Working on starting a jet driven Squirt

[wingridr]

Hey All,

I am slowly gathering info on building a jet drive Squirt. My BIL is Otter, who is busy building his Ski Bass, and I have the plans to build a Monte Carlo...have the engine for that one, but no room (yet) to build it. Which then brings up the Squirt. I had gotten Otter the plans to build one for the niece and nephew, but with him starting his own build, he really doesn't have the room for another build. He wanted to do a traditional outboard, but I thought a jet ski powered one would be more fun! I know I will have to extend the length a bit to accommodate the engine/pump.

So, I have been busy reading about the Jet Squirts, and it seems a twin cylinder engine is more beneficial, due to their size. Looking at used Ski's around my area, you typically find Kawasaki stand ups, Polaris from the mid 90's, and Sea doo's in the same vintage. I found a couple of different options, but not sold on any yet. One is a 94 Sea Doo GTX, which has a 650 twin in it, the other are part of a package deal...a two place trailer with a 97 Polaris SLT 700 twin, and a 95 ish SL 650 Triple. Both of them need a bit of work. The one benefit to that package is I could modify the trailer to be a trailer for the Squirt.

I have also found a 96 Polaris SL650 that is very cheap, and would fit my needs quite well. Seems perhaps my Squirt will have a triple....

If anyone is reading this, which route of a ski would you take?

Thanks for any help!

[Andy Garrett]

2-stroke PWC engines are incredibly powerful for their size and weight.
It's all about having the room for it. If you can go triple, well..., that's pretty cool.

[Roberta]

Sounds like a great project. One thing to do some research on is the power plant. Some lakes and states are getting fussy about two stroke engines. I don't know what the rules are, but I would look into it or consider a four stroke engine.

Roberta

[wingridr]

2-stroke PWC engines are incredibly powerful for their size and weight.
It's all about having the room for it. If you can go triple, well..., that's pretty cool.

I imagine they are very similar to snowmobiles, which I have a had my fair share of. It appears that a triple will work, and they sound a bit cooler than a twin. My current sled has a triple in it.

I know MN is looking at changing two stroke rules on the water, but to my understanding it won’t affect the engines before 2006.

[wingridr]

Well, I picked up the start of my Squirt project...

It is a 1996 Polaris SL650. Cylinder 3 needs a rebuild, but it is all there, and was $150. Supposedly floats too!

[cepjr]

I installed a polaris 750 in my dyno jet just waiting on some warmer weather to try it out! I ended up with some spare parts if you need anything that fits both the 650 and 750. Can't wait for some pics!!!

[DrBryanJ]

She is sweet!

[wingridr]

That is a very nice looking boat! Appreciate the offer on parts, but I don’t have a clue what I will need for it yet.

We are in the midst of starting our house building project, so most other projects will have to hold on til I get to them.

[JimmY]

Hi Wingridr,

I wish you luck with your Jet Squirt. I looked at that option for a long time, but I saw nothing but problems with jetski engines. They are getting a lot of HP out of a very small package, and things are on the edge engineering wise. If you are doing a full rebuild on the engine, you should be ok,

[wingridr]

Yes, pwc engines can be finicky, just like snowmobile engines. This build is really just to get a fun little toy out of the mix, and get me more familiar with the building process before I start the big boat project.

[cepjr]

She is sweet!

We have too mak e sure it floats!!!!!!!!

[cepjr]

She is sweet!

Thanks! Your work speaks for itself!!!!!!