Late 90s Speedster vs Challenger

[MLars]

Hey guys, just sold my families old bowrider last season as the lower unit blew apart. We have been looking at downgrading to a smaller Sea Doo jet boat. This boat will be used to pull 3 teenage boys around on tubes, skis, and wakeboards. We have been looking at a 1998 Challenger (110 hp) and a 1996 Speedster (twin 85hp). The maximum person being towed on two skis will be 200lbs. Will the Challenger be able to pull him up? Also, will the Challenger be able to plane with about 650lbs on board? Thanks for any help anyone can give.

Long time reader and first time poster,

Matt

 

[racerxxx]

I have a 99 Speedster and the Challenger is a bit bigger boat(2 foot) but with everything properly working it should pull a 200# skier no problems, a slalom will be a bit more work but that is true with most boats. I'm 230# and my Speedster has twin 110 hp engines and it will yank me right up. Tubing no problem, had about 190 combined with two people in the tube this summer. I like to knee board and that will pull me right up as well. They actually say the 85 HP boats have a better "power band" for skiing behind, I've never had a problem I ski at about 4,500 RPM, any lower and your in and out of the power band so to speak. So on plane and roughly 4500 rpm is like 25+/-mph or so. I like it, the Challenger will be a nicer ride then the Speedster and also much larger(roomier). If it were me, I wouldn't even consider the little Speedster if there was an option for the Challenger. In 98 is when the Speedster grew in size to a comfortable size and a more traditional boat look. The other nice feature of the Challenger is the padded sundeck on the back. Post some pics if you'd like of the two in question.

 

[Dr Honda]

Racer: I think he's asking about the 14.5' boats.

MLars: If you are regularly going to put max weight in the boat... you aren't going to enjoy it. The 14.5' boats should be thought of as big jetski's. I had a Sportster, and every once in a while... I would put max weight in it, and it would be fine. BUT... if you are going to be in rough water... expect to get wet.

If the boat's drive is in good shape... yes... it will plane with max weight in the boat. And yes... it will pull a 200 Lbs person on a tube. The Speedster will do better as a tow boat, just because it has 2 pumps. (more water volume being moved)

If you are asking about the larger 16' and 18' boats... they are better for more weight.

 

[racerxxx]

IIRC the 99 challenger is the 1800 and the 14.5's were the sportsters. But yes the smaller boats would be crammed.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

 

[MLars]

Wow, thanks for all the great replies. Did the 98 Challenger only come in the 1800 model with twin engines? If it did then the one I'm looking at must be a 97 because it's only 1 engine. I like the older Sea Doo boats because we are trying to downgrade from an 18 ft bow rider so it will be easier to maneuver and store in the winter. Am I allowed to post Craigslist ads for the boats I am looking at?

 

[racerxxx]

Yeah, now I see the 98, my mind was saying 99. Yes you can post CL ads.

 

[suke]

Wow, thanks for all the great replies. Did the 98 Challenger only come in the 1800 model with twin engines? If it did then the one I'm looking at must be a 97 because it's only 1 engine. I like the older Sea Doo boats because we are trying to downgrade from an 18 ft bow rider so it will be easier to maneuver and store in the winter. Am I allowed to post Craigslist ads for the boats I am looking at?

Yup we have a whole threads dedicated to CL ads. lol post away!

 

[MLars]

Ok,
Here's the Challenger:
http://providence.craigslist.org/boa/3454385767.html

Here's the Speedster:
http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/3451055576.html

 

[racerxxx]

I think I'm gonna go with the 96 Speedster, I'd rather have a set of twins vs. the one single,and I'm a big fan of the 787 in the Challenger. The outside looks well taken care of on the 96, price seems a high, let's hope the engines are well cared for like the outside. I just think if your out there with 4 people it might be tight, but I'm not sure how big the passengers are. That Challenger looks like it never got any love. Sub $4K would be a decent deal, I'd low ball at $3500 and work up. Perhaps other guys will chime in. Check the NY CL ads or use www.searchtempest.com and put in the distance your willing to travel for that style boat. That will search CL in that mileage range for Seadoo Speedster and even try Sea-Doo Speedster might get you some different results. If that 96 is as clean as it looks it would at least be worth a look. Take pics if you go and post them here if you want.

 

[MLars]

Thanks for all the help guys. A decision won't be made until next spring. I will make sure I let you guys know what I decide to do. I agree, the Speedster does look extremely clean and well taken care of. The only thing that worries me is the condition the engines are in because of the age of the boat.

 

[rjcress]

Multiple engines means twice as many mechanical parts that can break and send your wallet screaming.
I'm not saying twin engine boats are bad... my big boat has twin 454s... just that it is better to consider the additional costs as part of your decision making process. As with anything, there are pros and cons.

 

[Dr Honda]

That challenger is a $2500 boat. The seats need redone, and the speakers are HACK!! First... they aren't even centered. And Second... they are in the way, when crawling back in the boat. Also... since it's winter... the prices should be down.

The Sportster is better... but it should be under $4k. The only way I would pay the asking price is i it was IMMACULATE and it had 2 new engines.

 

[MLars]

Thanks for the search tip racerxxx. I found a Challenger in NY that looks to be in pretty good condition. What do you guys think?
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/boa/3448545040.html

 

[rjcress]

Thanks for the search tip racerxxx. I found a Challenger in NY that looks to be in pretty good condition. What do you guys think?
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/boa/3448545040.html

Sounds high to me. I just bought a 1996 Challenger off of CL for $400, and that included a good trailer AND a pedal/paddle boat that I'll sell for $200+ in the spring. The Challenger's engine is locked up from sucking in water, otherwise it looks about like the one in the NY ad. I'll get the engine rebuilt for $800, and spend a few hours cleaning and polishing, ad some BlackTip or HydroTurf mats and probably replace a few little things. Should be easy to keep the total under $2k, maybe even around $1500... and I'll have a fresh engine. I know that the deal I found doesn't pop up every day, but I think if you are patient and use the right tools to monitor CL so you can jump on any great deals that pop up, then you should be able to do way better than the ad you posted (in terms of $, at least).
Of course, my reasoning works since I like projects like this. If you don't have the time, energy, or interest, then you'll have to pay more for one that someone else has restored or maintained.

 

[anthonygrato]

Everything around NewEnganld is two to three times the cost of every where else!

 

[boggs]

If you get one of the 14 footers make sure you get the one with the reverse spotters seat. I would not want to sit in the bow for more then a few rides!!LOL