Cyclops - 1971 Sidewinder jet boat
Cyclops - jetboatjill here reporting to you about our 1971 Sidewinder jet boat we discussed last week and you were so much help!!! We took the boat to the lake this weekend. We plugged the exhaust pipes, AND lowered the trailer hitch by 5" which lowered the front of the boat by 5" making it easier to launch. Before we tried launching - we checked everything and found the cover to the hole in the jet drive where you can put your hand down in it and clean out any debris - we found that cover loose, so tightened it. With lowering the trailer hitch, plugging the exhaust pipes AND tightening the cover in the jet drive, we launched the boat with much success and it was DRY as a bone!!!! We then carefully removed the plugs and it was still DRY as a bone!!!! We started the engine and got brave and took the boat for a spin. We were high & dry!!!! We are assuming that the cover was so loose that was where the water was rushing in because since we tightened the cover, we've not had any water rushing in to the boat. The engine purrrrred like a kitten while we broke in the engine......THEN, it rumbled like a dragster once we got it up on plane. Sooooo lowering the trailer hitch, and tightening the cover and getting up enough guts again to try it - we finally MADE IT!!!! Our engine is a 455 Olds bored out w/ racing pistons, a racing cam, high performance carb, and a super duper powerful water pump!!!! THANK YOU for all your help and suggestions!!!! NOW.......our next project is the jet drive. It seems to be putting out water, BUT, the water is very turbulent, not a steady stream, so, we are thinking that the jet drive needs some work done to it - BUT - it got us putts-ing around the lake for a while!!! Have a nice evening!!! THANK YOU ever so much for all your help and encouragement!!!! You are a dandy!!!
04-18-2005, 02:40 PM
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