I just picked up a 97 Seadoo Challenger with the single 110hp engine. The boat seems to run well and with my son and I weighing approx. 260 lbs and a half a tank of fuel, we are able to hit 45 mph. When we tried to pull a 200lb person up on skis, the boat couldn't do it. Should this boat be able to pull up a skier? So far I am not too impressed with the boat.
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Should a 97 Challenger 110hp be able to pull up a 200lb person?
- Thread starter crf450js
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Experience!....
It's all in the experience in the skier and the driver.
Yes, the boat should be able to pull a 200lb skier or wakeboarder. But, it's all in the experience in the drivers ability to use the VTS while launching and its equally important how experienced the skier is on standing up to his ski.
At the weights your talking about, if you've got someone laying down in the water, thinking this boat (or any jet boat for that matter, without a big block 454 cu. in.) is going to drag them till they can "plow" through the water before standing, no...........ain't gonna happen.
These boats are awesome and the power is phenomenal when pulling a skier. I'm about 180 lbs. and I have the 1997 Challenger. With my wife on the throttles, my 8 and 7 year old spotting, I can step up out of the water almost as fast as she hammers the throttle. When on slalom, the water like glass, I can step out of my ski and barefoot.
So, when looking at the boats efficiency on pulling a skier....you have to examine the experience of the one being towed and the operator towing him.
Reading this reply, it seems kinda critical of the skier and driver. Please, believe me, I mean no ill intention. You may be the best driver and skier. There could be an issue with the boats initial take off due to a problem in the carbs or the VTS not working properly, etc..... but you would be surprised at the amount of people I see, plowing under water, trying to figure out why the boat won't get them up. Or, they finally give up from exhaustion.
Here's to hoping you find out what it is or what it takes to get your boat to get you into the swing of cutin the tips of your ski!.....:cheers:
It's all in the experience in the skier and the driver.
Yes, the boat should be able to pull a 200lb skier or wakeboarder. But, it's all in the experience in the drivers ability to use the VTS while launching and its equally important how experienced the skier is on standing up to his ski.
At the weights your talking about, if you've got someone laying down in the water, thinking this boat (or any jet boat for that matter, without a big block 454 cu. in.) is going to drag them till they can "plow" through the water before standing, no...........ain't gonna happen.
These boats are awesome and the power is phenomenal when pulling a skier. I'm about 180 lbs. and I have the 1997 Challenger. With my wife on the throttles, my 8 and 7 year old spotting, I can step up out of the water almost as fast as she hammers the throttle. When on slalom, the water like glass, I can step out of my ski and barefoot.
So, when looking at the boats efficiency on pulling a skier....you have to examine the experience of the one being towed and the operator towing him.
Reading this reply, it seems kinda critical of the skier and driver. Please, believe me, I mean no ill intention. You may be the best driver and skier. There could be an issue with the boats initial take off due to a problem in the carbs or the VTS not working properly, etc..... but you would be surprised at the amount of people I see, plowing under water, trying to figure out why the boat won't get them up. Or, they finally give up from exhaustion.
Here's to hoping you find out what it is or what it takes to get your boat to get you into the swing of cutin the tips of your ski!.....:cheers:
Lack of experience
:agree:Inexperience is a big part of it. The skier (using 2 skis) hasn't done it in 20 years and I have less then 2 hours experience operating the boat. I am glad to hear the boat can do it.
From a driving perspective, what is the best way to pull an inexperienced skier out of the water?
Thanks for the feedback.
:agree:Inexperience is a big part of it. The skier (using 2 skis) hasn't done it in 20 years and I have less then 2 hours experience operating the boat. I am glad to hear the boat can do it.
From a driving perspective, what is the best way to pull an inexperienced skier out of the water?
Thanks for the feedback.
Vts....
On the far right of your contorls, there is a small handle. That's the VTS. Keep it pulled all the way aft. Leave it aft till the skier is beginnning to plane out. Then, as he's getting on plane, you can start pushing that VTS controller forward.
This is what creates the most power with nozzle direction for sking.
This skier needs to be able to go from holding his skis together, with the rope between them. As soon as the boat has torque on the ski, he has got to be able to push himself up on the skis fairly quickly.
I can stand on the beach behind a jet boat and practically hold it in place while the jet is wide open. These things are fast and high torque, but the horsepower built in the nozzle can only take place with forward momentum. The faster you go, the more water you push into the low pressure side of the impeller, creating force on the low pressure side, which in turn will create horsepower in the nozzle..............it's not a propeller.
On the far right of your contorls, there is a small handle. That's the VTS. Keep it pulled all the way aft. Leave it aft till the skier is beginnning to plane out. Then, as he's getting on plane, you can start pushing that VTS controller forward.
This is what creates the most power with nozzle direction for sking.
This skier needs to be able to go from holding his skis together, with the rope between them. As soon as the boat has torque on the ski, he has got to be able to push himself up on the skis fairly quickly.
I can stand on the beach behind a jet boat and practically hold it in place while the jet is wide open. These things are fast and high torque, but the horsepower built in the nozzle can only take place with forward momentum. The faster you go, the more water you push into the low pressure side of the impeller, creating force on the low pressure side, which in turn will create horsepower in the nozzle..............it's not a propeller.
Good timing on the thread...
I am buying this same boat soon, was wanting to try to pull a skier. I have been pulled up by a 96 XP, same engine, and think I had the same problems. Either driver was not gunning it hard enough or trim was incorrect (mine was not adjustable). I was able to get up on 2 skis pretty quickly though. Not sure if I could slalom.
We are buying the boat more for cruising, not for skiing, but I have a history of skiing and know I won't let those old skis sit in the attic for too long...
Actually, I learned behind a 16 jet boat with 455 Olds in it...it had NO torque problems whatsoever!!!
I am buying this same boat soon, was wanting to try to pull a skier. I have been pulled up by a 96 XP, same engine, and think I had the same problems. Either driver was not gunning it hard enough or trim was incorrect (mine was not adjustable). I was able to get up on 2 skis pretty quickly though. Not sure if I could slalom.
We are buying the boat more for cruising, not for skiing, but I have a history of skiing and know I won't let those old skis sit in the attic for too long...
Actually, I learned behind a 16 jet boat with 455 Olds in it...it had NO torque problems whatsoever!!!
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