Seadoo sportster radiator repair?

[lashk]

Hey guys I am looking to buy a 2002 Seadoo sportster (2-stroke). In the pictures that the owner sent me I noticed that there is some type of black silicone on the radiator / skid plate on the bottom side of the engine. Any idea what this could be and is it a problem?

 

[ORION '95 Speedster]

It may have been added as a backup, in case the bolts fell out. It could be to repair a damaged part of the hull. Either way, It doesn't look too serious to me. The owner knows nothing about it?

 

[lashk]

It may have been added as a backup, in case the bolts fell out. It could be to repair a damaged part of the hull. Either way, It doesn't look too serious to me. The owner knows nothing about it?

The person that owns the boat now is not the original owner. He's going to try to find out from who he bought it from to see what it was. I have read on some forums where people actually seal up there right plate to aid in cavitation problems, so that might be what it is

 

[XP 787]

It helps with waterflow. Makes a smoother transition. I did it to my RXP and even sealed over the bolt holes.

 

[Lumps]

It helps with waterflow. Makes a smoother transition. I did it to my RXP and even sealed over the bolt holes.

interesting. I have always thought the break from boat to drive was inefficient. I wondered why they didn't try and make it cleaner. I may have to try this myself.

 

[lashk]

Here is what the original owner said had happened in that area where the caulking is:

"Had to remove the plate, because there was damage in there. Hit a piece of wood and broke a piece of plastic in that area. Not sure what the plate name was but it was replaced and new gear oil was put into the pump."

Would this be a problem that I should be concerned about before buying the boat?

 

[Seadoosam]

Here is what the original owner said had happened in that area where the caulking is:

"Had to remove the plate, because there was damage in there. Hit a piece of wood and broke a piece of plastic in that area. Not sure what the plate name was but it was replaced and new gear oil was put into the pump."

Would this be a problem that I should be concerned about before buying the boat?

Should not be a problem as long as he got a new wear ring and as long as the impeller still looks fine. I would not worry about the caulking. It is on ours too I believe and it needs to be redone as some of it is coming off on ours!

 

[snikwad003]

That is called the ride plate. Sometimes people put the sealer on there to fight cavitation issues. On the 4tec skis/single engine boats the ride plate is a heat exchanger for the closed loop cooling system, not on this boat. If that is the only concern on that boat its no big deal.