Best Solas impeller for 97 Challenger 1800?

[dsw222]

I just bought a 97 Challenger 1800 with the twin 110hp engines

One of the impellers is a bit chewed up, and the other one looks fine but has a cracked wear ring. So I decided that since I'm pulling both sides out, I might as well get two new matching impellers.

The SBT exchange program is sold out for my boat, so that nudged me into getting two Solas impellers. I am looking for some feedback as to which would suit me better... the Concord SD-CD 15/23, or the X Prop SD-SC-XO 16.5/23.5

I don't tow any skiers or anything in the boat, so I don't really care about hole shot. I would like something that has good performance and a high top speed. Acceleration would be nice, but I am more concerned with top end.

Would the X Prop be a better choice considering what I want out of it?

If anyone has experience with either of these impellers and how they perform versus the stock impellers, please chime in!

I'd appreciate any help! Thanks!

 

[Dr Honda]

I have never personally used the X prop from Solas... so take what I say with a grain of salt.


OK... everyone says, "I don't care about hole shot. I want top speed." But in the end... they realize that they did want hole shot. It's like the old saying... "People buy Horse power, but they want torque." Also... a boat, is not a jetski, so, you have to watch for things.

First, you need to think about how heavy your boat is... and how much water it will displace (drag) compared to a jet ski.

The X prop from solas is pimped to be their high speed impeller... but that was for a ski that is a fraction of the weight. Yes it will fit into your boat, but it wasn't the target market. You may get 2 of them, and find your time to plane is very long, and in turn, makes the boat feel slow. But, I'm sure flat out... it will give a good top speed.

The Concord impellers for our SeaDoo boats are known to be the most efficient. In turn, they give great top speed, and fuel economy. They are what I always recommend for someone like you. (ie... I want top speed) I personally have installed them in many of my PWC.


My personal choice for the boats are a Scat-Trak "Swirl." Yes, you will loose about 2 mph over a concord, but you will still be faster than stock. Also, they are great at pushing sticks and grass though the pump, and they stay hooked up better than any other impeller. If you plan on going out on the rivers... that can be important for top speed. When it gets very choppy, and you are bouncing the pump out of the water... the solas impellers will become unhooked, and will take longer to hook back up. In turn, lowering your top speed. The Swirl will instantly hook up, once back into the water, keeping your speed.

The choice is up to you... but I would personally stay away from the X prop, and stick to what is known to work. (concord, or swirl)

Good luck, and let us know what you decide. :cheers:

 

[dsw222]

I have never personally used the X prop from Solas... so take what I say with a grain of salt.


OK... everyone says, "I don't care about hole shot. I want top speed." But in the end... they realize that they did want hole shot. It's like the old saying... "People buy Horse power, but they want torque." Also... a boat, is not a jetski, so, you have to watch for things.

First, you need to think about how heavy your boat is... and how much water it will displace (drag) compared to a jet ski.

The X prop from solas is pimped to be their high speed impeller... but that was for a ski that is a fraction of the weight. Yes it will fit into your boat, but it wasn't the target market. You may get 2 of them, and find your time to plane is very long, and in turn, makes the boat feel slow. But, I'm sure flat out... it will give a good top speed.

The Concord impellers for our SeaDoo boats are known to be the most efficient. In turn, then give great top speed, and fuel economy. They are what I always recommend for someone like you. (ie... I want top speed) I personally have installed them in many of my PWC.


My personal choice for the boats are a Scat-Trak "Swirl." Yes, you will loose about 2 mph over a concord, but you will still be faster than stock. Also, they are great at pushing sticks and grass though the pump, and they stay hooked up better than any other impeller. If you plan on going out on the rivers... that can be important for top speed. When it gets very choppy, and you are bouncing the pump out of the water... the solas impellers will become unhooked, and will take longer to hook back up. In turn, lowering your top speed. The Swirl will instantly hook up, once back into the water, keeping your speed.

The choice is up to you... but I would personally stay away from the X prop, and stick to what is known to work. (concord, or swirl)

Good luck, and let us know what you decide. :cheers:

Thanks for the very detailed response!

I had not looked into the Skat impellers, but I will check them out now

By the way... I noticed you're from Pittsburgh too...Where do you boat? I go out on the Allegheny by Ford City and Kittaning

 

[Dr Honda]

Thanks for the very detailed response!

I had not looked into the Skat impellers, but I will check them out now

By the way... I noticed you're from Pittsburgh too...Where do you boat? I go out on the Allegheny by Ford City and Kittaning

I'm close to Irwin, and my shop is in Latrobe.

Look at my thread in this section on "Boating on Fathers day"... and you will see me at the point.

My normal stomping grounds are the Bush recreation area (loyalhana) or the Yough River lake.

BUT... my wife is from the Kittanning area. I have been known to drop in at the little launch on the river behind the tire shop in Kittanning, and I hit crooked creek once in a while too.

If I head up that way... I'll shoot you a PM.

 

[dsw222]

I'm close to Irwin, and my shop is in Latrobe.

Look at my thread in this section on "Boating on Fathers day"... and you will see me at the point.

My normal stomping grounds are the Bush recreation area (loyalhana) or the Yough River lake.

BUT... my wife is from the Kittanning area. I have been known to drop in at the little launch on the river behind the tire shop in Kittanning, and I hit crooked creek once in a while too.

If I head up that way... I'll shoot you a PM.

Sounds good! My uncle lives on the Allegheny less than a half mile from Crooked Creek... I launch on the ramp right at the mouth of the creek. Its a beautiful area of river up there!

It seems like the 17/22 Swirl is the popular pitch for a boat like mine... what do you run?

And where would you suggest buying from? They seem to be 250ish each from the places I've seen them online... thats a bit pricey compared to 195 for a Concord (Overton's, with a 20% coupon code)

 

[dsw222]

Update....

I went ahead and ordered the Concord 15/23 impellers and the impeller tool from Overton's, and some wear rings from SBT

I will be installing them July 1, so I'll let you guys know how it goes!

Thanks for the help!

 

[Dr Honda]

Sounds good! My uncle lives on the Allegheny less than a half mile from Crooked Creek... I launch on the ramp right at the mouth of the creek. Its a beautiful area of river up there!

It seems like the 17/22 Swirl is the popular pitch for a boat like mine... what do you run?

And where would you suggest buying from? They seem to be 250ish each from the places I've seen them online... thats a bit pricey compared to 195 for a Concord (Overton's, with a 20% coupon code)

I have a 16/21 in my boat. The recommended impeller is a 15/20. Since you have 800 engines... 17/22 would be right.

You will be happy with the recommended Solas impeller. Since you are going to have your pumps apart... you may want to change out your carbon seals too. (the seal on the driveshaft) That way you will know that there will be no issues with cavitation.

 

[dsw222]

I have a 16/21 in my boat. The recommended impeller is a 15/20. Since you have 800 engines... 17/22 would be right.

You will be happy with the recommended Solas impeller. Since you are going to have your pumps apart... you may want to change out your carbon seals too. (the seal on the driveshaft) That way you will know that there will be no issues with cavitation.

I ordered neoprene seals to go in by the wear ring, but i dont think this is what you're referring to. oops.

do you mean this part?

http://www.shopsbt.com/jet-ski-crankshaft-end-seal-kits/21-107.html

 

[Dr Honda]

I ordered neoprene seals to go in by the wear ring, but i dont think this is what you're referring to. oops.

do you mean this part?

http://www.shopsbt.com/jet-ski-crankshaft-end-seal-kits/21-107.html

Nope.... that's the crank shaft seal.

This part...

http://www.shopsbt.com/seadoo-jet-ski-driveline-rebuild-kit/70-105A.html

This keeps water from coming in around your drive shaft... but when they leak... you get air going into your pump. When these leak, it could be bad enough that your boat won't move when past an idle.

I'm not saying yours are bad... but since you will have the pumps off... it's a good time to think about putting in a fresh seal.

 

[dsw222]

Okay, thanks for the tip and the help!