2005 rxt opas block off. Handles terrible

[Minton33]

As the title states my rxt has block off plates on it with the opas removed. I got it like that and rebuilt the engine and just got it going a week or so ago. I’ve always had older 2 strokes, some bigger ones like the gtx rfi and compared to them this rxt handles horribly at lower speeds. At idle it’s fine. But from right above idle to probably 20 miles per hour or so you damn near have to go full throttle to get it to even consider turning. And even then it’s barely turning. It rolls as much as it turns. Once you get going it handles fine.

I get it’s a bigger ski but I’ve rode bigger than it before. I work at a Seadoo dealer and have test ridden all kinds of makes and models of Seadoo and Yamaha and I’m thinking this is one of the worst handling ones I’ve rode at lower speeds.

Anyway my parts ski still has all the opas system on it and I’m thinking about replacing whatever parts are known to leak and transferring it all over to this ski. Anyone have any opinions on if it’ll actually help or not? I can’t imagine it’s supposed to handle like this. When we went out the other day everyone that rode it said the same thing. It runs good but the handling absolutely sucks

 

[Minton33]

Seems the 4tec forum is dead. Interesting being as the 2 stroke forum gets quick replies

 

[Milehighguy303]

the only recommendation I have is to just make sure you are not taking on any water in the hull. Handling gets very difficult, tippy, etc. if you have 20 gallons of water in the hull. You don’t mention taking on any water, so I will assume you are not having large amounts of water drain out when you open the two drain plugs.

But just having the OPAS paddles removed, nobody really complains about handling that I have read. They are only for low speed/idle handling help anyway.

 

[Minton33]

the only recommendation I have is to just make sure you are not taking on any water in the hull. Handling gets very difficult, tippy, etc. if you have 20 gallons of water in the hull. You don’t mention taking on any water, so I will assume you are not having large amounts of water drain out when you open the two drain plugs.

But just having the OPAS paddles removed, nobody really complains about handling that I have read. They are only for low speed/idle handling help anyway.

Yeah I actually have less water come out of it when I pull the plugs than any of the older 2 strokes I’ve had. The first time I took it out almost none came out. I was very surprised.
I haven’t really found anyone complain about it iether but I’m going to take the stuff off of my parts ski and reinstall it. And tbh I’m disappointed enough in it that if it doesn’t help I may get rid of it. It rides great and it’s fast but it’s not playful or sporty at all unless you’re hauling ass. My friend has an 07 rxp with the opas still installed and while it is a smaller more sporty ski, it doesn’t feel like this at all. I noticed no handling problems at all over the old 2 strokes, aside from just feeling heavier and more planted