Hello ... I just picked up a 2001 Challenger 2000, 240 HP Merc EFI. Got a good deal (I think) since it was after Labor Day, as boat prices go down in the fall in NH. The seats are pretty rough so that will be my winter project.
When I first got it home and ran it, I was a bit concerned as there were good engine RPM's but hardly any boat speed. I remember looking around this site and reading that any obstruction in the jet pump flow would cause this, so I shined a light through the nozzle and low and behold there was a stick wedged in the stator vanes, so after I got a crash course in getting to know how to disassemble the nozzle/clamshell assy, I removed the obstruction and the boat ran great. I've only had it a week, and so far my family absolutely loves it ... what a rush compared to our old boat.
One thing though, and not sure if this is a big problem or not. I've read that this boat should be doing close to 50 MPH? I'm only getting about 40-42 best case (GPS verifies the speedo is working right). Now for a guy coming off a "regular" 17 foot bowrider with a Mercruiser in/outboard, this still seems awesome and fast, in fact if I didn't know what I should be getting I'd think everything was running right.
The other issue, that may be tied to my boat speed question, is that I seem to be getting more RPM's out of the engine than normal. I'm getting around 6500 RPM's at full throttle (surging to 7000 in a turn), and I think I read it's supposed to be around 6100 RPM? I'm thinking maybe the wear ring/Impeller clearance may be to blame? I've also read that there's a "rev limiter" on the engine, and if so should I still be getting 6500+ RPM's, and could I do engine damage with it running this high?
Sorry for the long post ... any info would be appreciated along with any other tips, such as brand of 2 cycle oil, maintenance items to watch for, winterizing, etc. I'm a DIY'er, but jet boats are a new challenge for me, so I want to learn all about it. I've already found the engine manual online and downloaded that.
Thanks!
Dave
When I first got it home and ran it, I was a bit concerned as there were good engine RPM's but hardly any boat speed. I remember looking around this site and reading that any obstruction in the jet pump flow would cause this, so I shined a light through the nozzle and low and behold there was a stick wedged in the stator vanes, so after I got a crash course in getting to know how to disassemble the nozzle/clamshell assy, I removed the obstruction and the boat ran great. I've only had it a week, and so far my family absolutely loves it ... what a rush compared to our old boat.
One thing though, and not sure if this is a big problem or not. I've read that this boat should be doing close to 50 MPH? I'm only getting about 40-42 best case (GPS verifies the speedo is working right). Now for a guy coming off a "regular" 17 foot bowrider with a Mercruiser in/outboard, this still seems awesome and fast, in fact if I didn't know what I should be getting I'd think everything was running right.
The other issue, that may be tied to my boat speed question, is that I seem to be getting more RPM's out of the engine than normal. I'm getting around 6500 RPM's at full throttle (surging to 7000 in a turn), and I think I read it's supposed to be around 6100 RPM? I'm thinking maybe the wear ring/Impeller clearance may be to blame? I've also read that there's a "rev limiter" on the engine, and if so should I still be getting 6500+ RPM's, and could I do engine damage with it running this high?
Sorry for the long post ... any info would be appreciated along with any other tips, such as brand of 2 cycle oil, maintenance items to watch for, winterizing, etc. I'm a DIY'er, but jet boats are a new challenge for me, so I want to learn all about it. I've already found the engine manual online and downloaded that.
Thanks!
Dave
