1st ride!

[jreitter]

Took my 97xp out for the first time today and seemed to run without a problem. It took some getting used to and having to find the limit as far as speed and turning goes. Top speed of the day was 50mph when I was able o find that sweet spot on the vts! We were on the river which was a little choppy today with a lot of holiday traffic..wondering if that speed is about par when it comes to this years model? I still want to do some wax and polish on the hull to pinch a few more mph out of the old girl!

 

[Ronsse610]

haha probablly at er best... might get a very slight different.. not noticeable to the eye i don't think though...

 

[LouDoo]

I would think you should be getting about 10mph more. I've got a 96XP gets about 60 on the lie-o-meter, and my 96GSX, which is fast becoming my favorite ski gets about 65.

Lou

 

[spx800]

i doubt it lou. same motor as the 96 but a different hull style which is heavier. my rx with the 951 will probably hit 65 mph max on the stock speedo, so i would assume 60 mph on gps.

 

[Ronsse610]

i doubt it lou. same motor as the 96 but a different hull style which is heavier. my rx with the 951 will probably hit 65 mph max on the stock speedo, so i would assume 60 mph on gps.

was gonna say with my rx i can hit about 68mph on flat water with the VTS at perfect position...

 

[jreitter]

We're at 140 on the compression meter so that no problem. Grey fuel lines and the carb could maybe get me some more power as well as the 2 yr old fuel. I'll drain the fuel and wax a little and see what I can get next weekend!

 

[MK99XPx2]

I had 2 97 XP's a couple years ago. Tops on GPS for both skis was 53. That was on glass. No one else on the lake. Speedos (not what I was wearing) read around 58. Hence, Lou's comment about the lie-o-meter is correct.

 

[Dr Honda]

Actually... sanding the bottom of the hull with 100 grit will make it faster. (side to side) It breaks up the surface tension. and allows air to pass under. (but looks like crap) When you polish the bottom, you start to create a laminar flow situation, and create drag.

The best example of "how" in the real world is a golf ball. The dimples break up the air, and allow it to go farther.

 

[spx800]

We're at 140 on the compression meter so that no problem. Grey fuel lines and the carb could maybe get me some more power as well as the 2 yr old fuel. I'll drain the fuel and wax a little and see what I can get next weekend!

140 is a tad low on a 787; 150+ is good.

 

[spx800]

was gonna say with my rx i can hit about 68mph on flat water with the VTS at perfect position...

I just replaced the pump seal, wear ring and cleaned up the prop. Removed the intake grate as well, so I hope with perfect conditions it will hit 62+ on the gps.

 

[Ronsse610]

Yea I wouldn't see why not theoretically speaking after the parts you will change and a little bit of hull work like what dr Honda said....

 

[n3k0de]

I always did speed test with about a gallon of gas... vs 10 gallons... like haven another person on the back...

 

[Spimothy Leary]

I always did speed test with about a gallon of gas... vs 10 gallons... like haven another person on the back...

yes absolutely, the speed test should be done with as little gas (weight) as possible and on a GPS, the dream-o-meter is just there for show...

 

[mikidymac]

The 1997 XP stock is about a 54 mph ski as others have said and the stock spedo will read a little under 60. Get those gray fuel lines out asap and check your impeller and wear ring for damage.

 

[jreitter]

Thanks for all the response guys. One question..how the hell do you get these things back on the trailer? I had a hell of a time. Had to get it somewhat close then get off and pretty much had to push and pull it the rest of the way on!

 

[mikidymac]

With some practice you will find the prefect depth to sink the trailer. You might have to try a few different depths but use something like the fenders to determine the sweet spot. I like to set mine so the jet pump is just in the water when it is loaded on the trailer. This way you can ride the ski on and use the throttle and jet to push the ski on like a pro. If your trailer bunks are set up correctly for the ski it will center itself as you ride it on.

 

[spx800]

Back the trailer up until the boards are under water. Drive on, use the winch to pull it up the rest of the way.

 

[Ronsse610]

Sink it half way ride up into it straight and then once your ski touches the supports it aligns itself and throttle your way up til you feel it can't really move up anymore then get of and use your trailer winch to pull it in tightly and your set my friend.

 

[mikidymac]

Winch? I thought those were just so it does not fall off. Our boat came with a nice feature that you pre set a firing pin on the bow stop and you drive the boat on the trailer the bow eye releases the pin locking it and the wife drives the truck off, nobody has to get out of their seat. Looks cool too. Would be cool if they made one for the skis.

 

[Ronsse610]

its a locking mechanism and as well to help you get your ski tighly in place... try it next time you'l see super easy works good