buying a 97 seadoo challenger

[swey00]

I am looking at purchasing a 97 SeaDoo challenger. It is the one with the twin engines. one of the motors has a problem and is out of the boat. The seat backs like most of the pics I have seen are cracked. I will be getting it for around $1500 or so(trading a gun+cash). I was just wondering if it is a decent deal? I guess if I search around, this forum will show me most of the in's and out's of the boat, but are the motors interchangeable with any of the pwc's and if so which ones?
thanks for any help
chris

 

[CypherAZ]

I am looking at purchasing a 97 SeaDoo challenger. It is the one with the twin engines. one of the motors has a problem and is out of the boat. The seat backs like most of the pics I have seen are cracked. I will be getting it for around $1500 or so(trading a gun+cash). I was just wondering if it is a decent deal? I guess if I search around, this forum will show me most of the in's and out's of the boat, but are the motors interchangeable with any of the pwc's and if so which ones?
thanks for any help
chris

New Engine is going to run you around $900ish, maybe cheaper if you shop around. $1500 seems like alot for a 13 year old boat that doesn't run and needs new seats. I'd make a lower offer and see what happens. What condition is the hull in?

 

[Dr Honda]

If it's a twin from 97... it should be a Speedster?? The Challenger had a single 800 engine in it.

But as said above... it's a little expensive for a boat that needs love. That boat in good running condition would be $3500 to $4000. Also... unless the other engine was recently replaced... you will find that you will be building 2 engines. Also... you may have pump problems that you won't know about until you try to run it the first time. And finally... unless you are doing your own labor... getting the seats re done will get expensive... and if you are doing them... it will take 20 or 30 hours of hard labor. (I was sweating my butt off while I was stretching the vinyl on my seats)

Just as an FYI... I paid $1500 for the boat in my avatar. It was ugly... but it had a brand new motor. I would offer the guy around $800 for what you described.

 

[Dr Honda]

Driving to my shop, it hit me... 97 was the first year for the Challenger 1800. it had twin 800 engines. is this the boat you are talking about??

But still... it would be hard for me to give $1500 for a boat that needs cosmetic, and at least one new engine.

Try to talk him down a little. I know you are trading a gun... but see what you can do.

 

[seadooya]

1800

I say, if its the Challenger 1800, thats a great deal, considering the re-sale value. SBT motor and 6-8 hundred in upholstery, on top of $1500.00 for the boat. You got 3k into for a 6k boat, sounds good to me.

 

[swey00]

He said it was a challenger, I havent had a chance yet to go and look at it. I know it is twin engine, I have seen the pics. I was going to trade a new rock river ar-15 with some ammo(around 1200 value) and a couple hundred for it.

I am just afraid that when I get it, it is going to have some carb/fuel issues which seems to be the main problem from what I was reading last night.

I wish I could find something decent like that around here for $1500. The only thing in that price range is really old broken fishing boats. :-s

 

[seadooya]

length

Is/does it look like a 14ft or 18ft? 14ft, you got a speedster, 18ft, then the Challenger 1800

 

[swey00]

It is the 18ft one.

 

[Dr Honda]

It is the 18ft one.

Yup... a Challenger 1800.

If you can do your own work... and the other engine checks out to be good. (not just taking the owners word) then it's worth it. If you have to pay someone else to fix it for you... then pass on it.

 

[seadooya]

the boat seats are easy to remove, and as for motor, its already out, strip the intake/exhaust manifold off, order/rent the flywheel pull to remove the flywheel, or let a mech. shop do it for 50 buks, then contact SBT for replacement. As for carbs, use the forum/Snipe's corner, and i think you'll be able to tackle that job. So, a little elbow grease, and you got yourself a perfect ride.

 

[swey00]

the boat seats are easy to remove, and as for motor, its already out, strip the intake/exhaust manifold off, order/rent the flywheel pull to remove the flywheel, or let a mech. shop do it for 50 buks, then contact SBT for replacement. As for carbs, use the forum/Snipe's corner, and i think you'll be able to tackle that job. So, a little elbow grease, and you got yourself a perfect ride.

If the boat has been sitting for awhile, the carbs will probably need rebuilt I would imagine. Is that pretty expensive? I didn't see it anywhere, but is there a guide on the normal stuff that needs gone through while I am changing out the motor so it will be ready for the lake?
thanks for all the help, much appreciated.

 

[seadooya]

Depending on the condition of the o-rings,gaskets..etc,inside the carbs, you'd be surprise, that all the carbs need is a thorough cleaning. Dismantle them carefully, and you'll be able to re-use the parts, with the exception of the o-rings around the LSA/HSA screws and the one located around the n/s assy, which you can find those at any hardware store.

Snipe, from what i remember..(Snipes Corner) did a brilliant layout of disassembling/re-assembling of the carbs. Along with that and help here, you'll be-able to manage the job.

If skeptical, and rather have someone go thru them, shoot me pm.:cheers:

 

[swey00]

Depending on the condition of the o-rings,gaskets..etc,inside the carbs, you'd be surprise, that all the carbs need is a thorough cleaning. Dismantle them carefully, and you'll be able to re-use the parts, with the exception of the o-rings around the LSA/HSA screws and the one located around the n/s assy, which you can find those at any hardware store.

Snipe, from what i remember..(Snipes Corner) did a brilliant layout of disassembling/re-assembling of the carbs. Along with that and help here, you'll be-able to manage the job.

If skeptical, and rather have someone go thru them, shoot me pm.:cheers:

sounds good. I will probably be checking it out in the next day or two. I have to say, this is one of the most helpful forums I have been to, with helping new people...
thanks

 

[Dr Honda]

sounds good. I will probably be checking it out in the next day or two. I have to say, this is one of the most helpful forums I have been to, with helping new people...
thanks

We Try. :cheers:

 

[laynpipeallday]

I love the challenger 1800

I bought the same boat for 8000.00 2 yrs ago!!! I love it~~ I did have to rebuild one of the motors about four months after i bought it but has been pretty trusty! Im totally happy, and for about 1500 you better be down right extatic!!!!! Im no mechanic believe this, but i did the pistons myself with a couple pointers and it was a breeze. Keep in mind I pay people for oil changes, lol.

 

[Jeff1229]

I think 1500 is alot for that boat. I sold mine ( 97' seadoo challenger 1800 ) a year ago for $3000. Both engines were in excellent shape. the seats didnt have a single crack, and it had a brand new cd player...and taking into consideration that it was a 12 year old boat. I would say shop around a little more.....

 

[ksw144]

I think 1500 is alot for that boat. I sold mine ( 97' seadoo challenger 1800 ) a year ago for $3000. Both engines were in excellent shape. the seats didnt have a single crack, and it had a brand new cd player...and taking into consideration that it was a 12 year old boat. I would say shop around a little more.....

I don't know where you guys are from, but that sounds like a very good deal to me. There's a guy locally that's asking 6K for a 90 something speedster. Says it's in good shape, and looks nice, but that's a smaller boat, with smaller engines...

I would definitely do some checking on the other engine though...


KW