j_cruton
Member
Hi all!
Kinda new here and I wanted to start a post with the progress of my Speedster, the problems I run into, and the ever working project so maybe someone else comes across and can solve some of their problems in one consolidated spot.
So I bought my Speedster last August, my first boat! Was super excited about it but it definitely needed/s some work. The boat is running fantastic but, needs some much needed TLC. After years of neglect, the age is beginning to show. I estimate the engines have between 200-300hrs on them, haven't required any major work and have been maintained well throughout the years. When I took the boat for a test drive I fell in love immediately when I could make the sharpest turns at 30+ mph and knew it was the boat for me. The only issue I found in the beginning was engine two had a slightly lower coolant level, filled and went for a test ride and it took about 16oz more of coolant, refilled and haven't had issues since. I think the problem was a result of just sitting idle for a while and compression when the engines were fired up made some disappear. We shall see with time if it requires more assistance.
Bought the boat, towed it home and started going to work on detailing. And of course like you always do find some additional things that you know you need to replace, so with the season coming to an ending relatively soon I decided the rest of last summer would be the time to find all of the main issues, fix big ones if possible but then get into the nitty gritty this summer. I also put a wake tower and Bimini top on. So in my findings I accrued a decent list of issues. The major problems seem to be with the reverse system and potentially the steering cable. I have a feeling both have stretched over time. The first issue with the reverse cable seems to not allow the buckets to lock in the forward position which caused them to drag slightly so reduction of speed combined with whenever I would turn left with any speed I ran the risk of the port side bucket sheering the two tiny bolts which connects to the starboard bucket (great fail safe IMO) which happened occasionally until I found the issue was the locking mechanism was missing pieces then had to manually be set in the lock position when going forward. By that time winter had arrived and it was time to winterize and due to the early winter in the PNW didn't work on it until the weather has finally broke, and now it is time to go to work.
The list of things to do continue to grow this summer and I'll be posting progress/asking for assistance whenever possible.
Kinda new here and I wanted to start a post with the progress of my Speedster, the problems I run into, and the ever working project so maybe someone else comes across and can solve some of their problems in one consolidated spot.
So I bought my Speedster last August, my first boat! Was super excited about it but it definitely needed/s some work. The boat is running fantastic but, needs some much needed TLC. After years of neglect, the age is beginning to show. I estimate the engines have between 200-300hrs on them, haven't required any major work and have been maintained well throughout the years. When I took the boat for a test drive I fell in love immediately when I could make the sharpest turns at 30+ mph and knew it was the boat for me. The only issue I found in the beginning was engine two had a slightly lower coolant level, filled and went for a test ride and it took about 16oz more of coolant, refilled and haven't had issues since. I think the problem was a result of just sitting idle for a while and compression when the engines were fired up made some disappear. We shall see with time if it requires more assistance.
Bought the boat, towed it home and started going to work on detailing. And of course like you always do find some additional things that you know you need to replace, so with the season coming to an ending relatively soon I decided the rest of last summer would be the time to find all of the main issues, fix big ones if possible but then get into the nitty gritty this summer. I also put a wake tower and Bimini top on. So in my findings I accrued a decent list of issues. The major problems seem to be with the reverse system and potentially the steering cable. I have a feeling both have stretched over time. The first issue with the reverse cable seems to not allow the buckets to lock in the forward position which caused them to drag slightly so reduction of speed combined with whenever I would turn left with any speed I ran the risk of the port side bucket sheering the two tiny bolts which connects to the starboard bucket (great fail safe IMO) which happened occasionally until I found the issue was the locking mechanism was missing pieces then had to manually be set in the lock position when going forward. By that time winter had arrived and it was time to winterize and due to the early winter in the PNW didn't work on it until the weather has finally broke, and now it is time to go to work.
The list of things to do continue to grow this summer and I'll be posting progress/asking for assistance whenever possible.
