Loader grate

[Hotwired]

I have had this boat for about 5 years and did not realize till I was under it working on those bellows that is has a loader grate installed on it.  I'd like to switch it out with a standard grate and see if there is a performance difference.

[V153]

No offense Chris but that thing almost looks home made. Wow look at all those sharp edges!?

Don't have much experience with jet boats but do have a fair amount with SeaDoos. I invested in a Worx intake grate for my XP a few years back & the results were dramatic. That ski stuck to the water like glue! Handled much better in a chop, cornered like it was on rails, etc.

Doubt if returning to stock will net you anything 'cept mebbe a hair more top end on glassy water. But the increase in water delivered to the pump in less than glassy conditions is well worth the trade off.

I'd go ahead'n take it off but only to smooth/round those sharp corners. Mebbe slap a coat of paint on it.

The holes are interesting. Wonder if they're there to aid in holeshot a la a ventilated prop hub?

[Hotwired]

ya, my thoughts too.  It is a rusted hulk!  Home made or not I do not know. The Holes are for access to the mounting screws.  Machine screws mount it to the pump intake.  There was a stick wedged in it too.

[V153]

Ya if there's a drawback to loaders I s'pose it's their increased ability to scoop up unwanted stuff into the pump. Had a big floating fish carcass somehow aim it's way into mine one day. Tore every last bit of wear ring out & nicked up a high dollar Solas impeller to boot.

Dunno what brand of fish he was but he was purty tough. Hard to get angry at him cuz he was already dead. Wasn't like he did it on purpose ... 

[Rosscoe]

Chris
Dont you think it came with a grate? Mine has one. Looks a bit different. I'll take a pic of it. I cant imagine it woudnt have something there from the factory to keep fish carcasses and bodies out. I dont think I have any bolt heads of any kind on the bottom. I'm going to pull that off and reseal it one of these days.
BTW
Doesnt that stick down below the hull? Seems to me that is what dictates how high my boat sits on the trailer. That grate clears the back cross member of the trailer because they dropped that cross member 4-6"
Wondering if yours is like that.

[GIL_CV21]

Chris , that grate looks like the one off my CV i just pulled it the other day . i think mine is stock . i'll get a couple pics up in a day or two. Gil

[Hotwired]

I am very sure this is an after market or home made loader grate. The original would have had straight tines on it like the one shown in this parts breakdown from Berkley.

Berkley offers several different grates .... http://www.berkeleyjet.com/loaders.aspx

[Hotwired]

If any of you other jet boaters are interested in a loader grate ... I found this seller on Ebay with a few different ones for sale.

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/68pronova/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=

[Rosscoe]

Never even thought about it Loader grates are "upgradable' too for more performance? Geez

Seeing that parts breakdown is kinda scary. I thought jets were pretty simple with few parts! I am a bit intimidated by that. I could get it apart, but I dont know about getting it back together. Need a GOOD manual.

[V153]

Never even thought about it Loader grates are "upgradable' too for more performance? Geez

Seeing that parts breakdown is kinda scary. I thought jets were pretty simple with few parts! I am a bit intimidated by that. I could get it apart, but I dont know about getting it back together. Need a GOOD manual.

Well heck Ross in this day & age you can have your pecker "upgraded". What did you expect? Heh heh.

Been my experience that many of those parts in the exploded pump view are distracting & unnecessary. Took one apart once that was missing at least half of those annoying parts ...

[Rosscoe]

LOL
So someone thought they were annoying and left em out? Yikes