Islandia Impeller and Intake Grate

[wingnut1961]

I'm working on replacing my Islandia's impeller with a Solas MC-CD-22/39 (~$340). My boat is an '03 with about 100 hrs on it.... look at the wear on the leading edge of the stock impeller. Does that look normal for 100 hrs use? Must be the sandy shallow water around the ICW (Merritt Island, FL) eating it up. The wear ring doesn't look too bad. Impeller just slid off the shaft, but one of the lower bolts that hold the stator housing on broke off in the disassembly process. (Yes, I used PB Blaster and heat first....) Salt water sucks! Intake grate (Hydrosurge) looked good to go. Don't really want to replace it with rock grate because of all the seagrass in my area, but was concerned about past failures. This grate seems to be the updated stainless (magnetic) alloy. Anybody else using rock grate in the ICW, if so, how often do you have to jump in and clean it out? Thanks.

 

[seadoosnipe]

Bottom pix

That bottom pix shows some really good abrasion. It shows you are riding along a really sandy bottom..........:cheers:

The Sola swirl looks really nice!

 

[rookie101]

Grates

It does look like the pumps seen a lot of sand. Also I agree the rock grate would be a poor choice if the area is weedy at all. Instead go with the six tine aluminum grate. Mercury part number 852962T.

Once you get a chance to try the new impeller post up a ride report and let us know what kind of difference it made in hole shot, ect......


Aaron

 

[wingnut1961]

It does look like the pumps seen a lot of sand. Also I agree the rock grate would be a poor choice if the area is weedy at all. Instead go with the six tine aluminum grate. Mercury part number 852962T.

Once you get a chance to try the new impeller post up a ride report and let us know what kind of difference it made in hole shot, ect......


Aaron

I'll post up an opinion on the Solas when I get back to the water. I've only had this boat for about 9 months and put 25 additional hours on it. In the ICW (Banana/Indian River) here the depth outside the main channel is only 2 to 3 feet. It's even less during dry weather, so the wear doesn't surpise me too much. The main reason I'm trying the Solas out is to improve the pump efficiency at cruise speed and improve hole shot for skiing. I needed to do the 100 hr pump maintenance anyway. I think I should be able to sustain 25 -28 mph (smooth water) without reving over 5000, and I'm not currently with the old impeller. We'll see soon enough. Don't know much about the aluminum grate...anyone else using that in salt water?

 

[wingnut1961]

Results

It's been a while, but I finally got back to the water with the new Solas impeller installed. Seat of the pants tells me hole-shot is improved. Feels like a few seconds faster to get on plane. At mid and upper rpms, the boat feels smoother - less drive vibration (the old impeller was probably cavitating). Also, gained 3 mph (GPS speed) at an indicated 4800-5000 rpms (cruising rpm for my boat in the ICW). Overall, it seems like a worth while change for me. Should pull a skier up quicker and save me some fuel too.

 

[rookie101]

Good to hear it worked the way you wanted. Also thanks for the update, I know if my Utopia ever needs an impeller I will be looking at the Solas.


Aaron:cheers: