2000 challenger 2000 possible boat purchase..

[Acguy714]

Hi all looking to purchase a 2000 challenger2000 m2 240 efi this weekend after lake test. Seller seems very honest but still wanted to ask a few questions and hopefully someone can answer.
1 seller says boat has 150 hours on it. Is there any way to verify this without a gauge installed on the cluster.Is there a computer hook up etc

2 what are the main concerns I should have during my lake test.

3. Boat is is excellent shape on the outside and inside. No tears etc. seller asking 7500.00 sound fair?

First time boat owner here, or soon to be. Sorry for the longer post.

 

[buckeye_paul]

You asked

I purchased a 2001 Challenger 1800 with a Mercury 210 last summer.

1. I saw somewhere that a Mercury dealer can plug in and tell you how many hours are on the engine.

2. Verify that your motor is actually a 240. I had to point out to the previous owner of my boat that he was advertising it as a 240 but was a 210. The boat title even indicated it was a 240 so I didn't give him too much grief for the mistake. I had the mistake corrected at the title office. As far as rpm's and top speed of the 240 and 20 foot challenger, I'll let someone else advise you.

3. At the time I bought mine it booked for $9200. I paid $8000 and thought I got a good deal. It is in very good condition. The price you pay depends a lot on the market of used boats in your area.

Pros:
Very fast. Plenty of power. Quick response. Turns on a dime. Fun to drive. Easily pulls tubes, skis etc. Great boat for river or shallow areas. Very comfortable seating.
Cons:
2 Cycle. Recommended oil is $29 a gallon. Uses a lot of gas while playing hard. Porpoising at speeds above 30. No nozzle trim adjustment. Low speed steering is tricky. Engine is located in a place that makes it hard to work on. Parts for both the boat and the motor are extremely expensive.

I have not had any major problems with my boat yet. (knock wood) You might want to search this forum for issues with the oil injection. This concerns me and I WILL be doing something about it before I put mine in the water this year (premix). I plan on buying an aftermarket trim plate kit which costs about $800 but have heard it will cure the porpoising.
Good Luck!

 

[igneous]

You can adjust the ride plate under the nozzle and even remove it to bend it more. Another reason it porpoises is the light weight. I'll prolly premix this year also...just need procedure.
It will definitely use more oil when premixing. I get Quicksilver prem at Bass Pro for $19/gal. You'll love merc reliability and the boat, just do maintenance and it'll last.

 

[buckeye_paul]

Just being honest

Igneous,

I was just trying to help this guy by giving him the good and the bad. All boats have pros and cons. Don't get me wrong, I like my challenger, just wish I knew some of these issues before I wrote the check. The oil injection problem would have been a deal breaker for me.
F.Y.I -- Mercury Quicksilver Premium Plus is currently $26.97 at my local Wal-Mart (price goes up in season). I'm sure you guys down in oil rich Texas pay less than us Northerners.
F.Y.I. 2 -- The trim plate under the nozzle IS adjustable and you CAN put more bend in it. Unfortunately, the farther down the trim plate is the more drag you have. The additional drag makes you consume more fuel and you lose top end speed. Been there done that. I'll pay the $800 for the Place Diverter trim system and save nearly that much in fuel over one season.

Just being honest, I wish I would have waited, paid more, and bought a newer 4 stroke boat. The newer boats are much nicer and are much more fuel efficient.

 

[Acguy714]

I ve heard about the oil injection, I ll look more into it if I buy the boat. Lake test is this weekend. Thank you so much for your pointers and your experiences and sharing.

 

[igneous]

Relax buckeye, just giving the man another option.
What is a buckeye anyway?

 

[Acguy714]

Thank you

I appericate all the feedback guys, I really do.. Lake test will be this weekend and I m armed with a ton of questions and things to look for.... Thanks again

 

[BMANN06]

Have fun let us know and POST SOME PICS!! I love the 00' challengers my neighbor across the lake has one ... they are def. the caddy's of seadoos.

 

[seadoosnipe]

These boats are known for porpoising, with not much to do about it unless you purchase trim tabs. I've never read anything about adjusting the ride plate and really wouldn't want to take a chance in bending it, not knowing if it will work or not.

There have been many threads about the porpoising and the use of trim tabs. Rookie101 had the M2 powered boat, and talked often about these problems.

I think anyone who is thinking about purchasing a Merc powered Seadoo, should give this a lot of thought. This boat is a type of hybrid, that they are not made anymore (because the 4-TEC out powered them and were lighter) and are hard to find a dealer to work on it. There have been horror stories of owners taking to a Seadoo shop only to be told, they don't work on Merc motors. Then, taken to a Merc shop, told they don't work on jet boats. So, as the yeas go by, this will eventually become the "black sheep" of the family.

Don't get me wrong, they are nice boats, but do some research in and around your area. Find out if anyone will service this boat, and also, try to find out how easy it is to find parts.

Price, in my opinion, I think it's a bit high. But, because of geographical location, boats on the Gulf Coast are pretty cheap.