2006 Seadoo Challenger 180CS Right decision?

[Deputy Dog 336]

I am in the process of buying a 2006 Seadoo Challnegr 180cs off of ebay and put down my $1000 deposit. I am scheduled to go pick up the boat in Flordida next week. I am being told it has been checked out serviced and has 51 hours on the motor. The boat appears virtually flawless and have been told by delaer and mechanic that she is brand new in appearance and mechanics.

Then I start reading about people disappointed with the Seadoo supercharged engines, cluthes going out, cluth wachers, replacing superchargers, etc. Now i am getting worried I am not making a good decision.

Looking to get some input from current Seadoo owners. This is my first boat for my family and I always wanted a jet boat. The wife finally said we could get one now I am getting nervous of my choice. Looks like more people are happy with the non supercharged dual motor jet boats.

spoke to mechanic on the phone tonight and he said to hold off to replace the clutch washers from ceramic to S/S until i have the clutch rebuilt around 100 hrs. Can anyone also tell me how much and how often rebuilding this clutch is going to need to be done and cost.

I know a bunch of people who have boats and seem to do very little maintenance. anyway curious to see what everyone thinks.

 

[RFoster130]

The biggest issue is the ceramic washers. If they shatter and go into the engine, consider it done.

I would not wait to change the washers. Why ruin an engine over a couple hundred bucks? If you know they havent been done, I would swap them out over the winter.

I think if you are mechanically inclined, you can remove the supercharger and send it off to be rebuilt and then reinstall it with new washers for a total of like 300 bucks. Or you can pay the dealer like 800.

 

[Deputy Dog 336]

Thanks. That seems to be the biggest problem/concern that I have found...been trying to read a lot of posts.

I just didnt know what to think. As everyone was saying change them right sway and the two Seadoo service departments I called said wait until after 100-150 hrs then redo the washers and the whole clutch. the Service guys said it is mainly a problem with the PWC's not the boats do to the PWCs jumping out of the water and over revving the engines.

Do you know where I can send the supercharger if I pull it myself?

 

[davo]

All seadoo dealers say that! For most part the superchargers would be safe as its mainly exactly what you saidwc jumping....however...people have reported washer failures in the boats occasionally before 100hrs. Sometimes even 30hrs or so. People on these forums like most forums are passionate about their boats & dollars, they, like me do endless searches for knowledge. The overwhelming concensus is to change the washers to the titanium coated ones, & I think the whole charger may have been redesigned since yours. But do yourself a favour & get the washers swapped. You don't want to be nervous thinking about it while on the water trying to have fun.
enjoy your boat they're great.

 

[Young Again]

It's a great boat and your family will love it - I downsized from a Searay 30'er and it was a good move.

 

[Deputy Dog 336]

Thanks for the input guys...I think I'm going to go ahead and get them changed out this off season and have the boat ready for next spring. I definetly don't want to have a problem it took a couple years to finally talk the wife into buying something...i definetly do not want to have a major engine meltdown right after buying it. I just wanted to make sure it was worth spending the extra bucks for right away or 2 if I should get this boat at all or look for a different model or year.

Unfortunetly I dont have the cash to buy a new one, we were oringally looking at older seadoos in the 5-9K range. Decided that we liked the layout, size, and seating on the 180 better then others. I feel like we are getting a fair deal, it was just this washer thing that I kept finding. I can't wait to go down and get the boat. Will be leaving home on Weds and buying it Thursday.

If anyone knows of a good palce to send the supercharger I would love to find a place a few members have used and had good experiences with. I live outside Chicago but could ship it where ever.

 

[davo]

Here's one last take..
you don't want to ruin your boat, the wife will prob say' I told you so'. Mine would!

 

[timeman]

I have an 06, I think it's a great boat, I had the washers and the wear ring replaced at 100 hours, labor to replace the ceramic washers from a local shop ran me $236. plus the cost of the parts...Happy boating!

 

[WOOSAB]

Change the washer asap! I bought a brand new 2010 and had my doubts because of things i've heard about the washers and all the dealers i talked to said sea doo addressed that problem and took out those cheap washers! The dealer your buying from wont say it becasue it might blow his sale but if you were buying a new boat that would be his first selling point. change the washers and you should be good. Also i live in the southern Ga area now but i am from chicago. I'm surprised you couldnt find a dealer closer to home in Wisconsin and Michigan. Seems like the money you will spend to drive down and tow the boat back you could of used to buy a boat closer to home..

 

[Deputy Dog 336]

I've got the boat now

Well the trip is over and I have the boat back here. Ran into a few snags but its mainly being taken care of. I would have loved to find one close but couldnt find a simlar year or price in the midwest. All I could find at the time was New York, Goergia, Florida and South Carolina. One came up in Tennessee after I agreed to by this one. Overall the boat is in great shape, could barely find a mark on it so I'm very happy about that. She ran great out on the water. I will have the washers replaced and just go ahead with the supercharger maintenance in the spring before boating.

Maybe I should have just waited around for one to pop up here, might have been better to but I wanted to make sure we got to enjoy it all next year instead of looking around waiting for the right one to come along. I've got a few questions but I will post them in a new thread I think.

CAN'T WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR!!!

 

[Deputy Dog 336]

More Questions

Well maybe I'll just try some of these questions in here first.

Anyone know where to get the owners manual for this boat 2006 Challnger 180CS. Looked on ebay cant find it right now. I dont see it in the manual list on the forum. I found a shop manual on CD for the boat so I might buy that, but I would like the owners manual as well.

 

[djredman99]

You can get the owners manual for free as a PDF file directly from the Seadoo site.

It is under Owners Center -> Operators guides.

Here is a direct link to it.
http://www.operatorsguides.brp.com/SiteMods/OP_GUIDE/OPGUIDE_Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/default.aspx

You will need to select "Sport Boats" from the drop down (not "Sea-Doo")

 

[Deputy Dog 336]

Thanks for the link!!!!! I will be printing it out and have already read througha bunch of it.

 

[rich9426]

There is a guy that rebuilds superchargers for $310 parts and $75 for labor plus shipping. His website is **************. Do a supercharge search on his site and you will easily find it. I have a 2007 Challenger 180 SE and we love it, boating is an expensive hobby so be prepared to open your wallet, it is inevitable, but well worth the fun with family and friends.