3 replies to this topic

[dsmith]

I'm new to this group (or any online group). I own a small cruiser (2001 Maxum 2400 SCR), but I'm thinking of buying a used jet boat (w/minimal draft) since our local lake is getting pretty low from drought, etc.

At first I was thinking of Speedster 155hp, then 215hp. But they seem more like toys. Comments?

Now I'm looking at a 2004 Utopia 185 w/Optimax motor.

My purpose is something for me to take out cruising and fishing at local lake when level is down, to use as a transport dinghy when I use my cruiser, for my young adult kids to zip around with when we go out with the cruiser as a family, and to take to Lake Tahoe. Would typically beach the boat. Any comments about whether I'm looking at the right boat?

Local lake is about 1000 ft elevation; Tahoe is 6200 ft. Any comments about how this boat will perform at high elevations? Do I need to make any adjustments? Would the EFI motor perform better?

Thank you for your advice.

[keviseeb]

I'm new to this group (or any online group). I own a small cruiser (2001 Maxum 2400 SCR), but I'm thinking of buying a used jet boat (w/minimal draft) since our local lake is getting pretty low from drought, etc.

At first I was thinking of Speedster 155hp, then 215hp. But they seem more like toys. Comments?

Now I'm looking at a 2004 Utopia 185 w/Optimax motor.

My purpose is something for me to take out cruising and fishing at local lake when level is down, to use as a transport dinghy when I use my cruiser, for my young adult kids to zip around with when we go out with the cruiser as a family, and to take to Lake Tahoe. Would typically beach the boat. Any comments about whether I'm looking at the right boat?

Local lake is about 1000 ft elevation; Tahoe is 6200 ft. Any comments about how this boat will perform at high elevations? Do I need to make any adjustments? Would the EFI motor perform better?

Thank you for your advice.

Either the Mercury Optimax or the Sea Doo 1503NA or SCIC engines will compensate for altitude. The problem is an impeller change is required, i.e. the pitch has to be reduced at higher altitudes. Obviously that is going to be difficult as you want to use the boat at such an extreme altitude difference. One option is to set the boat up as a compromise, that would mean the boat wouldn't run well at either altitude! Or you could pick one and stick with it. The Mercury EFI needs more than that, there is an injector change required as well as an impeller change. If you run a high altitude EFI at low altitude it will run too lean and destroy itself! I wish there was a better answer, you are just at such extremes that there isn't a good answer for you.

Kevin Seeber
Kingsland Marine

[dsmith]

Thank you for the info.

Is the Optimax a 2-cycle or 4-cycle motor? One seller says 2-cycle, another 4-cycle. Same boat, year and motor.

Is changing the impeller something I can do, or does a shop need to do it?

[keviseeb]

Thank you for the info.

Is the Optimax a 2-cycle or 4-cycle motor? One seller says 2-cycle, another 4-cycle. Same boat, year and motor.

Is changing the impeller something I can do, or does a shop need to do it?

All Optimax engines are 2 cycle and yes, with the right tools and mechanical skills you can change the impeller. I would check with a Mercury Marine dealer about the altitude question just to verify what Sea Doo technical services told us.

Kevin Seeber
Kingsland Marine