Buying 1999 Challenger 1800 advice

[mark holcomb]

I am thinking of buying a 1999 challenger 1800 and needed advice. Both motors have neen replaced and one is still under warranty. I have owned every type boat made and have owned a Polaris 750 and ridden Seadoo crafts. What I enjoyed doing was when turning the rear of the craft slides back and forth which to me is fun.....does the boat react similar to the PWC? Can anyone describe how this boat compares to driving a pwc......is the accelleration similar to a 3 seater 110hp sea doo? Can the rear of the boat slide back and forth like a PWC? Also, I used to ride my PWC in the ocean surf and never worried about taking on water....I noticed people intensionally submarine this boat. I just really need to know your opinion on the twin engines and the fun factor vs a standard ski boat......Thanks to all. Mark

 

[Dr Honda]

Welllllll.......


Yes and no. Yes, it will spin, and slide, just like a big PWC... but it's an 18' boat, and it's heavy, and will carry a lot of heavy fuel, and carry 6 passengers. So... it probably won't handle exactly like a 3 passenger watercraft.

I have a 14.5' boat, and I drive it around like a big watercraft (jump, slide, spin) but I still keep PWC in the stable when I really want to get wet.

One last thing to remember... the power to weight will be much lower than the average PWC.

It will be fun, but it is a different ride.

 

[mark holcomb]

Challenger 1800 1999 twins

Thank you....The boat will be used by just myself and wife. Not skiing..just having fun. You answered my question as I do like how PWC can slide..spin etc. I have a 24' formula witha 225 evinrude (4500 lbs) and it is a nice ride but thats it....I wanted to combine the fun and sliding effects like a jet ski.....I also in very shallow water and the ski would be better. I have minor concerns about the twin vs the v6 but I just read where this forum seems to prefer the twins....seems easier to work on. With only 2 people on board and half a tank I bet she is fun to drive........let me know what you guys think about the rotax vs the mercury motor......from memory my friends seadoo's always did quite well......thanks Any input of challenger vs speedster? Thanks

 

[dsw222]

Thank you....The boat will be used by just myself and wife. Not skiing..just having fun. You answered my question as I do like how PWC can slide..spin etc. I have a 24' formula witha 225 evinrude (4500 lbs) and it is a nice ride but thats it....I wanted to combine the fun and sliding effects like a jet ski.....I also in very shallow water and the ski would be better. I have minor concerns about the twin vs the v6 but I just read where this forum seems to prefer the twins....seems easier to work on. With only 2 people on board and half a tank I bet she is fun to drive........let me know what you guys think about the rotax vs the mercury motor......from memory my friends seadoo's always did quite well......thanks Any input of challenger vs speedster? Thanks

I bought a 97 challenger 1800 last year (twin rotax engines). Its a blast to drive. You can go full speed (around 50 on GPS, or 63 on the unrealistic gauge) and cut the wheel to "spin out" and slide sideways... its fun to do especially because your passengers aren't expecting that from an 18 foot boat. Docking isn't hard... you will catch on quickly to how she reacts and shouldn't have a problem.

The acceleration is better on a ski, but its not bad. It really is fun to drive. You can "carve" back and forth on the water and let the rear end slide out as youre doing it, kinda like power sliding. You can also get it completely out of the water when you hit some big wake.

Challenger 1800 vs Speedster.... I wanted to be able to take a few of my friends out and be comfortable with room to move around, so i got the 1800. I was considering a 16 foot 98 Speedster (the seating was 2+2+1 in bow that year), but ended up with the 1800 and love it. I'm a big guy (300 lbs), but with the 1800 I was able to go out with my girlfriend, another couple, and a friend. I'm sure the 16 foot would have been over the weight limit with that crew.

Keep in mind you can't just compare "challenger" vs "speedster" vs "sportster"... because SeaDoo did a few different things and styles of the boats depending on the year (Speedster was 14 foot with 4 seats in 96 but it was 16.5 foot with 5 seats in a completely different arrangement in 98... etc). Not to mention the "1800" models. Another thing to note is the ride quality of the bigger boat... it doesnt bounce around as much as the smaller lighter ones. My uncle's neighbor refused to ride in her husband's 14 foot speedster because it hurt her back (so he eventually had to sell it), but she didn't have a problem in my 18 foot since its heavier and takes the waves and chop easier.

As for Mercury vs Rotax... the general consensus is: Mercury is more reliable but more expensive to fix when something goes wrong... Rotax is less reliable but less expensive to work on. I knew NOTHING about engines (i never even changed my car's oil myself), but I did a rebuild on one of my engines when it lost compression last summer... this forum is a GREAT resource and will help you out a lot if you need it. But there don't seem to be too many Merc experts hanging around here (although i'm sure there are a few)

Like the good Doctor said, its not going to drive exactly like a jet ski. But it can do things that conventional drive boats cant do, and is a blast to drive.

 

[Dr Honda]

I bought a 97 challenger 1800 last year (twin rotax engines). Its a blast to drive. You can go full speed (around 50 on GPS, or 63 on the unrealistic gauge) and cut the wheel to "spin out" and slide sideways... its fun to do especially because your passengers aren't expecting that from an 18 foot boat. Docking isn't hard... you will catch on quickly to how she reacts and shouldn't have a problem.

The acceleration is better on a ski, but its not bad. It really is fun to drive. You can "carve" back and forth on the water and let the rear end slide out as youre doing it, kinda like power sliding. You can also get it completely out of the water when you hit some big wake.

Challenger 1800 vs Speedster.... I wanted to be able to take a few of my friends out and be comfortable with room to move around, so i got the 1800. I was considering a 16 foot 98 Speedster (the seating was 2+2+1 in bow that year), but ended up with the 1800 and love it. I'm a big guy (300 lbs), but with the 1800 I was able to go out with my girlfriend, another couple, and a friend. I'm sure the 16 foot would have been over the weight limit with that crew.

Keep in mind you can't just compare "challenger" vs "speedster" vs "sportster"... because SeaDoo did a few different things and styles of the boats depending on the year (Speedster was 14 foot with 4 seats in 96 but it was 16.5 foot with 5 seats in a completely different arrangement in 98... etc). Not to mention the "1800" models. Another thing to note is the ride quality of the bigger boat... it doesnt bounce around as much as the smaller lighter ones. My uncle's neighbor refused to ride in her husband's 14 foot speedster because it hurt her back (so he eventually had to sell it), but she didn't have a problem in my 18 foot since its heavier and takes the waves and chop easier.

As for Mercury vs Rotax... the general consensus is: Mercury is more reliable but more expensive to fix when something goes wrong... Rotax is less reliable but less expensive to work on. I knew NOTHING about engines (i never even changed my car's oil myself), but I did a rebuild on one of my engines when it lost compression last summer... this forum is a GREAT resource and will help you out a lot if you need it. But there don't seem to be too many Merc experts hanging around here (although i'm sure there are a few)

Like the good Doctor said, its not going to drive exactly like a jet ski. But it can do things that conventional drive boats cant do, and is a blast to drive.

Well said. :cheers:


The Merc engines are good, but they are expensive to work on (most of the time) and unless you have a Merc dealer that has parts for a "SportJet", don't buy one. SeaDoo treats the Merc engines as a bastard kid. They almost don't even acknowledge that they exist, and a seadoo dealer will not help you out with parts.

Stick with Rotax, unless you get a killer deal on a Merc.


My personal opinion is to stay away from a Merc SeaDoo... with the exception of an Islandia. They only made that boat for 2 years with Rotax power.

 

[mark holcomb]

HUGE Thank You!!!!

I was trying to refer to "carving" as that is what was fun about jet skis. I am mostly a sailor for the last decade but relish the great fun I had in my 30's on my ski's. I really appreciate all of your effort and help!!!

Sounds like the challenger is 1800 is the one for me.....being used to my 24' formula I finally jumped out of the water in it recently and laughed so hard I said it was time to return.......

One last question.......anyone ridden these things in bigger waves like we can do on small ski's? We cannot swamp a ski (unless the seat or cover flies off) but as far as jumping say 3 foot waves in the ocean at slower speeds? any input?

Thanks again......I will be here as a regular. PS I am rebuilding my first mercruiser from a 24 sea ray....big heavy stuff....looks like working on the ski motors will be much more conducive to us bigger guys!!! 260 lbs here and hard to wiggle into those mercruiser compartments!

 

[RFoster130]

For 3 people the 16ft Speedster is fine. Or 4 smaller people, but it sucks with 4 bigger adults. There is no way at all I would put 5 people in it.

For 2 or 3 though, I dont think there is any other Sea Doo boat I would rather have. It is very comfy with the individual bucket seats. And with twin 110 HP engines, it FLIES. Gas consumption is huge though.

If you are comparing the 18 ft challenger and 16 ft speedster, I would mainly focus on how many people you want to take out in it.

 

[RoKNRich]

For 3 people the 16ft Speedster is fine. Or 4 smaller people, but it sucks with 4 bigger adults. There is no way at all I would put 5 people in it.

For 2 or 3 though, I dont think there is any other Sea Doo boat I would rather have. It is very comfy with the individual bucket seats. And with twin 110 HP engines, it FLIES. Gas consumption is huge though.

If you are comparing the 18 ft challenger and 16 ft speedster, I would mainly focus on how many people you want to take out in it.

Exactly.

I had a 14' boat a few years back, but outgrew it.....maybe 1 or 2 pegs on the fun meter higher (out of 10) than the 1800, but it's nice to be able to take more than 2 people with me now.....