Sportster LE - R&D Aquavein & Solas Concorde. Worth it?

[st0k3d]

So I have been using my 2001 Sportster LE (951 engine) for half the summer so far and am pretty happy with it. With 4 people on it, it barely goes on rough water though, and the boat has a very tough time pulling a wakeboarder up. I am thinking the wear ring is pretty worn.

I have been looking online and I see the R&D Aquavein grate, and Solas Concorde impellar. They both claim to add power and torque.

I assume the grate will work even though it says its for jet skis (same OEM part number).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/R-D-AQUAVEI..._Watercraft_Parts&hash=item256765f123&vxp=mtr

Cost is about $120 for the grate and $200 for impellar.

Do you guys think its worth the money to give these a try? I am also going to replace the wear ring at the same time.

Adam

 

[Dr Honda]

A boat doesn't normally need a deep grate. Unlike a ski... the hull isn't coming out of the water as much.

As far as the impeller... if you need more pulling power... look at a skat-trak "Swirl" impeller. They have the best "Out of the hole" performance, and keep the pump loaded better. I use to pull a tube, and a wake board with my old sportster... and it was only a single 720 engine. (85hp) You have about 50 hp more.

 

[st0k3d]

A boat doesn't normally need a deep grate. Unlike a ski... the hull isn't coming out of the water as much.

As far as the impeller... if you need more pulling power... look at a skat-trak "Swirl" impeller. They have the best "Out of the hole" performance, and keep the pump loaded better. I use to pull a tube, and a wake board with my old sportster... and it was only a single 720 engine. (85hp) You have about 50 hp more.

To get it moving with a lot of people or a wakeboarder I usually need someone to go up in the bow to keep the nose down. I also need to play with the throttle to get it moving, than once it flattens out I can floor it.

Once it flattens out and the boat has a bit of speed it runs good, nice and quick, boat speedo says 55mph.

Maybe ill start with the impeller and wear ring, and see where that takes me

 

[jsp]

Are you experiencing cavitation?

Is the engine bouncing off limiter when you open the throttle to wide open at a standstill?

 

[st0k3d]

Are you experiencing cavitation?

Is the engine bouncing off limiter when you open the throttle to wide open at a standstill?

Sure is. I can make it go but have to milk the throttle and slowly get into it. In flat water its actually not to bad, but in some places the water is rough and it has a very hard time. (saltwater bay)

I just called Impro's and ordered the Skat Trak swirl and a new wear ring. Try that and see what happens. The guy over there said the grate might help in rough water, I will try that if I am not happy with the new impeller/wear ring.
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I am also now looking at this carbon ring thing, thinking about replacing that as well, since a lot of people say thats a culprit, just not sure how hard of a job that is. I figured with the pump out, that would be the time to do anything with the driveshaft. I cant find a write up on it.

Is this all I need to do the job?

http://osdparts.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=2&products_id=4

I just want the boat to work well

 

[jsp]

it's your carbon ring assembly then. I would replace those Those whole your in there. Not too much longer of a job once you haw the pump off!! And it's not much money. Do that along with your new wear ring and impeller and you will notice a huuuuge inprovement!!

 

[st0k3d]

Ok I just ordered everything that I think i need from SBT for the carbon seal job except for the Oettiger clamps which they didn't have.

I also called over to R&D performance who said the Aquavein grate would hurt my performance on the boat and that it is only good for PWC's

 

[jsp]

Yea the clamps arnt a big deal. Just use some zip ties on the pto boot!

After putting the parts in. You should see a huge difference.

 

[scski]

I'd leave the grate stock on a boat.

 

[st0k3d]

Yea the clamps arnt a big deal. Just use some zip ties on the pto boot!

After putting the parts in. You should see a huge difference.

::crosses fingers::

I am going to start pulling it apart tonight.

 

[jsp]

A little tip. Get the clip off the stainless ring fist! Because if you take the pump off first the clip is next to impossible to get out because when you try to pry the stainless ring towards the stern the shaft will just move.

So do that first! Then remove the pump!

Also another little tip. If your replacing the bellow boot. You can cut it off to slide the stainless ring easier to get the clip off. But make sure ypu don't mark up the through hull fitting.

 

[st0k3d]

Also another little tip. If your replacing the bellow boot. You can cut it off to slide the stainless ring easier to get the clip off. But make sure ypu don't mark up the through hull fitting.

Thanks for the tip, I will do that.

Yea I have to see whats going on around my thru hull fitting, when i look up in my grate there is a blue silicone coupler looking thing sticking out around the drive shaft/hull area... ill take pictures later when I can actually get to the boat and start tearing it down. From all the diagrams I looked at it seems there shouldn't be something like that there...

 

[st0k3d]

So all my parts finally came in this morning.

I pulled the pump off the boat, and took the driveshaft apart as well. Was a little disappointed, I was hoping to find a messed up impeller, wear ring, and carbon seal. Unfortunately they all looked like they were in decent shape. I did have a bunch of cavitation though so we will see what happens when I replace all the parts tomorrow


Stupid questions, the impeller is reverse threaded on? I didn't try taking it off yet.

Is the driveshaft guard necessary? I guess someone has been in there before because it was missing, well most if it. Perhaps it helps cut down on turbulence from the shaft spinning? in the intake area.

New Skat Trak swirl recommended by the Dr. Impro's set me up with a 13/19. Not sure if thats good or not lol

Jet pump off

 

[howie099]

The swirls are nice impellers. I have them on my Sportster 1800. You will tell the difference it gets faster on plane and in the turn the pump stays loaded much better. Only in real rough water I get a little cavitation turning. Heck I can do a 360's now wth my Sportster 1800 with the 2 smaller 717's. I replaced the Carbon Seal assembly's also when I did my impellers just because my boat is 14 years old. Most people remove those drive shaft guards if they break they can messup your pump, impeller, or wear ring.

 

[Gallop]

Howie099 I also have the 1800 and want more bottom end power. Did you find a big difference from stock to the skat trac? Give me some details thanks!

 

[howie099]

Yes I have better whole shot. I can spin the big boy in a 360 and pull right perfect the 3 people in it. With very little cavitation. I don't get the weeds all stuck up there now either the swirl pretty much chops them up good.

 

[Dr Honda]

I've put Skat-Trak swirl impellers in all my toys over the past 10 years. It's the best "Recreation" impeller made.

 

[Gallop]

Thanks for the reply guys. I've read a thousand forums on here and dr. Honda your a helpful guy! I'll be ordering myself a set for sure!