New Challenger 230 SE ???

[Crestapre]

This would be my 1st jet boat.
I'm coming from a stern drive background only.

I would like to get info from your experiences with these boats regarding maintance, open ocean handling, reliability....

Do you just love these things?
What are the problems?
How do they rank with other manufacturers?
I have a yamaho dealer right down the street but I have heard good stuff about BPR.

Thanks

 

[Dans97challenger]

I am pretty sure that is at least a 20ft boat but I am not sure. My Challenger is a 97 and is only 14ft. I am not a big fan of ocean cruising with any jetboat unless it is very very calm waters. These aren't wave friendly boats at all.

Everyone here loves Seadoo for sure and that is because they are a great company. Every boat has its problems of course but the help generated on this forum is incredible.

I would suggest getting the boat for sure.

 

[seadoosnipe]

23 feet 6 inches long.....

The Challenger 230 is 23'6" long. It's a nice boat and these boats due handle the open ocean better than most boats that I"ve rode in.

Now, to clarify this statement, let me start by saying these boats are nothing like an outboard. They are designed for hard licks from a wave and if driven agressively over and around waves, can be smooth and stable. The reason is the jet pump. A lot of times on open water, the response from the steering wheel is everything to facing a wave and going over. The Challenger 230 is going to turn like no other boat you've ever been in. With the size, it's roomy interior, you should be really happy with it. It will be smooth and awesome in river or inland areas and provide a stable ride for tubing or boarding. Depending on which model your talking about, you'll be supplied with twin Rotax engines capable of 310 or 430 hp standard with an optional 510 hp if you want it.

This is only a boat I could dream about ..............take a look! http://www.sea-doo.com/en-US/sportboat/recreation/challenger230/specifications.htm

 

[rookie101]

This is only a boat I could dream about ..............take a look! http://www.sea-doo.com/en-US/sportboat/recreation/challenger230/specifications.htm

:agree: I have been drooling over this boat for a few years, but I figure it would cost me about three hundred thousand because I would have to buy a bigger house with a garage twice the size I have now, along with a bigger truck to tow it.:ack::rofl:

With the squared off bow the 230 challenger feels much bigger than a lot of other 23 foot boats. One thing that will take some getting used to is the handling of a jet boat verses a stern drive. For the first few weeks you may hate it, but once you learn all the quirks and tricks you wont look back.

Try and arrange an on water test, and I'm sure you'll be impressed with the boat.


Aaron

 

[jay1100xx]

Challenger 230 SE

This is my first boat (2008-Challenger SE-430hp), but for what its worth, it is truly amazing. My wife grew up with lake boats and my dad always had river boats. Being from Northern Alberta, there are a lot of skinny rivers to explore. Mine won't see a river but its the best of both worlds. No props to worry about when the kids are off the back.
I've only had it on 4 different lakes, but it always turns heads and now that I'm comfortable driving it, it does things a 23 1/2ft boat just shouldn't do. Try grabbing reverse at 40-45mph and cranking the wheel over in a stern drive boat! Most of my friends have wake board boats (Mastercraft, etc.) which are very nice inside but they are always impressed with the interior room and the performance of my boat.
The top indicated speed I've been able to get out of it was 57mph with 3 adults and 4 kids, 1/2 a tank of fuel and a slight chop on the lake. Again this was indicated and I don't know how accurate the speedo is. I'll use GPS next summer, as its put away for the winter now.
Two things to remember, these love to carve but you have to be on the throttle. The more power you give it, the harder it turns. And secondly, when you are reversing the boat, you still turn the wheel in the direction you want the front end to travel. It was a bit of a learning curve getting it on and off the trailer, but like anything with some time and patience, you get used to it.
The stock stereo (200W Jensen) leaves something to be desired and will be changed out over the winter (I'm still taking suggestions on this one!), plus an infinity sound system added up top on the tower, plus some lights.
I would also like to have a heater on board, which I guess you can get with the 230 wake. Not sure why I couldn't get it on my boat. The only other complaint I have is accessing the engine bay. You need a second person to pull the release cable so you can pull up the back platform.
I had wanted an all around boat that we could ski/tube/board with as well as throw a line over the bow with my boys while mamma reads a book. I'm very happy with it. Of course this year, they upped the horse power to an available 510! Speaking of, does anyone know if this was just a change in boost? If you'd like to know anything else, feel free to ask.

 

[xrider]

the new 510HP is basicly the same engines like your 430 except for few modifications. bigger SC, intercooler, injectors and ecu. it can be upgraded but will cost your ton of money.

 

[jay1100xx]

Thanks xrider, I was worried about that. Oh well, 430hp is nothing to sneeze at.

I realized I didn't answer any questions about reliability. I didn't pick up my boat until the beginning of August. The engines are just broken in. I've only got about 30hrs on them. Having said that there have been absolutely no issues with the boat. Fuel consumption I don't think is any worse than someone running a 400hp big block in a jet boat (there are lots up here). I've spent about 750$ in fuel. Up here that is about 625L (give or take), or for my American friends that is 165 US gallons. I used the boat to pull tubes and skiers pretty much right out of the crate. I didn't open it up until after 20hrs. The problem is I have to realize I don't have to run it there all the time, hehe. I've been so impressed with my dealer and the product, that I'm seriously considering buying a Ski-Doo off of them this winter (all my toys are summer toys) to bang around the ditches.

 

[rookie101]

.
I would also like to have a heater on board, which I guess you can get with the 230 wake. Not sure why I couldn't get it on my boat. QUOTE]



jay1100xx

Every year down here in Calgary there is a company with a booth at the boat show that specializes in putting heaters in boats, so if it's something you want just do some calling around and I'm sure there must be some body in your neck of the woods that will do that kind of work.:cheers:

Sorry, but I can't remember the name of the outfit right now.


Aaron

 

[jay1100xx]

Thanks Aaron! I'll have to keep an eye out for the boat show. Can you say road trip? Hehe. The problem with here in McMurray, is there aren't ANY lake boat dealers. I keep the boat at my lot near Long Lake which is only an hour out of Edmonton so I'll have to make some calls around there. If that name ever comes back to you could you let me know? Thanks very much.

Jason

 

[sporsterjoel]

as long as you dont have alot of weeds it'll be good. I have a sportster 150 and a doral 230cc, and the seadoo cant keep up to the doral. in MY opinion jets are good for small boats but not bigger ones.

 

[jmhanep]

Engine compartment release

This is my first boat (2008-Challenger SE-430hp), but for what its worth, it is truly amazing. My wife grew up with lake boats and my dad always had river boats. Being from Northern Alberta, there are a lot of skinny rivers to explore. Mine won't see a river but its the best of both worlds. No props to worry about when the kids are off the back.
I've only had it on 4 different lakes, but it always turns heads and now that I'm comfortable driving it, it does things a 23 1/2ft boat just shouldn't do. Try grabbing reverse at 40-45mph and cranking the wheel over in a stern drive boat! Most of my friends have wake board boats (Mastercraft, etc.) which are very nice inside but they are always impressed with the interior room and the performance of my boat.
The top indicated speed I've been able to get out of it was 57mph with 3 adults and 4 kids, 1/2 a tank of fuel and a slight chop on the lake. Again this was indicated and I don't know how accurate the speedo is. I'll use GPS next summer, as its put away for the winter now.
Two things to remember, these love to carve but you have to be on the throttle. The more power you give it, the harder it turns. And secondly, when you are reversing the boat, you still turn the wheel in the direction you want the front end to travel. It was a bit of a learning curve getting it on and off the trailer, but like anything with some time and patience, you get used to it.
The stock stereo (200W Jensen) leaves something to be desired and will be changed out over the winter (I'm still taking suggestions on this one!), plus an infinity sound system added up top on the tower, plus some lights.
I would also like to have a heater on board, which I guess you can get with the 230 wake. Not sure why I couldn't get it on my boat. The only other complaint I have is accessing the engine bay. You need a second person to pull the release cable so you can pull up the back platform.
I had wanted an all around boat that we could ski/tube/board with as well as throw a line over the bow with my boys while mamma reads a book. I'm very happy with it. Of course this year, they upped the horse power to an available 510! Speaking of, does anyone know if this was just a change in boost? If you'd like to know anything else, feel free to ask.

If you pull the handle in the glove box and turn it sideways while it is out it will lock the release in the open position and you can go and open the hatch.

 

[sporsterjoel]

This is my first boat (2008-Challenger SE-430hp), but for what its worth, it is truly amazing. My wife grew up with lake boats and my dad always had river boats. Being from Northern Alberta, there are a lot of skinny rivers to explore. Mine won't see a river but its the best of both worlds. No props to worry about when the kids are off the back.
I've only had it on 4 different lakes, but it always turns heads and now that I'm comfortable driving it, it does things a 23 1/2ft boat just shouldn't do. Try grabbing reverse at 40-45mph and cranking the wheel over in a stern drive boat! Most of my friends have wake board boats (Mastercraft, etc.) which are very nice inside but they are always impressed with the interior room and the performance of my boat.
The top indicated speed I've been able to get out of it was 57mph with 3 adults and 4 kids, 1/2 a tank of fuel and a slight chop on the lake. Again this was indicated and I don't know how accurate the speedo is. I'll use GPS next summer, as its put away for the winter now.
Two things to remember, these love to carve but you have to be on the throttle. The more power you give it, the harder it turns. And secondly, when you are reversing the boat, you still turn the wheel in the direction you want the front end to travel. It was a bit of a learning curve getting it on and off the trailer, but like anything with some time and patience, you get used to it.
The stock stereo (200W Jensen) leaves something to be desired and will be changed out over the winter (I'm still taking suggestions on this one!), plus an infinity sound system added up top on the tower, plus some lights.
I would also like to have a heater on board, which I guess you can get with the 230 wake. Not sure why I couldn't get it on my boat. The only other complaint I have is accessing the engine bay. You need a second person to pull the release cable so you can pull up the back platform.
I had wanted an all around boat that we could ski/tube/board with as well as throw a line over the bow with my boys while mamma reads a book. I'm very happy with it. Of course this year, they upped the horse power to an available 510! Speaking of, does anyone know if this was just a change in boost? If you'd like to know anything else, feel free to ask.

If you want new speakers look at The MM series from polk audio...