Whats it worth? (1997 Challenger 1800)

[mike_tyler]

Guys -

I found this boat a few hours away.I have not seen the boat only these pics. Its been obviously neglected, even tires on trailer are poor. What's a fair price considering risk of non operation and unknown running condition. I assume it will at least need carbs cleaned and tank drained, lines purged, new battery. Still its dual engine 1800

Thoughts? I'm thinking $500, maybe I'm cheap? Its 3hrs away and I have to bring a trailer or wheels/tires for the trailer its on.

 

[racerxxx]

Lol, I must really be cheap. I was thinking 200. That interior is gonna get expensive fast.

 

[mike_tyler]

Agreed, I assumed as roached out as that interior is, it's easily $1500 or more in upholstery and parts alone. Also, I'm assuming that mold would clean up on the fiberglass but unsure on that.

 

[racerxxx]

Bleach will rid that mold, buff and shine. Castrol super clean in the engine compartment. Looks like the drivers windscreen is broken possibly.

 

[Frank_Hassa]

Are you buying it to sell? What do they normally sell for? What's demand like? Are they popular? Will it sell?

 

[mike_tyler]

All good questions, depending on how I liked it I might sell my mint 96 single engine Challenger.

 

[Seadoosam]

I only buy boats that need one thing done. Granted major things. For example I would buy a boat with new motor and awful seats. Or I would buy a boat with great interior and cosmetics but bad engine. I wouldn't pay more than a few hundred. I would only pay that to part it out.

 

[racerxxx]

All good questions, depending on how I liked it I might sell my mint 96 single engine Challenger.

Entirely different beasts. Once you drive this twin challenger you're gonna wonder how you ever used that canoe you have now. The Challenger 1800 rides so nice, you probably should be wearing a kidney belt on the boat you have now. I re-powerd a guys a few years ago and was VERY impressed with the boat. Stab it from a dead stop and it's on plane before you can say challenger.

If the MPEM is good you could probably double or almost triple the asking price of $500 with just selling that one part, LOL. Try turning the engines by hand first, then put in a battery, put the key on, press start. If the engines turns over that is a very good sign the MPEM is a working unit.

I know a guy who has mint front seats, not sure if he'd be willing to ship though.


I love starting with my back against the wall on some salt turd I drag home and make it like new again.

 

[ORION '95 Speedster]

Are the engines under water, or did they pulled the drain plugs out of the hull?

If it has papers, you are buying a trailer and boat. If there are no papers, you are buying a bunch of parts.

Either way, neither one is functional. You will need to put a lot of time and energy into that setup to get it going.


Values:

Trailer
with papers: $250
without papers: $50

Boat
with papers: $500
with papers and good compression: $1500
without papers: $250
without papers and good compression $500


So basically the least it could be worth is $300 for everything, and the most it could be worth is $1,750 (based on the pictures)

 

[mike_tyler]

I emailed her today and told her I would be well under $1k. Pics can tell half truths and I think its going to look and smell worse in person. A 97 only shows to be worth around $4k in the NADA guide turn key running. I almost hope she turns me down. I think I'd rather just find a good deal on one ready to go.

 

[ORION '95 Speedster]

3 hours is an awful long distance for a boat. Do they come with titles? Can she send a picture of the motors?

 

[ORION '95 Speedster]

If the motors and jet drives are in good shape, you could just bolt in a cheap bench seat in the back, and then replace the front seats with the generic ones they sell for fishing boats. I would never spend more than a few hundred on the seats. Some people spend thousands on seats, but that seems crazy to me.

 

[mike_tyler]

Yeah, 3 hrs. It was a good point about pulling the hull plugs and that water may have collected inside and submerged the engines. She was going to send pics of the engines next but I may have shocked her with my offer. My interest is waning, even more so if she doesnt have titles. If I were to buy it I would look to restore the seats. Thats the only way its max value could be realized

 

[Seadoosam]

I drove 5 hours once for a boat seems like a bit too much work for a 3 HR drive.

 

[racerxxx]

Who would rather go to work on a Saturday or drive 6 hours to get a boat to restore?



Answer honestly, if you say go to work........:bs:


Here's inspiration

The pick up
http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?68415-Two-new-X-4-restoration-projects

The build
http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?68705-1995-XP800-Resto-Project-Sugar-and-Spice

 

[tchies]

I have had 3 seadoo speedsters - 1996, 1997 - I bought a 97 challenger 1800 this summer - needing work. As much fun as the smaller speedsters are - I think the 1800 is a much better boat - the ride is much better - it doesn't turn quite as hard - but still can get your adrenaline going. Love the 40 gallon gas tank - And having the windshield protection for driver and passenger is nice. plus much more legroom.

My seats need work and the carbs could use a rebuild - but that's a winter project.

Enjoy it while you can - winter and snow is a coming.

Tim

 

[mike_tyler]

I havent heard back from seller so I guess i may have offended her. I wasnt looking forward to it so maybe is for the best. I'm going to do the carbs on my single engine Challenger and start looking for a decent 1800. Need to check length as I am garage-constrained.

Check this out - anyone interested?

 

[snikwad003]

I havent heard back from seller so I guess i may have offended her. I wasnt looking forward to it so maybe is for the best. I'm going to do the carbs on my single engine Challenger and start looking for a decent 1800. Need to check length as I am garage-constrained.

Check this out - anyone interested?

I can measure mine when i get home, i have been needing to any way. It is in original seadoo trailer

 

[mike_tyler]

Thanks, that would be great. Coincidentally i did get a response from the seller yesterday. Her response as below:

"Ok so I totally understand that it will take time and money to get the boat running but the trailer alone I can get $800 so the lowest I can do is $700 for the trailer unless you need me to get new tires and $1000 for the boat. The engines alone I can sell seperate for at least $800 each so i guess what I'm saying is the lowest I'll go is $1700 or $1800 if u want me to put new tires on it."

Wow...

 

[XP 787]

Lol no way!

 

[snikwad003]

Sorry im 3 days late its just under 20 1/2ft on the seadoo shorlandr trailer

 

[ORION '95 Speedster]

$1700-$1800? Only if there are papers for everything, both engines start easily and run good, all cylinders have good even compression, and the boat performs well during a test drive in the water. If all of that checks out, then $1700-$1800 would be a reasonable price.

Even if everything is in good condition mechanically, it would probably need new batteries, and have the old fuel changed out for fresh gas before it would start or run. I doubt the owner will do that and let you put it in the water.