Is using a fake-a-lake bad?

I've seen some mention of this recently, but couldn't find anything with a search. I need to change my oil and I was just going to borrow a fake-a-lake instead of just doing it after we ride next time. Do they not provide enough water or something?

They are fine. Don't know who told you that. Just run the water flow so it shoots directly into the scupper.

They say you can't rev over 1600. I think they suck, personally. I'd rather stick a water hose in the intake hose and tighten a clamp on it. I know that won't fall off if I jump out of the boat or whatever.

i went to home depot...15 mins and $15 and you should be able to find enough fittings to make something to attach to the transmission cooler and then connect your garden hose to the other end...radiator clamp on a rubber plumbing fitting, etc, down to 5/8" hose attachment with a valve to control the water from inside the boat.

you have to disconnect and reconnect your intake line each time at the tranny cooler but that's easier than climbing under the boat.

I've used a fake lake for years with no problems.

Don't bother spending $40 on a fake a lake. Go to the hardware store & buy an $5 plunger (http://www.brightshine.com/plunger-drains-toilets-20.uns03008.0.7.htm?LID=BNXTG&srccode=cii_9324560& cpncode=23-30846799-2). Then get a $3 hose connector. Cut a hole in the plunger and install the hose connector. Then measure & cut the plunger handle so that it's a couple inches longer than the distance from the hull at raw water intake to the ground when the boat is on the trailer. Then you can just jam up the plunger against the hull and turn on the hose. Walla - for $10-15 bucks you made your own.

http://www.moomba.com/msgboard/showthread.php?t=7449&highlight=fake

Here is a link to DIY Fake A Lake.

Well, I didn't need any fittings. The water hose (green one in your yard) fits snuggly into the 1.25" raw water intake hose.

Made my own too - $8

For our x-2 and our old prostar we just put a hose in the water intake and just make sure you have someone watching temp gauge and you will be fine

My only fear with the fake a lake (or similar design) is that if you are in the boat and it falls off the boat and you don't realize it, you run your boat dry. Don't know if this fear is justified, but I returned the one I bought. I guess you could always run the boat while you are not in it to prevent this. I don't even know if it is even worth worrying about, but I didn't like it. I agree with everyone that it is easy to make your own fitting for a water hose to connect to the line. If you want to take the easy route (and more money), buy a flush pro.

http://skidim.com/prodinfo.asp?number=DP7

^^ youll know if it falls off listen to the exhaust it will get noticably louder if waters not being pumped through it

I have never been a fan of fake a lakes. I have always just used a 3 foot section of 1" inside diameter hose with a 1" double male barb fitting that is used to extend the intake hose to go into a 5 gallon bucket. You can moniter the water level, rev it to the moon without fear of water starvation, an the most important thing for me, is you can see that the impeller is working by not forcing water into the intake.

Works great, isn't coming off...and it's not made of something meant for clearing poo!

I bought a boat with a Flush pro on it. While I haven't been able to take the boat out yet, from what I heard, they are pretty nice. They also make winterizing a breeze.

Hmm... my 87 Supra came from the factory with the valves and the fittings to irrigate the engine with a hose... why don't the newer boats have this installed??

I got this idea from Darren a couple of years ago. Simply screw a garden hose to it and done. Works great.

I've used em a lot without any problems whatsoever. These others seem great too but if you already have/have access to a FAL just use it.