New to me SX230

[Boisebiker]

I picked this boat up this fall. Time to upgrade over our 1992 18’ I/O. Got it for $7500 as it sits in the photo. It was a rental boat on Lake Tahoe. Overall pretty good shape. Not major hull damage, a few cushions that need recovered, needs new teek floor cover but floats and runs. Got YDS to check it out.


Question 1, why do both engines report 655.3 total hours and why don’t they add all hours together?
Been out 2 times this fall. Steering cables needed lubed, first trip was an arm workout. Has perfect pass but motors were frozen. Fixed both issues and second trip was a blast. Tried wake surfing for the first time. Now need to add ballast to get a real wave.
Question 2, when it is time to rebuild, what is the best engine kit to go with? I will be doing the work myself.
Question 3, does anyone have the basic dimensions for a wake wedge? I can build my own.
Question 4, why not a wake shaper? I can not find anyone that has posted results from trying one.

Will update as I progress (further)down the slippery slope of boat ownership.

 

[Boisebiker]

S

Thread '2004 SX230 Jet Pump coupler slop'

Apr 4, 2025

Hey can anyone out there tell me if the lovejoy coupler on the jet pump side is supposed to have any play in it ? I can grab it and move it up and down 1/16”. I’m talking where the 2 couplers join on the pump side inside engine bay. It doesn’t seem to me any bearing should have any play in it but just looking for some good news

• Slim Slowey G
• Replies: 27
• Forum: Yamaha AR230, SX230, SR230 and 232 Limited / S

In this thread I adjusted my intermediate hub coupler.

 

[Neutron]

View attachment 240209
I picked this boat up this fall. Time to upgrade over our 1992 18’ I/O. Got it for $7500 as it sits in the photo. It was a rental boat on Lake Tahoe. Overall pretty good shape. Not major hull damage, a few cushions that need recovered, needs new teek floor cover but floats and runs. Got YDS to check it out.
View attachment 240210
View attachment 240211
Question 1, why do both engines report 655.3 total hours and why don’t they add all hours together?
Been out 2 times this fall. Steering cables needed lubed, first trip was an arm workout. Has perfect pass but motors were frozen. Fixed both issues and second trip was a blast. Tried wake surfing for the first time. Now need to add ballast to get a real wave.
Question 2, when it is time to rebuild, what is the best engine kit to go with? I will be doing the work myself.
Question 3, does anyone have the basic dimensions for a wake wedge? I can build my own.
Question 4, why not a wake shaper? I can not find anyone that has posted results from trying one.

Will update as I progress (further)down the slippery slope of boat ownership.

Why would the yds show combined hours. Each engine has its own ecu, each engine and electronics are standalone. Thats why you have to scan each separately on these boats.

If your steering is tight you need new cables, no amount of lube will help at this point. If they get real bad one side can snap and ypu are screwed

 

[Boisebiker]

I meant why does each ECU not add up its own hours. You can see each engine is over 1900 hours but only show 655.3 as total hours.
I lubed the steering cables by pushing 80w gear oil down the cables with compressed air and they did free up.

 

[Neutron]

That boat only has 655 hours not 1900. There is something wrong with the individual rpm range sections. Its a glitch or something. No way those engines has ove 600 hours at 0 to 2000 rpms, think about it. Even if it was a long assed no wake zone you are over 2k.
Most hours on those engines is around 7500 to 8k

 

[Beachbummer]

65,536 is a power of 2. The bits are full. Must add up all the time to get real engine time. You reached the 99999 of old odometers.

And you reached it on one of the ranges too... I think you might need another mechanism to measure true hours going forward, if you wanted an accurate measure.

I Wouldn't worry about it. Service by season.

 

[Boisebiker]

Thanks for the explanation. New goal in life, see how many blocks I can max out!!! I am not that concerned with hours. As you said I will maintain per the season and repair as needed.

Still looking for answers to Question 2-4.

 

[mtudb24]

Thanks for the explanation. New goal in life, see how many blocks I can max out!!! I am not that concerned with hours. As you said I will maintain per the season and repair as needed.

Still looking for answers to Question 2-4.

Probably no wake shaper as a SX230 didn't come from the factory with a tower. Looks aftermarket.

 

[Boisebiker]

No sure what a wake shaper has to do with a tower. I agree the SX230 did not come with a tower but this is a Yamaha stock tower. Not sure if the boat was miss identified as a SX230 and should be an AR230. I need to verify with VIN if someone knows how to verify.

 

[mtudb24]

You'll have to call Yamaha with your HIN number and find out the model. Most sites that use a HIN look up, like the one below only give you model year and date of build etc but not a model number.

Watercraft HIN Decoder Tool - Free

Decode any USCG HIN instantly — get year, model year, manufacturer, serial number, and certification month. Helpful for watercraft registration, insurance, and resale.

www.rgcins.com