Challenger 1800 adding weight to bow

[rteichman]

This past weekend I had the boat out with 5 people on-board, all rather large. I have Aquaman1's extended ride plate which under normal conditions makes the boat plane nice and smooth. However, with over 800lbs in the rear 3 seats it just is too much weight in the back and the boat porpoises. I would love to sit someone in the bow, but there are very clear warnings about doing that at anything other than idle. I hurt my son real badly many years ago on a rented speedster, not knowing he wasn't supposed to sit up there and we went over a nice size wake throwing him the air and landing hard.

Any recommendations on adding weight to the bow? I keep the anchor there but is there anything else I could/should put there to help? With all that weight I'm not expecting to go 50, but I would like to be able to plane. With all the people at anything over say 28 MPH its real bad, under that it tends to come off plane.

Thanks
Rob

 

[gioakjoe]

buy a fat sack and set it up there is my best advice or add some trim tabs.

 

[henryb]

The Challenger 1800 is designed for 7 people total, thus 2 people can sit in the front section. There are 2 grip handles for them to hold on to. It is different then the Speedster, which you are not supposed to put anyone up there above idle. I have run many times with 7 people on-board without problems at over 30 mph, no porpoising. This bouncing effect is really a balancing act, so you can simply change where different people sit to find the best balance.

I can understand your concern, considering your past incident. Therefore, I would suggest keep the kids in the back seats and put only an adult in the front... and I would drive with extra caution, slowing down for large boat wakes and keep the crew aware of all bumps as they come. Also keep your steering smooth and controlled, no bat turns with a full load... certainly the boat will act completely different with a full load vs just yourself.

 

[rteichman]

The Challenger 1800 is designed for 7 people total, thus 2 people can sit in the front section. There are 2 grip handles for them to hold on to.

I believe you are thinking of the 2000 model. The 1800 does not have grab handles up front. While it's supposed to hold 7 I sure don't know how two people could fit in the bow. There are three cushions, but where would the legs go LOL. The 2000 clearly has space for two up front with the handles. Alas mine does not.

 

[henryb]

I believe you are thinking of the 2000 model. The 1800 does not have grab handles up front. While it's supposed to hold 7 I sure don't know how two people could fit in the bow. There are three cushions, but where would the legs go LOL. The 2000 clearly has space for two up front with the handles. Alas mine does not.

Interesting, as I own a Challenger 1800, and it does have 2 grab handles up front? They definitely look OEM. I've had 2 people up front many many times!

All that being said... the driver certainly needs to feel confident that where people sit is going to provide a safe environment. So if putting a ballast up front makes them feel safer, then that is what they should do.


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[rteichman]

Interesting, as I own a Challenger 1800, and it does have 2 grab handles up front? They definitely look OEM. I've had 2 people up front many many times!

Does your bow cushions have space between the 2 side cushions and the front, or is it a continuous semi-circle? On mine its a semi-circle so anyone up front has to put their feet in the center well

 

[henryb]

Does your bow cushions have space between the 2 side cushions and the front, or is it a continuous semi-circle? On mine its a semi-circle so anyone up front has to put their feet in the center well

Mine is a continuous semi circle as you said yours has. When I have 2 people up front they sit in a variety of configurations... Normally in a lounge position with legs up on the cushions, sometimes one sitting backwards with their feet up and the other sitting with feet in the well or even with both in a sitting position!


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[Dr Honda]

Just move people up front, and don't do anything dumb while running around. BUT... a boat is about balance. You can't put all the weight in the back, and expect it to ride right.

 

[Red Rocket]

I don't know what it is about everyone wanting to ride in the back but I have the same issue.

I'm not sure exactly how your bow is set up but I 2nd the idea of a fat sac or what I do is scoot my 55qt yeti loaded with ice and drinks as far forward and the weight of that cooler is similar to a small adult- LOL

 

[Coastiejoe]

Riding in the back is easy and you are part of whats going on. If you are in the front, you can't talk to the others and the ride is normally not as smooth. Human nature to want the company and a nice ride...

 

[XP 787]

[MENTION=1972]redrocket[/MENTION] is the yeti worth it?

 

[gioakjoe]

[MENTION=1972]redrocket[/MENTION] is the yeti worth it?

Yes I have the white one with the seat top to match my boat and ICE lasts all day in the Texas summer sun

 

[Dr Honda]

Riding in the back is easy and you are part of whats going on. If you are in the front, you can't talk to the others and the ride is normally not as smooth. Human nature to want the company and a nice ride...

Yep. With the Islandia... I have 7 seats in the back. That puts a bunch of weight behind the GC. But, it is fun for a wake border.

The other side to that is... the back is normally in the shade. When it's hot, humid, and sunny... people want out of the sun.

Yes I have the white one with the seat top to match my boat and ICE lasts all day in the Texas summer sun

They are nice coolers... but I can buy A LOT of ice for the price. (lol)

 

[rteichman]

Well it's kind of disconcerting for people to sit up front when there is a sticker saying that no one should sit there at anything other than idle speed....

 

[Dr Honda]

Well it's kind of disconcerting for people to sit up front when there is a sticker saying that no one should sit there at anything other than idle speed....

TO be honest... it's just to cover their ass. It's like all the 50cc quads out there, that have a big warning on the fender "No one under 16 should drive" But... they are designed to fit a 4 year old. OR... all the warnings on a roller coaster.


Anyway... like I said above... just don't do anything crazy when people sit up front. Normal cruse is safe. Ultimately, you are the captain, and you have to make the ride safe, regardless of a warning sticker. FYI... my kid loved the bouncy ride in the front of our little 14' sportster.

 

[buckeye_paul]

Well it's kind of disconcerting for people to sit up front when there is a sticker saying that no one should sit there at anything other than idle speed....

That sticker says that no one should ride in the bow seat above idle. The side seats are comfortable for two adults to be up there.

 

[biffdotorg]

That sticker says that no one should ride in the bow seat above idle. The side seats are comfortable for two adults to be up there.

He's correct, the sticker refers to the most forward bow seat. On the 1800 it is a bit more difficult to not consider the whole bow as it is a horseshoe shape. But it is referring to the very front bow. Either side in the bow is safe, and the 1800 is suppose to have grab handles as per others boats and the parts list.

Our 2000 (X20) on the other hand, has three separate seats in the bow and we tend to fill the very bow seat last because of that warning sticker and the lack of high handholds other than the cleats. There are low handholds, but they are uncomfortable to hold onto without bending over.

So, watch what you do with passengers in the bow, but we find that the bow is one of the more enjoyable places to sit when it's not rough.

Check the parts diagram on your model and year, put the handles in if you don't have them.

Good luck!

 

[rteichman]

...the 1800 is suppose to have grab handles as per others boats and the parts list.
...Check the parts diagram on your model and year, put the handles in if you don't have them.

My boat definately does not have them though looking online I do see pictures with them on. My next question then is where to get the handles (after all we are talking about a boat from 2001) and if I do get them will I be able to mount them. I would assume that boats with the handles had that area reinforced and I would suspect mine is not reinforced around that area. Am I wrong?

 

[biffdotorg]

My boat definately does not have them though looking online I do see pictures with them on. My next question then is where to get the handles (after all we are talking about a boat from 2001) and if I do get them will I be able to mount them. I would assume that boats with the handles had that area reinforced and I would suspect mine is not reinforced around that area. Am I wrong?

You know, I went and looked at the parts diagram, and the 2001/2002 1800 only had cleats up on top. They are not handles by any means. That did surprise me too.

So on that note, you could purchase handles anywhere like boats USA or West Marine. Or order the same handles as those used in the back of the boat. Marine plywood and washers could be placed on the backside of the fiberglass if you have access to it with the seat pulled out.

It should not be tough to do, but it looks like there is no designated place.

Good luck with that.