Best prop for speedster/challenger

[All Seas]

Hey all,

I have a 2001 challenger 14.5 with twin 720's and am looking to replace my wear rings. I figured "while I'm in there" if it made sense to swap out the oem props for something with a bit more oomph. The boat has bad cavitation from a stop with 3-4 of us on it and would like something that accelerated a bit more. Top speed right now is 40 mph with 4 of us and about 46 with two.

Any suggestions?

 

[Dr Honda]

Well......


There's no magic with the impellers, and on a boat, there is only small changes that can happen. But, that's assuming that your impellers now are in good shape.

With that said... the Skat-Trak "Swirl" impellers are the best for out of the hole acceleration, and towing. But, in general... you may loose 1~2 mph up top.


If your OEM impellers are beat... then you will gain top end too.

With that said... if you are having cavitation, that is aggravated with extra weight... then I would be looking at the carbon seals too. Basically, when they wear, and the boot gets stiff... then the suction of the pumps, can pull them open a little. When that happens, you draw air past, and you loose thrust. If you want a practical example of that... get your next soft drink, and poke a hole in the straw just above the lid. (You will have a heck of a time getting anything out of the cup)

 

[All Seas]

I guess I will add carbon seals to the list. Is there anyway to test if they are leaking?

 

[Dr Honda]

I guess I will add carbon seals to the list. Is there anyway to test if they are leaking?

nope... not really. Once they are apart... look at the face of the carbon ring. There should be a bevel on the edges, about 3/16" wide. If it's warn uneven, or if that bevel is almost gone... it's time for new rings.

Also, if the boots are original... they are too stiff to work.

Replace ONLY with OEM seadoo parts. The aftermarket rings and boots kind of suck.


There is one thing you can do, to try and help... and I guess it will test the carbon ring. Get a couple fat Zip-Ties... and run them around the corrugated boot, in the valleys. The boot acts like a spring normally... allowing the ring to move, and keep pressure on it. As it gets old... it looses that push. SO... putting the zip-ties in will do 2 things. One, it will take up the room on the boot, and won't allow it to get sucked back. and two, it will push on the boot, outward, and put a little more pressure on the ring.

I've had rings that seemed to be too far gone to save... and the zip-tie trick got me though another season. (I was too lazy to do it right)

 

[LawnDart]

Do those driveshafts have 2 clip positions? Moved mine back a clip for an easy fix.

 

[Dr Honda]

Do those driveshafts have 2 clip positions? Moved mine back a clip for an easy fix.

Some do. If you have a second position... yes, moving it back will take care of the issue.