I've been told it can take 3 months for it to drain. How do I drain the water out faster? I've hooked up a wet/dry vac for about 20 seconds at a time. Any other suggestions?

 

[Sospikey]

If you truly want to get rid of that water; bite the bullet and refoam. Period. The foam will never fully dry out on its own.

 

[kevbo]

Find a small Thomas compressor on ebay and use it as a vacuum pump. Make sure to drill a small vent hole on top. You will be able to suck out a lot of water and find all the leaks.

 

[wright2383]

i just installed eme footholds today. used rivets, 2 layers of glass (epoxy resin) and i was thinking about putting a layer of 5200 over the glass and seams to be sure that they didnt leak. i was lucky and my foam was dry, and i want to keep it that way.

 

[FlightPlanDan]

A heavier ski might not flip and roll as well, but it sure handles better in the surf. I don't know what part of Texas you are in, but a refoam will waste your summer.
Ride that thing.

Worry about this in February.

Consider "no-foam" or polystyrene with drain plugs. There are a million options.

If I have to split my bondline.....for any reason, liquid foam is NOT going back in there.

'93 waveblaster drainplugs will fit. But they won't drain the ski. The foam holds the water.
Have you done anything to block-off the factory foam fill holes? Have you squirted 5200 around the steering cable at the bulkhead? As well as all other lines?

They just get wet.

 

[Techzan]

Thanks for everyones suggestions. Kevbo- I took your advice and put a compressor in one of my two new drain plugs and sprayed soapy water around the tray. I found two areas that immediately "bubbled" when I turned on compressor. Of course it's where I had footholds installed 2 years ago. FlightPlanDan- Last week I installed two drain plugs and am definitely considering Polystyrene. Where do I get it? And no, I haven't done anything to block off the factory foam fill holes or 5200 the steering cable at bulkhead. I will check that out today. Here's where it gets a little bizarre & am hoping someone can explain it... The first 30-60 minutes of riding my ski runs well. Then, after about a 1/2 a tank of gas, my ski gets extra heavy & slow. It gets so heavy that I cant lift up the rear to do a submarine. This has been going on for about two months. I'm assuming the ski is taking on water but my bilge pump is always on so its gotta be from water in the tray. When I go riding later today it will run good for the first 30-60 minutes again then get heavy. Where does the water go?

 

[Matt_E]

Where do I get it?

Any home improvement store. It's building insulation foam.

The first 30-60 minutes of riding my ski runs well. Then, after about a 1/2 a tank of gas, my ski gets extra heavy & slow. It gets so heavy that I cant lift up the rear to do a submarine.

I don't think the rear is getting heavier. With half a tank, the nose gets lighter. Perhaps that's why you're having trouble with subs after that.