kevindavies
New Member
Hi,
I am kevin. Qatar is hot with shallow seas and lots of mangroves, bedrock and sand bars- i have two seadoo craft - an Explorer which i love (ribs and inflatables are my back ground) and an islandia which i got because we have four children. both are old. both are poorly maintained as it is not in the psyche here to spend any money on maintenance ever! trouble is new boats are too expensive for us so i have what i have!
Our explorer (1996) is on its third engine rebuild in three years - this time i am doing it myself as the main dealer service is abismal (i could write a novel but it wouldnt be fiction - you wouldnt believe BRP would support such an outfit) - i have just got the final parts from the US and will attack the carbs next weekend (i will be needing the forum for help no doubt)
our islandia(1993) - bought in may 2008- has spent the past 10 months with the mercury dealer here - see explorer comments - same applies!! we got her back on monday last and despite a complete main dealer (thats mercury - as is in brunswick etc etc etc) rebuild, the engine does not run properly. i found out on thursday that they had used 6 old plugs to complement the two new pistons, a new conrod and new rings all round! would a main dealer fit old plugs to a $2200 rebuild and then give no warranty what so ever on the work any where in the real world?! so its my weekend, i regapped the plugs(an internet search suggested 1mm gap for the NGK BPZ8RS10 plugs), wiped over all the HT leads etc with seadoo water displacement spray, put a bit of dielectric grease on the metal bits and last night finished the recommended 5 hours running in period - mercury here suggested 4500rpm max. She ran well - no hiccuping this time - and i am hoping that will continue for several years without me seeing another mercury piston.
My aim was to have some fun family boating - so far we have succeeded in spending much money and seeing little of the sea and a lot of my garage(front yard) i do now have a nice german torque wrench though.
If any one has an islandia or an explorer, do send me a post if you like, i will be asking many questions i am sure as i put my boats together and finally try to get us all out to sea.
Cheers,
kevin
I am kevin. Qatar is hot with shallow seas and lots of mangroves, bedrock and sand bars- i have two seadoo craft - an Explorer which i love (ribs and inflatables are my back ground) and an islandia which i got because we have four children. both are old. both are poorly maintained as it is not in the psyche here to spend any money on maintenance ever! trouble is new boats are too expensive for us so i have what i have!
Our explorer (1996) is on its third engine rebuild in three years - this time i am doing it myself as the main dealer service is abismal (i could write a novel but it wouldnt be fiction - you wouldnt believe BRP would support such an outfit) - i have just got the final parts from the US and will attack the carbs next weekend (i will be needing the forum for help no doubt)
our islandia(1993) - bought in may 2008- has spent the past 10 months with the mercury dealer here - see explorer comments - same applies!! we got her back on monday last and despite a complete main dealer (thats mercury - as is in brunswick etc etc etc) rebuild, the engine does not run properly. i found out on thursday that they had used 6 old plugs to complement the two new pistons, a new conrod and new rings all round! would a main dealer fit old plugs to a $2200 rebuild and then give no warranty what so ever on the work any where in the real world?! so its my weekend, i regapped the plugs(an internet search suggested 1mm gap for the NGK BPZ8RS10 plugs), wiped over all the HT leads etc with seadoo water displacement spray, put a bit of dielectric grease on the metal bits and last night finished the recommended 5 hours running in period - mercury here suggested 4500rpm max. She ran well - no hiccuping this time - and i am hoping that will continue for several years without me seeing another mercury piston.
My aim was to have some fun family boating - so far we have succeeded in spending much money and seeing little of the sea and a lot of my garage(front yard) i do now have a nice german torque wrench though.
If any one has an islandia or an explorer, do send me a post if you like, i will be asking many questions i am sure as i put my boats together and finally try to get us all out to sea.
Cheers,
kevin

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