2002 197

[rodltg2]

my loaner boat is a 2002 197 and it has the crazy t style rudder. what changes in the hull in 2003 an up did they do to eliminate the need for this rudder. i compared my 04 to it and i coulnt really see any difference. also the steering is so stiff , i imagine is form the crazy rudder. its not stiff at idle so its not the cable.

[east tx skier]

The lip on the rear of the hull was the change beginning with the 02 PT boats and carried over to 03 (brings the rear of the boat out of the water a bit eliminating the need for the foil on the rudder).

[G-man]

Some people call the lip - hook, it can be subtle like on dougs or more pronouced.

[rodltg2]

thx for the info , i will have to take another look. i likethe 2002 , so much more room with the smaller motor too. i lose 2" all the way around with the lq9 monster.

[jmac197]

Hey rodltg2,

I have an 02 197 and love it. The rudder thing doesn't bother me. I'm not a great skier, but at 22 off I can't tell the difference between my 197 and my buddies SN. I think it's more a mental than physical when it comes to the wake. I'll admit that it may be different at shorter line lengths...I'll tell you when I get there.

My steering is not tight at all. I lube it up during my oil changes, generally every 30-40 hours depending on where it falls in the summer.

Later
Jim

[rodltg2]

i like the boat too, i dont see the T rudder thing being a problem i may need to lube the rudder to loosen the steering. i dont really care though since its a loaner . i really dont see much of a difference in performance between the predator 310hp and my lq9 385hp. maybe if i barefooted, jumped or pulled a bunch of skiers at once i would feel the difference. or at altitude. for what i use it for i cannot justify the cost .

[jkski]

I just sold a 2002 197 and prior to selling, I had my dealer add "the hook" to the boat. I ran it with both the hook and the lifting rudder, and the wake was considerably smaller than anything else out there, including the new 2005 I just bought. The downside to having both, was that the side spray increased, which made it difficult to use the boom without 2 extensions and a fat sca on the opposite side. Also, the wells on either side of the wake got smaller, which left less room for barefoot tricks.
One thing to watch out for on the motor box: In 2002 they had the 2 part design which was great, but they switched to the 1 peice in 2004 and on.......reason,...... the motor box was seperating at the split on the 02 style. They were concerned that fumes would escape from the motor box through the split, or that it was going to collapse on itself.
Just FYI.

[east tx skier]

Some people call the lip - hook, it can be subtle like on dougs or more pronouced.

Edit: I take that back, it's definitely visible on my boat.

I may need to take another look at the 197s, but I can barely see my "hook" versus the one on the newer boats.

Somebody on our lake/river just bought a gorgeous 04 197 from Gus Campbell. All Blue. First one I've seen on that lake. Note to self, make friends with this guy.

[ski36short]

They were concerned that fumes would escape from the motor box through the split, or that it was going to collapse on itself.
Just FYI.

Huh? Sure there's some new engine smell that smells while burning off but fumes should go out the transom! Let's see, what else could stink under there? Crankcase vent should go right into the intake, if you smell raw fuel you have bigger problems, same with oil or tranny fluid...

I figured it was a noise thing.

[jkski]

Personally, I liked the 2 piece design and never had a problem with it, but I guess others had a problem. My local dealer, as well as a couple of people at MC told me this.

[jraben8]

Personally, I liked the 2 piece design and never had a problem with it, but I guess others had a problem. My local dealer, as well as a couple of people at MC told me this.

Did the supports hold open your 2 piece designed cover open? Mine are so small that they don't now but at the size they are I don't know if they ever should have. I've only had this MC for 3 months so I don't know any different.

[ski36short]

Agreed, I kinda like my two-piece design as well. It's nice to pop the top open for a quick check on the oil level, bilge, etc. I don't think I'd complain either way though...