[mike187fs]

Hello everyone, I purchased a new base 60hp spark for my wife. I noticed when she was driving it this past weekend it was always moving. Right from the moment she starts it to it is moving forward at 5 KM/hour.

Is this normal? It was my understanding that just sitting idle it should not move, but when you move the handle bars to steer it will move a bit to provide steering (makes perfect sense to me).

 

[David Tuerk]

Hello everyone, I purchased a new base 60hp spark for my wife. I noticed when she was driving it this past weekend it was always moving. Right from the moment she starts it to it is moving forward at 5 KM/hour.

Is this normal? It was my understanding that just sitting idle it should not move, but when you move the handle bars to steer it will move a bit to provide steering (makes perfect sense to me).

Only the IBR models has "Neutral". The jet is directly driven from the engine so it will always be turning when the engine is turning. All (as far as I know) PWC's are like this.

 

[ChuckTheVoice]

David is right

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[James64]

They don't have transmissions so there can never be any true neutral. It's all about the direction of water flow out the back.

Since you already purchased the Spark, you have the option of buying and installing the manual reverse kit (its a bucket that changes the direction of the water flow). I bought the kit discounted and installed it myself (took all day but it was relatively easy). So now I can simulate neutral and perform reverse for about $250 US.

It comes in handy when returning to the dock in wavy water conditions. But, if you don't have wavy conditions, you could just shut off the engine when you are about 6 feet from the dock and then either drift or use a collapsible paddle (which actually fits in the front storage bin if you have one).

 

[mike187fs]

so moving at 5KM / hour right off the start is normal? I understand the jet turns but at idle I would expect the movement to be almost none, is that not the reason for the new "on demand" steering I read about? If always moving this much there is no need for a boost when you turn the bars

 

[Cormacs]

Yes it's normal. The OTAS steering is for off throttle high speed turning. If you are moving at a high speed and you let off the gas you aren't going to turn. So the commuter ramps up the idle when turning at higher speeds to assist.


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[peeler01]

My Spark goes at about 3mph/5kph at idle. This is actually a little slower than the older 2 stroke skis I have and most boats I see... or maybe the other boats aren't really at idle in the idle zones?

It is completely normal for a ski to move at idle. I've never had a "neutral" before my IBR Spark - it's very nice but not necessary.

 

[ChuckTheVoice]

Mine is 3mph

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[stuckmoto]

If you have VTS with the iBR you can adjust the neutral movement. e.g. if it's slowly moving forward when in neutral just adjust the trim till it stays motionless.