New to the Forum and New 1997 Seadoo Challenger 1800

[gokeeper]

I just picked up this 1997 Seadoo Challenger 1800 two days ago its going to be a big project but I thought I could document the progress and get a few questions answered.

Details
1997 Seadoo Challenger 1800
One motor Out of Hull and Rebuilt.
Other still in Hull and Spins freely (told it ran great)
Interior Bad Very Bad Foam torn missing.
Exterior Most Decals missing pretty bad oxidation should clean up. (with a good buffing)

Plan
Clean Engine compartment.
Compression test and start one motor
Install second motor
Redo Seats
Reassemble and enjoy (ok ok so that's the plan with a lot of steps missing)

When I started the guy wanted 2750 He had owned it a year and bought the rebuilt motor (SBT) Talked him down to 2250 just friendly chatting on the phone. He is about 100 miles away. Next day he finds a Lund he wants to buy calls and says he will take 1800.00 I head up to take a look. Little worse condition than I had planned also buckets of parts and screws nothing labeled. I am about ready to walk away there is no battery and cant start the engine in the boat.

I offer 1500 as is and we settle on 1550.00 I think it was a decent deal and I am sure I can make it work and look good.


I know it needs the left throttle cable and looks like a new reverse cable.


What do you think?

 

[Brian J]

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me assuming both of those motors are ready to go. Keep the updates and pictures coming, I love these build and resto threads.

 

[howie099]

I you have 1 new engine so that is not a bad deal. You pretty much paid like $700 for the boat if you have all the picese to put it back together. I would just put in another new engine since most go out around the time or do it in the off season. I would first power it up to make sure the electronics and MPEM work since that is where the big money is besides the engines.

 

[gokeeper]

That has been the holdup, didn't have a battery until today, I told my self until i here the beeps and hear that motor crank we are not ordering a single part. I thought about pulling and replacing the second motor but would rather wait until the off season, unless the compression test show different. It doesn't look like it has ever been touched so we will see what the numbers show. Looks like i have all the pieces except maybe a few bolts but I could have missed them. I am so glad I rebuilt a GSX with the 787 last year. I recognize just about ever bolt screw and part.

 

[howie099]

That is go thing the engine work is pretty much the same on the boats and the skis.

 

[trexbob]

looks like a great project, keep us posted!

 

[gokeeper]

Thanks for the support and encouragement guys, A little update today.

Last night we cleaned and cleaned and cleaned the engine compartment. We were careful and covered the MPEM and the carbs on the second engine. I think it came really clean i was very happy.

Also found this

I tested compression on the one good engine gauge read 135 in each cylinder in my experience this gauge is always about 10psi low. Pulled the spark plugs and replaced with properly gaped plugs. After the test I was able to start the motor and run it for a few seconds, Sounded good.

Next will be to order some parts, I will pull the pumps and change the oil in them also allow for the alignment of the second motor. Clean and buff the inside and out.

Any opinions on how to fix this

A few exterior pics

Also any help on this would be appreciated, I learned that i am missing the back pad of the captains chairs, The pad that on the back side of the chair at the top in my case it would be green, Its purely decorative but I would like to replace them does anyone have any pictures of the piece i could look at to make a frame out of an abs sheet?

Parts needed so far ( if you have a source please point me in there direction)

Speakers
Drain Plug
Throttle Cable left
Reverse cable
Carbons for drive shaft
RPM Gauge is stuck at 6000
Carb Gaskets
Shims for motor
Darts for seats
Green Grab handles


Interior (found a very nice woman in her 60s that runs an upholstery shop she quoted 650 for everything)

 

[gokeeper]

Ok I was looking at the broken throttle cable, it broke right at the throttle lever. I noticed these cables are Y cables and the second part doesn't go anywhere can the other part of the cable be used to repair the throttle? I haven't looked in to it yet just wanted to ask. I am not sure why this is a Y cable.

 

[jhjesse]

Ok I was looking at the broken throttle cable, it broke right at the throttle lever. I noticed these cables are Y cables and the second part doesn't go anywhere can the other part of the cable be used to repair the throttle? I haven't looked in to it yet just wanted to ask. I am not sure why this is a Y cable.

No. One end of the cable goes to the mag carb and the other end goes to the PTO carb. I would send you a pic, but I'm at work...sorry.

 

[Guest_User]

wow, those helm seats are so much different than the 98 seats... I`m not really happy with the 98 seats. Those look groovy and comfy tho!

boat is starting to look good!

 

[gokeeper]

No. One end of the cable goes to the mag carb and the other end goes to the PTO carb. I would send you a pic, but I'm at work...sorry.

The carbs are tied together with a rod only one throttle cable to the mag carb. The Y i am speaking of is at the other end of the cable where it attaches to the throttle lever in the boat. I will try to get some pics tonight and also look at it better.

Pale Rider

I really like the seats in the 1997 however there are a lot of pieces to them I hope i can locate that back green pad someday.

 

[Guest_User]

The carbs are tied together with a rod only one throttle cable to the mag carb. The Y i am speaking of is at the other end of the cable where it attaches to the throttle lever in the boat. I will try to get some pics tonight and also look at it better.

Pale Rider

I really like the seats in the 1997 however there are a lot of pieces to them I hope i can locate that back green pad someday.

ahh your talking about the connection up by the throttle levers where the cable splits for the steering assist.
I`ve disconnected the steering assist part from the steering linkage and left those cables tied up inside the hull...
I wish I could find a cable the correct length without all that crap attached to it...:facepalm:

The PO replaced the front helm seats on ours and I know he spent a mint on them. I`m probably going to replace the helm seats over the winter with something more comfortable yet stable.
The OEM seats def hold you in the boat well, but we wear our vests while underway and the seat backs give me grief...
Once I dig into it, I`ll figure out a good replacement...

carry on!:thumbsup:

 

[gokeeper]

Ok so thats a steering assist make sense the PO had already disconnected that on this boat too. Whats everyone take on the steering assist does it make any difference?

 

[Guest_User]

Ok so thats a steering assist make sense the PO had already disconnected that on this boat too. Whats everyone take on the steering assist does it make any difference?

some love it, some hate it. personally I`d rather control the boat myself with the throttles... very rarely do I need to raise one over the other when docking. The steering assist raises the RPM`s to about 27-2800 which barely nudges the boat in clam waters and does nothing in choppy/wind driven waters... IMHO

 

[El Toro 33809]

Ok so thats a steering assist make sense the PO had already disconnected that on this boat too. Whats everyone take on the steering assist does it make any difference?

I love the steering assist on our Challenger 2000. It turns on a dime at idle and also can help at start up. We have the Merc engine though.

 

[jhjesse]

The carbs are tied together with a rod only one throttle cable to the mag carb. The Y i am speaking of is at the other end of the cable where it attaches to the throttle lever in the boat. I will try to get some pics tonight and also look at it better.

Pale Rider

I really like the seats in the 1997 however there are a lot of pieces to them I hope i can locate that back green pad someday.

Oh man I misunderstood your post. As Pale Rider stated that is the steering assist. Hope I didn't confuse you.

 

[gokeeper]

Thanks for the help on the throttle cable I was able to find one on eBay New OEM shipped for 135.00. For my next issue both steering nozzles bolts where the rode connects them together on the bottom on the nozzle are bent. One so bad the connecting rod was stuck on it. I tries heating it up and bending it but managed to break the bolt. Looks at the pic bellow. An ideas what now?

 

[gokeeper]

Left Engine aligned and this is what I ended up with should I be concerned. I did use the alignment tool and it slides in perfect.