1997 seadoo challenger 1800

[somebodyknows]

I have an opportunity to purchase a 1997 seadoo challenger 1800 for 5,000.00 it has only been on the water ten times and in storage the rest of the time. it honestly is owned by a guy that has to much money and not enough time. Should I buy it?

 

[seadooya]

yup.........

 

[YUOnDaGround]

Post some pictures of that one. I'd like to see what one looks like after being in mothballs for 14 years.

 

[OfficerSeaDoo]

Please do post some pics! Even if it needs some 'out of storage work', I still think $5,000 is a deal!

 

[YUOnDaGround]

I'd really have to look at it closely, around here you can find one in perfect condition for $5,000. Just make sure everything works for $5k. I'd hate to spend that kind of money on a garage queen just to find out you need to replace all the wear out items before you can hit the water.

 

[dsw222]

I bought a garage queen last May. The exterior and interior looked spectacular so I jumped on it for 5700.

Then I had to rebuild both jet pumps, then rebuild all 4 carbs, then a top end went on one engine and I had to rebuild it, then the OTHER engine went so I have to rebuild it before this summer.......

A lot of people say its better to buy a boat that has been run religiously and has not been sitting for a long time. After my experience, I believe them.

But 5k would be worth the risk... i would rebuild carbs, clean entire fuel system, replace wear rings, change jet pump oil, verify the oil pumps are working correctly, new plugs, check cooling, etc... all the standard stuff

 

[OfficerSeaDoo]

dsw222,
I think you said it right. You can buy a beauty queen and still go wrong. However... $5,000 isn't that big of a risk. Even if it has been religiously ran, you can still run into issues. I sure do wish I was in the Utah area right now because I'd be grabbing that thing!

 

[YUOnDaGround]

I bought a garage queen last May. The exterior and interior looked spectacular so I jumped on it for 5700.

But 5k would be worth the risk... i would rebuild carbs, clean entire fuel system, replace wear rings, change jet pump oil, verify the oil pumps are working correctly, new plugs, check cooling, etc... all the standard stuff

How does one check the cooling?

 

[RFoster130]

How does one check the cooling?

Just flush all your hoses to make sure they are free of any debris thats has sat and gunked them up.

 

[YUOnDaGround]

Just flush all your hoses to make sure they are free of any debris thats has sat and gunked them up.

Should this be done while the engines are running?

 

[RFoster130]

Take em loose and flush them all good. I did mine 1 at a time. Then after you flush all the lines good. Run it like you normally would on the hose for a minute or 2.