Break in time/ safe to ride behind?

[DRAGON88]

I was thinking it would seem to be around 5 hrs break in time, and then it would be safe to pull someone. Then somewhere around 10 hrs it's safe to run ballast. Does this sound about correct? Or should we be putting 10 hrs on it before riding behind it? What did you guys follow?

[TwinTip]

RE: Break in time/ safe to ride behind?

I put in between 5 to 6 hours before pulling someone. Repeat the procedure shown on the manual and try to vary the speed occasionally.

[bkhallpass]

If I recall, the manual says 20. On my first nautique I followed
the manual. Then, talked to dozens of folks who only ran 5-10 with
no problems. So, on the second boat, I did 8 before pulling.
What can I say, I'm conservative with $50K boats.

I put factory ballast in even during the breakin (just playing around with
the tanks) . I didn't see the harm, as
it weighs no more than the boat is rated for, and is no heavier than
a few fat guys in the boat.

Regards,

BKH

[AbunDiga909]

I wouldn't pull a slalomer all the time but if your out on your new boat having fun, keep in mind to vary the speed, have your joy rides and I wouln't worry about a few small pulls. Maybe let the smallest people go, but not for long times...

[DAWG]

Talking with the experts at DIM the PCM engineers are telling them to break the engines in the way tou intend to use the boat. I have just went through the 10hrs the manual spells out with 5-6 barefoot runs mixed in and the engine is rock-solid.
DAWG
99SS

[DRAGON88]

Interesting, the manual doesn't say anything about when its safe to pull people. All it mentions regarding engine time is "Accelerating from idle speed to wide open
assists in seating the piston rings. This cycle can be repeated from
time to time during the first five hours of operation." interesting.

Break In Procedure
Make sure all your passengers are properly seated before starting
the break in procedure. After the engine is thoroughly warmed up
and you have driven the boat into a large open area, advance the
throttle to wide open until the maximum rpms are reached. Do not
exceed 5,000 rpm. Reduce the throttle to 2,800-3,000 rpms and
cruise at or below this speed for 30 minutes. Reduce the speed to
idle, advance the throttle to wide open and operate at that speed
for one minute; reduce to the previous cruising speed for a few
minutes and repeat. Accelerating from idle speed to wide open
assists in seating the piston rings. This cycle can be repeated from
time to time during the first five hours of operation. DO NOT
operate engine at full throttle for longer than 1-2 minutes.

[jeffsv211]

I made it 6 hrs... as stated above, it says that this procedure "CAN" be used during the 1st five hours. It says nothing afterwards... everything is based on RPMs.. pulling just decreases the speed for a given RPM (or higher RPM to maintain a given speed, however you want to look at it).. the key is to not stick to a given RPM all the time. With all the different watesport speeds (barefoot, slalom, wakeboard, etc.) you can't help but vary speeds, just no marathon runs around the lake!

[Kenv]

Dragon,

I've got an 05 with the 5.7 330hp. I wakeboard with it at 5hrs but did not fill the ballast yet. Based on how these engines are built now, I'm with Dawg - most engine experts would say go strong out of the box. I would think waiting 10 hours would be Really conservative to wait to pull any kind of skier. I just decided mentally that 5 hrs was my number.
Good luck.

Ken

[FatBoy]

You know the question that comes to mind is if the motors need no riders for the first ever how many hours, then why do dealers allow people to do demo rides behind new boats? I have been told that you need to break a motor in the way you are going to run it. Every new boat I have had I pull skiers right off the bat and have never had a prob. I say, drive it like you stole it.

[ag4ever]

My dealer has a ski school, and has a couple boats they uses a demo models that are the ski school boats. One is a 197 or a 216, and the other is a 210, so almost all demo rides are behind those boats.

[FatBoy]

Thats good but I know if you are serious about buying a boat you can demo behind anything they have on the lot. I have done it and have seen it done. I am sure this is done everywhere, I have never heard of anyone being turned down for a demo ride/pull cause the motor was not broke in.

[wrollema]

After building several race engine and working with engines for a long time I have concluded the following; weight and the type of job the engine performs is not important, what is important is to vary the rpm of the engine ( varies the pressure on the piston rings) and not sustaining WOT for an extended period. WOT for extended periods (were the engine obtains max RPM) inhibits the engine ability to seal the piston rings Pulling a skier is relatively mild work on an engine compared to the actually performance and capability of the engine. Note: in typical slalom run the engine rpms are varied quiet often; sustained RPM's for 2 to 5 min will not inhibit the ability for the engine's ability to seal the piston rings (excluding WOT were Max RPM are attained). This what I would recommend; Warm engine up to operating temperature and go for a 15 min ride were you continually accelerating and decelerating then use the boat as you would normally do refraining from sustaining WOT were maxim RPM’s are attained.

[breakz77]

I have an 05 and started riding behind it with a little over 6 hours. All seems to be good. Even the dealer said it really wouldn't hurt anything with only a few hours on it.