Help - SportJet 175 will not start - water in boat

OK I have a SportJet 175 that started and ran a couple a weeks ago on the water fine. Tropical storm hit and I couldnt get her covered plus drain plug was slow from some grass apparently. The ran actually filled part of the boat, I took about 6-8 maybe 10 inches in the engine area. The water did not sit long once I noticed it in the storm I got the bilge pump running and cleared the drain so it was clear and only sat a couple of hours at max like that.

I waited till she was dried out and went to start her. Start seemed to lack power. Switched out the battery to a new one I bought since I was about to move to 2 batteries for the season anyway. Started seems to only partiall try, tried giving her a tap seemed to help a bit but its not even fully turning over to try and fire maybe half to 1 maybe 2 rotations. I also switched the positive and ground cables since the connections seemed a little rough.

Im not sure where to fully start looking even and would appreciate some help. I work on cars all the time and I would say it was a bad starter or a seized engine but she ran fine till the water issue. I was under the impression this kind of water level could be handled by a boat (not ideal but could be handled). Looking for some suggestions on where to start please.

Re: Help - SportJet 175 will not start - water in boat

You should be able to turn the flywheel by hand. That would rule out a siezed motor. I think you should pull all the plugs before turning it over just in case it's full of water. Squirt some two stroke oil into the plug holes.