What does the forum's sponsor/vendor have to do with this following response? Again, the quote... "OSD, do it once and do it correctly"
I have no issue if someone wants to endorse a part or service as the 'correct' way, but geez at least make an attempt to give an explanation as to 'why'.
Here is a reason why since it is so important to you and apparently you enjoy arguing a point.
The carbon ring and steel hat work on pressure since the boot presses the carbon seal onto the stainless hat. This friction and pressure keeps the water out of your hull and the air from inside the hull out of your pump.
This friction can create heat also which is hard on the carbon ring and the stainless hat if run out of the water for too long.
The OEM ones and most aftermarket ones are pretty close to the same.
The OSD stainless hat has been made thicker and heavier. This allows for the carbon seal to put more sealing pressure on the hat, the hat can take more heat and being the friction surface is thicker it can wear down more over a longer time and still seal so service life is extended.
I would have no issues trying the one jimmyluke posted above either since it looks thick just like the OSE but I haven't seen them until now.
So I apologize if my original explanation was not through enough for you. Maybe sometimes I don't have time to write an entire novel of why you should or should not use something on every thread. Sometimes a simple OSd is good, use them is all I have time for.
And even as a moderator that is not compensated for my time but do it because I love these skis and the community but I just like you am entitled to my opinion and am free to state what products I prefer. Being a moderator has nothing to do with it but maybe working on these for over 25 years has shown me what products I prefer and have had good and bad experiences with that might help out another member.
Keep in mind I am a moderator not an employee of the site. So where I feel my opinion is needed I recommend the same people that I buy from and have had excellent luck with like OSD, PWC Muscle. Westside Powersports and Pro Caliber.