PWC's Exploding on Start-up: Why no blowers or caution?

[SeaKaye12]

Hi,

I was recently reading how in the early days of PWC's (the 1968-1969 Sea-Doo's...) there were incidents of the skis exploding on start-up. In fact; those early Sea-Doos were apparently recalled by Bombardier because they could not figure out a fix to solve the problem. Dealers were instructed to destroy the remaining skis in stock, and to send in the Hull ID plate to receive $$$ for the value of their inventory.

Today; you do hear of an occassional explosion; but not very often. What has solved the problem?

Skis don't appear to have blowers (correct me if I'm wrong...) and riders rarely open the hatch before starting. We all just hop on, turn the key and go.

So; what has changed?

Thanks, Chuck

 

[arks]

Re: PWC's Exploding on Start-up: Why no blowers or caution?

What happened was this: the manufacturers were able to get an exemption to the blower rule. My '97 SeaDoo has a decal near the stern stating the exemption. I don't know how they did it, but I do know these things can (and do) blow up occasionally.
I always fuel my machine while on the trailer and leave the bilge plugs out while travelling down the road (in an attempt to clear any fumes out of the bilge). Before starting it I always pull off the seat and give it a good sniff.
You cannot be too careful.

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: PWC's Exploding on Start-up: Why no blowers or caution?

just recently had 2 girls blown off an exploding polaris while they were being pulled over by the police for not wearing life jackets,, they were rescued by the nice officer since he was there when it happened.
sea doo had a big recall for faulty fuel tanks that seemed to crack at the filler tube and allow fuel and fumes to get in the hull.
they are exempt from needing exhaust fans or blowers, but they require a fire extinguisher,, lol,, if one of mine is burning I'm swimming in to the wind fast and furious to hell with putting out the fire.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: PWC's Exploding on Start-up: Why no blowers or caution?

where the extingushers are placed you would never get to them anyway.

 

[mthieme]

Re: PWC's Exploding on Start-up: Why no blowers or caution?

if one of mine is burning I'm swimming in to the wind fast and furious to hell with putting out the fire.

I'm with you. Just shows how silly the rules can be sometimes.
One of my previous hydroplanes had a semi-permanent tank which technically required a fire extinguisher. I had none as it would have had to lashed to the outside of the hull - no room otherwise. Sitting on a smallcraft with a fire under my butt is the last place I'm going to be too. In the drink for me. Blowing up is whole 'nuther story. You might not have a chance to do anything.

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: PWC's Exploding on Start-up: Why no blowers or caution?

rule no 1 if you smell gas inside the hull, find out why ! and fix it.
I see a lot of clueless people using p w c's all the time,, really makes you wonder how they don't ruin the ski or get killed.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: PWC's Exploding on Start-up: Why no blowers or caution?

you should always take the seat off and look before starting