need info on whether I need a new impeller or not

[Scubadave16]

I just purchased a 1996 Sea Doo Challenger jet boat. The boat is used, but in generally good shape. However the boat seems to take a long time to get on plane. I knew when I bought it that the trim wasn't working. The lever moves and the nozzle moves a few millimeters, but not much. I can move the nozzle by hand. There is also some cavitation for maybe 5 seconds or so when I start out from a dead stop. The RPMS wind up, then drop and then the boat slowly gets on plane. Once it is on plane it is quite fast until I make a turn, then it bogs down again and I have to give it full throttle to get going again.

Perhaps someone here can steer me in the right direction... is this performance issue more related to the trim problem or is it due to a worn impeller/wear ring or maybe both. The previous owner hadn't really replaced anything on the boat. It has maybe 300 hours on it. I generally just run it with 2 people in the back seats.

Any info will be appreciated.

 

[LouDoo]

I would suspect the wear ring before the impeller. Can you post a picture? Check the clearance, according to Seadoo it should be less than .040" I think it will begin to cavitate with less than that.

Lou

 

[Scubadave16]

Thanks for the info. Currently, the boat is in the marina in the water so I cannot see or measure anything. I plan to pull it out next week, though. Can I measure the clearance without taking anything apart? If i have to replace the wear ring should i replace the impeller while I have the pump apart (not like I am going to do it myself anyway)? Also, I was reading some articles and some folks believe that I will get quicker accelleration with a different impeller while sacrificing a little top end speed. since I am planning on running this boat in rougher water, top end isn't much of a concern of mine. any input on that?

 

[JJinSC]

If you have a good eye you can usually check the wear ring clearance with a flashlight by shining light from opposite side and looking in from both sides ( nozzle and intake). Clearance between wear ring and impeller should be no more than the width of a dime and be uniform all the way around. There is no need to replace impeller unless it is damaged


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[Scubadave16]

Thanks for the info. I will have to look at it when i pull the boat out.