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First Seadoo- 1997 Challenger

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nate_4_01

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Jusy bought my first jet boat. 1997 Seadoo Challenger 14.5ft. Runs well and is in pretty good condition, just a few small rips in the center back seat. Any advice for me? I have never had a jet boat or even a 2-stroke boat motor. Always have had 4-stroke outboards. Can't wait for it to warm up here in WI!
 
Go to the ramp on a weekday when it is NOT busy. You do NOT want to learn how a jet boat operates when 20 others are standing waiting for the ramp. They are a bit frustrating to learn the docking aspect, but once you learn it you will really lie it.. Anyone can drive out in open water as it is all relative. You turn the when and you see what it does, if to sharp you bring it back ect ect.. This is NOT the case at the dock. It has to do with thrust, angle, how well it idles, how you react ect ect..
 
Thanks for the info. yeah i hope to go in the early afternoon on a wednesday or thursday soon. anything I need to know as far as the exhaust fan? i have read that some people just run it before startup and some run it all the time. i think they are sharp looking boat and dont look like a 1997.
 
Yes, this is very important, you need to run your blower for at least 3 minutes before you start your boat, 5 minutes is better. It clears any fuel vapor from the bilge, if you don't do it your boat could go BOOM.

Lou
 
thank you! do i need to run it at all when the boat is running? when it is a really warm day maybe? or is it just for the fumes?
 
It's not a bad idea to run the blower when going at no wake speed, once you reach normal operating speed you won't need the blower.

Lou
 
Welcome to the best Seadoo site in the world! If I can be of any help just let me know.

Also we have a big freeride coming up in the Dells at the end of the month. More info in the midwest riders section.
 
how easy is it to replace the gasket around the exhaust pipe? how is it done? looks to be pretty straight forward.
 
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