Question about 1800 Challenger...

[Nosnibor]

Hey all. I'm looking at buying my first boat. I really like the style of the 1800. I've been doing as much research I can for all the different jet boats out there. I've been looking at this one. It's a 1999 twin rotax 110. The owner says he has had both "upper motors" replaced in the past 2 years and is having the lower of one being replaced now. Not knowing anything about the maintenance should I be worried about these rebuilds or relieved they are being done now? Also should I worry about the other lower having to be replaced? Apparently he said there was something wrong with the bearings and they were leaking water?

Any help or advice would be great, thanks!

 

[Nosnibor]

No thoughts?

 

[Dr Honda]

If the top ends were rebuilt... it's going to still need nee engines. Basically, you will get a meltdown, and the quick/easy thing to do, is a top end. But the crank and bearings are beat too. so.., now that one of the "bottom ends" has let go... that will damage the new(er) top.

Basically, he's patching things to get it to run.

That boat will need 2 new engines if you want it to be reliable. Unless it's cheap... walk away.

 

[Guest_User]

what he said^^^

and, buy a good running boat that is in very good condition.
How much do you want to spend for a reliable good boat???

 

[Nosnibor]

Thanks for the replies. Honestly I don't know what to spend for a boat around that age. I've seen them all range from 4-8k. This particular one was asking 5k. After what Dr Honda said I'm very cautious now. I guess I need help understanding what to look for and what to spend.

 

[Nosnibor]

what he said^^^

and, buy a good running boat that is in very good condition.
How much do you want to spend for a reliable good boat???

I think I don't know how much reliable boats cost...I'm having a hard time thinking any are? lol, especially used ones.

 

[Guest_User]

you can expect to pay 7-9K for a challenger 1800 in excellent condition, meaning replaced engines and drives, upholstery in great shape, hull in great shape and whatever add ons come with the boat... you`ll spend another 1k on a good trailer if not nearly 2k for a new one... people forget the trailer is just as important.

or you`ll spend a few K less and have to put in another few K, same goes for the trailer. this is not a cheap sport, even tho I have seen countless people buy junk and take it immediately out on the water with fuel leaking all over and nothing working properly...

good luck...

 

[Nosnibor]

you can expect to pay 7-9K for a challenger 1800 in excellent condition, meaning replaced engines and drives, upholstery in great shape, hull in great shape and whatever add ons come with the boat... you`ll spend another 1k on a good trailer if not nearly 2k for a new one... people forget the trailer is just as important.

or you`ll spend a few K less and have to put in another few K, same goes for the trailer. this is not a cheap sport, even tho I have seen countless people buy junk and take it immediately out on the water with fuel leaking all over and nothing working properly...

good luck...

So basically for boats that age I should be looking for a fully replaced engine? I really want to get into this but I just want to make the right decision. I hear a lot about the 4 tec stuff and I'm assuming newer is better when it comes to that?