Mercury 200 Sport-Jet Operation & Maintenance Manual page 48

• If the jet intake becomes fouled such that the boat cannot reach planing
speeds, it may be possible to clear the obstruction as follows (perform this
maneuver only in an area clear of obstacles and hazards as steering
control will momentarily be lost):
a. Run the boat forward at maximum attainable nonplaning speed and
turn left.
b. Turn the engine off while in forward. Turning the engine off while in
forward allows water to flush backward through the jet and across the
intake. As the boat coasts to a stop, water may flush away the
obstruction.
• When the jet drive is in neutral, the drive impeller continues to rotate.
However, the reverse gate is positioned so that some of the forward thrust
is diverted to create reverse thrust. This approximate balancing of forward
and reverse thrust will minimize any boat movement. Because the
impeller is always rotating and creating thrust when the engine is running,
the boat may tend to creep slowly forward or backward. This is normal for
a direct‑drive, jet‑driven boat. Use caution whenever the engine is
running.
• The jet drive is always drawing water into the housing when the engine is
running. Never operate the jet drive with the grate removed from the
water intake. Keep your hands, feet, hair, loose clothing, life jackets, etc.
away from the water intake in the bottom of the boat. Never insert an
object into the water intake or water outlet nozzle when the engine is
running.
Avoid injury resulting from contacting the rotating impeller or having hair,
clothing, or loose objects drawn into the water intake and wrapping around
the impeller shaft. Stay away from the water intake and never insert an
object into the water intake or water outlet nozzle when the engine is
running.
OPERATING IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES
If there is a chance of ice forming on the water, remove the boat from the
water. If ice should form at the water level inside the jet drive, it will block water
flow to the engine, causing possible damage.
OPERATING IN SALTWATER OR POLLUTED WATER
We recommend that you flush the internal water passages of your engine with
fresh water after each time you operate in saltwater or polluted water. This will
prevent a buildup of deposits from clogging the water passages. Refer to the
flushing procedure in the Maintenance section.
Remove the boat and jet drive from the water when not in use.
OPERATION
WARNING
!
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