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Seadoo 200 Speedster vs 150 vs 1800 Challenger vs Yahama vs Scarab

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G

Gondon

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Hi Guys,

I recently moved to a lake community on the east coast. I've been in the boat market for about 48 hours and came to these conclusions.

I decided to join the forums as I can get the best answers here. I found most of the answer I needed on google but the ones I can't find hopefully the experts here can advise.

The boat will be used only during the summer and I plan to have family 3-5 people. I'm trying to gauge yearly maint costs or what materials I overlooked.

These are the conclusions I came to:

200 SpeedSter
-----------------
Sits 6-8 people
Fast 310.370.430 HP Options in ROTEX

150 Speedster
-----
Small 3-4 people 150 HP ROTEX

1800
------
Fuller Size 6-8 people
Merc Engine/Rotex(Newer?)

It seems the SC boats will need a rebuild every 100 hours? That doesn't seem like a lot of hours if you boat 3-4 days a week and a few hours a day. Is this normal? Does this apply to a 200 Speedster.

What other costs will I incur? What types of service to boats need? Oil Changes? Filters?

Is there any list I should look for when buying these used- the thing I fear most is to buy a boat and find out everything is blown and I will just need to scrap it for parts.

Another thing is SeaDoo no longer services these jetboats? Will everything need to be DIY?

I'm not too familiar with any Yamaha models yet I did see the LX210- but these SeaDoo's are 2x as sexy and at a better price point.

Last I did visit a scarab dealer and saw the 165..it's literally a 150 speedster- I figure since Seadoo sold them the rights they just copied it. Not a fan on paying double/triple for a new one which has similiar functionality.

Will I need an SUV to tow these boats around as well? my house is right above the marina.

Sorry for all the nooby questions.

be patient with me
:lol:


One more thing, any chance anyone here is selling one of the above boats, I would rather buy a cared one of a member than a random off the net.

Thanks,
D
 
I have a challenger 180. It has the one SC engine. Maintenance depends on age and condition of boat. The normal maintenance I have done is SC rebuild ($400 ish) - spark plugs- oil- filter - coolant- wear ring - winterizing I do myself- engine fog - lubricate- - I was unfortunate to get one that had the MPEM go bad and cost a lot to replace. I did have trouble with Sea Doo places helping with the MPeM issue since some can't read the boats with their equipment.

As far as which boat I guess it depends. Twin engines means twice the maintenance. But you gain speed and power. Since your looking at used it also will likely depend on what's available and at your price point.
 
What's your budget? How mechanically inclined are you? What's your tow vehicle?

Supercharger rebuilds are $435 each.
Annual oil, filter, and plug changes are $75 per motor.
Wear rings are roughly $60 depending on OEM vs non and will be replaced periodically.

Fuel, insurance costs and other items will be additional.

If you're not mechanically inclined, I'd steer more towards the Yamahas as service isn't an issue. Unless, of course, you can find a place that services the Doos.
 
Asecilop said:
I have a challenger 180. It has the one SC engine. Maintenance depends on age and condition of boat. The normal maintenance I have done is SC rebuild ($400 ish) - spark plugs- oil- filter - coolant- wear ring - winterizing I do myself- engine fog - lubricate- - I was unfortunate to get one that had the MPEM go bad and cost a lot to replace. I did have trouble with Sea Doo places helping with the MPeM issue since some can't read the boats with their equipment.

As far as which boat I guess it depends. Twin engines means twice the maintenance. But you gain speed and power. Since your looking at used it also will likely depend on what's available and at your price point.
Click to expand...

What is an MPEM? Is that the ECU?

Thanks for the input.

So if the 200 has twin engines that are SC then 800$ a season to maintain.
 
I'd like to spend 10k +-2 as this is my first boat and I don't know what I will be getting myself into. This is why I'm against getting the scarab at this point.

I have experience doing minor DIY on cars. I don't think I'd have any issue flushing the oil and replacing a filter.

I don't have tow vehicle I have an S-Class- maybe the torque is sufficient? Nearly 400?

Thanks.

I've been looking on Boat Trader within 200 miles? Maybe it's wise to expand and get it shipped? Sight Unseen or is that a big no-no?

I saw this guy grinding on the boat and knew this was the one (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTqKsn0_p-I)
 
Which lake in NY? I had a 2001 Challenger 1800 with the Merc. it was great for the smaller lake in the Adirondacks, but on the Finger Lakes was kinda small, was ok on good days, but not that fun when the wind kicked up the waves. I upgraded last year to a 210 challenger, wife is much happier with the bigger boat in 2 - 3 foot waves. Plus having the full windshield instead of the individual windscreens for those cooler days.

The small 150 speedsters are a blast, but not really a take the family for a ride boat. Unless they like carving fast curves and jumping waves. :)

As far as towing, I've seen people towing jet boats with cars, as they are relatively light. However depending on the boat ramp I'm not sure how much trouble you'll have getting it in and out.
 
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Greenwood Lake, Do I need to take it out of the lake after each use? I have a boat slip can I just leave it there for the season?
 
Greenwood Lake on the NY & NJ border...... had some good times on that lake but that's another story. If you have a good battery, boat cover, working bilge pump and a tight boat (no leaks), I don't see a reason not to leave your boat in the water. One of the drawbacks is you are going to get some growth on the bottom of the hull and this will cause some extra work. Plus SeaDoo does not recommend leaving their boats in the water all the time. Also, if you need some major work done it may be hard to find a dealer with the equipment to service your SeaDoo.

I would look at SeaDoos that are 2009 or newer. No problems with sodium filled valves and ceramic washers in the superchargers. Some good advice is buying your second boat first. Will save you money.
 
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Greenwood lake looks lake a smaller lake, about the size of Conesus Lake up here, I'd say any of the boats your looking at would do well there. If your looking to cruise with the family I'd go with one of the larger boats. Seadoo does not recommend leaving the rotax powered boats in the water for extended periods of time. They can leak around the carbon seal on the driveshaft. The Mercury Jet boats can stay in the water, I left mine in all summer before, no water in the boat other than rain water. If you can install a boat lift in your slip, not only will it prevent leaks, but keep the boat cleaner as well, as it's not in the water except for when in use.

Depending on your budget, buy your second boat first.
 
I had the 150 nice boat but to small unless it just 2 people my 2 cents. The challenger 180 great boat I like 2009 and newer did some changes in the engine compartment keep engine up a little higher. The S/C will destroy you engine fast dont push the rebuild times. The big problem with these boat are if you need maintenance. Im not talking about oil changes and spark plugs. Im talking about computer problems its hard to find a seadoo dealer that still works on boats. Im in the same boat as you. The Yamaha seem to be better boats and seem to last and have tons of dealer support.
 
I have a 97 challenger 1800 with the twin rotax. I used a ford ranger to pull it, wasnt its favorite thing to do but it did it with no issues. If a comfy ride is what you are after you should get a pontoon boat. The bigger 4tecs will ride better but cost more to mantain. The older 2 strokes are pretty simple but probably will need some work to get it in the condition you want. New motor 4tec-$3000ish, new motor 2stroke-$800ish. Between the higher prurchase price and the added expenses of s/c rebuilds and what happens if it throws a rod (2 or 4 stroke, they can all blow up) I went 2 stroke.
 
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