Ordered a VRX223

[James Menon]

Just introducing myself. Ordered my 2018 VRX223. I did read about some of the issues with the boats. To their credit it seems like many of the issues have been addressed.

One first question and feedback I would like to get. How is slalom skiing behind a VRX 223 with the dual 250hp engines.

I did look at a lot of videos. I do not expect this boat to have a wake like a competition ski boat. I am more recreational in my slalom skiing. It seems to me with ballast tanks empty and in ski mode the wake is doable with a 75foot rope?

Love to get some impressions. Overall these boats are amazing for a wide range of factors. I will be taking the boat out on Lake Tahoe that is only flat early and late in the day. so having a v style hull was key. Also love the layout.. room etc. I selected almost every option for the boat... surf deck... upgraded sound.

 

[BobJohnson]

Congrats you’ll love it. I have a 223 with 2 -150s, and I weigh in at around 200 lbs. slalom every once in a while. With my 300hsp my boat pulls me right up even with 5-6 other adults in boat. Wake is normal to small, so cutting across is easy. I am no expert skier by any means. Just weekender when I was in my teens and now trying to do it again every once in a while ( now 51 yrs)..

Post pictures when you get it. Post questions anytime. Read up on old posts. Enjoy

 

[James Menon]

Nice to know. with 500HP should be fine on the pull out. Wake should be fine also for my purposes

 

[PGRAM]

James,

I am looking at these boats, and after having operated one immediately was impressed with out of the box handling characteristics. That leads to a few decisions I have to make; before I do so I need to know more about Engine/Jet Pump reliability, ease of routine maintenance, and costs associated with such. I always do my own maintenance after having been stranded dead in the water before when I had not; besides getting to know your boat better who else will be more conciensus of doing things right? That's an easy answer.

Any feedback you could provide after your experience, and lessons learned will be very much appreciated.

 

[James Menon]

I also work on things myself. Its covered under 5 yr warranty so any big issues would be ok. I dont think these boats need much.. oil change maybe spark plugs every few years. I do like that cobra jet mod to the outlets.. May be good addition for slalom sking

 

[GTBRMC]

Your first few times doing deepwater starts, make sure the driver is aware of the incredibly fast bite the jet drives provide.

The typical immediately-hammer-throttle-to-wide-open approach commonly used with stern drives will almost certainly jerk you excessively (aka "rip your arms off").

Your boat will have more than enough power. If it comes with some sort of "launch mode" throttle controls, learn to use them. If not, have your driver do a few practice starts before you have the tow rope handle in your hands.

Beautiful boat, btw. You will love it.

 

[James Menon]

yeah. I always thought that jet boats had harder time out of the water. but does not sound like it. The boat is supposed to have a tow set feature. So it prevents some of the overly hard pull. something we will practice for sure with

 

[At the Sand Bar Again]

You will have plenty of power, I pulled three adults up at once. I have the same boat without a tower and only twin 200-HP. I wouldn't use a tower with three at once anyway. Might be looking for a fourth this year.
Have a blast.

 

[James Menon]

NIce. I am excited to get my hands on mine.. about a month out.. or so.

 

[James Menon]

Boat arrived at the dealer this past Friday. I plan to pick it up on this Friday.. as away for work. I have a decent amount of boat experience. I have heard that the break in is 5 hours or so. Is there an RPM max? I usually fluctuate the RPM a lot and keep it under 4k. When is the first oil change after break in? I assume these boats are easy to pull in and out of the water. the newer trailers are simple. I plan to take it to a non busy lake and get used to all the systems.

 

[BobJohnson]

7 hours is break in. Yes rpm is limited. First oil change is at 25 hours.

 

[Scott E]

The computer will limit the rpms until you get past the break in time. Still good to vary some, but you can use WOT.

 

[James Menon]

Boat has been a massive disappointment of issues. just dropped it at the dealer for the 2nd time in 2 weeks. I have a list of 9 problems. Most severe is a substantial oil leak in the starboard engine. Bimini has holes and is stained. Depth finder was not working. First time out port engine in limp mode due to oil pressure switch not connected. Boat delivered with no bilge plug. swim deck pads are bubbling up when wet. Few options requested were not installed. and the list goes. on. Dealer is great, but requested a call from Chapparel rep. I think I got the biggest lemon they have made.. very bummed for a 80k boat. It is an amazing boat when it works. It was doing 50 in break in mode. But really may consider pursuing returning it to them... and be done with the company.

 

[James Menon]

Most of the issues with the boat have bee resolved. and it is an amazing boat. I am at 10 hours of engine time and I still seem to be limited to 7k RPM. The dealer gave me some print out from rotax on break in. I cant find it.. but is the break in 12hrs on the 250HP engines. Or is there some secret to getting it out of break in mode. I shut down and killed the master breaker.. waited a bit and still limited to 7k rpm

 

[James Menon]

any one can confirm that with sea level impellers what should be max RPM with 2x 250HP in a 223? After 15 hours I am still limited to 7k rpm and 47 MPH.. Dealer is telling me that in tahoe at 6k feet with sea level impellers that is max RPM. But the boat always was limited to 7k even under 7 hr that I understand is break in time. So either its still in break in mode or was never in break in mode. My understanding is 8k is max rpm and that 50-55 MPH should be max speeed. I would not think that 6k feet with supercharged engines should drop power that much. I am guessing 5% especially with the cold tahoe water... keeping the intercoolers nice and cool

 

[swatski]

I am still limited to 7k rpm and 47 MPH

I don't know the first thing about these boats other than what I read but would think that at 6,000ft this is very strong performance. Superchargers help, but you are very high up!
If you ever have a chance to test at lower altitudes, maybe the best way to find out.
Given current performance I would think you would be way over 50mph closer to sea level.

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[James Menon]

I just dont think that 6k feet would lower RPM by 1000. If max is 8k.. you would see it go higher when boat comes out of water on a rough day. Plus 7k has been max from Day 1 when it should have been in break in mode. Either it was never in break in mode or it still is. I talked to chapparel and they say 8k is max. I think its a throttle calibration issue.

 

[Compatico]

I thought the Rotax engines had intake air pressure sensors like most cars, so altitude should made no difference as the air/fuel mixture will be automatically adjusted. I can see a slight drop in performance due to lower overall air pressure, but not 1,000 RPM engine speed. I too would think something is not set right.

Also did you check your speed modes to make sure it's not in Cruise or something that is limiting max throttle? Make sure all modes are off.

 

[James Menon]

Yep all modes are set to off.

 

[swatski]

I thought the Rotax engines had intake air pressure sensors like most cars, so altitude should made no difference as the air/fuel mixture will be automatically adjusted. I can see a slight drop in performance due to lower overall air pressure, but not 1,000 RPM engine speed. I too would think something is not set right.

Also did you check your speed modes to make sure it's not in Cruise or something that is limiting max throttle? Make sure all modes are off.

???
I'm not very well versed in this topic but N/A engines loose at least 3% of their power per 1,000ft elevation, or something like that. 6,000ft is huge!!! Supercharger can help but only so much.

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