2000 Challenger 1800 Twin Rotax Purchase?

[danzr1]

I'm going to look at a Challenger 1800 which needs work. The owner says one engine is going as it stalls. He thinks it has low compression. I will test this when I get there this evening. However, would an engine stall after if it had low compression? I could understand it being weak, but if anything I thought it would run better if warmed up.

Also, never having owned any Jet boat for PWC, any tips what to look for? He says the seat covers need to be replaced and he had the material. He does seem quite honest.

I would be doing the work myself if it does need a top end, or whatever is wrong. All my research online shows stalling engines to be carburated or gas starvation.

He was asking 4500, as he valued the boat at 8000, thinking he would replace the engine at a cost of $3500. Talking to him to day and he said he would take 3500, I'm thinking that is a pretty good deal if it doesn't need a complete engine.

Any info would be great! Thanks!

 

[Dr Honda]

$3500 is an OK price if it has a bad engine, and an ugly interior. I've seen them go for under $2k in that condition. Also.. remember... if they are the original engines... the second one won't be around much longer. Regardless of if you think it needs a "Complete" engine or not... it will need a complete engine. A new top end is going to be a waste of $$$ on an engine that is 12 years old. (the crank will be tired too)

An 800 engine will cost you about $1200 with shipping and tax from STB.


With that said... generally an engine that is low on compression just won't start in the water... and if it does... it won't make much power. As you already said... the stalling is most likely from a fuel issue.

 

[danzr1]

$3500 is an OK price if it has a bad engine, and an ugly interior. I've seen them go for under $2k in that condition. Also.. remember... if they are the original engines... the second one won't be around much longer. Regardless of if you think it needs a "Complete" engine or not... it will need a complete engine. A new top end is going to be a waste of $$$ on an engine that is 12 years old. (the crank will be tired too)

An 800 engine will cost you about $1200 with shipping and tax from STB.


With that said... generally an engine that is low on compression just won't start in the water... and if it does... it won't make much power. As you already said... the stalling is most likely from a fuel issue.

Thanks for the great info! That is a good price for an engine. Is that shipped to Canada by any chance? The guy selling it was quoting $3500 for a new "used" engine.

I guess I'll do a compression check and go from there.

 

[Stevego]

I recently bought a 99 with seized engines and bad upholstry for $1800. Spent $3200 rebuilding BOTH engines, carbs, both pumps, 2 new impellers etc.. and $800 on upholstry. In my market (Canada like you) the boat is worth around $8K so I am ahead. I had the work done by mechanic so if you do yourself it would cost even less. I say offer 3K and see what gives.... Is the trailer in good shape? How old are the tires? They may look new but if old/dry they will split and blow out. So more $$ to think about.

 

[Dr Honda]

Canada?? No. That's in the USA. You will have to contact SBT to find out what international shipping will be.

 

[Stevego]

One other thing I noticed... you state it is a 2000 MY. I do not think they made a Twin Rotax version in 2000?? and they were the Merc engines that year. If a Merc then the $$ will be much higher for repairs.

 

[danzr1]

Well, I went to look at it and the first thing I noticed was the hull was green, and it was white in the pictures posted. The guy wasn't around at the time I went to see it. I was going to do a compression test but couldn't find the key, which he said was there. He said he used the pics from the last guy who sold it to him from 2 years ago. When I was looking through the compartment, I came across a bag that had 1997 Seadoo written on it. He said he will verify the year. I have a pic of the engines it says TYPE 787. I attached, hopefully you can see it. Any way to determine the year by any markings on the boat? Oh ya, the heads are yellow, I'm assuming that is not stock?

 

[Guest_User]

wow! IMHO run!... I would pass unless it were for free... Looks like a lot of work, they`ve been apart and who knows if any of the work was done right. you`ll have yours hands full... that is def not a 2000 Challenger 1800 model.
I see an exhaust bracket bolt missing...

good luck!

 

[danzr1]

haha, I agree. I don't know much about Seadoo's but I knew those air filters weren't stock. Ya, its pretty rough. I'm going to pass and just keep my eye out for a personal Seadoo....this just seemed like a good deal. The guy must be nuts, picture of a different boat!!!!

 

[Guest_User]

haha, I agree. I don't know much about Seadoo's but I knew those air filters weren't stock. Ya, its pretty rough. I'm going to pass and just keep my eye out for a personal Seadoo....this just seemed like a good deal. The guy must be nuts, picture of a different boat!!!!

I don`t know much about that year, but where is the fuel pump for the Starboard engine???

there is def nicer out there, good luck...
haha different pic, means scam, run!...

 

[Stevego]

The serial number on the back of the hull would give you the year. By the color I would say it is a 2007. In that conditon IF all else works maybe worth $1500 MAX.

 

[danzr1]

Ya, I believe its a 1997 as well. He's asking $4500, said he would go as low as $3250. I think he lost the key, cause he thought it was in the boat and it wasn't. I don't think I'll pursue, but I'll call him and see what year it actually is. I don't think he's trying to scam anyone, I just think he's doesn't really know. He seems fairly honest ,but who knows.He seems to know the person he bought it from 2 years ago well, so maybe that guy lied to him....doesn't make sense. You're not going fool anyone when they look at the boat and registration.

 

[El Toro 33809]

The serial number on the back of the hull would give you the year. By the color I would say it is a 2007. In that conditon IF all else works maybe worth $1500 MAX.

To further expand on this, the last two digits of the HIN will be the year.... If it reads "xxxxx97", the year is 1997.

 

[danzr1]

He found the HIN number and it does end in 97...makes sense eh. He seemed very honest and it looks like he got screwed from the last guy. I told him I would only offer $1500, taking advice from Stevego, but I would be taking another look now that he found the key. He also told me the mechanic who looked at it, said the left engine was low on compression but the right is fine. He mentioned he had some vinyl to replace the seats, but I'm not sure if he meant all the seats, some tears and good wear on them.

 

[Guest_User]

He found the HIN number and it does end in 97...makes sense eh. He seemed very honest and it looks like he got screwed from the last guy. I told him I would only offer $1500, taking advice from Stevego, but I would be taking another look now that he found the key. He also told me the mechanic who looked at it, said the left engine was low on compression but the right is fine. He mentioned he had some vinyl to replace the seats, but I'm not sure if he meant all the seats, some tears and good wear on them.

IMHO it`s a lot of work, trust me I know!!! I would continue to look regardless of how cheaply you can get this one...
count on 2 engines and right there is 4K to do it right...