New to boating, trying out a 1997 Seadoo Challenger...

[Newbie]

Hi All. As the lady in the family Im doing research on the hubby inspired desire to buy a boat for the young family to have fun with. Yes, I love the idea,:hurray: but being new to boats don't want to buy something that spends more time in the shop than on the water...:boxing_smiley:

So!

We've self guided ourselves to the Seadoo's as they can fit the family and still do fun stuff! Any comments or opinions about what to look for and if an older/budget friendly model is going to do the job?

We're looking at a 1997 18ft 107hr Seadoo Challenger this afternoon, will be taking photos of engines etc and asking for a test ride/mechanic check another time if it looks ok.

Price tag on this one is $3600obo...

Combined hello post and advice post! Hope this is the right section...Cheers!

 

[scooper77515]

Great boat. Many of us have it.

Fresh water only? Salt water for 107 hours will be in need of a new engine soon.

It will be sluggish out of the hole but for about $200, you can put in a Swirl impeller and a new wear ring and you will have a 45 mph fun boat that hops out of the hole in a couple seconds.

I just did this before the winter set in and it was like a completely different boat. It performs better now with 4 fat passengers (about 200 lbs over the weight limit) than it did before the impeller swap and only 2 people in the boat.