Recent Rotax engine service on a Chaparral Vortex?

[Jim_in_Delaware]

Now that I have recently retired, I am actively looking for my next boat. I see several Chaparral Vortexs for sale, and these are probably my favorite cockpit layouts in a jet boat. While I love these boats, I am concerned about being able to get the BRP Rotax engine(s) serviced since Chaparral no longer makes these boats. Any recent experience doing so?

Jim

 

[Blue Chaos]

Ensure you find a place to service it.
I bought my Chaparral 2430 VRX last year out of state. I am in Houston, TX and I can't find anyone that wants to maintain, work on my ACE 1640 Rotax engines.

 

[Deuce14]

Same experience as Blue Chaos. I live up east of Dallas and have a 2015 203 Vortex. Even the Chaparral dealers will not let me bring it in for service. Seriously borderline criminal. They sell you a boat and then just drop any maintenance or support and tell you "not our problem."

 

[Jim_in_Delaware]

Thank you for the responses. Sorry to hear that y'all are having difficulty in getting you boat engines serviced.

I thought I read last year that even the SeaDoo shops wouldn't look at these engines. Crazy, as they are exactly the same motor.

As much as I like the Vortex boats, this seems to push me back towards the Yamahas.

Jim

 

[Deuce14]

Hi Jim. In my region at least, that is correct. Chaparral says they don't work on Rotax engines (anymore), and SeaDoo says they don't work on Chaparral boats (anymore). I cannot find a single shop in Texas that will work on it. As you're in Delaware, you might have more options so I would at least call around. But be specific in asking. I called a Chaparral dealer "near" me and was told to bring it on over, drove 1.5 hours, and then it "turns out" they actually don't work on the Rotax engines, so...

 

[adrianp89]

I would call Chapparal. By law they have to have people to handle warranty. Oil/plugs id do my self.

 

[Deuce14]

Yeah it's a 2015. I don't know if they even do Rotax engines anymore. All the boats at the dealership had props.

 

[the MfM]

I thought after the first year or so Vortex was spun off into their own brand. I know there was no or little mention of vortex on the chaparral website.

I don’t think chaparral dealers were fond of them then or now.

 

[BlkGS]

Will the Scarab dealers work on them? They might only take payment in high end human organs, but they might work on them?

 

[Dean P]

Will the Scarab dealers work on them? They might only take payment in high end human organs, but they might work on them?

Scarab dealers should be able to work on the motors as it's the same exact engine. SeaDoo dealers can but will probably opt out. Luckily Dealers Choice Marine (where I purchased the boat) still does. If you're handy you can order parts from Seadoo or Scarab assuming you have part numbers.

 

[WisconsinVRX]

Jim, call around for sure. I have a couple places in Wisconsin that will work on them. Love my vortex, amazing boat. There is also a fantastic, very active Facebook group that has a ton of insights! Parts shouldn't be a problem as the motors and boats are still made just not together unfortunately. Good luck!

 

[Judge]

While not in watercraft, I have had several BRP Rotax ACE 4-stroke motors in my Ski-Doo snowmobiles and Can-Am Spyders. The ACE motors are about as bulletproof as any motor can be and parts should be readily available.

If you're mechanically inclined, you can do the general maintenance yourself.

If you have bigger issues and you need to do some diagnostic work, BRP's diagnostic software is called BUDS. While it is a "dealer only" package it can be found on eBay and other sites. I have a copy and it is very expensive but gives me the same capability as a dealer.

There is a third-party company that offers a similar software product called CANDOO Pro that is less expensive and can help with diagnostics. I would think they can support the engines in the Vortex. Here is a link.....

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candoopro.com

 

[Blue Chaos]

Jim in Delaware, since my last post to you (I’m in Houston,Tx), I found a dealer that works on Scarab jet boats, and they told me to bring it in any time I had a problem. My boat is an 2021 VRX 2430 and they even told me they deal with warranties, if it gets to that.
I think, I figured out the issue in my boat , but waiting for a warmer day in winter to take her out.

 

[Jijordon]

Anyone knows of any dealers in North East that will service or sell parts for a 2019 Chaparral Vortex 2430 VRX?
I have been unsucessful in getting any answers from any of the dealers that I have called in NY, NJ and CT., and BRP flatly refuses to even have a conversation.

What have owners been doing in this situation.

Need new/rebuilt engine, supercharger and pump or a vendor who would rebuild mine. They are seized.

Enginge is an 1803 1.5 L Rotax 4-TEC 200 ECT.

Any help appreciated!!!!
Thanks.

 

[Jim_in_Delaware]

If you haven’t yet joined the Chaparral Vortex Boat Owners Group facebook group I would encourage you to do so. I got some real good advice from the group when I joined last year.

I do seem to recall, not sure if one this forum or the Vortex owners facebook page, someone mentioning that a dealer in VA (Norfolk or Richmond area?) was still servicing Vortex boats even though they were a Scarab or Seadoo service center?

Jim

 

[Jijordon]

Thank you Jim.
I am not on Facebook so wouldn't have access to the FB group.
I will try to google the dealers in VA- including Seadoo and Scarab.
I appreciate your help on this.

 

[Jim_in_Delaware]

For what it’s worth, I don’t really do anything on Facebook as I only joined because of some of the FB groups.

Jim

 

[Dean P]

For what it’s worth, I don’t really do anything on Facebook as I only joined because of some of the FB groups.

Jim

Agree 100%. Use FB ONLY for the groups. Anyone with a Chap Vortex should be in that group. Tons of wonderful advice and tips that will ensure you're a good time on the water. Highly recommend joining (even if it's only to join this group).

Good luck!

 

[Stan76]

Jim in Delaware, since my last post to you (I’m in Houston,Tx), I found a dealer that works on Scarab jet boats, and they told me to bring it in any time I had a problem. My boat is an 2021 VRX 2430 and they even told me they deal with warranties, if it gets to that.
I think, I figured out the issue in my boat , but waiting for a warmer day in winter to take her out.

Hi Chaos, I live in Beaumont area and haven’t located a viable technician to service my 223 VRX, what dealer in Houston did you find?