Sun n' Sea Rio Step Jet (Polaris Powered Sugar Sand Jet Boat) - Informational Thread

[ghostinstallations]

Well, as I have time, I figured I would update this thread with information on the rare Sun n' Sea Rio Step Jet (Polaris Powered Sugar Sand Jet Boat).

The boat is VERY similar to the Sugar Sand Tango. Same dash and windshield. Similar modeling. Hull design is a Stepped hull, designed to break surface tension for a higher top speed. Entire Drivetrain and engine electronics advertized being from 00 and 01 Polaris Virage respectively. I have found that it is more closely related to a Genesis.

Overall Information
Manufacturer: Sun n' Sea
Model: Rio
Designed By: Sugar Sand
Years Produced: 01-02
Color Options: Blue or Green
Powered By: Polaris

Engine Information
Polaris 1200 3 Cyl (1165cc actual) 135 HP Domestic Motor
Carburated
Water Cooled
Replacement Motor found in 99-02 Virage TX and Genesis

Carburator Information
Carburator part number (fill in later) from a Genesis
Custom Jetting

Engine Electronics
CDI ignition system from polaris (Polaris Part Number 4040379, Interchangable with 4040447 that has less timing)
Uses same electrical box and components as a Polaris PWC with these exceptions:
-Power, Ground and Plug wires are longer to accomodate electrical box placement.
-Polaris half-wave power regulator/rectifier removed from inside electrical box and replaced with aftermarket full-wave external unit.
-No Polaris LR503/505 used as there is a key ignition instead of a push on/push off ignition.
-Stator is the same, but polaris customized the stator harness and pigtail by replacing the red/purple wire with a yellow/brown wire. Functionally no different.

Stereo
-Kenwood Single Din Stereo (Can be replaced with any aftermarketsingle din radio unit).
-Kenwood 6.5" Marine Speakers (Dual Cone)

Electronic Controls
-Standard Turn Style Non-Lit Switches for horn, nav/ancor lights and bilge fan.
-Standard marine key switch with off, on and start positions.

Instrumentation
-Beede Fuel (2-1/8"), Tachometer (2-1/8") and Speedometer (3-1/4") backlit marine guages (can be replaced with any standard marine units).

Bilge Pump/Fan
-Siphon Pump run off Jet pump (draws water any time the engine is running withe the jet pump in the water).
-Rule 1100 GPH bilge pump with seperate float switch wired always on (Right Hand Circuit Breaker).
-4" Bilge Fan wired to dash switch (Dash switch located near key and not in switch pannel as found on the Tango - 2nd Circuit Breaker from the Right).

Jet Pump/Steering
-Polaris 148mm Extended modular Jet Pump w/ SS 6 Vane Stator.
-Polaris Extended Ride Plate
-Polaris Standard Intake Grate
-All jet pump parts interchangeable with 94-04 Polaris PWC models using the extended jet pump setup.
-Steering and shifter assembly and cables made by Teleflex.
-Reverse Bucket Polaris, reverse swing arm custom milled for application.


Replacement Parts
Many parts on the boat are actually still avalible today as they are made by 3rd party companies. Below is a list of some:
Battery - Any Group 24 Marine Deep Cycle (Preferably not a "Starting" battery) Battery 550 CCA (140 Min Reserve).
Gas Door/Cap - Attwood 911806 1 1/2 INCH BOAT VENTED GASOLINE DECK FILL
Engine Compartment Latch - Southco Sealed Compression Latch Model Number C5-11-45-3 (This version is not lockable C5-31-45-3 would be an exact replacement for the OEM, but much more expensive). Data Sheet HERE.
Front Storage Latch - Southco Flush Pull Latch M1-61 Black Data Sheet HERE
Front Compartment Gas Spring - Any 60-80 LBS Gas Spring that is approx. 18.5" extended and 11" compressed

To be Continued....

[ghostinstallations]

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[ghostinstallations]

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[ripcuda]

Sun n' Sea Rio pictures

[ripcuda]

more pics

[ripcuda]

Scanned actual brochure... pretty amusing.

[ripcuda]

Sounds like they had plans to offer the Polaris Ficht Direct Injection 2-stroke engine as an option.

[K447]

Sounds like they had plans to offer the Polaris Ficht Direct Injection 2-stroke engine as an option.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]298732[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]298733[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]298734[/ATTACH]

Attachments not viewable for me.

[ghostinstallations]

Sounds like they had plans to offer the Polaris Ficht Direct Injection 2-stroke engine as an option.

If the parts were not so expensive, I would consider converting mine! Did not know they planned to offer it.

[aerickson7]

I am following this thread as I have a 2001 Sun N Sea Rio that I purchased brand new...feeling lucky that she still runs great today. Keeping an eye out for parts and info as I go along in the event I need to do some repairs.

[dougdykman]

I have a 2001 Rio that stopped working 3 weeks ago. Looks like it's electrical/CDI box as there is no spark, and the wires to the box appear to be hot and working appropriately. Located in Arnold, MD. Looking to sell it for best offer, as is with trailer.

[pollogallo]

looking for the steering cable or part number for 2001 sun n sea jet boat .
please help.

[Edv]

need help seat parts

I am looking for a seat for this pwc. does any know where i can get new or used parts?

Well, as I have time, I figured I would update this thread with information on the rare Sun n' Sea Rio Step Jet (Polaris Powered Sugar Sand Jet Boat).

The boat is VERY similar to the Sugar Sand Tango. Same dash and windshield. Similar modeling. Hull design is a Stepped hull, designed to break surface tension for a higher top speed. Entire Drivetrain and engine electronics advertized being from 00 and 01 Polaris Virage respectively. I have found that it is more closely related to a Genesis.

Overall Information
Manufacturer: Sun n' Sea
Model: Rio
Designed By: Sugar Sand
Years Produced: 01-02
Color Options: Blue or Green
Powered By: Polaris

Engine Information
Polaris 1200 3 Cyl (1165cc actual) 135 HP Domestic Motor
Carburated
Water Cooled
Replacement Motor found in 99-02 Virage TX and Genesis

Carburator Information
Carburator part number (fill in later) from a Genesis
Custom Jetting

Engine Electronics
CDI ignition system from polaris (Polaris Part Number 4040379, Interchangable with 4040447 that has less timing)
Uses same electrical box and components as a Polaris PWC with these exceptions:
-Power, Ground and Plug wires are longer to accomodate electrical box placement.
-Polaris half-wave power regulator/rectifier removed from inside electrical box and replaced with aftermarket full-wave external unit.
-No Polaris LR503/505 used as there is a key ignition instead of a push on/push off ignition.
-Stator is the same, but polaris customized the stator harness and pigtail by replacing the red/purple wire with a yellow/brown wire. Functionally no different.

Stereo
-Kenwood Single Din Stereo (Can be replaced with any aftermarketsingle din radio unit).
-Kenwood 6.5" Marine Speakers (Dual Cone)

Electronic Controls
-Standard Turn Style Non-Lit Switches for horn, nav/ancor lights and bilge fan.
-Standard marine key switch with off, on and start positions.

Instrumentation
-Beede Fuel (2-1/8"), Tachometer (2-1/8") and Speedometer (3-1/4") backlit marine guages (can be replaced with any standard marine units).

Bilge Pump/Fan
-Siphon Pump run off Jet pump (draws water any time the engine is running withe the jet pump in the water).
-Rule 1100 GPH bilge pump with seperate float switch wired always on (Right Hand Circuit Breaker).
-4" Bilge Fan wired to dash switch (Dash switch located near key and not in switch pannel as found on the Tango - 2nd Circuit Breaker from the Right).

Jet Pump/Steering
-Polaris 148mm Extended modular Jet Pump w/ SS 6 Vane Stator.
-Polaris Extended Ride Plate
-Polaris Standard Intake Grate
-All jet pump parts interchangeable with 94-04 Polaris PWC models using the extended jet pump setup.
-Steering and shifter assembly and cables made by Teleflex.
-Reverse Bucket Polaris, reverse swing arm custom milled for application.


Replacement Parts
Many parts on the boat are actually still avalible today as they are made by 3rd party companies. Below is a list of some:
Battery - Any Group 24 Marine Deep Cycle (Preferably not a "Starting" battery) Battery 550 CCA (140 Min Reserve).
Gas Door/Cap - Attwood 911806 1 1/2 INCH BOAT VENTED GASOLINE DECK FILL
Engine Compartment Latch - Southco Sealed Compression Latch Model Number C5-11-45-3 (This version is not lockable C5-31-45-3 would be an exact replacement for the OEM, but much more expensive). Data Sheet HERE.
Front Storage Latch - Southco Flush Pull Latch M1-61 Black Data Sheet HERE
Front Compartment Gas Spring - Any 60-80 LBS Gas Spring that is approx. 18.5" extended and 11" compressed

To be Continued....

[ripcuda]

I am looking for a seat for this pwc. does any know where i can get new or used parts?

Whoa there. No need to cross post the same question in every Rio thread you can find.

Welcome to GH!

Finding seats for the Rio would be tough. The Rio is a modified Sugar Sand Tango hull... and probably uses similar seats as that model. But even the Tango's are rare and Sugar Sands is no more. So, you're probably going to have to go the custom made seat route. Two of the Rio seats have hard bottoms. That would be easy to cut out of wood and wrap in foam and vinyl. The other two are a "suspension" type seat with no hard bottom, but rather stretchy elastic webbing and foam. Those would be trickier to create... unless you had an original to disassemble and duplicate. I image a hard bottom seat cut to fit with foam and vinyl would work there too. Perhaps not as cushy.

I'd also look at universal seat bottoms and see if you can find any with size/shape similar to what's needed. Might get lucky there... or find a place with the Tango seat shapes on file.

How does your Rio run? New to you?

Cheers!