Any Improvements to CM-Tec Hulls Since 2018??

[kestrel452]

Howdy everyone, I am contemplating trading in my 2022 FX Cruiser HO for a 2022 or 2023 SeaDoo GTX 230. Primarily because of the absolutely egregious fuel alarm that goes off with 10 gallons left in the tank that cannot be silenced. I am fed up with Yamaha claiming that this a "new" issue to them and that they are "working on a fix", even though thousands of customers have been complaining for years, and dont appear to be moving a muscle to make the fuel gauge operate at least reasonably well. The fuel gauge will read full for the first hour or two, then quickly fall to empty over the course of less than half an hour, and start alarming. My tank took 9 gallons last time that happened. Not happy in the slightest that I only get half day (at best) with my ski.

I have heard that all manufacturers' skis do the same thing, but that Kawi and SeaDoo are much more reasonable about it. I am looking for a large 3-seater, open-water hull touring PWC that's suitable for riding the 2', 3', and sometimes 4' chop common on Lake Michigan. Mainly to be used for riding around with the girlfriend.

The GTX 230 looks like the closest thing to what I am looking for, provided it gets outfitted with the Riva pro sponsons. The one thing holding me back are all the reports about the "thin" hulls on the ST3 based machines, and catastrophic failures caused by cracking towards the front. I have also seen reports of the top deck "crazing" in various areas despite owners exercising reasonable care.

-Has SeaDoo improved the CM-Tec hulls or their manufacturing processes to solve the cracking and crazing issues?

-Are those ST3 CM-Tec hulls strong enough to use with floating/drive-on docks like the SMC fiberglass one on my '22 FX?

-Is the GTX 230 my best option? Is there any hope of fixing the fuel gauge on my Yamaha that doesn't involve bending the existing fuel sender?


Thank you in advance for any help!

[Team Bilford]

You have done some good research on the CM Tech hulls. There were issues with the ST3 hulls in 18 and 19 where the fiberglass portion was not filling the mold completely leaving some thin areas that could crack under normal use, not abuse. There appears to be much less of that in the later years. The T3R hulls of the 21+ RXPs have not shown this issue.

My biggest complaint with CM Tech is that the acylic finish portion of the sandwich is damaged easily by solvents including gasoline. That pretty stupid given that the machine is gas powered and a very minor fuel spill can ruin the surface immediately. You have to be careful when fueling and I try to avoid filling by can.

[kestrel452]

Just noticed Kawasaki has the Ultra 160LX coming out soon....thoughts on those for my application?

[Noront]

Because of Yamahas fuel alarm I cancelled my 2023 FX Cruiser SVHO preorder. I’ve decided to stick with Seadoo but am staying away from the ST3 hull. I don’t want to have to buy Riva sponsons to improve its handling.

[ptscon]

I’ve decided to stick with Seadoo but am staying away from the ST3 hull. I don’t want to have to buy Riva sponsons to improve its handling.

99% of owners out there do not know or care about this. Just because someone doesn't like how some hull handles under some specific condition doesn't mean that everyone will feel the same way. I'm pretty sure this started with watercraft journal guy saying that and repeating it every chance he gets.

[kestrel452]

99% of owners out there do not know or care about this. Just because someone doesn't like how some hull handles under some specific condition doesn't mean that everyone will feel the same way. I'm pretty sure this started with watercraft journal guy saying that and repeating it every chance he gets.

I don't think I am misquoting Jerry Gaddis when I point out that he said "stay far, far away from the ST3 hull for rough water".

[Team Bilford]

I don't think I am misquoting Jerry Gaddis when I point out that he said "stay far, far away from the ST3 hull for rough water".

Was that in the context of durability or handling?

[John's truck]

99% of owners out there do not know or care about this. Just because someone doesn't like how some hull handles under some specific condition doesn't mean that everyone will feel the same way. I'm pretty sure this started with watercraft journal guy saying that and repeating it every chance he gets.

I think that guy says a lot of stuff to sell his advertisers products like sponsons and Apex model skis. But I agree about the weird tracking. When I go from my 08 rxtx to my wife's GTX 300, I don't like it. When I'm going across wakes at an angle it wants to pull and follow them instead of pointing where I point it and hop over the wake. I don't know if the fix is sponsons but I'm willing to try it.

Now for the ST3 in rough water? It's a dream compared to my 08 rxtx. That 08 slaps waves like the back of a spoon, and the st3 cuts through them

[kestrel452]

Was that in the context of durability or handling?

Found it

http://greenhulk.net/showthread.php?t=299768&p=3183141&viewfull=1#post3183141

[GreenHulk Jr]

Was that in the context of durability or handling?

Both. You run the risk of cracking any CM Tech hull when riding hard in rough conditions. Leisurely cruising won’t be an issue and even when riding hard it’s a small chance that it could happen. I’ve witnessed first hand a brand new RXP-X splitting in half at WGP in Thailand. I’m personally not worried about it but it has happened.

I am not a fan of the ST3 hulls handling characteristics in rough water. There is a reason you see very few ST3 hulls offshore racing compared to Yamaha hulls and even the slower RXP-X hull. Again, leisurely cruising likely won’t be an issue. The ST3 will be stable and keep you dry.

We’ve owned a new RXT-X, RXP-X, numerous GP’s, and I’ve spent quite a bit of time on the newer FX hulls. The ST3 is by far my least favorite in all conditions. I’d take a RXP-X over a ST3 hull any day of the week.

[GreenHulk Jr]

Was that in the context of durability or handling?

Both. You run the risk of cracking any CM Tech hull when riding hard in rough conditions. Leisurely cruising won't be an issue and even when riding hard it's a small chance that it could happen. I've witnessed first hand a brand new RXP-X splitting in half at WGP in Thailand. I'm personally not worried about it but it has happened.

I am not a fan of the ST3 hulls handling characteristics in rough water. There is a reason you see very few ST3 hulls offshore racing compared to Yamaha hulls and even the slower RXP-X hull. Again, leisurely cruising likely won't be an issue. The ST3 will be stable and keep you dry.

We've owned a new RXT-X, RXP-X, numerous GP's, and I've spent quite a bit of time on the newer FX hulls. The ST3 is by far my least favorite in all conditions. I'd take an RXP-X over a ST3 hull any day of the week.

[ptscon]

I’ve witnessed first hand a brand new RXP-X splitting in half at WGP in Thailand.

Was that the yellow one that was all over FB? It didn't hit anything?

[GreenHulk Jr]

Was that the yellow one that was all over FB? It didn't hit anything?

Thats the one. I was told that it didn’t hit anything. It was during an endurance race and it was extremely rough out there.

[pro1200]

Just noticed Kawasaki has the Ultra 160LX coming out soon....thoughts on those for my application?

The Kawi Ultra hull is known to be very durable and good handling in the rough but the 160 HP engine might not be powerful enough for you.

[1tommygunner1927]

99% of owners out there do not know or care about this. Just because someone doesn't like how some hull handles under some specific condition doesn't mean that everyone will feel the same way. I'm pretty sure this started with watercraft journal guy saying that and repeating it every chance he gets.

Not to mention that only under 30 something folks will race across very rough water at 80+ mph! LOL