[chg]

Has anyone given any thought to this? Maybe something like a high strength screen of some sort... Something to block out the chunks of god knows what that gets sucked up and destroys the wear ring, impeller, and pump vanes?

There's a company called Armor Screen here in South Florida that does screen enclosures for hurricane protection. Supposedly their screens can withstand a 200mph 2x4 being launched at it.

So, why not fashion some sort of shield over the intake? Would this work?

 

[Cormacs]

I would be concerned about it possible coming off and being sucked in itself or disturbing the water flow and causing cavitation.


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[Wrench4fun]

Has anyone given any thought to this? Maybe something like a high strength screen of some sort... Something to block out the chunks of god knows what that gets sucked up and destroys the wear ring, impeller, and pump vanes?

There's a company called Armor Screen here in South Florida that does screen enclosures for hurricane protection. Supposedly their screens can withstand a 200mph 2x4 being launched at it.

So, why not fashion some sort of shield over the intake? Would this work?

yes, I have heard of people talking about this for years, I think it would work ok if you were going slow but once you start picking up speed the pump inlet is designed to start ramming the water into the inlet, if it was covered over by a screen the water would likely just pass over the screen and not go through it, that of course would depend on how fine of a screen it was...

 

[peeler01]

Even if there were a screen that is strong enough, it would block a significant amount of water from passing into the intake. Your ski would have a lot less power and possibly overheat from lack of water.

 

[chg]

I was thinking that... I just wish there was a way to get the best of both worlds!

 

[Throttlestop]

I have installed a small diameter expanded metal screen over the pick upon 2015 spark ho with several hours of riding a river in 30 ft to up to 4 inches of water just don't slow down till you get to deep water. I cannot use sport mode as it cavitates and I lost 6 km on top speed as also slow launching. I have suck numerous debris sticks,weeds,a fish line with a weight and hook all this got caught on screen . All I did was stop flip it on its side and clean screen . When I want to go to lake I just cut the industrial zip ties I have holding it on . I'm sure with a larger diameter performance would improve.