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98 Sportster Single Rotax 14' 5"

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Jeb911

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I have two questions I need some assistance with.

Does anyone know the average speed that a 98 Sportster single engine will run.

Also, what is the gas mileage like? If I run at 60 to 75% how far should I be able to go?
 
If everything is in good condition... you should see low to mid 40's. If you are fully loaded, then upper 30's.

My sportster with my top on, and 3 people... I normally run right at 43 mph. (the top is the killer, it's a big parachute)

Fuel at WOT is 7.5 gal/hr. But... most of the time... you will mash the throttle to get up to speed, then back off to 75%. The speed difference between 75% and 100% is only about 4 mph, but your full consumption will drop dramatically. I can play for a full day on a tank of fuel. Normally, I don't even have to switch to my reserve tank.

It wont be the fastest thing on the water... but it will be fast enough to have fun... and to pass most of the older boats out there.
 
I paid 2500 for this 98 sportster a few weeks ago... I just recovered the seats. Man, was that a pain or what. I got all of the seats done except the driver arm rest. I went to remove the throttle assembly and two of the screws stripped. So, I guess I am going to have to extract the screws. Other than the seats being bad, the boat is in excellent shape.


It seems to run fine. However, I believe the take off could be a little better. Also, it is not like most sea doo boats where you can spin it around when you cut the wheel.....


What are some basic maintenance things that I can do? What is the black box near the top of the motor? It has like 6 or so clips on it... I tried to remove the clips to see what was under it and I could not get them off.
 
Black Box.

That black box is an air box. The clips slid to the side, they do not come off.
Slid them all then lift the cover. Careful there is a rubber gasket in the groove
of the lid. Under that You'll find a wire mesh looks like a filter. That is the
Spark arrester. If You are going to go any deeper remember any screws You
remove need to have some type of thread locker or locktite to keep them from
coming loose and getting sucked into the Engine. Six allen screws for the
flame or spark arrester. Then four allen - two per carb and the bottom of the
black box comes off.
 
I paid 2500 for this 98 sportster a few weeks ago... I just recovered the seats. Man, was that a pain or what. I got all of the seats done except the driver arm rest. I went to remove the throttle assembly and two of the screws stripped. So, I guess I am going to have to extract the screws. Other than the seats being bad, the boat is in excellent shape..

congrats.

Yes... doing the seats is a pain. I did mine in an air-conditioned basement, and I was still sweeting my butt off stretching the vinyl.


It seems to run fine. However, I believe the take off could be a little better. Also, it is not like most sea doo boats where you can spin it around when you cut the wheel......

Yes it will. I spin mine hard enough to almost throw my wife out. But, with your comment about not taking off the way it should... then you need to look over the pump, and carbon seal.

what is it doing when you try to spin it?

What are some basic maintenance things that I can do? What is the black box near the top of the motor? It has like 6 or so clips on it... I tried to remove the clips to see what was under it and I could not get them off.

As said above... it's your air box. lift the tab on the one side... and they will slide to one side.

Maintanance... grease the PTO, make sure the spark plugs are good, change the oil filter, clean the fuel filter, and check the oil in the jet pump.
 
When I try to spin it... it just makes a wide circle. It doesnt seem to have the thrust needed to spin it around. I ordered a manual a while back and now I cant find it of course...
 
What RPM's is your engine achieving? Is your steering binding at all? I could spin mine without even trying.
 
I changed the plugs yesterday and the old ones were charred. It was definately time for new plugs. I checked the impellar and noticed that the wear rings did have some lines in them. I'm wondering if there was some saltwater buildup behind the rings pushing them into the impellar.


I dont have a RPM gauge... would one of these be the wires for the RPM gauge? Can I wire up an automotive RPM gauge instead of the seadoo gauge?

IMAG0361.jpg


IMAG0362.jpg
 
i know that the orange and black one is for AUX only. wasn't for the rpm gauges. and my speedster even with pump problems....i threw my dad out of the boat....wasn't pretty.
 
The plugs were as black as they could be. Im going to put it in the water tomorrow to see how it does. All I know is that when you turn it and try to spin it, it just drags... The only thing I notice is that the impellar sounds like it is kind of making a grinding noise when it is out of the water. I will try to take some pics today if the weather cooperates.
 
i would def check the pump over to make sure it is the bearing or not. i was just pointing out the first thing that came to my mind. then once you check it over you'll know exactly what parts you may or may not need. this website has a parts dept. and there are many others on the web as well.
 
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