Three weeks ago I bought a '96 Challenger. This is my first jet boat after owning several prop boats over the years.
I've been fixing it up and getting it ready and today was the first time I took it out. Had a blast, but also have a bunch of questions...mostly about whether what I was experiencing is part of the "jet boat experience," or a sign of a problem.
~ First, at low throttle the engine ran rough and the boat was hard to control. There seemed to be a point as I increased the throttle that the engine evened out, the sound changed, and it ran smoothly. Is that normal for a two-stroke jet boat, or should the low throttle action be smooth as well?
~ Second, I had to hold the throttle lever in place. If I let go, it would spring back to off. Is that normal, or does something need adjusting?
~ Third, what's the trick to pulling alongside a dock? Driving a prop boat, I would get close and put it in reverse, which would tuck the stern toward the dock (assuming the dock is on the left). I was nervous about putting the jet boat in reverse when docking.
~ Fourth, is there some procedure I should follow to clean, flush, whatever after an outing? I was in a lake, so no saltwater involved.
~ Finally, both my tach and speedometer seem busted beyond repair. Does anyone sell those, or should I just keep an eye on eBay and the classifieds here.
As always, thanks for the help.
I've been fixing it up and getting it ready and today was the first time I took it out. Had a blast, but also have a bunch of questions...mostly about whether what I was experiencing is part of the "jet boat experience," or a sign of a problem.
~ First, at low throttle the engine ran rough and the boat was hard to control. There seemed to be a point as I increased the throttle that the engine evened out, the sound changed, and it ran smoothly. Is that normal for a two-stroke jet boat, or should the low throttle action be smooth as well?
~ Second, I had to hold the throttle lever in place. If I let go, it would spring back to off. Is that normal, or does something need adjusting?
~ Third, what's the trick to pulling alongside a dock? Driving a prop boat, I would get close and put it in reverse, which would tuck the stern toward the dock (assuming the dock is on the left). I was nervous about putting the jet boat in reverse when docking.
~ Fourth, is there some procedure I should follow to clean, flush, whatever after an outing? I was in a lake, so no saltwater involved.
~ Finally, both my tach and speedometer seem busted beyond repair. Does anyone sell those, or should I just keep an eye on eBay and the classifieds here.
As always, thanks for the help.
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