Seadoo Challenger

[dcmorgan20]

Hello

I am new to this forum. I am thinking about buying a challenger 180 or 230. I just have a few questions.
I live in Newfoundland Canada, and the water gets kind of rough, so my question is; Do anyone have any experience with the Challenger in rough water (salt water).
Also I am a diver. I was wondering if anybody has used there boat has a dive boat. I don't dive everyday, about 20 times a year.
Thanks, If anyone has any other tips/photos/vodeos I would like to view.

DM

 

[Craigmri]

DM,

Welcome!

I have the Challenger 180 and I do not think it would make a good rough water boat. I'm not certain what your definition of rough water is but anything over 1' seas is going to be rough for a Challenger 180 at 17'7". The 230 would be better but then again how much better as it still has the low swooping bow. If your going to run in rough salt water waters I'm thinking these may not be the right boats for you.

Please elaborate more on the waters you intend on boating in and your activities you want to embark on.

Craig

 

[01Challenger]

i have an 01 challenger 1800 and it sucks in rough water. It even bounces when there is just a tiny little wake from other boats.

 

[jr3813]

I have a 180 se. Great on inland lakes. Gets a little dicey on Lake Erie. I would have bought the 230 if i did not length restriction of 20 ' in length on my lake.

 

[Mueller]

Rough Waves = No Good

My main place to boat is on the Potomac River, not far from the Cheasapeke Bay and Ocean. I agree with the other comments that this is not a good boat for rough water. Lakes and calm rivers are superb. When the waves get above twelve inches you have to be careful not to point the bow into a wave or you will have a very wet floor. It drains well, but when you have to adjust your speed and crawl over wakes at 8-12 mph it isn't a lot of fun. The width of the boat is ok for the waves, I never feel like it isn't stable, even in 2 ft waves, but with the really low bow, you have to watch out or get a boat full of water.

I can't comment ont he 230, just avoid the 180 in anything but calm water.

My worst day on the water was in my 180 crawling over 2 ft swells during a brief storm. Not an experience I plan to repeat.

Good Luck!