Capsize risk-

[hugsma]

Looking to buy a Challenger 2000 or 180 (and looking at the speedster too) and wife is pushing back- saying she's heard from blah blah that jetboats have signficantly higher risks of flipping over in high wake.

Now we live on a pretty busy lake, so just want to confirm with you guys she's crazy. Thanks

 

[kustomkarl]

Welcome to the seadoo forum hugsma. I own 1997 Challenger with a single110 hp engine it does about 50 with me in alone. I have had it like 6 feet out of the water at full tilt jumping other boat waves and it feels very comfortable, and floats down to the water again. I Used to race the Pro circuit on a Kawasaki stand up jet skis in the 440 super stock and Open Modified class. I love getting major air off of waves. I have tried to loop it but it won't. In January I bought a 2008 200 Speedster with 310 hp 2, 4-tec engines. It hits about 55 easily and I have had that one over 6 feet off of waves...It's pictured in my avatar and in the users picture gallery. I have no fear when it comes to water. I let my 17 year old son take it out on his own because I know he couldn't even push it past its limits. Both are very forgiving. uh let me rephrase that...a little common sense goes a long way too.

Karl

 

[JoeZ]

Yeah...they feel very unstable if you aren't use to the feel...like you are hopping over the water. Most craft feel like you are gripping the water while a jetboat rides kinda on top of the water. But, they are very stable as well. Just like in any boat, 99% of all accidents are going to be user error. Driving your boat accordingly you'll be fine.

In fact, last meet I could swear that Craig was trying to flip the new speedster he had but it took everything like a champ and wasn't even coming close.

Like I said, the jet boat will ride less 'stable' feeling because it rolls more since it doesn't have the prop or rudder in the water, but it is not going to flip easily. Craig was turning the wheel hard over at about 40mph and it just spins out, not flips. (I've never done that in mine...was a first for me)

 

[texasmojo]

I got scared on sunday as i flew off the wake from a large oncoming boat. We probably flew about 3 feet and landed again like if nothing happened. There was 6 adults on my challenger. We were only going about 35mph. The reason i got scared was cus 1 passenger that was on the bow area ended up in the middle of the floor when we landed.

 

[kustomkarl]

That bow seat isn't the best seat in the house. You need to make your passengers aware of oncoming waves and to prepare them. I love to go flying...but never do anything to hinder the safety of people in my boat. Safety first always for my passengers. I only go ballistic when I'm by myself.

Karl

 

[epicboater]

Hi there, I have driven al kinds of boats and I truly beleave that the jet boat is the most stable boat I have ever had. Infact my wife was not to sure of getting in the boat and was even scared as I did full spin outs at top speed it is so fun just love it. Plus the air yopu can get is amazing. I have only had my sea doo speadster for a few months now and everyone in the family and frinds all want one too lol. It is even great for fishing or just putting down the lake sight seeing. Take your wife to you tube and type in jet boat, you can see so many videos of the fun you can have. I am a big lad of 350 and I can stand on the edge of my boat to get in and out and it is real stable to,

have funn boating it will ad years to your life.

epic boater

 

[bfrost]

everything i've experienced in these boats was the complete opposite. I've rode in 2 seadoo boats and in each one of them you can crank the wheel completely while going full speed and all it will do is dig into the water and turn on a dime. The dealer actually told my uncle when he bought his, that if he could sink it that he'd give him his money back. He tried hard, but it never hapend