posted 02-01-2011 08:51 AM ET (US)        

He is willing to bring it to me and let me play with it before I make up my mind and we discuss terms. I know what they say about buying something from a friend, but we don't have to worry about that here. The reality is that the $1000 or so I'd have to pay would never damage our friendship even if I just threw the money away.

Back to the boat: the hull is in great shape (always stored indoors), the engine runs well (needs the choke cable setup worked on), the steering is a little tight (probably needs the steering cable replaced), and really the only issue is with the jet drive. He says the impeller should be replaced as it seems to pull in air sometimes and kills the thrust. He said it isn't really an issue on flat water, but he uses it on Lake Erie, so that doens't happen all the much up there.

I plan on using it to do a litttle fishing and recreational boating on Buck Creek (a 2,120-acre lake with no hp limit). In all honesty I have an urge to tinker and I think this might be a good project for me.

The only thing I am not sure about is parts. There is a Boston Whaler dealer within an hour, and a few other non-Boston Whaler dealers within 30 minutes. I just wonder if parts for the jet drive and engine are easy to come by and how much they run.

Looks like an entire engine could be purchased from http://www.shopsbt.com/ for a reasonable price if I ever wanted to get more power or just have a "new" motor in it.

What do you all think? Are parts easy/cheap to come by? What about shop manuals or other expertise? What is a fair price for a boat that I would rate in good working order and great condition?

Anything else I shoudl consider? Any and all opinons are welcome.

posted 02-01-2011 11:44 AM ET (US)            

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The Rage is the least valued of all BWs. Since the jet is very inefficient the higher hp models, like 175, tend to hold better value than the lowest powered 50 hp. The 115 hp OMC models seem to have the most durability problems. The Rage has been customized with things like newer motors and adding outboards. Since they weren't designed for outboards I would be reluctant to tinker that much.Typically good condition Rages are priced in the $3,500 to $5,000 dollar range.

posted 02-01-2011 02:58 PM ET (US)            

I assume that the Rage you are looking at has the Yamaha powerplant and pump? If so, I believe we've heard many owners say many positive things about that particular set-up. Maybe a tad low on power for some, but that is a relatively easy fix if it turns out to a be problem for your particular use. I could see enjoying a Rage very much if I could find the smaller, Yamaha powered version as you appeared to have done. On top of the handling capabilities, I must admit I feel more relaxed when sending my teenagers and their friends off on our jet skis versus the prop-powered crafts. You can just never tell what silliness they might wind up getting into with friends along...

Impeller wear and/or damage can definitely cause the symptoms you describe. I don't know about the 14 Rage, but both my Yamaha stand-up and Kawasaki jetski came with aluminum impellers. I've replaced them both with aftermarket stainless steel impellers and wow, what a difference. Cavitation and ventilation problems dissappeared, hole shot and top end came on strong. I would imagine that you may have an aluminum impeller too and that even if it is not nicked or bent, the clearance between your blade tips and the pump housing may be too large. My Kawasaki ski initially wouldn't even plane. Reading the shop manual (I had to order) I learned that the maximum allowable gap between impeller and pump was 8 thousandths of inch if I remember correctly. I was at about 18 in most spots. The new impeller got me down to about 7 and now she jumps up on plane instantly. Impeller and pump condition are critical to good performance.

posted 02-01-2011 03:23 PM ET (US)            

I forgot to mention that expertise should not be hard to come by - certainly not for the engine and driveline. If indeed you have the Yamaha setup you'll find lot's of good tech help on the main PWC websites such as PWC Today. Also, SBT has quite a few good technical articles they've assembled and keep on their website. Parts availability and price should not be a problem.

If your engine is the one that puts out 50 hp I imagine it is Yamaha's 650 cc engine. A wonderfully reliable and durable engine. Just as great is their 700 cc engine which, in dual carb form puts out over 70 hp. I wouldn't be surprised if the 700 would directly replace the 650 with very little hassle. It does on all the Yamaha PWCs and is a switch that is commonly done. Lastly, on the PWC websites you'll see many options available to raise the output of the 650 engine.

Regardless, if the engine is running well now but turning an aluminum impeller (worn out or not), your best bang for the buck performance gain will likely replacing the aluminum with a same pitch stainless. Talk to the men at Impros impellers for that need. Great folks. If your engine has 140 - 150 psi now and sounds good, no need to replace unless going bigger is needed. It would be very hard to wear out the Yamaha 650 or 700 cc twins given proper care.

posted 02-03-2011 01:06 PM ET (US)            

I have to admit that I am getting a little excited about this project (both a good and bad thing as it sometimes leads to rash decisions).

If the engine and pump are indeed Yamaha (I am almost 100% sure they are) can anybody verify the exact model of each? I'd love to find a shop manual for the boat/engine/pump if possible. That'll make life much easier.

Also can anybody verify what engine upgrades are available? If the unit is indeed a little sluggish I'd like to upgrade it if possible. Of course, that will depend on the price of doing so.

Thanks, adlert, for the suggestions!

posted 02-03-2011 04:32 PM ET (US)            

You're welcome. It's almost certain you have the Yamaha 650, a very good thing. It's an amazingly compact 2 cylinder engine; easy to tell the difference between it and the other, larger engines.

Assuming you have a Yamaha powered Rage, I've heard many times that the engine, pump, and I assume associated electronics required to run the engine and charge the battery, are likely the exact same as that used in the 1993 Yamaha "Waverunner." Others on this site with that boat will hopefully chime in. In the mean time, do a search for "Tuna1"; I believe he owns, or owned 2 of the Yamaha powered Rages. I also think a member under the name of "Where2" knows a lot about the Rages. I'll bet they'd help if you drop them a line.

I'll suggest taking the craft out first and taking things one step at a time. If cavitation is indeed a problem, solve it first, probably via a new stainless impeller as mentioned before. Replace pump bearings if necessary but don't be surprised if they are just fine. Then, if performance is still not satisfactory for your uses, get into the PWC forums and you'll find tons of stuff regarding squeezing more HP safely out of the 650. Also check out what a company called "Group K" does for its customers. They really know their stuff.

posted 02-03-2011 04:40 PM ET (US)            

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