AR190 Steel prop change..

[marksAR190]

Hey all 2020AR190 factory prop got kinda tore up on the edges this past summer. Looking to change to steel. Talked to the dealer service department and he said that the factory props are steel. I actually find that hard to believe as it wore like my old aluminumn ones on the outboard.. Any suggestions to a prop manufacturer online or others that I could be refrred to for a steel prop? Thanks!! I'm in Jersey.

 

[212s]

Jets use impellers and the factory pumps use stainless steel shafts and stainless steel impellers. You must have been sucking up rocks in shallow water to ding up the impeller? Remember the jet intake is like a vacuum and per the owner's manual recommends about 3 feet of water for clearance to avoid sucking up debris from the seabed.

 

[bigwaves]

1. Hey all 2020AR190 factory prop got kinda tore up on the edges this past summer. Looking to change to steel. Talked to the dealer service department and he said that the factory props are steel. I actually find that hard to believe as it wore like my old aluminumn ones on the outboard.. Any suggestions to a prop manufacturer online or others that I could be refrred to for a steel prop? Thanks!! I'm in Jersey.

   Steel prop? I thought I got away from props when I bought my 2020 AR190.

 

[Canuckjetboater]

1. 
   Steel prop? I thought I got away from props when I bought my 2020 AR190.

@bigwaves ..... you did.

 

[bigwaves]

@bigwaves ..... you did.

Thanks Canuckjetboater. I had a moment of great confusion.

 

[Canuckjetboater]

Thanks Canuckjetboater. I had a moment of great confusion.

@bigwaves ..... 10-4 brother, I hear you - "great confusion" is my middle name!

 

[2kwik4u]

Hey all 2020AR190 factory prop got kinda tore up on the edges this past summer. Looking to change to steel. Talked to the dealer service department and he said that the factory props are steel. I actually find that hard to believe as it wore like my old aluminumn ones on the outboard.. Any suggestions to a prop manufacturer online or others that I could be refrred to for a steel prop? Thanks!! I'm in Jersey.

The props are steel. More precisely cast stainless steel I believe.

Keep in mind you impeller on a jet rotates about 1-1/2 to 2 times as fast as a prop on a traditional stern drive (there is gear reduction built into stern drives). On top of that lack of reduction you also have a significantly higher max rev count than most sterndrives. Your impeller is processing a LOT more water than your sterndrive did.

If possible, avoid high output in exceedingly shallow areas, as the pump will literally "suck" debris off the bottom and run it through the pump. I want to say the generally accepted min depth is like 12in or something (below the keel, not to waterline).

With all that said, if you want to replace the impeller for something shiny and new, then call Impros. There are a ton of great reviews of their service on the boards here. They're based out west some where and can help get you what you need in a timely fashion.

 

[swatski]

Hey all 2020AR190 factory prop got kinda tore up on the edges this past summer. Looking to change to steel. Talked to the dealer service department and he said that the factory props are steel. I actually find that hard to believe as it wore like my old aluminumn ones on the outboard.. Any suggestions to a prop manufacturer online or others that I could be refrred to for a steel prop? Thanks!! I'm in Jersey.

What @2kwik4u said^^^. OEMs are steel, OEM impellers just don;t have the mirror finish. They actually perform better that way. Racing finish is also not mirror. Mirror SS just looks awesome (and it sells, lol).

For your boat, the factory (OEM) impeller is the best choice, overall, hands down. Provided it's in impeccable shape, wear ring not damaged, correct clearance, no pump leaks etc. I have found it the hard way (I went through at least 20 impeller changes in my boats).

In my experience brand new, unused, not refurbished, straight from factory, OEM 6CWs (factory impellers for single 1.8 N/A boats) are the cat's meow. MUst have for water sports in singles. IMHO.

The single engine OEM implers have the longest blades with the most surface and trailing edge - least prone to cavitation. Less blade will get you marginally more top speed but it will take longer to get there are there will be more cavitation on hole shot. Those OEM impellers are also the easiest to damage and the SS alloy is softer, or the blade is thinner, or both, as compared to similar Solas etc.

Keep in mind, many reviews gushing over Solas and other similar shiny aftermarket impellers come from users who just swapped their damaged ones. So, it can be like gushing over a new tire after changing a flat.

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[2kwik4u]

So, it can be like gushing over a new tire after changing a flat.

Boy that's a helluva good analogy right there!

 

[marksAR190]

Thanks all. And yes its an impeller lol!! I have been running outboards and its automatic when I speak.. Actually never though a jet would be this much a pain in the ass having to worry about water depth damaging impellers sucking everything up in less than 3' of water, locking of the bucket, having to clear the jet with minor seaweed...uggg. may dump this thing. Worst i ever had to worry about was fishing line in the prop damaging the lower unit seal with an outboard. Thanks again

 

[2kwik4u]

I came from a sterndrive to a jet. I'll never go back, but can say I know they aren't for everyone.

Here's a quick run through of what I like and don't like about my jet. If this list doesn't look as lopsided when you make it for yourself.....perhaps a jet isn't for you.

• Jet Advantages
  • Hydraulic steering
    • Had a pump on the front of the engine for this
  • Hydraulic tilt/trim
    • Had an electric pump and lines separate from engine for this
  • Transmission
    • Just a single coupler and two bearings in the jet
  • Alternator
    • Replaced with stator and voltage rectifer.....maybe a wash here
  • Raw Water cooling impeller
    • Fed by jet pressure
  • Prop coupler shearing
    • Nothing to be damaged here
  • Raising prop before trailering
    • I still trick my wife into checking at LEAST once a year though
  • Kicking prop with my foot
    • I've kicked the keel of my jet once and drew blood. This isn't as big of a sell as I expected IMO
  • User base support
    • Best internet based information source I've EVER found.
• Prop Advantage
  • Cavitation is RARE
    • External props are more robust in still operating properly with damage
  • No need to cleanout
    • I've cleaned my jet 3-4 times over the years. Only caught one rope with my sterndrive
  • No fielding of stupid jet misinformation
    • Is that a jet? Yes, it is........THEN you get hit with.......
      • I hear they don't steer worth a crap
      • I hear they're just big jetskis
      • I wanted one, but it sounded funny, not like that V8 I'm used to
      • Don't the ride like crap because they're so light?
  • More robust dealer and parts network
    • Hard to find Yamaha Marine parts at the lake on a Satuday afternoon/Holiday weekend. Good chance there's a mercruiser dealer around though.

Also, don't worry about sucking things up until you're under 12in of clearance below the boat. Here's a video from under the boat with distance from ground to keel at ~10in or so according to the video.

 

[buckbuck]

If I remember correctly, when @JetBoatPilot made that video he had the boat in neutral which directs water downward and stirs things up. Like @2kwik4u said, about a foot under the keel with the boat in forward and you probable won't have to be concerned about damaging an impeller. Just be gentle with the throttle with those depths.

 

[AZMark]

I have found it the hard way (I went through at least 20 impeller changes in my boats).
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[swatski]

View attachment 142802

Okay, I phrased it wrong, not ALL of those impellers were whacked..., lol.
I just kept making changes and tuning the pumps, trying different impellers in an effort to find a sweet spot. In the process I did purchase a dozen new ones, but also got some repitched and refurbished in various outfits, also got 5-6 from a dealer for testing etc.

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[swatski]

Thanks all. And yes its an impeller lol!! I have been running outboards and its automatic when I speak.. Actually never though a jet would be this much a pain in the ass having to worry about water depth damaging impellers sucking everything up in less than 3' of water, locking of the bucket, having to clear the jet with minor seaweed...uggg. may dump this thing. Worst i ever had to worry about was fishing line in the prop damaging the lower unit seal with an outboard. Thanks again

No freaking way. I guess it just depends on where you boat.
I was in a shallow river, burned through props like there is no tomorrow, or entire lower units. The year I bought my first Yamaha jet boat I lost two entire lower units - whacking submerged logs (?) - well just a guess.
If I were to estimate the ratio of my propeller vs impeller damage (measured in events that required shop repair per hour of engine time) it would be something like 10:1.

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[Canuckjetboater]

Thanks all. And yes its an impeller lol!! I have been running outboards and its automatic when I speak.. Actually never though a jet would be this much a pain in the ass having to worry about water depth damaging impellers sucking everything up in less than 3' of water, locking of the bucket, having to clear the jet with minor seaweed...uggg. may dump this thing. Worst i ever had to worry about was fishing line in the prop damaging the lower unit seal with an outboard. Thanks again

@marksAR190 .... I have experienced some of what annoys you. Weeds have been a problem for me (almost daily) but the Yamaha clean-out ports are definitely a great help. It would be even better if Yamaha put a version of SeaDoos new for 2022 - reverse gear now found on some of their PWCs - just blow the weeds out and go. I have been using outboards or I/Os for decades - up until 2018 when I purchased a Yamaha SVHO Cruiser then in 2020 when we purchased a Yamaha SX195. It's tricky comparing the different engine/drive options as they each have +/- characteristics. I have only damaged one prop in my lifetime and it was 100% my fault. Never had a drive failure even on very high HP rigs. I like that outboards can be raised from the water and free-up space in the boat and are easy to work on and newer ones are much quieter. I/Os are powerful, reliable and quiet but more expensive to service and maintain. I find the Yamaha SVHO is a breeze to maintain in the PWC and a bit harder in the boat due to cramped engine area but definitely cheaper and easier to service that I/Os. There is more parasitic HP loss with jets due to cavitation. I do like the interior room of Yamaha boats they have a lot of open real estate. The only aspect of jet boats that really annoys me is the noise. I didn't notice it on the Waverunner but I sure hear it on the SX195. Some say the lack of a prop is a bonus with younger children but mine were well enough water schooled and must have had high enough IQs to avoid amputation. Everyone has an opinion and everyone is entitled to theirs - so I respect your points!