2012 Sea Doo Challenge 180 grate options?

[bigboy3l]

We have been searching all over the net for an aftermarket or a rock grate for the 2012 Challenger and no luck. Called sea doo, the customer service rep barely spoke english and didn't know what a rock grate or intake grate was.

A large sea doo dealers parts dept said no rock grate option from factory and to look on the internet.

What are the better manufacturers of grates? I looked at Solas but can not find one for the 2012 year. I put a solas impeller after the last ring got torn up.

Already on the 2nd probably will need a 3rd soon wear ring. Changing them is not that hard, but there has to be a way to go out on the water without sucking something up pretty much every time.

I have to pull out the pump tonight to remove what looks like a couple of sticks that are stuck on the sharp edges of the impeller and will not come loose.

Any help would be appreciated. Going 5 miles an hour after sucking something up or getting towed by a friend kinda sucks in a boat with 14 hours on it.

 

[RFoster130]

I feel your pain. On my speedster 200, i have 1 grate that is bent really bad and another that the cable broke. I haven't found a single aftermarket option..to replace the junk oem stuff is almost 200 each. I have spent the last 2 weeks looking everywhere and haven't found anything. Prevention is the key with these boats, try to stay clear of junk in the water. on my old 98, i never had a single problem but this boat has been a major pain. It seems to suck up sticks every time i take it out.

 

[bigboy3l]

RFoster thanks for the reply. Yeah slowly learning that with jets once you spot any debris or a field of debris to jet out of there. Took the pump off and this is what was stuck in there. All 3 were cut halfway.