'13 Z1 - Trouble when pulling a wakeboarder? Engine feels like it is "skipping"

[dmbisbest]

Hello All,

Been out a few times this summer with my 2013 Z1. Surfing has been great, no issues at all. But.... when I have pulled a wakeboarder (around 21 mph), the engine feels like it is skipping, not getting enough power or the timing is off. Seems to get worse turning or when the wake plate is down a few notches. It was very noticeable where people in the boat felt like we were about to breakdown.

When I got the wakeboarder in the boat, it seemed fine until I went to turn and it started to happen again. Any ideas?

[nmriordan]

There are plenty of much more educated guys on this forum than I, but have you checked the transmission fluid level? I previously had an issue where i felt the engine or prop was "slipping" or "skipping" and it was a tranny problem. Needed to add transmission fluid. May not be the same issue you're having, but it's an easy first place to check. Just make sure you check the level when it's warmed up otherwise you may get a false reading.

[supremedevice]

Does it feel like the engine is the source of the problem, or maybe the prop? The reason i ask is I sometimes get the sensation of "slipping" and I think its a prop cavitation problem. I initially thought it could be a transmission fluid problem like nmriordan but my fluid level is normal.

[dmbisbest]

It feels like the engine (but I am pretty clueless). I will check the transmission fluid to see where that sits.

Maybe its the damn Minneapolis weather!

[robert theisen]

Could be stale gas. How old is the gas in the tank?

[patryk]

It's probably the prop. If you are heavy weighted and are hitting any slight rougher water the prop will skip, it feels like the engine. You might want to upgrade it. I was having problems with that in mine, switched to a high-elevation acme prop and solved the problem.

[dmbisbest]

I thought about the prop but it didn't do it last year. Plus it would seem weird to have only the back tanks 25% full, 3 kids in the boat and a 150 lb wakeboarder cause it feel so bad that people said "you should stop or we are going to get stuck out here". Right? I hope so.

[patryk]

Could be high pressure fuel pump too. Mine went out the first year I had my boat. It would stall/bog out, then kick back in. The idle would bounce all over too. Had my dealer come out and test it, they determined it was the fuel pump and changed it on the water, problem solved.

[dmbisbest]

Wanted to get back to everyone on this "issue" - must have been stale gas because bc it has not done it since. Everything has been good (other than the minnesota weather).

[Z1Fan]

Glad to hear you got it solved, question for you , when you lay your boat up for the season, do you use any type of fuel stabilizer?

[boardman74]

Glad its working better for you. If you have any more trouble please give Lance or I a call.

[loudelectronics]

99% of time its a gas problem. Seafoam is your best friend.

[Z1Fan]

Seafoam is the bomb dude , stuff is awesome

[dmbisbest]

I have the dealer winterize it so I figure they put something in?

[Ewok]

The dealer might not add it for you, you need to add it on the last tank fill up of the season so the fuel is treated, waiting a month or two when you get it winterized is too late. I add marine stabil to every tank every time I fill up and so far I haven't had any fuel issues. With a boat you never know when an injury or some other unforeseen event will make you park the boat for a while and I always want to make sure the fuel is ready for storage.