I have a 97 challenger with 1 engine. It takes a very long time to get over 15 mph. It will get up to 55 mph if you give it enough time. I can not pull a water skier. The engine does run at 7200 rpm. I just replaced the wear ring, Impeller, & Carbon seal (both parts). What should I be looking for?
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97 challenger at 15 mph
- Thread starter dittrichw
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What is "a very long time"?
Are you talking 3-5 seconds, or 30-45 seconds?
I have the same boat, and it is a little slow out of the hole, but it will come out pretty quick.
If you leave the vts in any one position while taking off, it will come out even slower.
I found the quickest way out of the hole is to give it immediate 80-100% throttle with the vts back in "ski" mode, then over the course of about 3-5 seconds, slide that vts forward until you are in "speed" mode. Just leave the throttle alone after you push it forward. Once you are planed out and the vts is forward, then you can pull back on the throttle to adjust your desired speed.
But this is all worthless info if your boat takes more like 30-45 seconds to plane. Then you may have a technical problem, not a technique problem...
Then I would suspect wear ring, but you mentioned that it is new.
Do the rpms go up to 6500 or so when you floor it?
Are you talking 3-5 seconds, or 30-45 seconds?
I have the same boat, and it is a little slow out of the hole, but it will come out pretty quick.
If you leave the vts in any one position while taking off, it will come out even slower.
I found the quickest way out of the hole is to give it immediate 80-100% throttle with the vts back in "ski" mode, then over the course of about 3-5 seconds, slide that vts forward until you are in "speed" mode. Just leave the throttle alone after you push it forward. Once you are planed out and the vts is forward, then you can pull back on the throttle to adjust your desired speed.
But this is all worthless info if your boat takes more like 30-45 seconds to plane. Then you may have a technical problem, not a technique problem...
Then I would suspect wear ring, but you mentioned that it is new.
Do the rpms go up to 6500 or so when you floor it?
98 challenger slow out of hole
I had my challenger out yesterday and was having similar issues. When applying full throttle it rev's to about 5500 Rpm and then takes off after about 3 to 5 sec to full Rpm. Is this something that is normal with the Rave valve or is this just the rev limiter doing its job. This my second year with the boat and it worked the same way last year. As far as pulling a water skier... last year I could get out of the water on one ski barley !! and I was only one that could accomplish this feat on one ski. this year I put on about 10 lb. so Im around 205. and with 3 average and people in the boat it was a no go. after pushing a lot of water for about min the boat just would not plane out. After trying this this for second time. I was now longer in the mood to ski. My conclusion is that I need to run and lose some weight , and kick someone out of my boat if I want to get out of the water on one ski. The boat will pull me out of the water on 2 skies as well as on a wake board. The 787 is rated 110 hp but i don't think a 110 hp jet drive is the same as 110 with prop. I owned a 14 ft bow rider with 40 hp and was able to get out of the water one ski but that was less 35 lb. ago as well
If there is any type of hop ups that would drastically improve the performance ? Or would I just be getting vary marginal improvements. Would I have to sacrifice Top end speed for a better take off i.e.. Prop change.
Or should I just think about getting a bigger boat?
Thanks
Dan
I had my challenger out yesterday and was having similar issues. When applying full throttle it rev's to about 5500 Rpm and then takes off after about 3 to 5 sec to full Rpm. Is this something that is normal with the Rave valve or is this just the rev limiter doing its job. This my second year with the boat and it worked the same way last year. As far as pulling a water skier... last year I could get out of the water on one ski barley !! and I was only one that could accomplish this feat on one ski. this year I put on about 10 lb. so Im around 205. and with 3 average and people in the boat it was a no go. after pushing a lot of water for about min the boat just would not plane out. After trying this this for second time. I was now longer in the mood to ski. My conclusion is that I need to run and lose some weight , and kick someone out of my boat if I want to get out of the water on one ski. The boat will pull me out of the water on 2 skies as well as on a wake board. The 787 is rated 110 hp but i don't think a 110 hp jet drive is the same as 110 with prop. I owned a 14 ft bow rider with 40 hp and was able to get out of the water one ski but that was less 35 lb. ago as well
If there is any type of hop ups that would drastically improve the performance ? Or would I just be getting vary marginal improvements. Would I have to sacrifice Top end speed for a better take off i.e.. Prop change.
Or should I just think about getting a bigger boat?
Thanks
Dan
mjchevyss1
New Member
Bump...
any info?
Mine does the same and I suspect a fuel problem. I can not pull a skier. Once I shut it off and turn it on it works alittle better.
Sometimes wont go above 15mph really bogs down.
any info?
Mine does the same and I suspect a fuel problem. I can not pull a skier. Once I shut it off and turn it on it works alittle better.
Sometimes wont go above 15mph really bogs down.
Hello everyone, Thanks for all the replies. I did get my boat fixed and I can now water ski. What I did to fix it was to move the half clip closer to the back of the boat on the drive shaft to create more pressure on the carbon seal. Then I had to replace a rubber water hose that had a leak in it. Make sure there are no exsust leaks anywhere, back pressure is very important. The boat now tops out at 55 mph in about 15-20 seconds with 3 average people in it.
mjchevyss1
New Member
Can you explain in detail what you did. I am very new to this but I am a auto tech so I just need to get in tune with locations of componants and names Please help??????
barbermatt
New Member
i have a 96 challenger with a single 110hp bored .5mm over and did you change the pitch of your impeller and did you put a factory style wear ring in
anorth45503
New Member
Hello everyone, Thanks for all the replies. I did get my boat fixed and I can now water ski. What I did to fix it was to move the half clip closer to the back of the boat on the drive shaft to create more pressure on the carbon seal. Then I had to replace a rubber water hose that had a leak in it. Make sure there are no exsust leaks anywhere, back pressure is very important. The boat now tops out at 55 mph in about 15-20 seconds with 3 average people in it.
wow that read like stereo instructions
Speed and speedo.......
I think your paddle wheel is trying to generate more signal power than it should..........
The 787 is not able to reach speeds in excess of 50 mph, especially with 3 people in it. If you can, get a GPS and give it another try. Don't trust the speedo.
I have the 97 Challenger and with a half take of gas, new impeller, new wearing ring, new pump bearings, a half tank of gas and the wind at my back on smooth water, I get about 47 mph, with just me.
I think your paddle wheel is trying to generate more signal power than it should..........
The 787 is not able to reach speeds in excess of 50 mph, especially with 3 people in it. If you can, get a GPS and give it another try. Don't trust the speedo.
I have the 97 Challenger and with a half take of gas, new impeller, new wearing ring, new pump bearings, a half tank of gas and the wind at my back on smooth water, I get about 47 mph, with just me.
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