HELP! What is the better deal here.....

[T8MAN]

We sold our Malibu Skier tournament boat yesterday and are searching to replace it with a Seadoo boat for our family. We had a deal lined up and planned out and then last minute the seller emailed us to say he sold to someone else.......we were crushed :'(

So back to the search. We are willing to travel within BC for a boat. These are our choices.

2005 Challenger 180 (58hrs) $13,500 (just boat, trailer, travel cover)
2001 Challenger 2000 (75hrs) $11,500 (just boat, trailer, travel cover)
or a
2001 Utopia 185 (180hrs) for $13,999 (just boat, trailer, travel cover)

Help which one is a better value for a family of 6??? We need to decide today!! We are new to Seadoo and have no idea on model differences. We have kids ages 15, 8, 6, 4 and enjoy cruising, tubing, wakeboarding, etc.

Oh ya forgot to add. No worries about Merc motors. Our boat dealership up here works on jets and mercs. Plus I am quite handy myself and do all the work on my vehicles myself.

 

[biffdotorg]

I'm thinking the choice between the 2005 180 and the 2001 Utopia is fairly easy. The 180 has fewer hours and 500 less.

The question you may want to consider is if you have a BRP dealer in your area that will not shy way from the Merc engine. Or you have a Mercury dealer that will not shy way from a Seadoo with a Merc engine. This is assuming that Utiopia and probably the 2000 are Merc powered.

The main benefit you may see from the 2000 is a bit larger boat. We noticed that with the bow layout of our X-20 (pretty much a Challenger 2000) Otherwise, being so closely priced, assuming similar condition, the 180 is the best deal.

Good luck, test ride them all if possible. Or at least get the gang of 6 inside at the same time and see how it lays out.

 

[gerrychuck]

First, the prices for both the Challenger 180 and the Challenger 2000 are both pretty good for Canada. For 6 people, I don't know if I'd look too closely at the Utopia, I don't think it would compare very well to either of the Challengers for interior room. As the poster above noted, the C 180 is newer and cheaper, so I'd eliminate the Utopia. Between the Challengers, you have a choice between a 215 hp supercharged 4 stroke Rotax (the 180) and a 240 hp 2 stroke Merc on the 2000, in boats that are fairly similar for weight. I haven't driven a C 180, but they are somewhat slower than the 2000 on the top end and I would assume that the 2000 would pull skiers or tubers somewhat better as well. Inside, the C 180 is 2 feet shorter, but quite wide and was designed to maximize interior space for the length of the hull, so I don't think there would be a huge difference between the 180 and the 2000 on that score.

Hope this helps a bit, and good luck with your search!

 

[Racereddie]

2005 Challenger 180 (58hrs) $13,500 (just boat, trailer, travel cover)
2001 Challenger 2000 (75hrs) $11,500 (just boat, trailer, travel cover).

Check here for the 2006 Challenger 180 though it is a 2006 they should be quite similar
http://www.boattest.com/boats/boat_video.aspx?ID=934#Test-Result

Check here for the Challenger 2000 with 240hp EFI
http://www.boattest.com/boats/boat_video.aspx?ID=129#Test-Result

Look at the tabs for test results

Eddie

 

[RFoster130]

I would have to go with the 2005 180 also.

 

[cheappc]

Me too, C 180, im looking to buy this boat, and that wins hands down, sorry I just had my rotax rebuilt, that was hard enough to find someone will to work with that.