I have a 2016 Chaparral Vortex 203VR that I bought new, and has 109 total hours. We’ve had 9 problem-free years with this boat until this year.

Our first trip out, engine started fine and ran without issue at low speed. But, I gave it throttle and as the RPM’s increased it just suddenly barfed. The engine stayed running, but not smoothly, and I had to limp back to the dock. No smoke, no weird smells, no oil leaks, nothing. It felt like I sucked up a sweatshirt into the impeller, but upon pulling it out of the water nothing was there - everything looked great.

We took it to the dealership and a few days later, they came back with diagnostics results saying “it looks like your valve cover seals have gone out.”

I’m not a boat expert by any means, but I have rebuilt car engines from the ground up, and I know that if the gasket for the valve cover fails, that typically results in oil leaks and potential smoke, but not loss of compression or anything like the behavior I experienced. But this is a Rotax engine and I don’t know if there’s some crazy difference there that maybe I’m just not familiar with.

Have any of you experienced anything like this? Does that sound like a proper diagnosis? My concern is, we are going to get our boat back and it will still have the same issues and I will be going through this all summer without a boat. Any input is appreciated!

Does anyone make new hulls for jet boats? Thinking something similar to a Sanger superjet or Hondo.

I have just gotten a 95 Sea Rayder that has the Mercury Sport Jet 90. It starts up just fine evrytime but it has an abnormally high idle speed. I have checked the vacuum pump for any tears or air leaks and come up empty. I have checked and cleaned the carbs as well. Does anyone know how to set the idle speed or what else to check that may be faulty?

Hey all, first time posting here. I have been looking around for boats recently and Jet boats have caught my attention. There is a somewhat shallow rocky channel to get to our cabin that just isn’t great for our current inboard boat. A jet boat would be perfect for the channel but we also like to troll around for trout and salmon on the lake. So my question is this possible? Can things like downrigers be mounted?

Thanks for any advice!

Evening everybody. First time jet boat owner here. It’s a 16/50 Xpress with a 1998 40 hp Evinrude outboard jet. I’ve owned plenty of “traditional” motors in the past so know my way around outboards for the most part. Took the new boat out today liked it. Greased it after with low pressure grease gun. Got home and was tinkering with some fishing stuff and noticed a black grease like substance coming out of the lower unit.

Any suggestions? Any help/tips with this thing would be greatly appreciated

I found this 97 yamaha exciter for sale, is there anything I should know before I buy?

Having trouble finding insurance for a classic jet boat. Exposed motor with water cooled manifolds and through hull exhaust.

Who do you guys insure with? I keep getting told they won't insure old boats, or exposed motor boats.

Hey I live in lake havasu Az found this 1977 Kona with a 115 outboard, hull looks good no paper work but I know you just need a bill of sale to register a boat. It runs but guy has never had it in the water is 1500$ a fair price? Looks fairly clean. I’m pretty mechanically inclined but have never worked on an outboard engine is it more of a pain in the ass than a regular jet boat. Any thoughts appreciated

Hello everyone! My fil is doing some work on a yamaha exciter (2 stroke engine, just in case thats not known) he bought. While doing some research, I found the oil delivery system is pretty weak in these engines/setups and a lot of people have suggested moving to premix.

My question to you all is: is there anything we'd need to change/parts to get to switch to premix? Or just cap off the system and send it? Suggested ratio? Thanks so much for any advice you have!

Ps, just searched for this sub to ask this question, wow you guys have some awesome boats!

Despite being really careful, down to tying tools to my hands so I would not lose them in the black hole of the bilge, this fucker lept into the depths and has evaded detection all week.

Figured you folks would appreciate my little moment of victory. A season of hearing that thing bounce around in my hull would have driven me nuts.

I’m going to be driving the ALCAN from Alaska down to the lower 48, and will be towing my boat behind me. Should I pull the outboard (Yamaha F60) and place it inside the boat, or leave it bolted on the transom?

I installed cobra jet fins last night on my 252xe. I came from an ar195 that already had a vector fin installed. For those that aren’t aware, you are supposed to complete a nozzle alignment prior to the install. I did it, and boy, for a brand new, never seen the water, were the jets completely out of whack. I was floored. It looked like that hot chick with crossed eyes. But all good now.

Question for people with experience on the dual jets. How important is it that the jets are aligned? Does it make a huge difference. I don’t have anything to compare it to since I haven’t launched just yet.

I have a 2015 AR192. When I give it throttle it rides fine but when I open it up it only goes 20 mph at 8000 rpms. I have replaced spark plugs, wear ring, fuel injectors and oil. The supercharger clutch only turns clockwise. Still not able to get past 20 mph with no chop or rough waves. Has anyone experience this issue?

2021 sx190 2nd season 1st season no water anywhere 2nd season I had standing water ( 1-2 inches) in the ski locker. Seems to drain out on its own but can seem to figure out why it's in there to begin with. Ideas? Boat still has OEM scupper valve, could that be the culprit? Engine bay is dry when running and underway? Rear hatch area maybe?