Sugar Sands Boats

Can anyone tell me about this manufacturer. The sugar sands website is not all that useful and my googling has not given much insight either.

I may have an opportunity to buy a sugar sands tango. Just found out about it so I don't even know the year yet.

This would be the first boat for the family. I grew up around boats and know the basics on outboards, little about I/O (basically what I learned from the internet), and nothing about jet boats.

Am I crazy to be considering a jet boat as a first boat? I am hoping for a boat to regularly carry 2 adults, 3 kids. Occasionally carrying 3-4 adults, 2 kids. Also would like the option of tubing or skiing.

Thanks for any insight.

Re: Sugar Sands Boats

Sugar Sand went out of business in 08.They use Merc sportjets so no problem with motor or pump parts but the boat it self may be a different story.I have a 03 mirage 18 foot I bought new only problem was a fried coil this spring, love the boat. Be aware that jets handle differently than props and it takes a little getting use to. I believe Tangos are 16 footers and I Know they can ride a little rough but are also incredibly quick and agile. Don't know where you boat but if its weedy a jet may not be the best selection.No problem pulling a tube I tow a 3 man Mable Just use a 60 ft rope to get out of jet blast. 4 adults +3 kids might be getting a mite crowded.

Bill

Re: Sugar Sands Boats

In general, do jet boats require more or less maintenance than a conventional prop boat? I appreciate your advice in getting used to the way a jet boat handles.

I'm not thrilled about purchasing a boat that is out of business but if the drive train parts are readily available, that may work out.

The fact that only one person has commented on the surgar sand boat has me worried however...

Re: Sugar Sands Boats

Much less to maintain, pump has two places to change lube yearly. Engine is a outboard powerhead mounted inboard from about 2000 or so it is merc's 2.5 v6 in carbed ,efi ,and optimax versions. SugarSand was a small company in Fargo ND, you don't see a lot of them.Hulls are handlaid and quality of glass work seems very good.On mine the material used for upholstery seems lightweight though it is holding up well,rest of hardware is pretty much standard stuff.The guys that have them seem to like them.Try jetboating.net for more info [hope that's allowed].Gotta go finish loading gonna do a little sandbar camping if everything isn't underwater.
bill

Re: Sugar Sands Boats

Thanks for the info.
I'll let you know what the exact boat specs are when I find out.

Re: Sugar Sands Boats

Well, I bought it. It is a 2001 16.5' Sugar Sand Tango with a 2005 175 hp v6 merc jet drive. Plan on having it thoroughly looked over by a mechanic prior to use. Seems to be in decent shape, certainly needs a good cleaning.

Apparently the original motor blew from what I presume to be an oil pump/injection problem. The owner isn't too mechanically inclined so he couldn't give me the details. However, he did say the part that caused the failure was under recall so they put a new engine in for him. Makes me a little nervous why the buzzer didn't go off with an oil problem. Hopefully they resolved the issue by 2005!

Anyone have any info/advice about this particular boat/motor?

Looking forward to getting it in the water!

Re: Sugar Sands Boats

Pretty sure the earlier versions used a Merc Sportjet 90 or 120, that had a Force powerplant. Avoid these like the plague.

Boats need to be inspected by a mechanic before you buy, or you are stuck.

Hope you had a decent test drive and instructions on how to drive a jet boat.

Time for a DNR or Coast Guard boating course.

Re: Sugar Sands Boats

I've owned 3 different sugar sands. (two heats, and one tango) The heats used merc (force) 90/95/120's, tangos used anything from a 175 up to the 240 opti's. Tango's also came in two different seating configs, either the 4+2 config, or the 3 seating in the back option. The sting was a heat hull but with a weird 4 stroke turbocharged weber engine. (RARE!) Yes, SS's were made in Fargo, then sold to bennington pontoon, which then had financial issues and needed to get out of fiberglass. Rumor has it berkeley jet drives now owns the molds and will have boats out based on the SS line.


Anyway, one of my current boats is a 2001 tango 4+2 with the merc 175. EXTREMELY good boat! Rock solid engine, decent fuel efficiency, fast, great handling. Let me know if you have any specific questions, i'll probably be able to answer them!

Two hints, you may have to re-do your wear ring clearance if performance isn't good. (the jbweld fix) That boat should be able to hit 50+ mph with a light load. Second is that the merc v6 can be a HUGE pain to start when cold, there is no primer bulb and fuel drains back. Head on over to jetboating.net and then look for the 'easy starting merc 175' thread. I did a writeup on how to make it start up instantly.

Re: Sugar Sands Boats

Thank you for the information. My Tango is the 3 seats in the back version.
My biggest concern is the oil pump and how the warning system works if there is a malfunction. I'm used to mixing the oil/gas myself and don't have any experience in oil injection. Considering how this boat already blew a motor (from what I am assuming was an oil related problem) apparently with no warning, I'm concerned about the longevity of the current motor.

Re: Sugar Sands Boats

Mainiac Boater said:

Thank you for the information. My Tango is the 3 seats in the back version.
My biggest concern is the oil pump and how the warning system works if there is a malfunction. I'm used to mixing the oil/gas myself and don't have any experience in oil injection. Considering how this boat already blew a motor (from what I am assuming was an oil related problem) apparently with no warning, I'm concerned about the longevity of the current motor.

Click to expand...

There was a TSB (not a recall) back in 2000 or 2001. Basically the oil pump shaft was plastic, and it could shear off past the sensor portion. The part the sensor was monitoring was still spinning away, but the rest of the pump wasn't. You can run a blockoff plate and then do premix, its going to smoke some though but it is a 2 stroke after all. There is always the chance it had nothing to do with the pump. People do all kinds of stupid things, from disconnecting the buzzer to dumping 10w-30 into the oil tank.


Personally I'm not TOO worried about it. Use quality oil (penzoil synthetic, not blend) and don't mix oils either under any circumstances. You could always dump in a little oil into the tank, don't go more than 100:1 though if you still use the injection system.