Kyle T

Hello.
All of my local mechanics say that they're junk, and I don't believe them. Could you guys tell me if they have any problems, and what they are?
Thank you!

Outlaw

Well I wish I could tell ya that they aren't junk, but they are. Artic cat used to make them and stopped after poor sales due to bad design. Don't take them in rough water they will beat apart.

Kyle T

Hey Outlaw.
Could you please go into more details about exactly what was wrong with them? Can anything be done to improve their choppy water performance?
Thank you.

Count me IN!

parts availability is non existant except for Arctic Cat Parts, Snowmobiles, Atv, Generator Sales at Alpha Sports Center Arctic Cat Arctic Cat Four Wheelers Artic Cat ATV Arctic Cat Portable Generators home page (parts and diagrams) no one, repeat NO ONE will work on them. Not really junk, I don't think, just old and most you come across have not been stored or cared for properly. Make Sure you put it in water before you buy them and figure to run them one year and anything after that is a bonus. Good Luck!
P>S> I have one myself and had two but the other frustrated me so much my wife let me buy a new one (Kawasaki babe!)

__________________
Count me IN!
"I'll try it!"

Ron

Kyle T

Hello.
Yeah, I love alpha. That site has my sleds and my quads. That's where I am most of the time.
I can work on it. The engine is just like the Thundercat engine.
I like old stuff! My quad is older than I am.
Yeah, that's a problem. It's a shame when people don't take care of their stuff.
Which one do you own?
Thank you!

Kyle T

I've been reading up and it seems that they have driveshaft problems and low speed stability problems. I can fix the driveshaft by simply making one (the updated kit from Cat costs over 550 clams, and that's BOGUS), but what about the low speed stability? How about bigger/more sponsons?
Thank you.

veritechc

Hi there.

I have this same ski and all that everyone has said is sadly true. I have had mine for 2 years and have only gotten one season out of it. I lost a piston the first year and later the drive shaft. I got luck an found a new shaft on ebay so it running again.

For the good news it that sucker really goes. I can do quite a few tricks on it. It is unstable at low speed but since I ride it single that is a bonus. I can throw it around all over the place.

Saddly once again mine is running rough. Its time to sell it. I have recently purchased a Yamaha Wave Venture and am getting a Wave Blaster in the Tigersharks place.

Kyle T

Hello.
I'm not worried about stock piston problems.
I'm going to have to do something about that driveshaft...
Is the instability at low speed something you would get rid of if you could?
What model do you own?
Thanks!

veritechc

The instability is a design, not a problem. I can now balance on the side of the ski while it is off.

Let me till you this. This ski is not for someone who is looking for a calm riding day. This sucker if fast and tippy allowing you to throw it all over the place. It takes some practice to ride well. Once you get it, its really fun.

It is a mechanical nightmare. If I do keep mine I will buy a new engine, just to have it ready to drop in.

For the mechanical issues I would not recommend this as a first or only ski. If you do have a second ski or can do the repairs yourself then I'd say go for it.

Block off the oil injection and premix. That is one less blown engine to worry about.

Oh ya I have a 1997 Tigershark Daytona 1000 Triple

Kyle T

Hello.
So it's supposed to be like that? Hmm...
Yeah, I'm looking for fast and fun. Calm and slow ain't my bag.
What makes it a nightmare exactly?
Why do you recommend a spare machine?
I can't really say about the oil injection thing. My Dad has been in the powersports business for over 40 years, and he's seen 2 oil pumps fail.
Awesome! That's just the machine I'm looking at learning about.
Thank you!