Challenger 2007 vs. 2009

[Carboncow]

OK. We know that the 2007 had the ceramic washer in the SC while the 2009 most likely had the stainless from the factory.

I have an option for a 2007 at $11k and a 2009 for $14K with similar hours per year and limited service history. So obviously I'm rebuilding the SC the day I pick up the boat.

Given this info is the 2009 a way better purchase then the 2007 given an equality healthy SC?

 

[Coastiejoe]

The 09 is better for a few reasons when it comes to boats. The engines in boats are a year behind as compared to skis. So,,, if you have an 07 boat, you have 06 engines,,,

The exhaust valve issue on the 4-tecs is 2004 to mid 2006. So, on a boat, that equates to mid 2007.

The 09 engine has some updates that make it considerably better than the 07 and in some cases the 08 (especially when looking at boats).

Officially, the 08 has metal washers, but we have seen a few skis that still have the Ceramic Washers. Which means,,, this could carry to the 09 on boats.

The older SC's can be upgraded to the 09 SC. WHen you rebuild yours, I strongly recommend that you get the updated shaft and what not.

 

[Carboncow]

Officially, the 08 has metal washers, but we have seen a few skis that still have the Ceramic Washers. Which means,,, this could carry to the 09 on boats.

Thanks Joe...great intel. Looks like I had no clue on the exhaust valve issue but now I"m searching I see it.

Can you clarify one item on the SC washer...

From reading 101 forum posts I was under the assumption the SC with the ceramic washers were fixed in the 2008 model (thus 2007) engines. Seems many posts say 2008 boats came half stainless and half ceramic and one post stated it could be check which had the good/bad based on 2008 HIN.

Is this all off by a year and it's really the 2009 with the 2008 engines as you lead me to believe from your comments?

I guess this is all mute if I get the SC rebuilt ASAP but we will want to test the boat when the weather breaks here in the next month or so.

Thanks.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Thanks Joe...great intel. Looks like I had no clue on the exhaust valve issue but now I"m searching I see it.

Can you clarify one item on the SC washer...

From reading 101 forum posts I was under the assumption the SC with the ceramic washers were fixed in the 2008 model (thus 2007) engines. Seems many posts say 2008 boats came half stainless and half ceramic and one post stated it could be check which had the good/bad based on 2008 HIN.

Is this all off by a year and it's really the 2009 with the 2008 engines as you lead me to believe from your comments?

I guess this is all mute if I get the SC rebuilt ASAP but we will want to test the boat when the weather breaks here in the next month or so.

Thanks.

If we look at Skis, (not boats), we have seen a fair amount of the early 08's come out with Ceramic Washers. From what I have gathered, this is NOT a date or early or late build thing. It has to do with (I believe) with "Old Stock"... I THINK they simply used what they had in stock until they ran out of the ceramic based SCs. Thus, no real consistency to when the or if the early 08 would have it or not.

And yes,, none of this matters if you simply pull and rebuild it. Which you should based on age. The bearings and squirrel cages get brittle and break as they age.

Now, when we throw the boat mentality aspect into this, then I would THINK that the early 09 Boats could have a SC with ceramic washers.

 

[Carboncow]

:thumbsup:

 

[James.Moon]

The 2009 is the wiser decision. The SC will not have the ceramic washers and unless it has a lot of hours should not require a rebuild at all.
I would test the boat first before turning loose a mechanic on it.

 

[Carboncow]

2009 is off the table as the seller raised the price $4K from the listing price. So I'm back to looking at a 2007 and a 2008 in my area...the later having very low hours.

What issues are there with the exhaust valves and how does one approach troubleshooting these...random concern?

 

[rcguy]

My 2008, 180 had ceramic washers. When I bought the Seadoo, in December of 2013, it only had 44 hours on the engine and was in mint condition except for the ceramic washers. I thought that I was safe from these ceramic monsters but didn't rebuild the supercharger till the following summer when the engine had 55 hours on it. I was surprised when my mechanic told me the supercharger had ceramic washers. I got lucky because the washers were in one piece. So be careful on 2008 models. They could have the washers that can and will destroy your engine.

 

[Carboncow]

Thanks. That is a great real life experience data point and helps in my search process.