Rented jet ski sank, am I to blame? - PWC Forum: The best hang-out for Personal WaterCraft enthusiasts

aandmc · 08-01-2011, 08:59 PM

I rented a jet ski last week. It was a 3 seat Kawasaki, but I don't know the model. A wave hit us while we were stopped and knocked the ski over and it capsized. It was extremely hard to turn back over, but I finally managed and I did follow the instructions on the back. Once it was righted, it was half submerged, the whole back was sunk above the back seat. We called the marina and it took them over an hour to get to us (they supposedly came out once and couldn't find us even though we were in an easily identifiable location, and had another working ski with us.) They towed us back and claimed the ski had engine lock and I was responsible. They are now telling me jet ski's don't usually capsize (even though they showed us a usage video that said tipping the ski over was no big deal) and that jet skis break easily. In retrospect I think there was already some water in the ski, which is what made it so hard to right. Is the fact that the foot rests filled with water when we were pushed off and every time I slowed down any indication that the ski was too low in the water, or am I off base and possibbly to blame for the problem? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

YamaDoo · 08-01-2011, 09:08 PM

How long was the ski capsized before you managed to right it? If it was no more than a minute or two I don't think you are to blame, especially since you turned it over the right way. Sounds like there was some kind of major leak point that allowed the water to gush in. As far as the foot wells filled with water that's completely normal especially with more than one person on board. They are designed to be fine with foot wells full of water, that is not an issue. They should have insurance for this sort of thing, don't tell me they are wanting you to replace the engine?

aandmc · 08-01-2011, 09:22 PM

It was more than a couple minutes, maybe 10. I couldn't get it to flip back over without climbing on top of it and using all my body weight to flip it. I couldn't budge it from the back, nor by placing pressure on one side (even with my daughter trying to lift up from the other side. They are not trying to get me to replace the engine, but they are trying to keep a $500 security deposit without giving me any details on the exact problem. Since they also haven't returned the security deposit on the seond ski we rented, or the boat we originally reserved but were unable to get because they'd already rented them all out I'm suspicious of then being in the up and up about anything.

YamaDoo · 08-01-2011, 09:58 PM

Yeah that was long to be capsized but I believe you that it was very hard to turn over. 4 stroke 3 seaters weight 800 or 900 pounds, that's a lot of weight to manhandle when you're treading water. You should inform them you righted the ski the right way and did everything you were supposed to. All they have to do is pull the plugs and crank the motor to get the water out. If they insist on keeping your deposit ask for a specific written explaination of what damage was done to the machine. Maybe call a lawyer, but then again you'll spend alot more than $500 on him.

p10sdad · 08-01-2011, 10:23 PM

Yamadoo is right. As far as being seized, I say ha, b.s., and they are full of it. Dude I've sunk my ski, dirt bikes and things like that. You pull the plugs, drain the oil and gas and start it up

Ernest T · 08-02-2011, 04:12 PM

I agree with the above. Sounds like you did everything you could do, and the ski should not be ruined after 10 minutes submerged. Even if the engine were flooded, they should have been able to get it up and running in short order after they got it back to the marina. It would probably take days for permanent damage to take place if nothing was done to the ski. I don't know about whether they can hold your security deposit or not. You may have to read the fine print on the rental agreement or have a lawyer do it. For a $1000 bucks, I'd give a lawyer a call.

aandmc · 08-03-2011, 05:40 PM

Thanks for the response guys. I finally got a copy of the estimate today and they are saying it cost $1188.37 to fix it. $247.50 to "repair hydrolocked engine, remove water from cylinders, intake manifold oil sump. Remove and clean air box, replace oil filter and install fresh oil." $792.00 for fiberglass repair, $50 for bulk oil, $24.12 for oil filter, $54.75 for 10w40 synthetic, $20.00 for shop supplies. So am I crazy or does the fiberglass repair indicate there was something majorly wrong that probably caused the ski to sink? I know they are going to try and say I'm responsible for anything found wrong after I had it, but I was extremely responsible, and no way did I run into anything. Even if I was responsible for the hydrolocking, there wouldn't be any fiberglass work that would need to be done to fix this, would there?

YamaDoo · 08-03-2011, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aandmc

Thanks for the response guys. I finally got a copy of the estimate today and they are saying it cost $1188.37 to fix it. $247.50 to "repair hydrolocked engine, remove water from cylinders, intake manifold oil sump. Remove and clean air box, replace oil filter and install fresh oil." $792.00 for fiberglass repair, $50 for bulk oil, $24.12 for oil filter, $54.75 for 10w40 synthetic, $20.00 for shop supplies. So am I crazy or does the fiberglass repair indicate there was something majorly wrong that probably caused the ski to sink? I know they are going to try and say I'm responsible for anything found wrong after I had it, but I was extremely responsible, and no way did I run into anything. Even if I was responsible for the hydrolocking, there wouldn't be any fiberglass work that would need to be done to fix this, would there?

No there would not be, they are trying to pull one over on you.

Ernest T · 08-03-2011, 06:50 PM

Where did the fiberglass repair come from??? Did you hit a rock or something? Water is not going to cause any damage to the fiberglass for that short of time. Come on its meant to get wet. Me thinks your getting taken for a ride on the "sucker" train. The other charges I could possibly see. $247 to pull the spark plugs, turn the engine over a few times, and squirt in some anti-corrosive spray.............a little high, but they are probably charging $200/hr. for labor.

I'd get a detailed explanation about the fiberglass...................doesn't add up.

aandmc · 08-03-2011, 08:54 PM

I'm asking them for a detailed explanation on the fiberglass repair, no way did I do any body damage to this. I think they are trying to stick me for pre-existing body damage that caused the ski to sink. They also towed the ski at well over 5mph so they could have caused the hydrolock that way based on what I've read on some other posts. Also, does a jet ski engine really take 5 quarts of oil?