What To Do If A Jet Ski Sucked Up A Tow Rope

What To Do If A Jet Ski Sucked Up Tow Rope

There are few things better than spending summer days cavorting around on your Jet Ski.  Water sports bring tons of physical and mental benefits, like increased stamina, improved posture, and even sharpened mental abilities.

It’s also a great way to spend quality time with your family and friends. However, if you’re out water skiing or tubing with your Jet Ski and the tow rope is sucked up into the intake grate, things can go sideways.

Knowing how to handle this situation will help ensure that you don’t cause additional damage and that you can get back on the water as fast as possible. Here’s exactly what you should do.

1. Turn Off the Engine

Usually, when the tow rope is sucked in, it will wrap around the engine, causing it to shut off automatically. If this doesn’t happen, the first thing you’ll need to do is shut the engine off right away. Doing this as soon as possible helps minimize the damage.

2. Do Not Flip It Over

While your first instinct might be to flip the Jet Ski over while you’re in the water so you can access the intake – don’t do it! This will allow water to get into the engine compartment and in the engine. Water in your engine will cause far more damage than the rope ever could.

3. Get to Land

There’s no good way to get a rope out of your intake while it’s still in the water, so the next most important thing you need to do is get your Jet Ski onto dry land. Once you’re there, put it back on the trailer or a stand.

4. Remove the Tow Rope

Now that you’re in a place where you can work on your Jet Ski, follow these steps:

• Ensure that the engine is off and the battery is disconnected
• If your trailer has wheels, block them off so it can’t roll away
• Get under the Jet Ski and take a look at the intake grate (you might need a flashlight, even if it’s light outside)
• Try pulling on the rope to see if it comes loose. If it does, go ahead and pull it out. If not, you’ll need to cut it out
• Use a long-handled razor knife or a scraper to cut the rope and systematically remove the pieces

Note that this can take quite some time as Jet Skis have powerful engines that can cause the rope to wind up and wrap tightly.

If you’re not able to cut the rope out and you have experience working on personal watercraft vehicles, you may be able to remove the pump and keep working at it. However, this is not something that the average user should attempt.

5. Avoid These Mistakes

Sometimes, knowing what not to do is as important as knowing what to do. When you’re trying to fix your Jet Ski, avoid these common mistakes.

Don’t remove the intake grate. 

The intake grate is the metal piece that’s in front of your Jet Ski’s intake. Although it may seem like this would make the process easier, this grate is usually bolted down under the engine, making it almost impossible to access.

Even if you were able to access it, if you get it off and don’t reapply the sealant to the grate bolts correctly, this could cause your Jet Ski to sink. This is a risk that you definitely don’t want to take.

Don’t start taking things apart.

You can access everything you need to fix this problem from the outside of your Jet Ski. You can’t get to the pump from the inside, and attempting to do so will cause additional damage.

Don’t turn the engine back on.

It might seem like common sense that putting the engine in reverse might help, but it won’t. Unlike your car, a Jet Ski doesn’t have a transmission. Instead, they’re direct drive.

When you turn the engine on, it spins in the same direction regardless of whether it’s in forward or reverse. So, doing this will only cause the rope to pull in further and wrap around the engine even tighter.

6. Know When to Get Help

If you’ve followed the instructions above and you’re not able to get the rope out, unfortunately, it’s time to call it a day and head to your dealer’s service center.

It’s also important to know that this type of accident isn’t covered under your Jet Ski’s warranty. Like getting a nail in your car’s tire, it’s an expense that you’ll have to cover out of your pocket.

A Secret Hack for Avoiding This Problem

The best way to deal with this problem is to avoid running into it in the first place. You’ll be glad to know that there’s a very inexpensive hack that can keep your Jet Ski safe.

You can use a hollow pool noodle or a shock tube. Simply thread the rope through, and this will push it out of reach of the intake.

Enjoy Your Summer on the Water

Are you tired of dealing with tow rope issues while you’re out enjoying time on your Jet Ski? It might be time to upgrade to a boat. If you enjoy tubing and water skiing, this is definitely the way to go.

Take a look at our current inventory of new and pre-owned boats. Not sure you can afford a boat? We offer great financing options that can help you get the boat you’ve always dreamed of in time for summer.