PWC Terminology

[scott2640]

I just bought my first ski. I've never even ridden on, let alone own one. I tend to be a tad obsessive so I've been scowering this forum for info, tips and advice.

You enthusiasts should be commended for your patience and all the knowledge you share with us noobs. Everybody seems very welcoming and helpful.

That being said, you guys speak your own language. Ribbon deletes, whole shots, wot and on and on.

I did a search on terminology and abbreviations in the forum with negative results. Anyone have a glossary of sorts for us new guys to understand what you are all saying?

[randhellg]

Welcome to the forum!

wot = wide open throttle
ribbon delete is when you take the flame arrestor on your intake manifold which will allow more air flow and better performance
whole shot is when you hit wot from an almost stand still position

you might also hear grasshopper which is almost the same as noob, Im kind of a noob too so maybe other members can give you more information

what ski you got? if you don't mind me asking

[Q in Arizona]

Hello...welcome to the Hulk and welcome to owing/riding skis!

Ribbon Delete: Remove Restricter

Hole Shot: Launching and accelerating from a stand still...faster than the other guy. lol

WOT: Wide Open Throttle

[Q in Arizona]

Welcome to the forum!

wot = wide open throttle
ribbon delete is when you take the flame arrestor on your intake manifold which will allow more air flow and better performance
whole shot is when you hit wot from a almost stand still position

you might also hear grasshopper which is almost the same as noob, Im kind of a noob too so maybe other members can give you more information

what ski you got? if you don't mind me asking

You beat me to it. At least our answers match. lol

[randhellg]

Welcome to the forum!

wot = wide open throttle
ribbon delete is when you take the flame arrestor on your intake manifold which will allow more air flow and better performance
whole shot is when you hit wot from a almost stand still position

you might also hear grasshopper which is almost the same as noob, Im kind of a noob too so maybe other members can give you more information

what ski you got? if you don't mind me asking

You beat me to it. At least our answers match. lol

hahahah, we got the same answers i think i just type faster than you!! LOL

[pro1200]

I don't know of a glossary so I would just read what's interesting to you on the forum and if a term doesn't make sense don't be afraid to post a question in the thread asking what it means.

[scott2640]

Welcome to the forum!

wot = wide open throttle
ribbon delete is when you take the flame arrestor on your intake manifold which will allow more air flow and better performance
whole shot is when you hit wot from an almost stand still position

you might also hear grasshopper which is almost the same as noob, Im kind of a noob too so maybe other members can give you more information

what ski you got? if you don't mind me asking

Dont mind at all. 2014 fx cruiser svho

[troyheb]

Welcome to Greenhulk.

[83Gator]

I thought at one time we had a glossary/term thread... maybe I'm thinking of a caving forum from when I was spending time underground...

To the OP, this is one of my favorites: Yardsale

Somebody will surely enlighten you on that one, but for sure don't do it!

[randhellg]

Welcome to the forum!

wot = wide open throttle
ribbon delete is when you take the flame arrestor on your intake manifold which will allow more air flow and better performance
whole shot is when you hit wot from an almost stand still position

you might also hear grasshopper which is almost the same as noob, Im kind of a noob too so maybe other members can give you more information

what ski you got? if you don't mind me asking

Dont mind at all. 2014 fx cruiser svho

go big or go home , well done, very nice ski enjoy it!!

[Bernies10]

What a machine to start on I remember the first time i rode a pwc, was one of those rental yamaha 700's, I actually stopped at standstill in order to turn, took me like several sessions before i could actually do it properly, thing felt like a rocket back than
Your SVHO will be much more terrifying, :P But hours of endless fun PS be careful of the mod bug, endless money pit

[scott2640]

Believe me I will be working very hard to become a proficient operator before I utilize the power of the machine. This was not what I intended to buy but the dealer made me an offer I just couldn't refuse. He was very eager to get rid of the 2014's. I hope I don't regret not having the RIDE system.

[scott2640]

I'm actually in new Smyrna, Florida on vacation and we will be renting a couple of skis Monday. Hopefully I can get a jump start on my skill building.

[Bernies10]

Believe me I will be working very hard to become a proficient operator before I utilize the power of the machine. This was not what I intended to buy but the dealer made me an offer I just couldn't refuse. He was very eager to get rid of the 2014's. I hope I don't regret not having the RIDE system.

All Fz users are in the same situation, RIDE isn't available for us yet, I mean i'm sure it makes life a lot easier but if you've never used it, you won't miss it

[CrazyA]

PWC Glossary Of Terms

Back in the day, there used to be a couple of different sources for huge glossaries of terms. I will try to find them.
Until I can or can't find them, I will start with this- Propulsion, impeller and jet pump terms. In no way is this list anywhere near complete, but it is something to start with. not all terms and parts will necessarily be related to every single ski, but it's still very helpful.


Blade tip: The part of the blade nearest the liner or wear ring.
Blade face: The side of the blade facing the rear of the pump, known as the positive pressure side of the blade.
Blade back: The side of the blade facing the front of the pump, known as the negative pressure side of the blade.

Blade root: The point at which the blade attaches to the hub.
Cavitation: The separation or implosion of air and water and the heat associated. This creates cavities or pockets of air, damaging the impeller, pump and performance of the craft.
Cup: A radius on the blade face at the outside edge of the blade that controls deflection and accelerates water.
Diameter: The overall width of the impeller from blade tip to blade tip.
Driveshaft: The shaft that connects the engine to the jet-pump and transfers torque to the impeller.
Gullet: The area forward of the impeller known as the intake housing to channel water toward the impeller via vacuum.
Hub: The center of the impeller that fits over the drive shaft.
Impeller: A propeller that resides in a pump housing and creates thrust for a personal watercraft. Impellers, better known as propellers when unshrouded or not placed within a duct, are a product of an extensive evolutionary process. Current generation impellers are a combination of the Archimedian screw (similar to a helicoil) and Conoidal propeller (sections of the helicoil removed).
Intake grate or scoop grate: A grill-like component that mounts on the bottom of a hull and feeds water to the jet pump while also preventing foreign objects from entering
Intake stuffer: A funneling device that mounts in the intake tract to increase velocity
Jet pump or pump: The veined, cylindrical component which directs the flow of thrust created by the
impeller.
Kick: The area nearest the trailing edge of the blade that adds more pitch relative to its original chord.
Leading edge: That part of the impeller nearest the front of the pump.
Mixed flow: A pump with an impeller in a tapered housing, where water flow has some incline to the impeller access. This adds centrifugal force to the water as it is pressurized by the water. The pump housing collects the pressurized water and directs it aft in a high-speed stream.
Overlapping blades: The amount of blade surface covered or hidden by another blade when viewed from the front or rear of the impeller.
Parabolic rake: The off-center development of a concave area on the blade.
Pitch: The theoretical travel of the impeller through a mass per revolution. Common with boat propellors, but not as accurate with PWC impeller designs. This is the actual blade angle measured along the outside diameter of each blade.
Progressive pitch: The pitch increases from the leading edge to the trailing edge. Most impeller made now are designed this way.
Pump nozzle or nozzle: A cone-shaped device which attaches to the back of the jet pump and pressurizes the flow of water.
Rake: The angle of the impeller blade in correspondence to the impeller shaft or hub.
Ride plate: A flat piece of metal that covers the cut-out for the pump. The craft "rides" on this plate.
Slip: The difference between actual and theoretical travel of a blade and the loss of efficiency created.
Stators: The directing vanes located immediately aft of the trailing edge of the impeller that re-direct spiraling flow into straighter trajectory.
Straight pitch: The pitch is constant from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the impeller. Rarely used with current impellers made.
Sweep/skew: The radius of the leading edge in relation to the hub.
Top loader: A type of intake grate that utilizes a wedge perpendicular to the grate's parallel bars, in order to scoop more water up into the top half of the pump. This loads the pump more evenly.
Trailing edge: That part of the impeller nearest the rear of the pump.
Variable pitch: The pitch increases from the leading edge to the trailing edge, and from the hub to outer tip.
Ventilation: The induction of air into the intake gullet due to excess speed or lift, thus breaking vacuum.
Venturi: The shroud aft of the stators that compresses (accelerates) water to a greater velocity.