Need help deciding on boat

[Keith5486]

2005 Challenger 180 vs 2005 Utopia with 240hp Merc and 2000 Challenger 800 with merc
Found both locally. Want something fun to shoot around the lake and relax on for me and the wife. Also have a 16 yo that I have no doubt will go play on it.

Utopia has the "larger" merc engine. Asking 9500

Challenger 180 needs some tlc to the interior. Nothing missing or broke just dirty. Asking 8500. Working on maintenence history now.

Challenger 800 doesn't run. Left gas sitting in it for 2 years. Asking 6000

I'm fairly mechanically savvy. What do yall think would be best for me?

 

[Tim75]

2005 Challenger 180 vs 2005 Utopia with 240hp Merc and 2000 Challenger 800 with merc
Found both locally. Want something fun to shoot around the lake and relax on for me and the wife. Also have a 16 yo that I have no doubt will go play on it.

Utopia has the "larger" merc engine. Asking 9500

Challenger 180 needs some tlc to the interior. Nothing missing or broke just dirty. Asking 8500. Working on maintenence history now.

Challenger 800 doesn't run. Left gas sitting in it for 2 years. Asking 6000

I'm fairly mechanically savvy. What do yall think would be best for me?

I'm a bit confused. Your top line mentions 3 boats, not 2.

Usually with boats, newer is better.

Whatever boat you decide on; be advised that your local mechanic will be YOU ! Neither SeaDoo nor Mercury will work on these boats. It was not a happy split. Very few independent mechanics will work on them.

The 2005 240hp is a vast improvement over my 2001 240hp. Like car-style alternator and electronic oil pump.

 

[Keith5486]

2005 utopia larger merc

2005 challenger 4 tec needs interior work.

2000 challenger doesn't run

 

[Russellbugg007]

Personally I'd stay away from the merc. they're very expensive to rebuild probably $5000, Whereas a rotex you're looking at a 1000 to 1500

 

[Keith5486]

Forgive my ignorance ignorance. Is the 4tec a rotax?

 

[Russellbugg007]

Forgive my ignorance ignorance. Is the 4tec a rotax?

Yes thats a newer Rotax . The price ranges with those for a re man, about 2500-3500 with a good core . The merc is impossible to buy a reman .
Check out 4-Stroke Premium Engines: ShopSBT.com

Some people love em, some hate em , I run two sbt engines and never had a issue and there great .

What engine dose the none running challenger have?