$4-5k What would you buy and why?

[moodswing1000]

Hello!
So I have done a little research on speedsters and challengers. I have noticed the speedster comes in 14ft and 16.5 but am unsure what year they got larger or if they ran both sizes. If you guys were to purchase a speedster or challenger. Which would you buy, what years, and what motors are the most reliable? Thanks for the help!:cheers:

 

[ocod]

Hello and welcome.

While I have neither of the boat your asking about it comes down to what you want/need.

How many in your family??
The 14' is 4 people max not including fuel,stuff and storage it gets crowded.

The 16.5 is a 5 passenger and layout is different.

Not sure if single or twin engine 717 or 787.

The 787 is a little more powerful vs the 717.
Both very reliable and easy to work on.

 

[RFoster130]

The Challenger name was used on everything from the smaller 14 foot boats all the way up to even the new 230 boats. Since I own a 98 speedster, that is where my expertise is. I think they really are one of the best Sea Doo boats made.

The speedster 16.5 foot speedster was made from 98 to 2004. It came with twin 787 engines in 98. In 99 you could get it with twin 787's or the SK model has twin 717's. Then they switched to mercury motors. 2000 you could get it with the 240 or the sk model had the 210. From 2001 to 2004 it was all mercury 240's. They are great boats really. They have 4 individual seats plus a bow seat. They really aren't very comfortable with 5 in the boat though. So i consider them a 4 passenger.

What you buy really depends on your needs and what you can find in your budget. I really think you push the limits of the 14 foot boats with 3 people. The weight limit is only like 650 lbs and thats tough with 3 adults plus all your gear.

I would stick to a 98 or 99 speedster really. Its tough to find them in decent shape for under $5000 though.

 

[ocod]

The Challenger name was used on everything from the smaller 14 foot boats all the way up to even the new 230 boats. Since I own a 98 speedster, that is where my expertise is. I think they really are one of the best Sea Doo boats made.

The speedster 16.5 foot speedster was made from 98 to 2004. It came with twin 787 engines in 98. In 99 you could get it with twin 787's or the SK model has twin 717's. Then they switched to mercury motors. 2000 you could get it with the 240 or the sk model had the 210. From 2001 to 2004 it was all mercury 240's. They are great boats really. They have 4 individual seats plus a bow seat. They really aren't very comfortable with 4 in the boat though. So i consider them a 4 passenger.

What you buy really depends on your needs and what you can find in your budget. I really think you push the limits of the 14 foot boats with 3 people. The weight limit is only like 650 lbs and thats tough with 3 adults plus all your gear.

I would stick to a 98 or 99 speedster really. Its tough to find them in decent shape for under $5000 though.

I call it the ejection seat
Not really to be used when cruising for safety....

So the 14' is really 3 people(bench seating) and the bigger 16.5' is 4 if you want to be safe.

 

[YUOnDaGround]

I have a 1997 Challenger 1800 and I love it. I have carried seven individuals, including myself, with gear very comfortably.

 

[Slowmoe]

For about 3500 you can pick up a 1997 speedster. Twin 717's and they run around 55-60 mph. Seat 4 comfotably. With the extra cash you can buy a wakeboard tower, wakeboard, skis, tubes or whatever

 

[moodswing1000]

The Challenger name was used on everything from the smaller 14 foot boats all the way up to even the new 230 boats. Since I own a 98 speedster, that is where my expertise is. I think they really are one of the best Sea Doo boats made.

The speedster 16.5 foot speedster was made from 98 to 2004. It came with twin 787 engines in 98. In 99 you could get it with twin 787's or the SK model has twin 717's. Then they switched to mercury motors. 2000 you could get it with the 240 or the sk model had the 210. From 2001 to 2004 it was all mercury 240's. They are great boats really. They have 4 individual seats plus a bow seat. They really aren't very comfortable with 4 in the boat though. So i consider them a 4 passenger.

What you buy really depends on your needs and what you can find in your budget. I really think you push the limits of the 14 foot boats with 3 people. The weight limit is only like 650 lbs and thats tough with 3 adults plus all your gear.

I would stick to a 98 or 99 speedster really. Its tough to find them in decent shape for under $5000 though.

Thanks for the knowledge on the different years/models. I have looked everywhere. I think the 98-99 16.5ft speedster is what I am leaning towards with the 787s, I have heard the mercs to be good engine but hard to find parts. The most i would ever need to go out with would be four so I think it works out good. Is the reliability of the 717 any better than the 787? Im an aircraft mechanic and my wifes dad has a boat shop so unless the 787 is a pile I want the extra power. Is the 16.5 Challenger much bigger thatn than the speedster if at all? If not what is the difference? Seating and power options?

 

[Spimothy Leary]

both the 717 and the 787 are reliable, with the 717 getting the edge.
but the 787 has a LOT more power and is highly modifiable..
if you have it in your budget, and find the right boat, the 787(s) is the way to go IMO.
i would rather have two 717 vs 1 787 (although the downside is two engines to fix)
but i'd much rather have two 787 vs two 717

 

[howie099]

I was looking for 6 passenger boat so I was looking in the 18' range for under 5K. I found a 1998 Sportster 1800 for $4400 w/114 hours on it. It has the twin 717's in it. It holds 7, 3 upfront, 3 on the bench and 1 facing backwards. I wanted to have enough room to fit people when I wanted and be able to pull people on ski's or tubes. It all matters on what you want your boat for. I don't think you will be disapointed with any of them. They are like a big jetski but you don't fall off and can listen to music.

Just remember the faster you want to go the more money it cost. The fastest of the bunch would be the 14' w/twin 787's if you want the most speed. Fuel use is real close with the 717 and 787. The power valves is what gives the 787 the punch over the 717.

 

[RFoster130]

look on craigslist and see what they have. Not really knowing your area, except finding out your close to LA county, I searched LA and found a few.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/boa/2880012169.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/boa/2841611886.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/boa/2874798709.html

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/2870476958.html

 

[RFoster130]

The fastest of the bunch would be the 14' w/twin 787's

That would REALLY be a blast. But, unfortunately they never made a 14 foot boat with twin 787's.

 

[RFoster130]

. Is the 16.5 Challenger much bigger thatn than the speedster if at all? If not what is the difference? Seating and power options?

They didnt make the challenger in 16 feet. It has been a 14 & 15 footer and then it went to being 18 feet. The only 16.5 is the speedster. The 18 foot challenger 1800 is a great boat and has twin 787's. Its slightly bigger than the speedster, so it may be a tiny bit slower, but you get more room. I would look for the 16 foot speedster or challenger 1800.

 

[boggs]

look on craigslist and see what they have. Not really knowing your area, except finding out your close to LA county, I searched LA and found a few.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/boa/2880012169.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/boa/2841611886.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/boa/2874798709.html

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/2870476958.html

Nice work!! Man I have been looking for good deals like that in michigan for a month!!! It is dry up here....Heck i would drive a couple states for some nice boats like that!!!

 

[Seadoobuddy]

The first ad states dual engines 2 x 170 hp. ??????
Is that 340 total or 2 x 85 for 170hp

 

[RFoster130]

Its either a typo or a clueless owner. It has 2 x 85 HP.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Yes, I think it's a typo. Sumtims whn typing annaddd you you get finger jiggers LOL

 

[moodswing1000]

Thanks again!

look on craigslist and see what they have. Not really knowing your area, except finding out your close to LA county, I searched LA and found a few.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/boa/2880012169.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/boa/2841611886.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/boa/2874798709.html

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/2870476958.html

Thanks for taking some time to look at the ads! Does anyone prefer the 3 person bench seat over the newer swivel seating? As far as looks go I like the Swivel seating, but as far as ergonomics go any personal favorites? I noticed the SK in the last ad only has four seats and the "ejection seat" was storage. Is that all SKs? or an option?

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/2816416912.html

Seem like a screaming deal?

 

[moodswing1000]

So If I go Speedster I like 98-99 with twin 787s. As far as the Challenger goes what are some good years and models? Are all the 18fters 1800s? I found a killer deal on a 97 18ft challenger 1800. What is the powerplant? Also what is a list of tools I need to do a compression test on these boats? Thanks again!

 

[howie099]

18'ers in the 90's were called the 1800's. The Challenger 1800's came with 787's. You need a spark plug wrench and a compression guage w/a check valve in it. The Challenger 1800 is a 1'6" longer and fits 7 people instead of 5. Pretty much all the same feautures as teh speedster. It will be a little slower since its larger.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

So If I go Speedster I like 98-99 with twin 787s. As far as the Challenger goes what are some good years and models? Are all the 18fters 1800s? I found a killer deal on a 97 18ft challenger 1800. What is the powerplant? Also what is a list of tools I need to do a compression test on these boats? Thanks again!

regarding the spec's on the boat.

all the answers are here, and more, this site has everything seadoo ! http://bit.ly/xcTUg8

for a compression test... u need a compression gauge (and a spark plug wrench)

 

[RFoster130]

Yeah the 97-99 Challenger 1800's came with twin 110 HP motors. Then they switched to mercury motors. They are nice boats and i wouldnt be afraid to get one if it was a good deal. The compression test is easy and you can even get the tester under the loan a tool program at auto zone.

If you are looking at 18 foot boats, i would just stay away from the Sportster 1800. It is essentially the same boat, just underpowered with twin 85Hp motors.

 

[howie099]

I have Sportster 1800 and it goes fine. It does mid 40's which I expect for 170HP. I bet the twin 787 only give like 5 more MPH on that size of boat. Money wise if the cost is the same get the Challenger. It planes very fast and this year it should plane faster with the Skat-Trak Swirls in it. I like the Challenger 1800 seating a little better. It is werid driving that far back until you plane you have this huge nose that shoots up and drops. I been in a 21' prop boat w/Volvo V8 carb and the Sportster 1800's I think is faster. I know I get up to speed way quicker than that boat and I don't get stuck in 2' of water either.

 

[RFoster130]

I rode in a sportster 1800 once with 5 people and it was a turd. I couldnt imagine if you tried to put 7 people in it. My speedster is even slugish 4 bigger adults. I would be disappinted with 45 mph, but thats just personal preference.