repowering jetskis

[PowerAddict]

Have a freind toying with the idea of getting a jet ski body and putting an engine in it. What is there to look out for? How hard is it?

 

[freddyray21]

Re: repowering jetskis

as long as it is a comparable engine probably not much, but I am far from an expert. Looked at buying one today and seems like it is four bolts and the drive shaft. Is this the one on Craigslist for 100 dollars out in the county. I am from St Louis. also

 

[Rob454]

Re: repowering jetskis

Depends

Does he have ALL the parts ( intake, carb exhaust electronics etc?) if he is looking to buy a hull and build it from there he will spend 2x what the ski is worth. you would be surprised at the cost of some jet ski parts.

If he jsut bought a ski with a blown motor he needs to find out if his is rebuildable or not. If he has a rod shoved out the side of the case he needs to add in the extra cost of the cases. most jet ski motor rebuild places charge for parts they cannot use and need to supply.
jet ski motors get expensive. Some even get pretty damn close to a boat motor. and im talking 50-100$ difference here. sometimes less sometimes more than the boat motor.

Unless he knows how to work on them or has buddies who do its been my personal observation that usually the first time buildr usually ends up either rebuilding it again or they take it in to a shop.

If he was to rebuild one make sure he buys a hukll that has a motor with all its parts. He will be $$ ahead
Rob

 

[Aquaman]

Re: repowering jetskis

Rob hit the nail on the head.

My advice...and it's worth exactally what you paid for it.

1. Buy a running ski
2. make it reliable
3. Go rideing

 

[PowerAddict]

Re: repowering jetskis

he's looking at a few. They each have engines. They need "work" and he's found some complete engines for sale if he can't fix them. We are both mechanicaly inclined (engineer and mechanic)

 

[PowerAddict]

Re: repowering jetskis

as long as it is a comparable engine probably not much, but I am far from an expert. Looked at buying one today and seems like it is four bolts and the drive shaft. Is this the one on Craigslist for 100 dollars out in the county. I am from St Louis. also

I'm not sure what he's looking into. I just know after I bought a boat, he wants a jetski, ha ha.

thats cool that there's another saint louisian on here!

 

[Rob454]

Re: repowering jetskis

(engineer and mechanic)

OH CRAP and you guys are friends? JK
personally I woudl buy a running jet ski. Youll be $$ ahead. jsut to give you a idea if the jet ski has a bad crank and nothing else youre looking at anywhere form 300-450$ for a crank. and thats not counting the wrist pins and bearings which you shoudl replace anyway. of course that doesnt add in the gasket kit to reseal the motor average 100$ and no labor.
Either way let us know what your buddy decides on.
Rob

 

[ragu]

Re: repowering jetskis

Hey is it possible to throw in a watercooled snowmobile engine into a jetski just wondering because there are alot of used snowmobiles that are cheap with big motors that would fit into a jetski has anyone ever tried to do it i know it sounds crazy

 

[Rob454]

Re: repowering jetskis

Hey is it possible to throw in a watercooled snowmobile engine into a jetski just wondering because there are alot of used snowmobiles that are cheap with big motors that would fit into a jetski has anyone ever tried to do it i know it sounds crazy

Anythign is possible. As long as you can build and bolt a engine cradle to the motor and the cradle to the ski and make it couple with the driveshaft of the pump yeah you can run a jet ski motor. The only problem you will have is the exhaust. Youll need to figure out a way to exhaust the ski and wet the pipe so you dont blow couplers. it may mean either making your own exhaust from a couple of exhausts or having a completely custom one either CNC made or cast.It would be a good challenge but nothing is impossible if you got the $$ if you can put a helicopter or Jet engine ina boat a snowmobile motor surely would also make it. jsut gotta have the know how and fabbing ability
Rob

 

[ziggy]

Re: repowering jetskis

if it's all there, just R&R it with a sbt engine. sbtontheweb.com. be advised that there may be many thing other than an engine wrong with an older pwc......