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Avoiding Problems with the UL-1 Hydro
Now that a few UL-1s have been on the water we can identify areas to watch. Several owners have found that their motor cooling jacket leaked. I moved my jacket before I tested it for leaks so it may have arrived fine - but after I adjusted it, blowing into one of the inlet tubes showed a leak at the jacket threads. Yours may or may not leak, be certain to check before you run the hydro. Here is how I easily fixed it:
- Remove the motor from the hull and unplug the wires and water lines.
- Shoot some WD-40 or similar lube into the inlet tube, enough to coat all the motor housing that's inside the jacket. Don't be stingy.
- Loosen the end rings no more than two turns and put a thin oil on the threads where they enter the end rings.
- Tighten the end rings by hand until tight. Make certain that the water inlets are positioned correctly.
- Wipe off any oil from the motor and jacket.
- Check for leaks by blowing into one of the inlets with the other inlet plugged. There should be no sound of air passing by the threads.
- Reinstall the motor, wiring and cooling lines.
The small rear winglets are held on with a thin strip of double sided tape. When mine arrived they were also held down with strips of regular clear tape, but I removed those. That made the winglets too easy to remove or to come off on the water. I suggest leaving the outside factory tape in place and forgetting about them.
Most of the fasteners (maybe all of them) are metric, so heed the instructions and be sure to have the correct metric tools - especially allen wrenches - available. Stripping out a socket head machine screw by using the wrong wrench is not a pretty thing.
I'm still very impressed with the UL-1. Like any new product there are minor issues to iron out, but by sharing that information we can maximize everyone's enjoyment with this fun little boat.
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- Remove the motor from the hull and unplug the wires and water lines.
- Shoot some WD-40 or similar lube into the inlet tube, enough to coat all the motor housing that's inside the jacket. Don't be stingy.
- Loosen the end rings no more than two turns and put a thin oil on the threads where they enter the end rings.
- Tighten the end rings by hand until tight. Make certain that the water inlets are positioned correctly.
- Wipe off any oil from the motor and jacket.
- Check for leaks by blowing into one of the inlets with the other inlet plugged. There should be no sound of air passing by the threads.
- Reinstall the motor, wiring and cooling lines.
The small rear winglets are held on with a thin strip of double sided tape. When mine arrived they were also held down with strips of regular clear tape, but I removed those. That made the winglets too easy to remove or to come off on the water. I suggest leaving the outside factory tape in place and forgetting about them.
Most of the fasteners (maybe all of them) are metric, so heed the instructions and be sure to have the correct metric tools - especially allen wrenches - available. Stripping out a socket head machine screw by using the wrong wrench is not a pretty thing.
I'm still very impressed with the UL-1. Like any new product there are minor issues to iron out, but by sharing that information we can maximize everyone's enjoyment with this fun little boat.
.
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