Looking to buy boat, have a couple of questions

[MEDOO]

Hello all, I'm looking for the small boat, 14'-15' range I guess(used), I'm not sure on the specs yets.
What is the difference between the Sportster and Challenger? These are the models I have been seeing.
What year did the 130hp come out? I believe I would want the bigger motor.
Thanks

 

[USAF_Pride]

Hello all, I'm looking for the small boat, 14'-15' range I guess(used), I'm not sure on the specs yets.
What is the difference between the Sportster and Challenger? These are the models I have been seeing.
What year did the 130hp come out? I believe I would want the bigger motor.
Thanks

The first thing you need to decide is how you are going to use the boat. If you are using it to ski or pull tubes, you may want twin motors. If you are just using it to get around and have fun, a single motor will do you just fine (a single motor will *do* skiing/tubing, but you may have deep water starting ski issues).

 

[MEDOO]

I will be pulling a tube and wake board occasionally, so I should probably look toward the twin motor.

 

[dbracela]

The answer is: Upgrade to an 18' and buy mine.

USAF has some good points. And he just got a really nice boat.

Test compression and lake test whatever boats you look at.

 

[MEDOO]

I'm definately checking it out closely and a lake test.

The 18' is bigger than I want, I won't be using it very much so it has to not take up much room in the garage or storage.

There are 2 for sale here with twins, a '95 for $4600 and a '96 for $6500, both clean. I will probably go look at them.

 

[ocod]

I'm definately checking it out closely and a lake test.

The 18' is bigger than I want, I won't be using it very much so it has to not take up much room in the garage or storage.

There are 2 for sale here with twins, a '95 for $4600 and a '96 for $6500, both clean. I will probably go look at them.

Thats a shame. Both dbracela and myself both have the 18' models
He has the 787 challenger and I have the 717 sportster.

Both could go for what the average of both of those go for and you will want the extra space vs 14' foot.......................

 

[MEDOO]

Naw, the 14' will fit the bill.

 

[ocod]

Naw, the 14' will fit the bill.

just hold on when you start doing 360 with the twin 787
:biggrinjester:

 

[MEDOO]

Yeah, I gotta try a 360, I never had a jet drive before. Had about everything else though, from 18' open bow to 30' Scarab.

What would be considered low compression and to stay away from on these things?

Whats the average cost to rebuild a 717?

 

[ocod]

Yeah, I gotta try a 360, I never had a jet drive before. Had about everything else though, from 18' open bow to 30' Scarab.

What would be considered low compression and to stay away from on these things?

Whats the average cost to rebuild a 717?

150 perfect
120-130 close to running a season?
90-120 probably start on land but not in the water. If it does, it will run horrible

You don't rebuild it yourself b/c time/effort/money and no warranty does not add up to the 1k+ short block replacement at shopsbt.com.

 

[MEDOO]

Thats a nice site!

 

[MEDOO]

Will the twin 657 Speedster(1995) pull up a 200-220lb skier?

 

[RFoster130]

I am kinda biased but I think the 16 footer is the ideal solution. If you can find a 98-99 speedster in your price range, look for that.

 

[howie099]

Longer the boat smother the ride. The 14' only really fit 3 decect sized adults because of the weight limit. The 16' would fit 4-5 real nice and smoother ride. The 657x should have no issues in the 14' foot boat with a 200lbs skier. The are only 5HP each less than the 717.

 

[MEDOO]

Thanks for the help! I will check back when I pick out the boat.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

14.5 is pretty short, thank God the hull isn't flat!

 

[rjcress]

14.5 is pretty short, thank God the hull isn't flat!

Agreed. I thought I could live with the rough ride in the 14.5, and I can... but my wife doesn't like it, my dog HATES it, and my kids change their mind depending on which seat they are in. The further toward the front, the less they like it.
I like my 96 challenger, but will be looking for a 98-99 speedster once I sell this one.

 

[MEDOO]

OK,OK ... I'm going to look at a 1998 Challenger, twin 787's this weekend. Suppose to run fine, will take it out on water test.

He said its got one white motor and one silver motor... Whats up with that?

 

[noswal_j]

It's had the motor replaced....probably the white one. Need to find out why . How many hours, because it may mean the other motor is on its way out too. Compression and water test goes without saying....

 

[MEDOO]

He said the topend was rebuilt on one and the entire motor was swapped on the other. Definately compression tester going with me.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Silver motors are starboard side and whites are port side, hopefully he didn't get them reversed! (kidding!)

 

[noswal_j]

Need to find out when and why the top end was replaced. Normally the bottom end is not too far behind. Could get lucky and last.... Depends if you are a gambler:cheers:

 

[USAF_Pride]

He said the topend was rebuilt on one and the entire motor was swapped on the other. Definately compression tester going with me.

When you do the water test, leave the engine storage compartment lid on shore, that way you can easily pop the hatch and look into the engine compartment to check for leaks or any spraying liquids.

Also, make sure to grab the motors and rock them side to side to check the mounts. AND, if you want to see how good the upkeep was, feel up under the engines; if they are all nasty, and the engine compartment is freshly clean, there probably is/was a leak somewhere.

 

[MEDOO]

Good info thanks!:thumbsup:

 

[MEDOO]

Ok, so I bought this 98 Challenger 1800, my first jet, always been a Merc i/o guy. I got this to just play around with and pull an occasional tube and board. Compression is 140-143 all around. Runs 50mph at 7000rpm with the 4 of us in it (hope this is normal). Jumps out of the hole nicely with no cavatation. It needs some cosmetics, seats are ok for the age and has some dock rash. I think most of the dock rash will buff out.

Being a Seadoo rookie, I will have lots of questions and where to buy replacement parts.

I'll start with this one... The plastic fenders on the galvanized trailer need replacing, are those available or do I just get some metal ones?