Freestyle 155mm pump; Maxxx 155 vs. Skat 155

[Bobert540]

I am finally building a flatwater boat and will be running a 155 pump. I am just looking for some input on to which pump you prefer more;

Maxxx 155mm 12v setback

or

Skat 155mm 14v setback

Thanks!

 

[raytherace]

I have seen both, and skat is better quality because you can repair the inside (wear ring) if you get cavitation. Maxx is made in one piece if the wear ring get used you cant replace it.

 

[wanderer1]

I have seen both, and skat is better quality because you can repair the inside (wear ring) if you get cavitation. Maxx is made in one piece if the wear ring get used you cant replace it.

Better quality or more options with wear ring replacement? Ray are you comparing apples and apples,meaning billet skat to billet MAXXX? Or could you be comparing Skat "slip in" to MAXXX billet? Edit:why would you be able to repair a billet Skat and not a billet MAXXX, I aint got a dog in this fight but curiosity is killing me about this.

 

[Matt_E]

Skat's pump has a replaceable stator in an OEM housing (their 2-piece pumps, not the one-piece billet)
Maxx555 pump is heavy and the vanes are thicker than Skat's vanes
The Maxx555 driveshaft is said to be garbage. But I've heard that about Skat shafts, too.

However, Maxx555's pumps are far cheaper and available with less waiting time.

 

[wanderer1]

I was being a little sarcastic and wanting Ray to explain his statement. But thanks Matt (spoiler)

 

[TheBuzzard]

i heard the maxx gen 1 shafts were butter and i got one with maybe 3 hours on it and showing signs. i also heard that they were improved quality shortly after that. figures............ i would be willing to bet , the performance differences are insignificant. the cost difference is not insignificant. all aftermarket mid and drive shafts are butter. i'm glad they make the skat shafts out of stock blaster2 shafts, since i just bought 2.

 

[badvinny]

I have a Maxxx 148, on my 1100 Dasa, just 1.5 seasons on it but trouble free and no regrets!

 

[raytherace]

Better quality or more options with wear ring replacement? Ray are you comparing apples and apples,meaning billet skat to billet MAXXX? Or could you be comparing Skat "slip in" to MAXXX billet? Edit:why would you be able to repair a billet Skat and not a billet MAXXX, I aint got a dog in this fight but curiosity is killing me about this.

I have in my hand billet skat and billet maxx pump, both 155. As you can see in the pics(skat billet) the vanes and prop section made of SS(magnetic properties) is press in the master piece of the pump (made of aluminum, non magnetic). The area of the bearing are both made of aluminum (skat and maxx) and press into the stator section. On Maxx pump the pump itself (master piece and the part inside the pump) is only made of SS in one piece but non magnetic(different grade of SS), inside and outside in only one piece. Overall billet skat is made in 3 pieces, the outside part made of aluminum, the inside part (stator and wear ring area) made in SS and the bearing area made of aluminum. Maxx is only made in two part, the cylinder (inside and outside) made of different SS non magnetic material and the bearing area made of aluminum. If you get the prop area used(wear ring area) resulted of cavitation on billet skat, you can un-press the inside part and replace it, thing that you cant do with the maxx pump. Im not telling that maxx pump is non quality part, but the price is cheaper for that reason, cheaper process and different material. Outside part of the skat pump(made of aluminum) is made on a cnc and they weld the part to fix the pump on the hull. If you look closely at the maxx pump all the part of the pump are made in SS and weld together except the bearing area who is made of aluminum and press into the stator section. If im not enough clear LMK I will post you more pics and it will propably be more clear to you, like I said I have both pump in my hand.

 

[jec215]

What about an LTD pump? HAHA

 

[smdubs]

What about an LTD pump? HAHA

Even if they did exist I would stick with a skat or maxx. My maxx has been great!

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[JetManiac]

I have used and own both Skat and MAXX pumps. As mentioned above, the MAXX pump vanes are much thicker and a more primitive design with than the vanes of the Skat. I spent several hours modding the leading and trailing edges of pump vanes of maxx pump before install. On the MAXX pump that I have, the 5mm cutback Skat impeller still did not get nearly close enough to the vanes when installed and required extra machining to fit properly. This has been the experience of others as well.

I prefer the 2 piece oem housing 155mm skat pumps best. They are made using an OEM pump stator and wear ring. They are the lightest and best fitting pump. It is easier to remove/install/custom space the impeller with a removable wear ring. The performance of the skat pump is best but the MAXX is less expensive. You should remember that the skat pumps are usually sold complete-pump, setback driveshaft, bearings/seals, impeller, assembled and greased ready to install. MAXX pumps are sold and you will still need driveshaft, impeller (with custom machining to get quality fit) ,mag pump build kit, and assembly. Compare prices using all parts needed.

The MAXX driveshafts that we have seen and have here are not quality parts. Splines are crude and not the same quality or hardness of steel or heat treated. We make our own shafts for both maxx and skat pumps using oem shaft and splines.

If cost is the most important, buy MAXX or used skat, otherwise skat is the way to go.

 

[wanderer1]

So Ray, its not a quality issue as you stated its just a different manufacturing process using different materials. I already knew everything you said but still do not understand why you chose to use the word quality. To repair the Skat you actually replace not repair, MAXXX you can bore and resleeve to repair. Both require matching and both can be repaired. Chris the impeller issue you mention has happened on Skats and Solas before using their own impellers. Seems like a hit and miss. I personally like the Skat for the simple fact that its made in the US (I know silly reason). They each have issues and are not perfect. They each offer us great performance.

 

[raytherace]

The wall of the master piece on maxx pump is close to 3 timer thinner than Skat, its why skat make the outside part of the cylinder in aluminum, 1st to probably save weight because aluminum is lighter than SS and 2nd to avoid to weld a piece of SS like on the maxx pump to screw the brass fitting(cooling). If you look closely at the maxx pump(pics below, right maxx left skat) where you screw you brass fitting for cooling, he weld a piece of SS to have more thread because of the thinkness issue on the main piece. Due to that Im not sure, like you said, that you can bore and resleeve the maxx pump, the wall is probably too thin, but like I said im not 100% sure on that I never had to do it, you ?

As for the quality "word" that you stick on it, for all those detail I mentionned above, in my book skat is still better quality than maxx.

Im not a professional in SS grade, but does someone know why some are magnetic or other not ?

 

[speedysprocket]

Not sure what the concern is with boring out a Maxx pump to put a new vein section in it. I can't see any cost savings in doing that rather than just buying a new pump. And why would you have to replace the veins anyways? I have 3 stainless mag pumps, and only one had damaged veins, but that's because the guys continued to use the ski while the bearings in the pump were completely gone and he was probably sucking up rocks continuously. And Impros fixed all those veins so that you can't even tell now. Honestly, I ride salt water so don't believe in the stainless veins pressed into aluminum. My buddy has a 144 Skat pump that uses the OEM housing, and the salt got between the two metals and actually split the aluminum on either side of the stator for the length of the stator.
With all that said, I'm going to go back to enjoying my $50 148 Polaris mag.

 

[wanderer1]

The wall of the master piece on maxx pump is close to 3 timer thinner than Skat, its why skat make the outside part of the cylinder in aluminum, 1st to probably save weight because aluminum is lighter than SS and 2nd to avoid to weld a piece of SS like on the maxx pump to screw the brass fitting(cooling). If you look closely at the maxx pump(pics below, right maxx left skat) where you screw you brass fitting for cooling, he weld a piece of SS to have more thread because of the thinkness issue on the main piece. Due to that Im not sure, like you said, that you can bore and resleeve the maxx pump, the wall is probably too thin, but like I said im not 100% sure on that I never had to do it, you ?

As for the quality "word" that you stick on it, for all those detail I mentionned above, in my book skat is still better quality than maxx.

Im not a professional in SS grade, but does someone know why some are magnetic or other not ?

View attachment 232743View attachment 232744

There are different grades of stainless with different properties such as 303 versus 304,the properties are almost identical other than 303 is considered "free machining" and is easier on your tooling. Magnetic SS is commonly a 400 series SS, non magnetic is commonly a 300 series. 400 series contains more iron which gives it its magnetic properties. I understand your points and differences but I personnaly dont see how they address ones "quality". Plenty of muti-year Maxxx users would probably disagree with your use of the term. Not sure how long youve been around "mag" pumps but Skats are not and have not been "issue-less".Like I said before,pluses and minuses to both, the buyer gets to choose whats best for them,both are of high quality in my opinion. I like USA so I like Skat but Maxxx pumps make a strong argument for sure.

 

[raytherace]

thanks for the info on ss grade ! Yep everything is about preference and the post of speedy make sense to me as well, but in my case i dont ride salt water.

 

[Bobert540]

I appreciate the feedback and for all takin the time to explain in great lengths the differences. It looks like I will be going with the 155 Skat to Stick with my "Made in America" build.

 

[speedysprocket]

Does that mean you're getting a Polaris engine too...?

 

[Bobert540]

No, but the crank and Topend are usa made.

 

[geraban19]

No, but the crank and Topend are usa made.

Im in the same "boat" but as Im running all billet DASA, it has an american motor.
I have a 148 Magnum that I got used from Lenzi. It is the older version with welded reinforcements. Now Im getting an 155 pump and I think Im going Maxx... 1300 for pump is a great deal.
Thinking to get a driveshaft from Jetmaniac as I noticed that Skat dont make the best driveshaft.