Mid 90s Sea Doo Jet Boats, should I hold out for a speedster? Or grab a challenger.

[bobbobobbo]

Last question and I promise I'll stop bugging everyone

I've been researching for a while and trying to bite the bullet on a used seadoo jetboat. I've found quite a few challengers in my area, yet I'm curious if I should hold out (or travel further) for a speedster for sale...?

I understand they both roughly reach the same top speed, yet I feel like I will always crave the extra acceleration power on tap the speedster would (may) give....

Then there's always the discussion of having two engines. A second engine to limp home if one breaks, though a twice the risk of repairs...

Anyone with experience care to shed some light? Greatly appreciated!!

edit:: Lots of people seem to like the 717s.. http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?40095-1997-GTI-Is-the-717-a-good-engine I may hold out for a speedster

 

[Dr Honda]

Really.... this one is up to you. It's kind of like asking.... "should I buy a blue boat, or yellow." (total preference)


If the challenger is running right... it's a mid 40's boat. The speedster will be right at 50. 2 engines will burn more fuel, and cost more to maintain. But, you have the ability to help yourself, if one engine goes down.


Honestly... whatever you can find at a good price is the one you should get.

 

[LouDoo]

I may be a little biased here, and I've never owned either. But the speedster has more "fun factor", the maneuverability is unreal in the speedster, with two throttles making a turn is unbelievable, you really have to experience it.

Lou

 

[rjcress]

I'll take a different approach to this question and answer with a question... how to you intend to use it?
I have big twin engine boat and a single engine challenger.
In the 5 years with the big twin I've had to limp back to the dock twice on one engine. Once, a storm was moving in fast, so having to call for a tow would have meant riding out a dangerous storm with no propulsion. I'm on a mid-sized inland lake, so the danger was not as much as being in the ocean, but still, I appreciated being able to get the family safely to the dock.
I've only had the Challenger on the water for about a month and have had to be towed in a couple of times. Having another engine to get me in might have been nice.

I thought I saw mention in another thread that you want to take the boat "pretty far out" (or something like that), and your profile says Florida... which implies that you hope to go a good ways off-shore in the ocean. If it were me, I would not even consider taking a 14.5 foot jet boat "far" off shore on a single engine. Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me. Actually, I wouldn't take a boat that small "far" offshore at all, but that may just be me.

Like the good Dr said, this is a personal choice. You have to decide what fits your needs and wants best, as either choice has pros and cons.

 

[ocod]

HI, again!
What everyone telling you on point.

What are your wants/needs depends on which boat.

14.5' vs 18' means do you have a family? Do you want friends to come along?
It makes a big difference b/w 3 people or 7.....

Also, offshore vs intercoastal?
Neither will handle 4-5 waves loaded up w/people and beer.
Sure, you can do it, but ride isn't as good as a v-hull made for open water.

The single vs dual engine is a never ending debate.
Two is always better but comes at a cost.
If you get a single or a double pay for Seatow!! It will be a lifesaver for your wallet the first time you have to use it.............

Didi your buddy's speedster have low compression in one cylinder from your other thread??

I have my 1800 Sportster with the dual 717 if your interested and want something now that works and is reliable!

 

[Stevego]

If you can afford to I would say move up to a late 90's Challenger or Sportster 1800 with twin engines. The 18' boats ride much better than the 14' and you can take more family / friends. I have had both and prefer the 18'. It is still very manuverable and fun.

 

[IDoSeaDoo]

I have the 15' single engine challenger, and even with my persistent cavitation problem that I aim to resolve here shortly, it's a fun boat. I love driving it, especially after driving my friend's 17' mercruiser. It's small and nimble, easy to push around the driveway, and can even be towed with my 1.9L Diesel Jetta. I managed to stuff a 10" bass tube and amp in there too. My buddy's 95 speedster was not capable of having the same system due to how it's built structurally. The single engine consumes about 11 gallons per hour if you're really flooring it, and is a blast to jump waves with and do 180's at 45mph People always get a huge grin the first time they ride with me. I'm not sure what my cruising fuel consumption is, but I know that my buddy with a twin engine speedster (15' with two 717's) always moans about how fast he goes through a tank. The twin engine boat isn't much faster top-end, but it sure does pack the acceleration. Two engines means twice the thrust. It's like a roller coaster with a steering wheel! It literally drifts across the water when you turn His is rated to burn somewhere in the 17-19 gal/hr rate (this is from the specs in the manual). Having the same size fuel tank as the single engine means less time on the water too. The second engine is nice for limping back on, but I've heard that one engine always runs better than the other, and it is literally twice the trouble of maintaining. I have purchased a 30lb trolling motor and keep it onboard in case I break down and need to get back somewhere. It pushes the boat somewhere near idle speed and sure beats the hell out of paddles. Personally, I would not go far offshore on one of these boats. I just don't trust seadoo engines/electronics enough. The 18' twin engine boats are sweet, but I don't even want to know how fast they burn or how long they can run for as they have twin 787s, and that is a thirsty little beast. What's important to you when you're out there?

 

[Guest_User]

If you can afford to I would say move up to a late 90's Challenger or Sportster 1800 with twin engines. The 18' boats ride much better than the 14' and you can take more family / friends. I have had both and prefer the 18'. It is still very manuverable and fun.

agreed! +1 unless your in glass like waters all the time, the challenger 1800 can handle chop pretty good. It is not a rough water/ocean going vessel by any means. I have been on the ocean when it was calm with rolling waves and it handled it well, but breakers ahead and your in for a very rough ride...

different hulls and sizes for different waters...

mostly it is just myself and the misses with the shiba`s on board, we like the room and ride of the Challenger 1800, a smaller boat would be cramped...

good luck in your choice...

 

[Dr Honda]

If you can afford to I would say move up to a late 90's Challenger or Sportster 1800 with twin engines. The 18' boats ride much better than the 14' and you can take more family / friends. I have had both and prefer the 18'. It is still very manuverable and fun.

Here again... it's a preference. The 14' boat's are just big jetskis. Jump them... slide them... get wet... etc. That's not what you do with the 1800.

Also... the 14' boat is SUPER easy to handle by yourself. Slide it off the trailer, and push it on the sand (like a PWC) go park the truck... and push the boat off the beach by yourself. You can do the same thing with a 18'... but not the same.

 

[jhjesse]

Challenger 1800 all the way is my vote.
You can:
1. Cruise
2. Go fast (50+)
3. Pull a tube/skier
4. Room for a cooler
5. Security of having two engines
6. Can turn on a dime, even though it is 18ft.
7. Wave jump and scare the hell out of the misses :reddevil:

Just My 2 cents...or 20 pesos. :thumbsup:

 

[bobbobobbo]

You guys are the best! The input you've all given has been tremendous, I would be proud to be a member of this community.

After everything considered, I'm holding out for a 1997 speedster. I'd like the two engines, yet would really like that rear facing seat, and would like the shorter 14.5' length. Thus the 97 speedster is the perfect boat for me. (the newer supercharged speedster 150s are too expensive ..)

I'm in Florida half the year and midwest (Illinois) the other half. So IL for the summer, mostly lakes and the Fox River. I've found a decent 97 speedster for $3200, which sounds like a great deal. I might jump on it.

(the other speedster the compression was fine, yet the guy wanted $4k, and doesn't have the rear facing seat..)

 

[ocod]

You guys are the best! The input you've all given has been tremendous, I would be proud to be a member of this community.

After everything considered, I'm holding out for a 1997 speedster. I'd like the two engines, yet would really like that rear facing seat, and would like the shorter 14.5' length. Thus the 97 speedster is the perfect boat for me. (the newer supercharged speedster 150s are too expensive ..)

I'm in Florida half the year and midwest (Illinois) the other half. So IL for the summer, mostly lakes and the Fox River. I've found a decent 97 speedster for $3200, which sounds like a great deal. I might jump on it.

(the other speedster the compression was fine, yet the guy wanted $4k, and doesn't have the rear facing seat..)

It makes it easy once you narrow down year/model combo.
Helps in the search and others point you in the right direction.

The Speedster is one fun boat b/c of size and twin 787 engine
:driving:

 

[RFoster130]

Im kinda biased but i think the best of the smaller boats is the 98-99 speedsters. They handle like the small 14 footers, yet they have the space to comfortably seat 4. Add in the fun factor os twin 787's and they make ya laugh like a little kid all day. It will do 54-56 no problem. If you can find one in your price range, i would jump on it.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

sounds like you are a snowbird.......

Just buy one of each in the 2 locations and Problem SOLVED!