Impeller / Wear Ring Repair

So my boat ('06 Sportster 155hp 4-tec) was really hesitating one day when I would go to accelerate. I figured maybe I sucked up some sea weeds as I often do at a ramp, so I dove in with my mask to clear the intake grate and it was clear. After the day I brought my boat to the dealer I bought it at for a 50 hour maintenance and to check out that problem. They said I sucked up a small (about 3") piece of rope which damaged my impeller and wear ring. They quoted me $300 for the impeller assembly, $70 for the wear ring, and $300 for labor + tax. I made some calls and found a small shop for a better price, but was a little weary about it. But I made sure they were insured & licensed and found this guy who owns a small shop and could get a refurbished impeller and a wear ring for so so cheap and only $150 for labor. He showed me his catalog from his supplier, a refurbished impeller from a sea doo (with sending mine in to refurbish) was $29.95, the wear ring was $30 something and his labor was half that of the dealer, plus he had it done in 24 hours and was awesome to deal with. I took my boat out this last weekend and he had told me he made some adjustments to lessen the gap between the ring and impeller so I would get better power, he was right. It runs better than ever, and oddly enough he drove by me on the water saw my boat name and stopped by on his jet ski to see how it was running, to which I raved about how great it was. Anyways, I am just writing this to let everyone know who may have this problem that they don't need to pay outrageous repair prices and you may be able to find someone local, or if not at least order parts from this guy, he does add some mark-up if you don't do the repair through him which is fine cause if you do he gives it to you at cost like a good repair shop should, they should make their money on the service. Secondly, if you are in the Tampa / St. Petersburg / Pinellas County area of Florida you need to see this guy. He is the only JUST JET SKI /BOAT repair guy I have found in the area. Not to mention his service is great and super affordable, and now with my testimony highly recommended. E-mail me if you want his info jeffrey_thibault@yahoo.com. I told him I was so grateful at all the money he saved me and making my boat even better I would pass his name along if I can. Word of mouth from happy customers is the best advertising, and also as a potential customer I know I always like to go somewhere I have heard good things about. So hopefully this can help people out that have this problem. Hope everyone is enjoying their doo's this summer.

- Jeff

I am glad to hear you had a good experience and that your doo is running great now! Thanks for sharing the information, I am sure it will be very helpful to many other doo'ers!