Hello I'm new to sea doo jet boats ( 1996 speedster) and was wondering if they all seem to drive bow heavy? It turns great but drives like a tank. You have to keep both hands on the wheel all the times, even going straight. It seems like it needs to be trimmed up. Has anyone ever put trim on one? Or is there something wrong with this?
-
This site contains eBay affiliate links for which Sea-Doo Forum may be compensated.
1996 speedster ride.
- Thread starter Mantaman
- Start date
- Status
There was no water in the boat bilge at all. Just 2 people in the boat. ( Approx. 400# total). I'm used to driving I/O s so it felt really nose heavy driving. Also once on plane you could throttle back to half throttle before it would come off the rev limiter. (7000 rpm, 45 mph on speedometer ) . Is that normal or should it have more pitched impellers?
Thanks for the quick reply
Mantaman
Thanks for the quick reply
Mantaman
Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
If you are touching the rev-limiter... then you has some cavitation. You may need new carbon seals (on the driveshaft) or your wear rings are warn. The max gap in the pump is 0.040"... but the tighter the better. On that boat... you may have just a touch of cavitation if you mash the throttle from a stop... but at full speed... you should be able to hold the throttles wide open, and the engines should be a couple hundred RPM below the re-limiter. (about at 6800 RPM) And... you should be into the low 50's.
Thanks for the quick replies. I will change the carbon seals and check the wear rings. Are the aftermarket carbon seals ( parts unlimited ) as good as the OEM seals. Also the plastic shaft protector on the right engine is missing. Should that be replaced or should I remove the one from the other side?
Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
The aftermarket carbon rings kind of suck. They work... but they don't live as long. The OEM carbon rings can last +10 years. But, the aftermarket boots are OK. Since the rubber boot is basically the spring for the seal... I recommend replacing it too. As long as the stainless ring isn't gouged... you can reuse it.
The plastic shaft protectors are just a stupid design from an engineer who probably never was in a boat. (lol) The idea is... if you suck up a rope... it won't wind around the shaft. The problem is... it will still get into the impeller, and then twist. In doing so... it will break the protector, and make it even harder to get out. Also... if there is any damage to the protector... it will cause cavitation. Because of that... any boat or ski I work on... I pull them out, and toss them in the trash !!!!
The plastic shaft protectors are just a stupid design from an engineer who probably never was in a boat. (lol) The idea is... if you suck up a rope... it won't wind around the shaft. The problem is... it will still get into the impeller, and then twist. In doing so... it will break the protector, and make it even harder to get out. Also... if there is any damage to the protector... it will cause cavitation. Because of that... any boat or ski I work on... I pull them out, and toss them in the trash !!!!
That is not uncommon with boats that have some sort of hull damage. I do not know how the hull goes together in regards to Seadoo boats, but many boats do have an inner and out hull and water does get trapped in between the layers.
Someone more familiar with your specific hull will chime in I would think.
I am guessing that once you get the impeller/wear ring resolved, you will find a noticeable difference in how it accelerates and max engine RPM at mid-throttle.
- Status
