Looking at Challenger for Sale Mercury drive

[larrybr45]

I am looking at a 2000 challenger with the mercury drive. He is asking $4,000 for it, I dont know much history yet. Is this boat pretty reliable? I am not familiar with the mercury drive..........Any key questions on maintenance or other potential problem signs I should ask? Any thoughts overall?

I really need something that can go fast, with 5 or 6 people potentially weighing around 175 average....I also am not good mechanically so need something with low maintenance and reliable. I will be getting rid of my 96 sportster.

thx
lar

 

[LouDoo]

I'm not trying to be critical but I think your jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Some people might argue but in my opinion the marriage between a SeaDoo boat and a Merc Jet Drive was not exactly a match made in heaven. Unless you can do the work yourself you're going to have a problem finding someone to work on the boat.

If you want something larger with less maintenance you probably should be looking at a 4-tec powered boat.

Lou

 

[Murph_13]

I went from a 96 Challenger to a Mercury powered Sea Doo Utopia and I'm going into my fourth season with the Utopia and couldn't be happier with the Merc powered Sea Doo. I am able to do any maintenance and/or repair myself, but the motor is basically a Mercury outboard motor (which have been around forever). I think that the Mercury powertrain is very reliable and does not require a great deal of maintenance.

Any marine facility that works on Mercury engines should be able to work on the boat for you...the only exception may be the jet pump, but it's pretty straight forward and simple to work on...so this may not be an issue and they would still be able to get any parts needed for the jet pump as it's also a Mercury product.

The boat will definitely go fast for you with the number of people and weight that you mention. As far as what to look for, Dr. Honda has answered these questions in more than a few threads and you should be able to find one of them...I would water test the boat, do a compression test, visually inspect the pump/impeller...these are only a few things to look at/for...

The price seems low...looks like you definitely need to get more details about the boat...good luck with your search!

 

[GAlivin]

larrybr45
I agree with both LouDoo and Murph_13....I can only speak to my experiences which are infant compared to these two guys...and you according to your profile. I recently purchased a 2000 Challenger w/210 carb motor that was bad. The 6th cylinder piston came loose from the connecting rod and the previous owner continued to run it all around the lake (I only know because he showed me a video on his phone). I knew the motor was bad but got the boat for a steal...so I dove in. Needless to say my block and crank were no good so I replaced with a rebuild and all new internal parts. I now have in the boat what it is worth. I agree with Murph_13 again....Price sounds too low! If you cannot do any of the work needed yourself be careful, a full rebuild for these engines can be costly (4,000). As they said: compression test is a must do. Test ride a must. Ask him or her about pump maintenance performed. Any new parts since they have owned it? Has it ever been rebuilt? Which engine is in it? If it has been sitting, how long? Who performed maintenance? CYA is the main thing. If you don't get a warm and fuzzy from the conversation...take the walk. All boats are a labor of love. You really need to love this boat you are looking at taking this journey with. Good luck.

 

[Dr Honda]

Well...................



If you aren't mechanical... and you need reliability... BUY A NEW BOAT WITH A WARRANTY.

I don't want to seem harsh... but boats aren't always easy to work on, and since you are looking at a 14 year old boat... the actual "Reliability" will be questionable.


The Mercury engines are reliable... but you are truly in the realm of "It's time for a rebuild". That's not just a Mercury thing... that would be any boat. Even if there is very good maintenance done.... it's just a fact for a boat that is +10 years old.

Now... if the owner said... "it has a new engine, and the pump was just serviced" you would have a better chance of it being trouble free.

 

[biffdotorg]

Well...................



If you aren't mechanical... and you need reliability... BUY A NEW BOAT WITH A WARRANTY.

Now... if the owner said... "it has a new engine, and the pump was just serviced" you would have a better chance of it being trouble free.

Amen, Anyone that has done a new engine, probably would not be selling it for $4K, knowing that they just spent that. Or someone selling for $4K, probably realizes it is due or is in need of engine work, and knows it would double it's value to market value.

I agree with all above stated posts. If you have a Seadoo dealer locally that doesn't shy away from Mercs, or you have a Merc dealer that doesn't shy away from Seadoos, ask them if they have done a Merc engine swap. At least you would know who to go to if it actually is in need. Otherwise the chance of a $4K hull for sale is likely.

On the flip side of this coin, if it runs great and you get a few seasons out of it, you will enjoy it for what you are a talking about. The power of our 240efi with a full load is a blast. 4 people and 50mph on GPS is not out of the question with our configuration. It's better than Yamaha's new AR192 single engine boat. That's my only comparison boat I can think of for the size, power and money. I am always thinking what I would replace our X-20 with if that Merc took a crap. I still like the Verado PowerHead idea. HA!!