Seadoo sportster nose dive

[bksportster]

I just purchased a 2005 Seadoo Sportster 150 215HP. (My previous boat was a 1996 seadoo speedster with twin 85HP and it was awesome.) Anyway, the new boat is even more awesome, however when we slow down from 20mph or faster, the nose of the boat dips under the water and we take on significant water. (old boat never did that) Is this normal for this particular boat? Thanks for the help.

 

[xintersecty]

Yes the boat does that. There is a bunch of videos on youtube showing it. There are more I have seen but this is the first one I can find.

[video=youtube;OR1P_Krajzg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR1P_Krajzg[/video]

 

[bksportster]

Thanks for the reply. That's called doing a submarine. I'm not interested in doing that. What I was asking was when you are driving this particular boat at say 30+MPH and you want to stop the boat completely. When I pull the throttle back to slow down and stop the nose of the boat dips in the water. Is that normal?

QUOTE=xintersecty;486883]Yes the boat does that. There is a bunch of videos on youtube showing it. There are more I have seen but this is the first one I can find.

[video=youtube;OR1P_Krajzg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR1P_Krajzg[/video][/QUOTE]

 

[pete63]

I just purchased a 2005 Seadoo Sportster 150 215HP. (My previous boat was a 1996 seadoo speedster with twin 85HP and it was awesome.) Anyway, the new boat is even more awesome, however when we slow down from 20mph or faster, the nose of the boat dips under the water and we take on significant water. (old boat never did that) Is this normal for this particular boat? Thanks for the help.

no its not, only when you do sub move as you stated.

 

[xintersecty]

What I meant the boat has a tendency to do that. It might be a weight balance issue. If the front is loaded it will dip. I managed to get my nephew with a stop and a well place wave.

 

[rcguy]

My 2003 Sportster did take water over the bow a few times and I was not trying for that maneuver. A few times we came back from a day of boating in limp mode and while in the channel boats on the way out left a pretty good wake and we took on water from their wake, over the bow. I must say, me and my girlfriend were frighten and who wouldn't be when all of a sudden you have a foot of seawater in your boat. While the Sportster still ran it took a while to bail her out and let the scupper valve do it's job and I can verify it wasn't a weight balance issue. It was and is a design issue! If we had taken a second wave over the bow immediately after the first ...I don't know what would have happened? Needless too say, we sold the 15 foot Sportster and traded up to a Challenger 180 shortly after that second incident.

 

[ZRX Guy]

Newbie here, so you all get my first post/reply. I've got an '08 Speedster 150/155. Was on the lake yesterday with the wif and had it WFO and pulled the throttle. I had nothing close to that. It just slowed down and stayed even. Not sure if it's because the wif and I were in the back of the boat or what, or is this something that changed in the model years?? My first impression seeing the vid was, there was allot of water in the hull and it shifted. But that's the impression I got. I'm all ears.....:thumbsup:

 

[X-Runner]

Yea, my 2008 does NOT even come close to doing that. Even when the wife and kid are with me and we are loaded down for a day on the river.

I can be at full throttle. My boat will do 51 MPH with all us and loaded. Several times i have cut the throttle to nothing and the boat always stays pretty even.

If there is a bit of chop out there then yes, we take on water even at slow speeds. Im talking 1 to 2 feet of chop. But its not much water

Maybe its common for your 2005 though...

 

[bksportster]

Thanks for all the replies. I really like this boat but not if we are gonna get swamped every time someone passes us the other way. I guess we'll figure it out.

 

[xintersecty]

I wonder if there is some extra drag on the bottom of the boat causing the nose to dip

 

[go_panthers]

Could the reverse bucket be dropping somehow when coming off the throttle? On my challenger 210 w/ a single stick control, the throttle gong from wide open (9:00) to idle (10:30). Between 10:30 and 12:00 (vertical) it is manipulating the reverse gate.

When you come off the throttle, does
The reverse gate drop?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bksportster]

The gate is locked in place. I think it's doing it because I noticed the hull is shorter than my 96 speedster was, meaning the sportster is sitting lower in the water so it makes sense the bow is sitting lower and can easily let waves come over at an idle or slow speed. I've adjusted the way I slow the boat down and it seems fine. Might have to do another upgrade. Lol.

Could the reverse bucket be dropping somehow when coming off the throttle? On my challenger 210 w/ a single stick control, the throttle gong from wide open (9:00) to idle (10:30). Between 10:30 and 12:00 (vertical) it is manipulating the reverse gate.

When you come off the throttle, does
The reverse gate drop?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ZRX Guy]

Wow Bro, something seems funny with that. Have you looked in the access in the hull, I guess it's for skiis? No water in it? I'd sure give that puppy a look over, but this is the first boat I've owned, but have been in many, but not a Sea-Doo. Just sounds like you're carrying some weight in it somewhere. My 2cents. Keep us posted.

 

[bksportster]

It is weird. There is no water in the hull. There is no one sitting at the front, the dealer says that's the design. It just seems not right. I don't know what else to do. It has 30 hours on it and I've had it for 4 days. Time to trade it in.

 

[rcguy]

The reason I took water over the bow was because I was in "LIMP MODE" and could not go fast enough to turn to the right angle and avoid the water from coming over the bow. It never happened when the Sporster was running the way it should and that didn't happen often. The Challenger is a lot bigger boat and in a lot better shape and water coming over the bow hasn't happen yet but we came close when the intake was clogged with seaweed in the channel.

As I said before it is a design flaw with a square and low bow that can take water over the bow. We also ride in the Gulf of Mexico, leave in calm sea conditions and some times return in rough seas. The boat was not designed for these conditions and we understand that fact. Makes for an exciting boating life and experience. So calling it a design flaw may a bit too harsh. These boats were designed for lake and inshore calm water conditions but I don't follow the rules. I'm not afraid to get wet.

 

[pvamax]

The reason I took water over the bow was because I was in "LIMP MODE" and could not go fast enough to turn to the right angle and avoid the water from coming over the bow. It never happened when the Sporster was running the way it should and that didn't happen often. The Challenger is a lot bigger boat and in a lot better shape and water coming over the bow hasn't happen yet but we came close when the intake was clogged with seaweed in the channel.

As I said before it is a design flaw with a square and low bow that can take water over the bow. We also ride in the Gulf of Mexico, leave in calm sea conditions and some times return in rough seas. The boat was not designed for these conditions and we understand that fact. Makes for an exciting boating life and experience. So calling it a design flaw may a bit too harsh. These boats were designed for lake and inshore calm water conditions.

Load up that Challenger with gear and 6+ adults and the folks up front get showered at idle speeds in any rough waters.

 

[rcguy]

This coming Saturday, the 8/22/15, the guys are going out on my Challenger. This will be the first time the Challenger will carry more than me and the girlfriend (GF) There will be three adult ((hopefully) males on-board.

 

[xintersecty]

This coming Saturday, the 8/22/15, the guys are going out on my Challenger. This will be the first time the Challenger will carry more than me and the girlfriend (GF) There will be three adult ((hopefully) males on-board.

My brother and his kid (and me too) are in the 220+ weight category. They being more than me (by a lot). You will have to work the weight and balance around to get a good ride. I have had six people in the boat and that day I just took it slower and easy (15 to 20+).

 

[rcguy]

xintersecty have you noticed I use GF for girlfriend? It is easier to type. Just got back from a day trip with the GF and Challenger. The GF is off on Wednesdays and Sundays, she is a mgr for Publix. On Wednesdays we have the Gulf to ourselves but can't say that about Sundays. Boat is running great..knock on wood.

On September 11, 12 and 13th we are making day trips on the intra coastal on the west coast of southern Pinellas County, Florida.

I noticed in one of your post you said you may buy a new Bimini. I bought one a few month ago and it is about a foot higher and a foot longer . It gives more shade (the sun is brutal here in Florida) and I can stand straight up under the Bimini. Since I'm 6 ft 1 in tall a wear a straw wide brim hat, I still can stand straight up. I'm sure I paid $159 for the Bimini and it came with aluminum poles, hold down straps and all hardware. To top it off, it came with a matching booth cover. Looks good and works just fine but I can't find the receipt. I'll check my Amazon account and see if I bought it from them.

Here it is and I did buy through Amazon with free shipping included. I still used the existing connecting hardware that Seadoo installed to hold their Bimini on the Challenger, so I didn't have to drill additional holes in the boat. It is a great price and of good quality. Good luck.

PS: The Bimini adds drag but also a benefit is that it adds lift because it is shaped like a airplane wing and makes the Challenger lighter. Also, close the front window. That will force more air up under the Bimini and create even more lift. Consequently, the Challenger goes a little faster. Go figure? Science is great if you know how to use it too your benefit.

Norestar Boat Bimini Top Cover, 79-84-Inch, Grey
Sold by: NS Marine & Leisure
$159.99

 

[xintersecty]

I noticed in one of your post you said you may buy a new Bimini. I bought one a few month ago and it is about a foot higher and a foot longer . It gives more shade and I can stand straight up under it.
Since I'm 6 ft 1 in tall a wear a straw wide brim hat, I still fit under the Bimini standing straight up. I'm sure I paid $159 for the Bimini and it came with aluminum poles, hold down straps and all hardware. To top it off, it came with a matching booth cover. Looks good and works just fine but I can't find the receipt. I'll check my Amazon account and see if I bought it from them.

Here it is and I did buy through Amazon. I still used the existing connecting hardware that Seadoo installed to hold their Bimini on the Challenger, so I didn't have to drill additional holes in the boat. It is a great price and of good quality. Good luck.

Norestar Boat Bimini Top Cover, 79-84-Inch, Grey
Sold by: NS Marine & Leisure
$159.99

That is precious information. Man I love it. Thank you very much for that tidbit. Going into the ICWW plan.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

A boat should not nose dive and swamp with water when simply pulling off throttle at normal planing speed. This is dangerous, IMO. Something is not right if that's the case. Yes, occasionally if a wave is coming in the right orientation you might take on a bit of water but the boat shouldn't swamp by just coming off throttle, especially at low speed of only 20MPH.

Race boats sweat this phenomenon b/c at high speed over 100MPH they occasionally toss a rod and/or experience an engine seize. In that case there are special steps taken to ensure the boat doesn't do something funny, and the strategy differs depending on the setup. If they know the boat will do something unsafe, they either limit speed or they modify. There are strict rules for qualifying your boat.

 

[rcguy]

I was out in my Challenger 180 today in shallow water. I got out and measured the bow top to the water and on my 180 and it is only 18 inches off the water. At mid ship it is a foot higher off the water. Most boats are designed with the bow being higher off the water then mid ship. Like I said, it is the design. If you look at the profile of these boats from mid ship it curves down dramatically towards the bow. They look fast and I like the design but it is not a dry boat design. These boats are for fair weather only riding on lakes and in shore on calm days. Of course, I don't follow those rules and I'm not afraid to get wet. If I wanted to stay dry on a boat, I can always go on a cruise ship out of Tampa, FL. boring...boring!!!

 

[ZRX Guy]

Well next time out, I'll give the dive a try :thumbsup:

 

[eracer76]

Something must be wrong with your boat! My 2006 Sportster does not dunk the nose when I chop the throttle at any speed, and if anything, the nose is up as it coasts to a stop... Hell, I've even tried unsuccessfully to dunk the nose by chopping the throttle at 40mph, drop it reverse and gave it throttle again, and it still wouldn't dunk the nose!

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

It is weird. There is no water in the hull. There is no one sitting at the front, the dealer says that's the design. It just seems not right. I don't know what else to do. It has 30 hours on it and I've had it for 4 days. Time to trade it in.

What are the top speed and engine RPM you're able to obtain? Often problems like this are due to the shape of the hull, might have a hook in the keel or something like that which will effect top speed.

I'd guess you might be able to reach near 50MPH if the hull was in good condition, maybe there's some delamination of the outer glass layer.... Not sure what's up but what you describe would be a huge problem for me.