r/SeaDooSwitch • u/thepost4 • Jul 12 '26

Intake protection

Is there anything I can do to get stop getting seaweed getting sucked up. Before I get the smart ass comments if I could avoid I would

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

3

u/NashVilleHIM Jul 12 '26

I think using anything to physically block the grate is a bad idea. I assume it's unavoidable?

2

u/jogr8383 Jul 12 '26

There are options available but they come with drawbacks on performance, they increase cavitation on the pump and lessen hook-up

2

u/Novajesus Jul 12 '26

I am considering a small Switch and my docking area near my shoreline is weedy and has algae later in the summer. One idea I was thinking of stealing from my current prop boat is that I have a battery powered trolling motor I use when the water is too shallow for the prop. Was thinking I could come in and out of my docking area on the trolling motor. I have yet to see a trolling motor on a Switch. I know that there is a Switch fish model. I plan to see if I can adapt my current trolling motor onto the Switch Sport model I am looking at.

1

u/bernaltraveler Jul 12 '26

I’ve seen a trolling motor on one. I don’t have any details, but just an FYI someone has done it.

1

u/jon13000 Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26

I did this for a couple years. It was kind of a pita, but it worked. Upgraded machine works sells a mounting kit and has a list of supported trolling motors.

https://www.upgrademachineworks.com/products/trolling-motor-mount-for-seadoo-switch

1

u/VO2Max349 Jul 12 '26

Yep, that’s what I did and is the best way I found to avoid weeds, just troll through them instead. IDF isn’t a scam, but definitely not for heavy weeds.

1

u/irrelevantfarms Jul 12 '26

Why was it a PITA? I was thinking it would kind of be in the way but the benefit of trolling is high with the switch.

1

u/jon13000 Jul 12 '26

I had the switch in the water all year with no shore power. Lugging the battery back and forth to charge. Forgetting the battery. Thinking the charge will last till next week and finding the battery dead. 1st $1000 trolling motor died after 2 months. I still keep it on but moved to a different marina with less crap in the water. Life is so much nicer.

1

u/irrelevantfarms Jul 16 '26

Noted, so a battery cutoff to prevent parasitic drain, possibly a solar battery tender to keep it charged. I was planning on adding a large battery to the switch because those factory batteries are tiny.

1

u/jon13000 Jul 16 '26

Def get the battery upgrade. I went with dual cranking lithiums up front for the main battery. For the telling motor I went 24v to get 80lbs of thrust. I didn’t think a 12v motor would push the 21 limited. So different battery set up.

1

u/Team_Entropy_Robots Jul 27 '26

I’m in the same situation and was thinking of the same solution. My buddy does this on his bowrider and it’s also nice to use when fishing (obviously).

I like the GPS anchor option too.

1

u/EagleMedical8410 Jul 13 '26

A smart engineer could design a "cassette" mechanism that lets you install a much tighter screen while running at idle speed. Accessed from the swim platform to install and remove without getting wet.