Break in period Supra SL400

[mgswake]

First of all, I tried the search function and the most recent thread I found was 2020 so I am starting a new thread.

I just got word from my dealer, my 2023 SL400 build date is 7/13. Hopefully, all goes well it is built and to the dealer by 7/25. That should be in my hands around the end of July. I have a week long lake vacation 8/13-8/20. I want to break in the engine correctly. The dealer just said no full ballast for the first 10 hours, then have the 20 hour service. I read a couple threads with varying opinions.

This is from the 2018 Indmar manual:

Break-in Steps
NOTICE: Do not exceed maximum RPM recommended
for your engine.
1. For the first hour, do not exceed 2000 RPM; vary
RPM continuously.
2. For the second hour, do not exceed 3000 RPM; vary
the RPM regularly.
3. For the next seven hours, do not exceed 4000 RPM;
vary the RPM regularly.

The 2022 Indmar manual just says:

Do not exceed maximum RPM recommended for your engine.

Anyone have some guidance for me? This will be my first new boat. My previous boat was 11 years old when I purchased it. My dealer doesn't seem to think I need to follow any specific guidelines, just don't overdo it the first 10 hours.

Thanks everyone!!

[larry_arizona]

I used the varying rpm method for first 10 hours on my 18 and 21’s with no ballast and light crew, then 20 hour service.


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[TXSurf4]

I used the detailed Break-In steps you listed above on my 2019. No ballast or towing and stayed under the recommended RPM for the recommended amount of time. It was a long first day and half but it is a good time to learn a lot about your new boat, listen to some good music and hang out with friends. That being said dealers take new boats and demo them with people all the time and let them surf so........

[HFarr]

Yeah, I have seen dealers not follow that rule all the time. We filled my ballast tanks and demoed the wave when I was buying mine. Only had about 6 hours on it at the time. I think as long as you don't go crazy with it you will be fine. Biggest thing I hear is to vary your rpms. Don't cruise for long periods of time at one speed.

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[TXSurf4]

Yeah, I have seen dealers not follow that rule all the time. We filled my ballast tanks and demoed the wave when I was buying mine. Only had about 6 hours on it at the time. I think as long as you don't go crazy with it you will be fine. Biggest thing I hear is to vary your rpms. Don't cruise for long periods of time at one speed.

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We demoed the wave as well but it was on a stock boat and not the one we built.

[mgswake]

Thanks for all the replies!! I think I will just grab a few buddies and head over to the lake a couple nights the first week I have it and just drive around varying the RPM and listening to some tunes. Main thing is, I just want to be ready for vacation. I'm only about 20 minutes from the lake to I should be able to do 3-4 nights and knock out the break in time. Fingers crossed I get this boat on time. And, I plan to post a lengthy intro post with some pictures. It has felt like a journey to say the least. I appreciate everyone's feedback!

[2in2out]

I’d be curious to know what the factory run-in time on the Raptor engines before they are released.

I’m still in break-in at 7.5 hrs. The boat had 1.5 hrs after dealer test. We did some variable speed cruising with light crew, 700# lead. Since my crew consists of newb’s, surf sessions are short and variable speed. As the newb’s became more confident, the pulls got a little longer and longer. Then back to cruising, then newb sessions, including me trying the foil.

When I was a dirt bike guy, there were several trains of thought on break-in and little consensus. Some racing gurus thought a bike was ready to race out of the crate because the factory had already done run in. Tests between break-in methodologies were inconclusive, adding to the confusion. Wherein comes the adherence to procedure for warrantee purposes. If catastrophic failure were to occur, it’s most likely in the first 15 min of operation, rpm >5500, or time to 300F, none of which should occur because of failsafes and pre-checks.

All this leads me to say, use your judgement and feel secure in knowing that by the time you get your boat you’ll know the engine is solid, there are failsafes, and your risk trade off equations.


2022 SA 450

[larry_arizona]

For those who follow the “drive it like you stole it”break in method.

Just closely monitor oil level as your oil consumption will be high at heavy load.

I have yet to hear of a raptor engine failure outside of wrong fuel in a 575.


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[MLA]

For those who follow the “drive it like you stole it”break in method.

Just closely monitor oil level as your oil consumption will be high at heavy load.

I have yet to hear of a raptor engine failure outside of wrong fuel in a 575.


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Im in that camp. Lets be honest, who breaks in their new car's engine? We drop the hammer at the top of the onramp then hit the highway and set the cruise on 75 for the next 4 hours.

Truth be told, the factory already broke every one of those break in steps prior to shipping the boat off to the dealer, lol.

With this said, oil consumption will be high after "break-in" when run under heavy loads.

[mjb929rr]

I’ve had 2 new boats in the last 3 years. A 2020 sl450 and now a 2022 sl550. Both of them got 1k in lead with less than an hour run time and we surfed loaded up from the get go. Traded the 450 with 200hrs and not a hiccup. At 30 hrs with the 550 and no issues at all. Both of them the dealer did the 20 hr service.

[HFarr]

When it come to engines these days, the old saying of "they don't build em' like they used to" is true. They don't. They build them a hell of a lot better! Used to be you were lucky to get 100k miles out of an old car. Now that's nothing. As long as you do some basic oil changes that is.

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[sandm]

my gut tells me the reason to break in a boat motor on wakeboats has more to do with the loads they will see vs a car. most people that buy a new car vary their driving habits by virtue of their daily routines. not many hit the freeway at 4-4500rpm's for excessive time where mjb's is a more accurate pic of boats and how they are used. we followed the break in on our last 2 new boats but the many many cars and sportbikes I have bought new over the last 20 years, drove them like they were meant to be and never had an issue.

either way unless your motor pukes at 20hrs, it's my understanding that the indmar ecu only pulls hours/minutes at each rpm level since new, NOT a detailed hour by hour of use so once you hit more hours and engine does grenade, it would be tough for them to void based on lack of break in.

[MJHSupra]

I’d be curious to know what the factory run-in time on the Raptor engines before they are released.


At the factory, they may start them up.

I know they take them for a lake test when the boat is all put together. Probably just before the final badging step. The boat ramp is about 20 mins from my house and I have seen the factory boats running up/down the lake. Assume there is checklist of things to look at, it's been years since I was on a factory tour.

Per the 2018 manual and not over 2000 rpms for the first hour - doubt that ever happens.

[larry_arizona]

I was on the tour last year, they still water test each boat.

I personally don’t understand why someone would not follow a recommended break in procedure.

It’s not just the engine breaking in, there is also transmission and V drive.

I can tell you for a fact the trans and v drive are noisy when new which tells me the gears shed some surface material, obviously that is why the fluids are changed at 20 hours.

But not my boat, so who am I……


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[2in2out]

The 2022 Indmar manual just says:

Do not exceed maximum RPM recommended for your engine.



What is maximum RPM? Isn’t red zone 5500?

This sounds like “drive it like it’s broke!”


2022 SA 450

[MLA]

I cant speak to the v-drive/trans noise lessening with hours, but as to engines, break-in is a thing of the past. The tolerances are so tight and the assembly process is so precise, there is nothing to break in. Drive it like you stole it, Ricky Bobby, and pull the heads at 1000 hrs and there will still be hone marks on the cylinder walls.

Driving the boat as you intend to use it, is not far outside the break in steps, if you think about. The RPM is going to very, the RPM will not be held at one level for very long. So loading up some ballast and surfing, is not abusing the engine.