(Sort of) Newbie question.

[CaRiverRat]

Not sure which forum to put this in, so rolled dice and here I am.

Have a ’99 Challenger 1800. Wonderful, fun boat, runs like a champ after I get right motor started. But, is now too small. Need something that rides better, but still is a jet for the river. And, right motor, has damaged oil seal on crank, so when boat sits, fills up front cylinder with oil and hydraulically locks it. Verified by two different mechanics. Only fix is new motor and can’t justify putting $3000+ into a $6000 (at best) boat and am really tired of messing (and the mess) with cleaning out the cylinder every time before going to the water.
So.

Am looking at a 2006 Utopia 21’. Has a …(really) Rotax V6 300 HP motor in it. Have any of you heard anything about this? It seems to be rather rare. I know BRP/Rotax had a V6 Aircraft program that they abandoned in 06/07, am assuming that’s where this motor came from.

After a good amount of internet searching, you guys seem to be the smartest bunch out there, that’s why I’m asking here.

Have any of you heard of this motor? Anything about it would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Coastiejoe]

Not sure which forum to put this in, so rolled dice and here I am.

Have a ’99 Challenger 1800. Wonderful, fun boat, runs like a champ after I get right motor started. But, is now too small. Need something that rides better, but still is a jet for the river. And, right motor, has damaged oil seal on crank, so when boat sits, fills up front cylinder with oil and hydraulically locks it. Verified by two different mechanics. Only fix is new motor and can’t justify putting $3000+ into a $6000 (at best) boat and am really tired of messing (and the mess) with cleaning out the cylinder every time before going to the water.
So.

Am looking at a 2006 Utopia 21’. Has a …(really) Rotax V6 300 HP motor in it. Have any of you heard anything about this? It seems to be rather rare. I know BRP/Rotax had a V6 Aircraft program that they abandoned in 06/07, am assuming that’s where this motor came from.

After a good amount of internet searching, you guys seem to be the smartest bunch out there, that’s why I’m asking here.

Have any of you heard of this motor? Anything about it would be appreciated.

Thanks

Many have installed a shut off valve on the oil line from the tank. They simply turn the valve on and off as needed. Generally, the leak is small and you can leave the valve on all day long while riding and not have an issue. It only needs turned off while being stored until the next ride... Very cheap fix and works well..

 

[devonte007]

Not sure about your info on the 2006 utopia. In the late 1990's to the early 2000's Seadoo used mercury engines in their boats before they released their own 4tec motor. I think most of them were v6's.

I would think by 2006 all seadoo products had the 4tec engines in them, which are 3 cylinder 4-stroke modern computerized engines. They come in many varieties from naturally aspirated to supercharged intercooled beasts. I think the Utopia had a twin 155hp engine setup. If this is the case they are very good and reliable power plants as long as they are maintained properly.

Even though Seadoo is not in the boat business anymore, Seadoo engines are now power plants to the new crop of jet boats from Scarab, Glastron, etc.

Anyway, welcome to the forum! If you have any other specific questions post back and we'll do our best to help you out.

 

[cuongdam7]

If you want to have a lot of power I'm recommend to buy the seadoo speedster 200 it come with 2 4tec supercharger, 215hp per engine 430hp combined. or newer model of speedster it come with 2 4tec 255hp per engine 510hp combined.

 

[xintersecty]

If you can get pictures of that motor, that would be cool to see.

 

[CaRiverRat]

Well...have some egg on my face...but..isn't the first time and won't be the last. You folks are right. The dude doesn't know what he's got. He advertised it (and still does) as an '06 with 300 HP V6 Rotax. What he's got is an '05 with the Merc 250 Optima M2.

I want 4 stroke. Am looking at a REAL '06 Utopia with the twin 155's. From what I've read here, the 155's are real solid, provide plenty of power/top end without the issues/hassels of the supercharger.

 

[Coastiejoe]

The 155 is a very reliable motor. Certain years had some issues, but all have been solved by updates.

The engines that have the weak exhaust valves have a number 72 stamped on them. If it is a 75, then it is good to go. I will try to find what engines these were in as I don't recall off hand..

 

[Coastiejoe]

A quick search has them in engines from 2004 to 2006. Boats are almost always a year behind the skis. Meaning,, if the boat is an 07, it likely has 06 parts.

 

[devonte007]

I agree it is best to wait until you can find a boat that is 4tec powered.

It is probably best to stay away from the boats with Mercury engines. Not that they are bad by any means, but it can be very difficult to find anyone to work on them for you. If you do it will probably be expensive. If you buy a mercury powered boat you better be good at working on them yourself when problems arise.

 

[CaRiverRat]

Thanks for the advice, guys.
Where on the motor is this number stamped? I haven't examined the boat yet.
What's the deal with these exhaust valves? Do they fail after "x" number of hours? Or do they just fail?

I doubt I'll end up with the Merc motor, not that I have anything against that one, just really want to have the 4 stroke. Those extra 50 ponies probably make a difference. I'm kind of guessing fuel ecnomy will be a bit better, unless one runs hard all the time.

I'm capable of working on the things, just have grown to the age where I'm not really interested in hanging over the back seat mucking around in the engine bay.:ack:

 

[Coastiejoe]

The exhaust valves in question are hollow and sodium filled. They would get hot and break. Seadoo went to solid core to resolve the issue.


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[xintersecty]

This is how you identify the values: They have a 72 on them. The only way you going to find that 72 is pull the head.

[video=youtube;t4Xz4eyKWO0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4Xz4eyKWO0[/video]

 

[Coastiejoe]

You don't need to pull the head but you do need to pull the valve cover.



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