1997 Challenger purchase advise

[skidooboy3]

Can anyone tell me if there are any substantial differences between a 1997 Challenger vs. a 1999 Challenger? I see they have the same engines and I can't tell from the photos if there are any big changes or not. Neither of them are very close to me and I'm deciding if it's worth the extra money to buy the 1999 model or not. Also if you look at NADA.com and search the 97,98, and 99 Challenger, it shows the weight for the 97 at 1240 lbs while the 98 and 99 show up at 1865 and 1870 lbs. Is that incorrect data on the 1997? I can't imagine they could be that different. I appreciate any advice. Thanks.

 

[scooper77515]

I am not sure, but aren't the 99 models 18', where the 97 was only 14.5'? Not sure if they made a 99 challenger that wasn't "1800" model, and 18'.

 

[skidooboy3]

Actually I just checked NADA again and I see they do have both the 15 foot and the 1800 but they switched around the weights under the wrong boat. So that makes sense now.

So now just to figure out if it's worth $1000 more to buy a 1999 model vs. a 1997 model. Thanks.

 

[Dr Honda]

I am not sure, but aren't the 99 models 18', where the 97 was only 14.5'? Not sure if they made a 99 challenger that wasn't "1800" model, and 18'.

For the Challenger... you are right.

The 99 will be a bigger boat with 2 engines, albeit the same engine.

 

[scooper77515]

Albeit, the same TWO engines! Right?

At least for the 1800 models, there were two.

As for 97, I think there was a "challenger" which was 14.5' (like my little dinghy), and the "challenger 1800" which was a REAL boat at 18' and with two 110 hp 787 engines.

So I think, if you are doing comparisons, you need to make sure you are comparing apples to apples, or 1800s to 1800s.

 

[Dr Honda]

Did I say it worng? Gramer isn't my strong point.


The 97 will have one 800 engine, and the 99 will have two 800's.

 

[skidooboy3]

Both the 97 and 99 I'm looking at are Challenger 1800s. They're both listed as the same engine size and HP but I thought maybe there were some changes to the boat itself. Thanks.

 

[scooper77515]

IF both are listed as same HP etc, you need to verify that you are looking at the 18'-1800 versions from each year. Otherwise, a 97 15' boat with one engine compared to a 99 18' boat with two engines is no comparison.

you may as well be comparing volkswagens with porsches. Yeah, a lot alike, but not really alike, at all.

 

[voodoo]

I have a 97 challenger 14.5 which has one 787, however I think the 1800 model has twin 787 motors, there will be some added weight but I would think 400 something pounds with the twin driveline there, the hull changes for the longer version I am not familiar with.

 

[scooper77515]

Oh, and nothing wrong with your grammar. I was just trying to clarify that the engines were the same between the 97 and 99 models.

I guess MY grammar was a bit off on that post...:reddevil:

 

[parrothd]

Oh, and nothing wrong with your grammar. I was just trying to clarify that the engines were the same between the 97 and 99 models.

I guess MY grammar was a bit off on that post...:reddevil:

There are 2 models;

The challenger with a a single and 14ft
the challenger 1800 with dual 787 and 18ft..

There's some changes between the 97 and 99 challenger 1800, There's a rave valve and jetting fix for the 97 model, so be sure to get that addressed, also there's a automatic power cutoff for the 98 and up to help with battery drain, at least from what I've heard..

 

[parrothd]

Personally, I wouldn't consider the single 14ft challenger, they don't have enough, or they have just enough power to get on plain. You should look for a speedster, which is the same size but has dual engines..

If you want a speedster I have one for sale..

http://www.parrothd.com/speedster/

 

[scooper77515]

If you want a speedster I have one for sale..

How convenient...:reddevil:

I agree with the poor planing with the single engine boats. Mine needed a steeper pitched impeller to make it plane quickly. Hops out of the hole now, but used to take quite a bit of time.

But I use mine primarily for drinking beer, secondarily for wakeboarding, so I needed that extra pitch. :cheers:

 

[parrothd]

Yea,

It all depends on what you want to use the boat for, we've been learning to waterski/slamon so we needed the extra power so I went with the speedster..

Now, I have too many people so we needed a larger boat so I picked up a 1800 challenger..

 

[ksw144]

Parot, where are you located? How much are you asking?

 

[parrothd]

Located in Chicago, IL, asking $4500.00

One new SBT engine with less than 10 hours, and currently rebuilding the second engine...

 

[ksw144]

That's a little too far, otherwise I'd have to seriously consider buying that. You comin' to Oregon any time soon?

 

[parrothd]

Probably not anytime soon....You could have it shipped...

 

[UNYboater]

Located in Chicago, IL, asking $4500.00

Just bought this '99 Challenger in IL last week; stopped off Friday night to take in Game 1 of the playoffs (Hawks, not Bulls) with my 17YO son. Great time; not-so-hot score....last night's was much better!

Back to the OP, I think $1000 is well worth the differences in the two years if the two were in identical shape, but care & condition would matter more.