background image

OWNERS MANUAL 

AMERICAN TURBINE SD-203 

 
Before Operating your jet boat 

Read this manual carefully. Learn how to operate your boat properly. If you have any questions, contact your dealer. 
Safety and operating information that is practiced along with using good common sense can help prevent personal injury and 
product damage. 

 
Boat Horsepower Capacity 

Do not overpower or overload your boat. Using an engine that produces such power so that you have less than 8 pounds per 
horsepower can 1. Cause loss of boat control 2. Cause boat to break up from excessive power. 

Overpowering a boat can 

result in serious injury, death or boat damage. 

 
Boater’s Responsibilities 

The operator (driver) is responsible for the correct and safe operation of the boat and safety of its occupants and general public. 
It is strongly recommend that each operator (driver) read and understand this entire manual before operating the boat. 
Be sure at least one additional person on board is instructed in the basics or starting and operating the boat in the case the 
driver is unable to operate the boat. 
Check with you dealer before installation of accessories. The misuse of acceptable accessories or the use of unacceptable 
accessories can result in serious injury, death, or product failure. 

 
PRE OPERATION INSPECTION 

The following inspection should be performed with the help from the 

SELLING DEALER 

prior to jet drive operation. The same 

inspection should be performed by the user or selling dealer after the first 10- 20 hours of use and regularly thereafter every 
three months. If any items of the inspection list do not meet inspection guidelines, they should be corrected before using the 
jet drive. PLEASE NOTE, this jet is equipped reverse sense steering, which means that your boat will operate different than an 
automobile when in reverse. This is easily overcome by steering in the direction you want the bow to go when in reverse. 
1. 

Thrust Bearing Lubrication. 

The bearing is lubricated at the factory before shipment. Lubricate every thirty hours or if 

the boat sits for more than 2 months. Lubricate before you take it out, about 4-5 pumps in the thrust bearing. Do not 
force grease in the bowl bearing. 
2. 

Hand Hole Cover. 

Check to make sure that the hand hole cover is tightly fastened. 

3. 

Steering. 

Check the steering by rotating the wheel right and left with the engine off and verify that the nozzle turns completely 

against the housing to which it is attached. 
4. 

Reverse Shift Control. 

With the control in full reverse, the reverse bucket should completely cover the nozzle's discharge 

opening. In full forward, the reverse bucket should clear the entire nozzle discharge opening. In neutral, the reverse 
bucket should cover about 3/4 of the discharge opening. The reverse bucket should have a provision to lock it in 
the forward position so that the bucket cannot fall into the water stream. 
5. 

Throttle. 

Check to see that the throttle is operating smoothly. 

6. 

Transom Seals. 

There should be no leaks at the housing seal to the boat or the housing seal to the bowl. 

7. 

SD-203 Weep Hole Inspection

. A weep hole is provided to indicate the condition of the mechanical seal. 

Water running out the hole is an indication of a failed seal or that there is foreign debris between the seal faces i.e. fishing 
line etc. A blast of compressed air in the weep hole will sometimes clear the obstruction. If it continues to leak, consult 
your dealer. 
8. 

Engine Cooling Connections

. Check to make sure all hose connections are tight. 

 

 

OWNERS MANUAL 

1. 

Trailer Launching

. Before launching make sure that all drain plugs are in place securely. To drive off of the trailer, the 

intake part of the jet drive should be immersed in the water. Use low speed and gentle handling when driving on or off 
the trailer. 
2. 

Starting

. Always start your boat in neutral. Warm up engine properly. 

3. 

Break-In Time

. The thrust bearing and the mechanical seal need break-in time to insure long life. 

4. 

SD-203 Weep Hole Inspection

. A weep hole is provided to indicate the condition of the mechanical seal. 

Water running out the hole is an indication of a failed seal or that there is foreign debris between the seal faces i.e. fishing 
line etc. A blast of compressed air in the weep hole will sometimes clear the obstruction. If it continues to leak, consult 
your dealer. 
 

Practice. 

It is a good idea to use the recommended break-in period of the engine and jet drive to get the "feel" of your new jet 

drive powered boat. It should be handled in the beginning at low speeds and with gentle turns. Because of the jet drive's natural 
absence of torque, steering is much more responsive than propeller driven boats. Since tighter turns can be made in a jet 
drive boat, be sure to practice these carefully at lower speeds until you are completely familiar with the handling characteristics 
of your boat

PLEASE NOTE, this jet is equipped reverse sense steering, which means that your boat will operate different than an 

automobile when in reverse. This difference easily overcome by steering in the direction you want the bow to go when in reverse, a 
little practice in a safe area is recommended

Summary of Contents for SD203

Page 1: ...SD203 OWNER MANUAL SUPER DUTY JET 203mm Axial Flow THE POWER IS IN THE PUMP...

Page 2: ...ft Control With the control in full reverse the reverse bucket should completely cover the nozzle s discharge opening In full forward the reverse bucket should clear the entire nozzle discharge openin...

Page 3: ...LANOCOTE Also steering parts need to be cleaned and coated SAFETY 1 Retrieving Skiers We recommend shutting off the engine when retrieving downed skiers 2 Ski Ropes Ski ropes should be avoided if pos...

Page 4: ...come to our check list and determination of which major area is the problem The simplest way is a check on the RPM s first They could be normal high or low and this will pin point the place to look A...

Page 5: ...grumble at idle that increases with engine RPM s then it is likely to be a rough worn water damaged thrust bearing If water has gotten into the bearing it is usually as a result of a flooded bilge at...

Page 6: ...30 29 10 23 26 25 27 32 20 31 35 77 54 33 34 78 2 47 38 68 66 67 64 75 58 71 61 72 69 70 59 57 60 45 74 76 55 18 62 73 65 63 56 52 49 50 46 51 22 21 17 13 14 16 15 1 28 5 3 6 4 8 7 48 53 American Tur...

Page 7: ...4 ITEM DESCRIPTION PART QTY 40 5 16 18 LOCK NUT F05 18 LN 4 41 O RING INTAKE SD 312 O3901 1 42 5 16 18 X 1 HEX HEAD CAP SCREW F05 18 08 HH 2 43 5 16 FLAT WASHER F05 FW 10 44 5 16 18 X 1 1 4 HEX HEAD C...

Page 8: ...American Turbine SD203 INTAKE ADAPTER GREASE ZERK for THRUST BEARING MECHANICAL SEAL IMPELLER GREASE ZERK for STATOR BEARINGS NOZZLE INSERT ROCK GRATE...

Page 9: ...American Turbine SD203 BEARING HOUSING GREASE ZERK WEEP HOLE HAND HOLE COVER STEERING EXTENSION REVERSE BUCKET INTAKE ADAPTER SUCTION PIECE STATOR STEERING NOZZLE NOZZLE HOUSING...

Page 10: ...L STEERING FASTENERS SD203 SPECIFICATIONS wear ring 045 055 Clearance between impeller and IMPELLER WEAR RING SPECIFICATIONS Wear ring I D 8 005 8 000 Impeller O D 7 955 7 950 A FROM HUB DETAIL A MEAS...

Reviews: