Sportster 1800 suitable for Mediterranean Sea?

[Roxter1150]

Hi Forum,
I have been following this forum for a couple of weeks as I am looking to buy a 1998 Sportster 1800 in immaculate condition. I have not yet tested the boat but will do soon...
I have a question about the sea-worthiness of the Sportster. Has anybody navigated this boat on the sea? I really get mixed feedback about this.
I mainly intend to use the boat on the Mediteranean Sea (Spain / France / Italy). Local boat repair shops have told me that the boat is not sea-worthy. Of course I suspect that they prefer to sell local boats rather than me importing one...
Thanks a lot to all for your help!!
Best regards,

 

[factory81]

I live on Lake Michigan and I will tell you these open bow Sea-Doo's will get scary in just Lake Michigan.

You get the right waves going and such and you have to be real careful and you can take on a lot of water quick.

I am not sure what the Mediterranean Sea is like but I don't like taking my boat out on to Lake Michigan. I felt like I had to "ride the waves" like a surfboard or something to feel safe.

Plus if you lose propulsion out on the lake you could be in a lot of trouble fast.

But if you just don't take it out when theres 3-5 foot waves and go in the right spots I am sure its fine.

There are a lot of members who live on the Gulf of Mexico here who take them out...probably in hurricanes knowing these people.

You can check out youtube videos of 15 foot long Challengers going from Los Ang. to an island called Catalina Island I think it is. Which is getting out in to the pacific a little ways.

If I were in your shoes I would buy the boat and go to Ibiza every weekend.

 

[Dans97challenger]

I would have to say these boats are very sea worthy unless the seas are very calm then it would be ok. I will try to bring mine through the Cape Cod Canal next summer as long as the canal isn't choppy.

I would stick to 20ft and longer in the ocean. These little 14-15ft boats I don't see as very ocean friendly.

 

[timmyboy76]

As mentioned in other post, guess it depends on the current condition. light/moderate swells, wouldn't hesitate. Ripped mine out and about, in Pacific Ocean,...A BLAST., but could get scetchy...:cheers:

 

[sporsterjoel]

I live on Lake Michigan and I will tell you these open bow Sea-Doo's will get scary in just Lake Michigan.

You get the right waves going and such and you have to be real careful and you can take on a lot of water quick.

I am not sure what the Mediterranean Sea is like but I don't like taking my boat out on to Lake Michigan. I felt like I had to "ride the waves" like a surfboard or something to feel safe.

Plus if you lose propulsion out on the lake you could be in a lot of trouble fast.

But if you just don't take it out when theres 3-5 foot waves and go in the right spots I am sure its fine.

There are a lot of members who live on the Gulf of Mexico here who take them out...probably in hurricanes knowing these people.

You can check out youtube videos of 15 foot long Challengers going from Los Ang. to an island called Catalina Island I think it is. Which is getting out in to the pacific a little ways.

If I were in your shoes I would buy the boat and go to Ibiza every weekend.

:agree: i have a cottage on lake erie and it get really ruff at times even a 30ft boat would have trouble. and if your lake gets ruff i wouldnt buy it, even 5ft waves could sink your boat if it broke down.

 

[factory81]

Cedar Point rules


If local people suggest the boat isn't the best for the Med. Sea I would try and find some people with Sea-Doos around there. Go check out a marina and see if you can find some Sea-Doo or Yamaha jet boat owners. Or really anyone with an open bow boat and see what they say about the Mediterranean Sea. I am sure when you say suitable you don't mean can the boat take me to Africa and back in one piece.

 

[Roxter1150]

Thanks everybody for your comments. It it obviously not my intention to make the passage to Corsica... Some coastal usage, I would say max. 2 miles from shore. Some waterskiing and tubing with the kids. And I believe I won't navigate at 4 Beaufort or above anyway... I believe I am gonna go for it...

 

[factory81]

Yeah I would go for it really because if you are not far from shore, carry the right equipment, and stay up to date on weather forecasts than you are probably okay.

One thing nice about these boats too is they are so agile that we can in worst case scenarios turn the bow of the boat to the direction we need it to be really quick.

Plus you have 2 engines so worst case scenario and you lose one your not entirely screwed.

 

[Roxter1150]

Guys, have bought the boat... Collected it this morning... It's just looking great... Can't wait for the winter to be over to put this one on the water...
iiiiaaaaahhhhhhhh......
:reddevil:

 

[Dans97challenger]

Congrats on the purchase. I too am waiting for winter to start and be over so I can get back on the water. I was actually drinking some of your ALE here last week. I was drinking the old Chimay Blue label. I love that shit!! I wish it wasn't so expensive here in the states though.

 

[xrider]

last I remember mediterranean sea was not rough at all. but yeah these open bow boats will take on water in couple feet tall waves. but they do have drains and bilge pump will take care of the rest. you should be fine, as long there is no bad storm or sumtin.

 

[gemcomms]

Hi,
I live on the Med in Mallorca and have an identicle boat. It is fine for hopping round the coast. Just make sure you look at the weather forcasts before you go out anything more than a force 4 don't bother. I wouldn't fancy going out more than a couple of miles in it as it can get quite scary if the swell increases and the weather can change quickly.