Any problems with your S/D Sport boat??

[ALR1955]

I've had our 2005 S/D Sportster 215 4 TEC SCIC since new. I've had my share of issues with the boat and I was hoping for a little bit better quality given what we paid for it:

1. I'm on our second engine (Rotax 215 HP 4TEC SCIC) due to the timing belt/chain breaking the tensioner in the front of the engine and "jumping" the valve train out of time and destroying the internal workings. According to Sea Doo there was a "problem" with our series of Rotax engine valves (not really a big published thing) and they agreed to sell me another engine at 50%. ($2450.00 USD) My shop did all the labor and the new engine is doing fine as it was relatively easy to work on.

2. All the seat upholstery is trashed. The seams have come apart on 3 of the 4 seats; the "silver" colored fabric is peeling the color right off the fabric; there are several cracks in the remaining fabric on all of the seats. FYI - we keep the cover on the boat at the dock when it is not being used to help prevent this.

3. The rub rail that is riveted in place has more than half of them "sheared" around the boat leaving the rub rail "wavy" looking. Already removed the entire rub rail and I am going to redrill and use SS screws to remount it.

4. The scupper drain that goes to the back of the boat from the cockpit ALWAYS puts water in the boat if it is sitting still. Of course it drains when it's running. The ball in the drain unit just doesn't do what it is suppose to. I'm changing it to a true "scupper drain" with rubber flap.

5. When I reassembled the back end of the boat after the engine installation, I had to change the hardware configuration on the shifting mechanism to stop the "locking up" and restricted movement of the shifter handle.

These are the major things that I have run into with this boat. I am interested in hearing from other boat owners about any problems - if any_ that they have run into. I am a firm believer that you should not buy a boat or a car made on Monday or Friday - just can't figure out which of those days my boat was made.

:rant:

 

[seadoosnipe]

Quality...?

Well, I just lost the entire reponse I typed out. I hate when the forum boots me!.......

Your engine is well known for problems with the hollow, sodium filled exhaust valves. There are many members here who have documented their same problems with that year motor. It was new at the time and with any new product, had some bugs to work out. They now use solid valves.

The problems your having cosmetically could be workmanship or upkeep. You said you keep it covered at the dock....well, is it possible that boats have come through, causing your boat to knock up against the pilings or do you have it cross tied to keep it from banging the pier? Covered, while in the water probably isn't the best idea or easy on the upholstery. Since being covered, moisture/humidity has no way to escape from the cover.

I have a 1997 Challenger that is still all original. I have a couple seams beginning to loose the stiching but in all, the boat is still in excellent shape. The rub rails are original and have no problems. I could also attribute your issues with quality in workmanship between workers of the 90's verses the 2005 models. Seems, since I grew up, workers from the 70's cared about their work and reputation because they knew their jobs and lively hood depended on a good pat on the back, doing great work. Now, they really don't care and dare you to fire them, ....they'll sue. It's always been in my opinion, why I think so many jobs end up going overseas, they work for less wages and are proud to do a good job.........that's just an opinion.

Your dealer was your best friend when you were thinking about buying your boat, now I bet when you talk to him, he's busy. Your a regular joe now and he probably doesn't care much about your problem, referring you off to the service department, where they get to charge you $110 an hour in labor.

I am happy with my boat because it's only got one sensor, the temp sensor and it won't shut me down. The 4-TEC is a motor that is pretty much computer operated. You might have a sensor with a bad wire, shut you down and throw a code for something thats not even the problem. But, with the loose wire, a faulty signal, sends changes to the EMS system that says your about to have major failure so puts you in limp mode. You'll have no other options but to take it to a dealer to have it put on B.U.D.S through the VCK. By the time the technician finds out it was a loose wire, he's already replaced 3 sensors at your expense and charged you 3 hours of labor....

Sorry, I could go on and on about these kind of issues like your experiencing. It's a high priced boat but has to be pampered so much, that you'd think for the price you paid, the daggum think should wash itself!.......

 

[06challenger]

wow!

That sounds like you have had a lot of problems! Im sorry to hear that! I have a 06 challenger and this was my first summer with it, and it’s been a great boat! It still looks likes it’s brand new and doesn’t have any kind of scratches on it! There are so marks on my bumpers but that’s from me learning how to drive the boat! Also with my interior I have noticed that the stitching is a little dirty and I made a little hole in one of the seats from dropping it but all in all they are in great condition! But after every time I get done with the boat for the day I pull all of the seats out and store them in my garage. I keep the boat under a cover on the side of my house. Im not to familiar about the motor issues but I know this winter I want to change the SC's washers and maybe a new impeller but besides that I wake board with it all day and she runs great! My top speed with it is about 44mph @ 7800rpms with me and my wife. Well I hope things get better next season!

r/Mike

 

[ALR1955]

One other problem that I've had is with the hatch door in front of the driver. I'm on my second one along with the cylinder - first door and cylinder were replaced under warranty due to cracks and cylinder failure. The second door cracking is definitely my fault though since the cylinder does not hold up the door and I have dropped the hatch door down a few times. I am going to remove the OEM cylinder attachment and install (2) smaller car style hatch door cylinders in the forward compartment. That should give better support than the original installed down in the front section of the door. I am going to modify the forward part of the door and fill it with resin so there is NO hollow section at the hinge area. Fortunately we do major repairs and repowering at my maintenance facility which makes it easier to experiment with modifications like this.

:cheers:

 

[nomo1446]

I have a 2008 Speedster 200...the bilge pump in the manual position works fine...the automatic bilge does not come on...is there a separate fuse that controls the automatice function?...or something else...the pump looks fine and has nothing stuck in it or does not seem to look degraded in any way.

 

[timeman]

Sorry to hear about all the problems. In that I've had my 06 Challenger 215 SCIC since new and had virtually no problems what so ever,(normal maintenance, rebuild super charger) I'd have to guess your boat was more the fluke than the norm....

 

[mrfixitct]

cant speak for the rest but wanted to inpart this, an aftermarket gas cylinder for the hatch in front of the driver, I read about it here and it works really well..

zorotools.com

Zoro Item Product Name Description Unit Price
G0140201 5.04" to 8.27"-Long Steel Gas Springs Gas Spring, Steel,Force 110 $28.62

 

[LouDoo]

I have a 2008 Speedster 200...the bilge pump in the manual position works fine...the automatic bilge does not come on...is there a separate fuse that controls the automatice function?...or something else...the pump looks fine and has nothing stuck in it or does not seem to look degraded in any way.

Hi and welcome to the SeaDoo forum.

This is such an old thread, almost four years, and really not on the subject of the original thread. I'm thinking that you would get better response by starting your own thread on the problem with your bilge pump.

Lou