1996 Sportster

[ytown34]

I want to take it in to a shop and have all the filters changed and whatever else. Hopefully after a few months of riding. Took it out 4 the first time and surprisingly the lake was having a sailboat race...no wake. It started on the second press with the choke up then I gently pressed it down. Seemed like it wanted to run.. I believe it's an 85 hp marine rotex engine. Hopefully there is enough power to have some fun...Turns on a dime. Good first boat to learn how to drop in water and all that boating stuff you guys are experts at!

Any suggestions on basic maintenance will be greatly appreciated. PMs are welcomed as well!

 

[Dr Honda]

A properly running Sportster is a good time. Mine has a fresh engine, and the pump is in good shape. The boat with 2 adults will come up on plane in a few seconds, and has a top speed of around 45mph. (I’m hoping to take it out tomorrow with a GPS to verify that) I had it out 2 weeks ago with 4 adults and two toddlers in it. Yes we were over loaded, but there was no signs of handling issues, so we played around for a while. Even with that much weight (probably 800Lbs) it would plane out, and run 40’ish… it it would take 6 or 7 seconds to get up on a step. The only real drawback with a sportster is when you spin it hard… it takes a second or two to get moving again… where a speedster (running properly) will jump out of a spin almost instantly. (2 pumps, and engines moving it) BUT… I have been in speedsters that needed some TLC… and they were slower out of the hole… and on top speed than my sportster.

Now… the benefits of only having one engine are… you only have one pump to suck up rocks with and screw up. (read… cheaper to fix) and since you are only feeding one engine… you have more time to play on the water. I’m burning about 7 gal/hr @ WOT, where a speedster burns 14 gal/hr. (read… cheaper to run) And with the extra fuel being burnt… your top speed will be almost the same… the speedster just jumps from a dead stop better.

Even with a single engine, if you are running around with a buddy… you will cruse at half to ¾ throttle, and run at 40mph.

OK… with that said… the single best modification you can do is to put in a Skat-Trak “Swirl” prop. It will remove all signs of cavitation, and let the boat accelerate with authority. I think the recommended Impeller is a swirl 15-20… but I put in a 16-21 because I found it cheap. ($40) with the extra pitch, it still gets out of the hole quick, but it gives it a little more top speed.

If I get out with the GPS tomorrow… I will post up my true top speed.

Maintenance is easy… just keep good fuel, and oil in it. Once a year, change the filter on the oil injection system, and change the oil in the impeller housing.

Have fun with it… good luck:cheers: